Looking for Comparison Between MM Stingray and MM Sterling...

[Count Bassie]

I'm talking the US made Music Man models here. Just the essential differences, soundwise. I'm a few words... I'm sure there are differences in feel, whether the Stingray has a two or three band EQ, etc.
I'm just curious about the general feeling about these two and how they generally compare.
Thank you for your time!

 

[57pbass]

From CHATGPT..

Absolutely—here’s a concise breakdown of the essential sound differences between the USA Music Man StingRay and the USA Sterling:

StingRay: Big, bold, scooped tone. Think “classic Music Man growl”—tight lows, glassy highs, and a distinctive mid-scoop. Iconic slap tone.

Sterling: Tighter and more aggressive mids, with a punchier, slightly more compressed tone. Often perceived as more “modern” or articulate.

In short:
StingRay = wide, scooped, classic punch
Sterling = focused, mid-forward, tighter voice

They both have that signature Music Man sound, but the Sterling is leaner and snappier, while the StingRay is fuller and smoother.

 

[ardgedee]

I never knew ChatGPT could play bass. It doesn't even have arms.

 

[Count Bassie]

@57pbass , thanks for the concise dope on that. I've been checking out some YouTube offerings and that run down makes sense. Much appreciated!

 

[humbuckaroo]

I never knew ChatGPT could play bass. It doesn't even have arms.

Chat Growl Pluck Thump

 

[Kevin Hailey]

From CHATGPT..

Absolutely—here’s a concise breakdown of the essential sound differences between the USA Music Man StingRay and the USA Sterling:

StingRay: Big, bold, scooped tone. Think “classic Music Man growl”—tight lows, glassy highs, and a distinctive mid-scoop. Iconic slap tone.

Sterling: Tighter and more aggressive mids, with a punchier, slightly more compressed tone. Often perceived as more “modern” or articulate.

In short:
StingRay = wide, scooped, classic punch
Sterling = focused, mid-forward, tighter voice

They both have that signature Music Man sound, but the Sterling is leaner and snappier, while the StingRay is fuller and smoother.

What makes talk bass a valuable resource and community is the input of its members.
Posting regurgitated drivel from AI is lazy and does nothing to expand the knowledge base of this community whilst simultaneously displaying none of your own.
We’re here for each other.

 

[Coldmilk]

The biggest difference aside from cosmetics, is that the Sterling has a slimmer 1.5 nut width neck, and most models sport a Ceramic magnetized pickup, as opposed to the classic Alnico pickup of the traditional Stingray. Which is what ChatGPT above talked about, in regards to the tonal differences, but didn't fully understand why.

You can find USA Sterlings in 2 band(Sterling USA SUB, Sterling USA Classic), but most of the standard USA models are a 3 band with a strat-style pickup selector that allows for series/single-coil/parallel configurations. I may be mistaken, but I believe these pickups actually have a third phantom coil which allows it to be noiseless in the single-coil mode.

One thing I would mention is that, the modern Stingrays(called Stingray Specials) that are currently being built by EBMM, are Neodymium pickups with a 18v pre-amp. I think they're a whole different animal, but in a good way. Modern Stingrays are 22 fret necks, just like the Sterlings. The older Stingrays can be identified by their 21 fret necks.

 

[Count Bassie]

...most of the standard USA models are a 3 band with a strat-style pickup selector that allows for series/single-coil/parallel configurations. I may be mistaken, but I believe these pickups actually have a third phantom coil which allows it to be noiseless in the single-coil mode.

I've been learning about the Sterlings. They do have a "dummy" coil that is connected to the single coil function. And from what I'm hearing in headphones from YouTube it sounds pretty big.

 

[kyral210]

Welcome to the YouTube search function:

 

[Rdore2000]

The Sterling was more aggressive than my Stingray was. The neck was more comfortable. I've sold both since.

 

[Artorias]

I noticed you mentioned “feel” and I see someone addressed this, but I can second the fact that the playing experience is different. When I was shopping for my Stingray, I tried a lot, and noticed the Sterlings felt more like jazz basses due to the narrower nut. The US stingray feels very similar to an older P-bass with the wide nut.

The US stingray necks also felt more refined than the sterlings. It’s one of those indescribable things you have to feel to understand. It just feels like way more… care or attention.. is put into the US necks.

The bodies are pretty much interchangeable, though you can tell the US models have a vastly superior finish application.

Electronics are much more robust on the US models as well (yes, I removed the Pickguard and control plates on a couple when checking them out with the shop owner’s permission of course).

The neck finish is hard to describe too, but I’ll say while the sterling necks are comfortable and finished well in my experience, the US models were absolutely perfect feeling. Smooth and soft like a slight dusting of baby powder is on them. The neck profiles were also slightly inconsistent with the sterlings (just enough to feel a difference). Every single US model I tried felt exactly, EXACTLY, the same which speaks to the precision and consistency with EBMM US manufacturing.

Do I think the US model (I paid $2599 for mine) is worth that much more than the Sterlings (the models I tried were in the $749-$899 range)? For me, yes absolutely. I would say you should invest the time in finding examples of both and physically interacting with them to come to a conclusion on whether or not the difference in feel is worth the difference in price.

Sound wise, I think that’s simply going to be a personal preference thing. I’m sure this won’t help much, but while they both sound very good, the US models sound more “grown up” and “well-rounded” and “open” for lack of better terms. The Sterlings sounded more “tight” and “scooped” and “less mature” if that even makes sense.

 

[mdogs]

I noticed you mentioned “feel” and I see someone addressed this, but I can second the fact that the playing experience is different. When I was shopping for my Stingray, I tried a lot, and noticed the Sterlings felt more like jazz basses due to the narrower nut. The US stingray feels very similar to an older P-bass with the wide nut.

The US stingray necks also felt more refined than the sterlings. It’s one of those indescribable things you have to feel to understand. It just feels like way more… care or attention.. is put into the US necks.

The bodies are pretty much interchangeable, though you can tell the US models have a vastly superior finish application.

Electronics are much more robust on the US models as well (yes, I removed the Pickguard and control plates on a couple when checking them out with the shop owner’s permission of course).

The neck finish is hard to describe too, but I’ll say while the sterling necks are comfortable and finished well in my experience, the US models were absolutely perfect feeling. Smooth and soft like a slight dusting of baby powder is on them. The neck profiles were also slightly inconsistent with the sterlings (just enough to feel a difference). Every single US model I tried felt exactly, EXACTLY, the same which speaks to the precision and consistency with EBMM US manufacturing.

Do I think the US model (I paid $2599 for mine) is worth that much more than the Sterlings (the models I tried were in the $749-$899 range)? For me, yes absolutely. I would say you should invest the time in finding examples of both and physically interacting with them to come to a conclusion on whether or not the difference in feel is worth the difference in price.

Sound wise, I think that’s simply going to be a personal preference thing. I’m sure this won’t help much, but while they both sound very good, the US models sound more “grown up” and “well-rounded” and “open” for lack of better terms. The Sterlings sounded more “tight” and “scooped” and “less mature” if that even makes sense.

Perhaps you should reread the OP.

 

[Tj smith]

I have several of both and besides for the obvious size difference, the sterling has a fuller tone to me. I actually prefer Sterlings over rays.

 

[LowActionHero]

I never knew ChatGPT could play bass. It doesn't even have arms.

2.0

 

[Artorias]

Perhaps you should reread the OP.

I did. He asked about sound and mentioned he’s sure there are differences in feel. Thought I’d give thoughts on the feel as well since after that, his question gets a little vague as he also seems to disregard the different EQ’s which contribute to the sound as the 2-band versions of either have a pretty different sound to the 3-band. Sorry for posting

 

[mdogs]

I did. He asked about sound and mentioned he’s sure there are differences in feel. Thought I’d give thoughts on the feel as well since after that, his question gets a little vague as he also seems to disregard the different EQ’s which contribute to the sound as the 2-band versions of either have a pretty different sound to the 3-band. Sorry for posting

Except that you compared the import Stingray to the US Stingray, he was talking about the US Stingray vs. the US Sterling.

 

[Artorias]

Except that you compared the import Stingray to the US Stingray, he was talking about the US Stingray vs. the US Sterling.

My bad. Jeez.

 

[Count Bassie]

My bad. Jeez.

Well it was a pretty comprehensive and thoughtful assessment at any rate! It is nonetheless appreciated. I'll bet there's a thread you could copy and paste it to!

 

[Count Bassie]

I have several of both and besides for the obvious size difference, the sterling has a fuller tone to me. I actually prefer Sterlings over rays.

What I like about the Stingray is the pronounced low end punch, even a kind of growl down low that the Sterling isn't putting out, probably for that very reason- the Sterling's "fuller-ness" in the lower mids. (I just made a word up, lol).
The Stingray's character is all about that scoop, seems to me- that's what enables it.

 

[JimmyO]

Played a Sterling as my main workhorse for years. I always likened the Sterling v. Stingray to the Jazz v. Precision. It came later, was arguably more versatile in tone and ergonomic to play, but has always been the in the shadow of the brand’s flagship thumper. Shame they don’t make them anymore, except iirc by special order. Ultimately active basses have too much sizzle for me, but I did love that Sterling.