MM sterling (help)

[kristijan_og]

First, hello to everyone, I'm new in this giant comunitiy

I own a yamaha rbx 374, a low price bass and bass from which you can't expect much. I'm playing this bass for 4 years now and I really think it's time to buy a new one

When I first started to play the bass I fall in love with the sting ray, you guess - watching Flea playing it
I promised my self that I will buy a music man

I have very limited funds, so my choice will probably be the mm sterling bass because it's cheaper than sting ray.

Let me get to the point here - can you tell me the positive and especialy the negative sides of that bass, and can I expect a similar sound to the sting ray? And what's the diference between the sterling and the sting ray.

Many thanks to you good people, and excuses for the bad english

Cheers, Kristijan!

 

[Rano Bass]

First of all welcome
The difference between a Stingray and a Sterling is like this:
Stingray 21 frets, alnico pickup, 2 or 3 band EQ, classic look.
Sterling 22 frets, ceramic pickup with coil switch, smaller body, smaller neck profile.

I personally love the look of the Ray but prefer the sound of the Sterling but they sound 98% the same in a band context.

You can go here for more info: http://www.ernieball.com/forums

 

[nickn]

It's already been briefly mentioned but I'd like to expand on this a little more: The necks are different on the Sterling and the 'Ray. The difference between the two is, IME, like the difference between a P-bass and a J-bass. If you like smaller necks, then you'll be more at home on the Sterling. But if your playing style is like mine and your hand cramps up when you play on a little neck, you might want the Stingray.

 

[Bassmunnky]

First of all welcome
The difference between a Stingray and a Sterling is like this:
Stingray 21 frets, alnico pickup, 2 or 3 band EQ, classic look.
Sterling 22 frets, ceramic pickup with coil switch, smaller body, smaller neck profile.

I personally love the look of the Ray but prefer the sound of the Sterling but they sound 98% the same in a band context.

You can go here for more info: http://www.ernieball.com/forums

YES get to the MM forum. You'll find more details than you'd EVER want to know about this.

For the most part, this is true, however, I find the difference between the ALNICO (Sting Ray) and CERAMIC (Sterling) pickups are enough to consider them two distinctly voiced instruments. Yes, they sound like they are in the same family, but again, IMO, very different which all depends on YOUR style. I prefer the Alnico, so that's Ray for me.

Rays are usually NOT more than Sterlings in my neck of the woods. by the way.

You cannot GO WRONG with a Sterling or a Ray..

 

[Strongjag]

Again, like most people this is a personal preference, but the Sterling is the one for me. I went into BassCentral with a large budget planning on leaving with a Ray. Played a few, loved the sound, but not the neck, just felt a little chunky. Grasshopper brought me a Sterling and I knew it was coming home. The sound was different enough for me to notice but not enough for me to care.

The good thing is you have the versatility to cop a pretty convincing 'ray tone out of it. To most they wont even hear any difference. But like the poster above I'd say the biggest differences are aesthetics and neck. Try them before you buy though, glad I did.

And for the record, my sterling was worth every penny and will be staying with me for the indefinite future.

 

[Jorgemele894]

YES get to the MM forum. You'll find more details than you'd EVER want to know about this.

For the most part, this is true, however, I find the difference between the ALNICO (Sting Ray) and CERAMIC (Sterling) pickups are enough to consider them two distinctly voiced instruments. Yes, they sound like they are in the same family, but again, IMO, very different which all depends on YOUR style. I prefer the Alnico, so that's Ray for me.

Rays are usually NOT more than Sterlings in my neck of the woods. by the way.

You cannot GO WRONG with a Sterling or a Ray..

+1 to all above. I own a Sterling (love the damm thing) and have played multiple Stingrays. IMO the Sterling has more variety of tones if you compare it to the Stingray, but (and this is a big but) the preamp of the Sterling makes the bass sound kind of boomy when you boost the bass. This “boominess” doesn’t seem to be present on the Stingrays I have played so far. This is not a big issue for me because I tend to cut a little bit of highs and leave everything else flat with the switch selector in parallel mode. I suggest that you try both and then decide which one suit your needs best.

 

[whitedk57]

I have a Sterling, and I have not played the Stingray. I did pick them both up at a store and I preferred the neck and lighter weight of the Sterling.

I did however swap out my original pup with a Nordstrand Alnico pup (makes it sound more like the Stingray).

When looking at prices on the Ebay, I have found the prices to be close in resale.

I love my Sterling - you will not be disappointed!

 

[pjmuck]

Another vote for the Sterling. I own both, and my Sterling is my #1 live bass now. Although I'd say that 'Rays have a bigger, beefier tone, the Sterling can get close to copping the 'Ray tones. I prefer the neck on the Sterling better and also feel that it has a more balanced overall sound across the strings with less of the noticeable "infamous" 'Ray thin G string tone.

 

[kristijan_og]

Everybody thanks for the replyes, you made my day better after a crap day at work

Hmm..it looks that my next bass will be a Sterling, because I love thin fast necks (although, I have long fingers) and the neck on my yamaha is also smaller then e.g. at ATK Ibanez.

I have more questions:
- which version do you recommend for funk, rock and hard rock style of playing (funk is my primar style) 1H or 2H?
- how much did you pay your sterlings?
- can you upload some clips of your sterlings (slap)..I will be in a opportunity to play that bass next month..but I'm impatient
- and can you put your bass pictures here..I'm so excited geting one

Thanks. K