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MM Sterling vs. Stingray

J

jerseydrew

May 22, 2006
37
0
#1
Ok, so I'm new here. I've already exhausted the "search" function. I've checked out the EB/MM website. I was hoping someone could help me.

I'm new to bass but I've been playing guitar for over 25 years. I never took the bass seriously until now. I am making an honest attempt to learn the bass properly. I'm really digging the MusicMan basses.

What's the difference between the Stingray and the Sterling. I've heard the the Sterling has a slimmer neck. That sounds attractive to me. Are the electronics the same? Can someone please explain this to me in English, so a dummy like me can understand? Please try not to flame me. I DID do a search and really couldn't find the answer.

Yes, I will eventually check them out in person. The only place I know that carries them is GC, and I want to do my homework BEFORE I go in the store. The salespeople are like vultures.(but that's another story).

One more thing, why do most of the MM come with only one pickup?

Like I said, I'm new to the bass and I'm new to this forum, so any info would greatly be appreciated.

Drew
 
#2
jerseydrew said:
Ok, so I'm new here. I've already exhausted the "search" function. I've checked out the EB/MM website. I was hoping someone could help me.

I'm new to bass but I've been playing guitar for over 25 years. I never took the bass seriously until now. I am making an honest attempt to learn the bass properly. I'm really digging the MusicMan basses.

What's the difference between the Stingray and the Sterling. I've heard the the Sterling has a slimmer neck. That sounds attractive to me. Are the electronics the same? Can someone please explain this to me in English, so a dummy like me can understand? Please try not to flame me. I DID do a search and really couldn't find the answer.
Click to expand...

Different electronics, different neck, different body.

The Sterling has a ceramic pickup with a dummy coil. It can be switched between series and parallel and can be coil tapped. The Stingray has an unswitchable alnico pickup with the option of a two or three band preamp. Both also have the option of piezo bridge pickups.

The Sterling has, as you heard, a slimmer neck, with narrower string spacing. It also has a smaller body.

Yes, I will eventually check them out in person. The only place I know that carries them is GC, and I want to do my homework BEFORE I go in the store. The salespeople are like vultures.(but that's another story).

One more thing, why do most of the MM come with only one pickup?
Click to expand...

For the same reason a Fender Precision only has one pickup.

The two pickup models are a recent addition to the range. Customer demand and all that.

Like I said, I'm new to the bass and I'm new to this forum, so any info would greatly be appreciated.

Drew
Click to expand...
 
#3
dlloyd said:
The Sterling has a ceramic pickup with a dummy coil. It can be switched between series and parallel and can be coil tapped. The Stingray has an unswitchable alnico pickup with the option of a two or three band preamp. Both also have the option of piezo bridge pickups.

The Sterling has, as you heard, a slimmer neck, with narrower string spacing. It also has a smaller body.
Click to expand...

Oh crap, what's the difference between the two pickups. The problem is is that I'm small. The slimmer neck and the smaller body is appealing to me. Are the pickups not as good? (please don't shoot me).

Also, when you say the Sterling has a ceramic pickup with a dummy coil, does that mean it's a single coil and not a humbucker? Plus series and parallel, what's that sound like?
 
#4
jerseydrew said:
Oh crap, what's the difference between the two pickups. The problem is is that I'm small. The slimmer neck and the smaller body is appealing to me. Are the pickups not as good? (please don't shoot me).

Also, when you say the Sterling has a ceramic pickup with a dummy coil, does that mean it's a single coil and not a humbucker? Plus series and parallel, what's that sound like?
Click to expand...

Both pickups are great.

Alnico has a reputation for having a warmer tone.

The dummy coil is an additional (third) coil that comes into play when the pickup is switched to single coil mode, keeping the hum cancellation.

The series and parallel modes both utilise both coils of the humbucker, giving slightly different tones.

The sterling is a great bass. I bought a stingray because I prefer the string spacing.
 
#6
In addition to the electronics, neck profile, and body size, the Sterling has a nice contoured neck joint, an extra fret, different shaped pickguard, rear-entry preamp (sounds naughty :p ), smaller headstock, and... I think that's it. Oh and to my ears, the Sterling has a slightly subdued classic MM sound whereas the Stingray has it in spades.

Personally, I prefer the Sterling but they are both amazing instruments. I say play both and whichever feels best is the one for you.
 
#8
You'll most definitely have to try both out to see if either one is the sound for you.
I for one find the Sterling too brash, sizzle-y and bright.
I prefer the Stingray sound, it's much mellower and more classic MM sounding. But if you can find a 'Ray with a 2-band eq, try it out too. Even darker sounding and is the classic MM sound.
 
#9
On my Sterling, if I want to warm up the tone, it is simply a matter of slightly boosting the lows. I personally think the Sterling sounds more mello than the Stingrays, which to me are very bright sounding. As you can see, only your ear will let you know what you want. I do want to also add a Stingray to my collection some day- I like its tone alot.
 
#11
I honestly don't see how its possible to "exhaust the search feature" when it comes to this subject. This topic has been done to death and back, and anyone who's been here for awhile can attest to that fact.

I'm not posting this to bust your balls, but it is frustrating after seeing this topic so many times.
 
#13
I havn't played a sterling, but I have played a 5 string ray and as far as im aware the 5 string has the sterling electronics.. Why they called it a stingray I have no idea...
Anyway...The 5 string didn't sound as warm / smooth as my ray. Im guessing from this that the sterling sound is a little bright for my preference...
 
#15
I like 'em both. Are you from New Jersey? What part?

I prefer the Stingray, but the main differences are that the Sterling has a thinner neck and smaller body, as well as a triple coil humbucker that can be switched between various settings. However, the Stingray is slightly larger, more aggressive sounding IMO, and is available with a 2 band EQ instead of the three band. A big plus in my book.
 
#16
i like the Sterling better but I definately love the SR4.

people already listed the differences "on paper". neither bass is a "cheap" or "old" version of the other - they're definately different basses that kinda/sorta look the same and are made by the same company. they're both top notch, sound great and are build very well.

Just go by the store and give them a try ... if you've never played one make sure to start with the amp's and the bass' EQ set flat. the preamps on both basses is very powerful so start with everything flat then adjust a lil bit at a time on the bass' EQ.
 

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