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Music Man Sterling Classic Love Thread

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Christcr, Jul 11, 2018.

  1. Jul 11, 2018 #1
    Christcr

    Christcr Supporting Member

    Feb 8, 2015
    Utah
    I haven't seen a whole lot of discussion about the (unfortunately discontinued) Music Man Sterling Classic Bass. I thought it might be kind of nice to have owners, or those who have had them in the past, share their experiences (and hopefully, love) of the bass here. Also, maybe some facts like colors, production years, variations, etc, for those who might be looking into finding one.

    Here's my experience with the Sterling Classic:

    I've been in love with the "regular" Sterling 4H since my first one in the early 1990s. I've owned maybe ten different Sterlings off and on over the years.

    I got my first Sterling Classic maybe five or six years ago. The thing that drew me in was the gloss finished neck--I've always preferred that. It was a gorgeous bass--sort of a medium blue with maple board--but to tell you the truth, I didn't connect with it at the time. I was a bit bugged because the hard-wired series pickup didn't have the options of a regular Sterling and series is the setting I use least on a regular Sterling. Also, the neck was slightly twisted. Not enough to make it unplayable or affect it all that much, but enough to flare my OCD up. So I traded it away.

    Cut to now: I just recently picked up another one. I had to do a bit of setup and nut work on it, but I can tell you, it was love at first pluck. Even though I'm not a fan of series wiring in general, it seems that two-band EQ does something magical for this bass that I really, really like. I don't know why I didn't notice this with my first one, but the thing sounds absolutely incredible, coil switching be damned.

    For the style I play 95% of the time (typical fingerstyle), it gets a tight, warm punch that my other Sterlings or Stingrays just don't. And the Stingray Classic that I had awhile back didn't either.

    When I bought this Sterling Classic, I had planned on changing the pickup; but NO WAY am I going to do that now. I'm in love with this thing as is. So much so, that I'm seriously considering buying another as a backup since they ain't makin' 'em anymore (hopefully I'll score another winner). The only thing I don't see me using this bass for is slap. It doesn't get that "Stingray/Sterling parallel slap tone" that I love. But that's okay, it's going to be great for pretty much everything else and there isn't much call for slap bass in what I am doing right now, anyway (one song out of 40 and I can use my regular Sterling for that).

    So... the Music Man Sterling Classic: a winning design that has, unfortunately, gone the way of the dinosaur, but is presently loved by at least one person. And I'm sure by a few others, no?
     
    ahbradot, Bibby, jamzcl and 1 other person like this.
  2. Jul 22, 2018 #2
    Bibby

    Bibby

    Aug 24, 2000
    My brother.

    I haven't logged on to talkbass in ages, but stumbling across this topic I had no choice but to respond.

    A few years ago I took a chance on a Musicman Sterling Classic and it was the best bass decision I have ever made.

    After many, many big dollar boutique basses I realized I preferred the sounds of a good passive P or J bass more than anything. So I stuck with those for years and years.

    On a whim I traded for a MM Sterling Classic on these boards and man am I glad I did.

    I can go into details if you want, but what an underrated bass. There is no other bass out there that bridges the gap between vintage and modern like the Sterling Classic does. Which is why I think this bass was not as successful as it should have been.

    Anyways, Christcr, you are not alone! If this is a club of 2 so be it, the masses need not know of our little slice of heaven.

    Please, post some pics of your Sterling Classic. I will do the same!
     
    Treb and nateh415 like this.
  3. Jul 22, 2018 #3
    Christcr

    Christcr Supporting Member

    Feb 8, 2015
    Utah
    Here is mine (please excuse the poor quality camera and/or camera operator :D):

    000_1447.JPG

    I believe the color is called powder blue. In person, it looks almost greenish-blue like sea foam green.

    They did make a sea foam green Sterling Classic, but I'd assume those are very rare. So far, I've seen white, black, powder blue, a limited run "butter cream," a medium metallic blue, a darker diego blue, sunburst, tobacco sunburst, shoreline gold, and fiesta red. There were probably other colors as well. They were made with both maple and rosewood fingerboards. I've never seen one with ebony. Most all of the necks I've seen are either flamed, birds eye, or burled to an extent--more so on the maple fingerboard necks.

    I do like the oiled/waxed necks on the typical Music Man bass, but I far prefer the gloss finished necks they do on these Sterling Classics and Stingray Classics, especially on maple fingerboard basses. The oiled version gets dirty and dingy so easily... these never do. Or at least never have for me.

    And so, now we have the Music Man Sterling Classic Bass Club members #1 and #2...
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2018
    _Obra_, jamzcl, wmmj and 3 others like this.
  4. Jul 23, 2018 #4
    Bibby

    Bibby

    Aug 24, 2000
    She's a beauty!

    I would love to have a powder blue one with a rosewood neck, it would be a perfect compliment to mine: IMG_1942.jpg IMG_1953.jpg IMG_1941.jpg IMG_1958.jpg

    These were taken a few years ago, I have since put the original black guard back on for a cleaner look. There are so many things I love about this bass:

    -1 piece ash body.
    -1 piece (beautiful) flame maple neck.
    -Best neck profile ever, 1.5" but meaty. I like a handful. The 7.5 vintage radius is preference as well.
    -Perfect action, ridiculously low all the way up the neck with nary a buzz. And super light strings to boot.
    -A tick under 9 lbs. Not to heavy, not to light, just solid.
    -The ceramic pickup in series. I am a mid range fiend and this thing is hot. It is like a Fender on 'roids. I have never been a fan of the scooped Stingray sound. This thing just grunts and doesn't have that active, clanky tone. And I like the slap sound.
    -Volume, bass, and treble. Keeping it simple and much more versatile than one would think.

    I could go on, but that is enough for now. If this a club, I am proud to be member #2!

    Hopefully others pop in and post pics of their Classics, I know they are out there.
     
    jamzcl, DeliriumTremens and Treb like this.
  5. Jul 24, 2018 #5
    Treb

    Treb

    May 30, 2000
    The Hague, The Netherlands
    What a beauty! Love that flamed maple neck. When I was shopping for a new Sterling I found a lovely Sterling Classic for 2300 euros, bought a regular Sterling for 1640 euros instead. Just couldn't justify the upcharge to myself. I do prefer the old style bridge and logo though.
     
  6. Aug 19, 2018 #6
    Jscriv

    Jscriv

    Feb 3, 2017
    Tonawanda NY
    I've been shopping for the right one for a solid year now. I love my 4h but I'd love to have a glossed neck. And the birdseye boards are so so pretty
     
    Bibby likes this.
  7. Sep 9, 2018 #7
    jamzcl

    jamzcl

    Jul 21, 2004
    Des Moines, IA USA
    I'm a Fender Jazz player but have been wanting to give one of these a go for a different flavor. Unfortunately it seems these are pretty hard to come by as of late. Would love to grab a white one with maple neck, but this seems like it could be a challenge :(
     
    Bibby likes this.
  8. Oct 20, 2018 #8
    jamzcl

    jamzcl

    Jul 21, 2004
    Des Moines, IA USA
    Mission accomplished thanks to a fellow member :thumbsup:

    My first Music Man and it's a good one, I think it's a 2010. Like the tone and the feel and the birdseye maple neck looks killer!

    20181020_124149.jpg 20181020_125136.jpg
     
    _Obra_, Bibby, THany and 3 others like this.
  9. Aug 31, 2019 #9
    THany

    THany

    Jul 24, 2019
    Israel
    I have only started playing the bass, but got quite ocd about it. I have listened to many many demos. The sound I cant get off of my mind is of the E.B MM sterling classic.
    It has the most deep, reach, warm, punchy, bassy, round, fat, whole sound.
    I just love it, and really hope to get one, some day.. SOON
     
  10. Mar 18, 2020 #10
    Davemg89

    Davemg89

    Jan 20, 2020
    Im trying to resurrect this thread in hopes that one of these few lucky EBMM Sterling Classic owners would post their nice looking figured birdseye maple basses for sale, Im paying good so dont be shy ;)
     
    Bibby likes this.
  11. Apr 20, 2020 #11
    alema

    alema

    May 14, 2007
    Curitiba, Brasil / Orlando, FL
    All Sterling Classics are Ash Body/ Maple Necks?
     
  12. Oct 17, 2020 #12
    Bibby

    Bibby

    Aug 24, 2000
    Well, I went and bought the matching powder blue/ rosewood version I have been seeking. The classifieds on this site are a dangerous and beautiful thing. Flats on the natty and rounds on the blue, I could not be more content or spoiled at this point.

    IMG_20201017_164108502_HDR_2.jpg
     
    Mike Vee, _Obra_, eastcoasteddie and 4 others like this.
  13. Oct 17, 2020 #13
    Eneade

    Eneade

    Jun 14, 2008
    France
    Wow, they look fantastic !
     
    Bibby likes this.
  14. Oct 17, 2020 #14
    Jscriv

    Jscriv

    Feb 3, 2017
    Tonawanda NY

    I'm jealous. The neck on that natural is stellar
     
    Bibby likes this.
  15. Oct 17, 2020 #15
    Bibby

    Bibby

    Aug 24, 2000
    @Eneade and @Jscriv - Thanks!

    Yes, very pleased with both. Agree that the flame on the natty neck is special. Musicman has always had the nicest figured neck wood compared to other stock, mass produced instrument mfr's. Definitely some Plain Janes out there, but more often than not you have something pretty to look at.

    The maple on the blue is more tinted and has some birdseye, but nothing over the top. Much less of an aesthetic factor with the rosewood fretboard, but still nicely done.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2020
  16. Oct 18, 2020 #16
    Eneade

    Eneade

    Jun 14, 2008
    France
    The flamed maple of the natural looks great... but I find the blue one even more appealing. There is something special about this combo with the white pickup.
     
    Bibby likes this.