Musicman 2006 vs 2010: Different electronis, pickups, ...?

[allilla]

Hi guys

I'm thinking about buying a used MM SR5 HH 2006.
Is there any huge difference in the electronics or something that would make spending a lot more for a 2010 model worth the difference?

Thanks for a quick reply!

 

[MutronIII]

SR5 went back to AlNiCo pickups in 2008. They had ceramics starting in 92. It's a bit of different sound. Current Sterlings still have ceramics.

 

[allilla]

Oh thanks!
Since I've only tried and heard the newer sound, I should try to find a sample online first.
Do you happen to know any Youtube Video or something which had ceramics for sure?

 

[MutronIII]

Nope, but you can get a sense of the difference between the two in the descriptions here :http://www.seymourduncan.com/comparetones

 

[trunkshope6]

so the sr 5 is now more stingray than it eve was, before it was essentially a sterling right?

 

[MutronIII]

Sr5 predates the Sterling and is more closely related to the Silhouette guitar (same body design). The SR5 switched to ceramics with a dummy coil around the same time the Sterling came out.

 

[allilla]

Ok, I've heared some samples. Sounds good, too.
Just in case: Is it possible to replace the ceramics by AlNiCo if I really don't like the sound at all?
I've read about lots of pick ups that do fit, but haven't seen that answered yet.

Thanks for your help, appreciate it!

 

[Rano Bass]

Ok, I've heared some samples. Sounds good, too.
Just in case: Is it possible to replace the ceramics by AlNiCo if I really don't like the sound at all?

Its gonna be really hard to find replacement pickups for that bass, most SR5 replacements have a different shape then the newer ones have.

 

[MutronIII]

Actually swapping the magnets isn't really practical. Replacement pups OTOH are easily found. These are direct AlNiCo replacements for the 2006: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/basslines/progressive-1/smb4a_5a_3coil/

EMG, Nordstrand, & Bartolini all make MM pups. EB typically doesn't offer replacement parts unless you send them the original piece. Not sure if they'd do a pup swap unless the stock one is dead.

Honestly, it's such a subtle difference, I wouldn't sweat it. I'd be more concerned about things you can't adjust with a simple twist of an EQ knob or a pup swap: how's the playability, the neck, enough breathing room with truss rod, the color, etc.

 

[Rano Bass]

Actually swapping the magnets isn't really practical. Replacement pups OTOH are easily found. These are direct AlNiCo replacements for the 2006: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/basslines/progressive-1/smb4a_5a_3coil/

EMG, Nordstrand, & Bartolini all make MM pups. .

Those pups have a different shape that the new SR5 pups, i know that because i replaced the bridge pickup in my HH SR5 with a Seymour Duncan smb 5d and i had to do a little work to make it fit.

 

[mmbongo]

The new ones have a compensated nut also.

 

[mikeswals]

For starters, why don't you just try the bass out to see if you like it or don't like it, before deciding that it needs different electronics.

 

[MutronIII]

Those pups have a different shape that the new SR5 pups, i know that because i replaced the bridge pickup in my HH SR5 with a Seymour Duncan smb 5d and i had to do a little work to make it fit.

But he would be looking to swap on a 2006 bass... these would be a direct replacement for that style.

 

[scowboy]

A stock modern Stingray sounds like a Stingray. Any differences are just nuances which in the heat of the moment you will not hear. From my experience the fingerboard neck wood makes a bigger difference than anything else. I admit I have never tried a 2EQ but in the SR5 world I do not thing that applies anyway.