NBD - short scale sterling stingray

[scuzzy]

Popped up on FB marketplace for 2 bills. I had to jump on it at that price. Needed a cleanup, but plays beautifully, and feels really nice. If anyone knows the electronics, please post!

Just a bit of buckle rash, other than that, great shape. Has a wonderful neck, similar to my Big Al.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Wiring diagram.

 

[ghostdog93]

2 bills? As in $200? US?

Color me jealous. Nice looking bass. Great score.

 

[scuzzy]

2 bills? As in $200? US?

Color me jealous. Nice looking bass. Great score.

Yup. I left work early to snag it.

 

[gln1955]

These are great basses. I have two of them and have been trying to sell one of them for months on FBM and Craigslist. Two hundred is a steal!

 

[Doctor Morbius]

$200 is definitely a steal. Congrats on your new/used bass. I have a Daphne Blue one and for 200 quid I would have jumped on it.

The new ones in Toluca Lake Blue are absolutely gorgeous! I love that they have a roasted neck, dark rosewood fretboard and the same tuners as the Ray34. Maybe in the future I'll find a smokin' deal on one of those.

 

[bordinco90]

$200 is an absolute steal for that bass! Congrats!

 

[BassBrass]

as for the electronics, I know that (or read/heard somewhere) pulling the volume knob out isn't a boost, it's the normal volume for the ceramic p.u., whereas the in position is a slight cut to equal other, less high output PU's, maybe better for your amp or effects. (I like a high line level and use effects that can handle it, so I keep mine out). As for the 3 options on the selector knob/switch, I use the loudest, it has plenty of highs. But I love options and on a passive bass, super design. Yours is the prettiest I've seen, even like the thumb rest--without it forces a floating thumb technique, no big deal, but takes a minute as I'm used to resting my thump on a pickup edge further away from the bridge.

 

[john_g]

wow thats a great deal

 

[gln1955]

as for the electronics, I know that (or read/heard somewhere) pulling the volume knob out isn't a boost, it's the normal volume for the ceramic p.u., whereas the in position is a slight cut to equal other, less high output PU's, maybe better for your amp or effects. (I like a high line level and use effects that can handle it, so I keep mine out). As for the 3 options on the selector knob/switch, I use the loudest, it has plenty of highs. But I love options and on a passive bass, super design. Yours is the prettiest I've seen, even like the thumb rest--without it forces a floating thumb technique, no big deal, but takes a minute as I'm used to resting my thump on a pickup edge further away from the bridge.

There's cap in the "boost" circuit too, so it does affect tone as well. It's useless, IMO, and I just run it wide open.

 

[DrBnz]

Whoa.... for $200.... Whats wrong with it? Is it stolen? That's a fantastic deal. They're typically twice that much (used). Thats what I call priced to move.

 

[BassBrass]

There's cap in the "boost" circuit too, so it does affect tone as well. It's useless, IMO, and I just run it wide open.

huh, first Sterling SUB I got was too loud for anything except running it straight into a practice amp. That's ok for a youngsters first bass and at under $300 that's who I thought it was made for.

 

[gln1955]

huh, first Sterling SUB I got was too loud for anything except running it straight into a practice amp. That's ok for a youngsters first bass and at under $300 that's who I thought it was made for.

All I use are a compressor, tuner and my Subway amp. They are all happy with everything the ray gives it.

 

[BassBrass]

All I use are a compressor, tuner and my Subway amp. They are all happy with everything the ray gives it.

I think it was just that generation of Sterling SUB, the preamp was a little hot, ...other people reported the same thing. Like the Ampeg Portaflex 500, the first batch had a flaw they later corrected-my first one was replaced free. I got a butterscotch Ray later and it's fine. The sub wears LTF's now and it's a punchy ba$tard with a Great low action maple neck. (I bought it to leave in a low security city warehouse practice space that lost heating on occasion.)
I have one of these short-scale because I tried it at GC on a nice Markbass amp and was forced to buy it, nothing I could do about it. I probably needed a new toy as well.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Free Advice:
It's been my experience that these passive Stingrays are VERY amp dependent. Mine sounds fabulous through a GK MB210-II combo with a skosh of highs and upper mids added. However, through my Rumble 40 and 500C amps it sounds like moist flatulence! I seriously cannot dial in a decent tone no matter what.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

as for the electronics, I know that (or read/heard somewhere) pulling the volume knob out isn't a boost, it's the normal volume for the ceramic p.u.,

True, except it's a neodymium pickup, not ceramic. Ceramics come on the Ray4, Ray4HH and Ray24CA models and any 5 string brethren.

 

[BassBrass]

True, except it's a neodymium pickup, not ceramic. Ceramics come on the Ray4, Ray4HH and Ray24CA models and any 5 string brethren.

oh, right, thanks. I knew that and seemed to forget. Changed your avatar? I wonder if there's a picture somewhere of the animated Monster Of the Id.

 

[FightMilk]

There's cap in the "boost" circuit too, so it does affect tone as well. It's useless, IMO, and I just run it wide open.

Yep, I am familiar with this circuit, pretty sure the volume up position is a volume and bass boost. It's a nice thing to have when the guitar player's tubes get warmed up and he doesn't turn it down.

 

[Krizz]

Nice score, my Sterling SS is in my top 3, awesome neck. Congrats!

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Yep, I am familiar with this circuit, pretty sure the volume up position is a volume and bass boost. It's a nice thing to have when the guitar player's tubes get warmed up and he doesn't turn it down.

It’s counterintuitive but the up position is the cut . I always run mine in the down position & “the loudest” on the rotary pot as well.

Mine sounds best through my Mark Bass Berlin / NY151.

I too got mine for a steal they were first released @ my local pawn shop in brand new condition for $230 OTD.

She’s Daphne Blue with maple neck. I love this little bass. Nice companion to my 34” Ray 24 CA in GC exclusive mint green. Gotta great deal on it too for I think $349 plus tax when they first came out.