New to 5, Sterling or Stingray?

[JimFiore]

Hi folks. I'm new here and hoping for a little insight. I've decided to venture into the world of 5 strings. I tried a StingRay 5HH at the local shop the other day and liked it. I just discovered that there is now a Sterling 5 as well (local shop doesn't have any Sterlings to try for comparison). I like the idea of a smaller body as I'm not a very big guy but is it really that much different? Also, I am wondering about the sound of the Sterling and the neck compared to the SR.

I have a Ric 4003 and a Fender Jazz Bass Special fretless. If anyone could offer some thoughts on comparisons between these basses, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[baba]

While I haven't played the Sterling 5, the Sterling 4's have thinner neck profiles than the Stingray 4's. I imagine the new 5 is the same - thinner Jazz like neck.

I think they have the same electronics. Weren't the Sterling 4 and Stingray 5 electronics always the same?

I think the new Stingray 5 pickups are moving back to alnico magnets so perhaps the Sterling 5 has ceramic.

I'm not 100% on this stuff, but this is likely where differences would lie.

 

[wazzel]

I can not comment on the sterling since I have never played one, but my Stingray has never let me down.

 

[Oh! Henry]

If you liked the sound of the Stingray, buy a Sterling....... let me explain

Stingray 5`s are equiped with Ceramic pickups. However, as of January, the Sterling 5 will inherit the Stingray 5 electronics, and all Stingrays will now have alnico pickups, just like their 4 string counterpart. Plus you get the bonus of a thinner neck (front to back) and a downsised body.

 

[Baird6869]

If you liked the sound of the Stingray, buy a Sterling....... let me explain

Stingray 5`s are equiped with Ceramic pickups. However, as of January, the Sterling 5 will inherit the Stingray 5 electronics, and all Stingrays will now have alnico pickups, just like their 4 string counterpart. Plus you get the bonus of a thinner neck (front to back) and a downsised body.

Play them all if you can! In my case I like ceramic pole pieces MUCH more than alnico (my 2 SR4s have alnico). It gives a much warmer sound.

 

[JimFiore]

No local dealer has a Sterling. That's my problem. I'm only guessing on the body size variance. I know the Sterling 5 isn't out yet, but if I could at least compare a Sterling 4 to an SR 4 I'd have a clue. My JBS fits well and I don't have much problem with the Ric (in spite of its unique shape). Am I understanding correctly that the Sterling's neck is closer to my JBS than is the StingRay's?

Regarding alinco vs. ceramic, I prefer a brighter tone with some growl. I don't like it muffled or soft, but I still want a solid bottom end. Are the ceramics brighter than the alnico?

 

[Baird6869]

Are the ceramics brighter than the alnico?

I would say alnico is brighter.

 

[jlepre]

If you liked the sound of the Stingray, buy a Sterling....... let me explain

Stingray 5`s are equiped with Ceramic pickups. However, as of January, the Sterling 5 will inherit the Stingray 5 electronics, and all Stingrays will now have alnico pickups, just like their 4 string counterpart. Plus you get the bonus of a thinner neck (front to back) and a downsised body.

+1 If you like the feel of the Fender Jazz neck, I would get the Sterling. Remember this is coming from a guy who has one on order and can't wait to get his hands on it!