Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sterling by MusicMan...the next OLP
- Thread starter mynan
- Start date
Oh I know that you can still order the EBMM one,but as I am a student that doesn't have just under two grand to spare,I was looking to see what Sterling may do as a similar one to the OLP MM5,something that wouldn't hurt the pocket so much.
Did the closest A/B test I could today. Natural maple necked Sterling Ray 34 and a 3 band maple necked finished EBMM set to the center detent on all EQ. The action and pickup to string distance was the same as best I could tell.
Very very similar and a comparison to how the the G&L Tribute is to the USA G&Ls is apt.
The Sterling Ray had a little less bass and the USA had a bit of a better sound overall but so small it could have been the strings, variation in the magnet, wires, or the breed of dog that peed on the tree as it grew.
Best way to explain it is that 2 cooks make a pot of stew from the same recipe with the same stash of ingredients and seasonings.
One uses a bit more garlic than the other and a pinch of a seasoning the other didn't. You will notice and be able to say one has more garlic, and one has this other little thing you can't put your finger on but both taste 95% the same.
These are no OLPs.
FWIW for those that don't know me and think this an EBMM knucklehead fanboi review you are dead wrong.
Jim
Very very similar and a comparison to how the the G&L Tribute is to the USA G&Ls is apt.
The Sterling Ray had a little less bass and the USA had a bit of a better sound overall but so small it could have been the strings, variation in the magnet, wires, or the breed of dog that peed on the tree as it grew.
Best way to explain it is that 2 cooks make a pot of stew from the same recipe with the same stash of ingredients and seasonings.
One uses a bit more garlic than the other and a pinch of a seasoning the other didn't. You will notice and be able to say one has more garlic, and one has this other little thing you can't put your finger on but both taste 95% the same.
These are no OLPs.
FWIW for those that don't know me and think this an EBMM knucklehead fanboi review you are dead wrong.
Jim
Of course not...you are a G&L Geek.
Thanks for the review. I am interested in checking one out.
It hasn't hurt Fender to have $200 basses and $20000 basses ... just saying. The average consumer in Guitar Center is probably going to spend less than $500, so I see this as a business move - no more, no less. It'll be interesting to see if OLP will now become the 70s/80s pre-lawsuit Japanese basses of the MM-lover world.
I think high $600s on the street. Subject to change but once these start showing up in stores we'll know.
Jim
I think its a great idea. I can see why people think using the Sterling name is a bit funky. As others have stated though I dont think its anymore confusing than a MIA/MIM/MIJ Fender.
I do not see this as brand dilution. More as brand expansion. Ever wonder why most guitar stores have more guitars between $100 - $600? Its what sells. They are just covering their bases. Smart move.
I do not see this as brand dilution. More as brand expansion. Ever wonder why most guitar stores have more guitars between $100 - $600? Its what sells. They are just covering their bases. Smart move.
Another thing that would help is for headstock to say
Musicman
Sterling series
Rather than
Sterling
by Musicman
Like the Lakland skyline and G&L tribute. G&L made a similar change with their Tribute series. Having the large Sterling logo screams 'this is a low end model'.
Musicman
Sterling series
Rather than
Sterling
by Musicman
Like the Lakland skyline and G&L tribute. G&L made a similar change with their Tribute series. Having the large Sterling logo screams 'this is a low end model'.
What the heck are you talking about? Sterling didn't even want his name on the new line but got outvoted. I think Sterling's biggest problem is that his name is pretty cool and therefore tempting to use for product names. If his name was Roger, I don't think you would see a lot of this
IIRC, Guitar Center was involved in the naming process as well. You don't ignore your biggest dealer/distributor.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
What the heck are you talking about? Sterling didn't even want his name on the new line but got outvoted. I think Sterling's biggest problem is that his name is pretty cool and therefore tempting to use for product names. If his name was Roger, I don't think you would see a lot of this
Oh, there you go again, raising the thorny "truth" issue.
Hmm. That's a little more than I had hoped, but still- I'm not complaining. It sounds like "SUB: Part Deux."
If they're made to the SUB standard, rather than the OLP standard, then I think they will be worth the price.
I wish they were available NOW. Of course, as my mother always said, "Wish in one hand and **** in the other and see which one fills up the fastest." 
