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Sterling H vs HH

68Goldfish

68Goldfish

Nov 4, 2006
2,809
5,109
57
Port Orchard WA
#1
I'm hoping somebody with experiance with both versions can tell me what the advantages/dissadvantages there are between the two. I just got my first sterling and I love it. It's an H model. But it's pretty beat up and I want to get a new one. I figure if one pickup is great then two must be better. I guess as long as there's an option on the HH to make it just like the H. I seem to favor the middle switch position so I don't know if there's a position for that on the HH. Any advise would be appreciated. I can't find one on any stores around here. And there is the HS option that maybe somebody could shed some light on.
 
#2
68Goldfish said:
I'm hoping somebody with experiance with both versions can tell me what the advantages/dissadvantages there are between the two. I just got my first sterling and I love it. It's an H model. But it's pretty beat up and I want to get a new one. I figure if one pickup is great then two must be better. I guess as long as there's an option on the HH to make it just like the H. I seem to favor the middle switch position so I don't know if there's a position for that on the HH. Any advise would be appreciated. I can't find one on any stores around here. And there is the HS option that maybe somebody could shed some light on.
Click to expand...

the 2 pickup sterlings are awesome and a bit different than the single H models.

If you favor the middle position then you should look in to an HS. The single H's middle position does NOT exist on the HH.

Also both the HH and HS do NOT have the bridge position setting (parallel). the 2 pickup models are wired in series and none of the positions on the 5 way switch give you a parallel setting

The HH and HS Sterlings are amazing. I have each pickup combo and am a huge fan of the HH and HS. its hard to pick which i like better but FWIW i slightly favor the HH
 
#3
I will chime in on the Stingray 5 H vs HH. As phatduckk already said, they are similar but different animals. Phatduckk is totally right, if you like that middle position on the H, you will never get that exact tone on the HH. All of that said, the HH is a very versatile instrument, much more so than the H. It is just that the HH cannot reproduce the same tone. In the end, go to a store that has both and do an A/B and see which one you like best. For me, I ended up getting rid of my HH because I had other basses that can do a lot of the same tones but none could reproduce that H tone. So, I am keeping my eye out for a Stingray 5 H. Just waiting for the right one to pop up. On the other hand, if you only have one bass, the HH configuration is going to give you a lot of tonal options you will never get out of an H. Just my $.02
 
#4
I did see what you guys are talking about on the MM site. What is the phantom coil anyway? I see where the HS has a coil one position which is simillar to the middle position on the H which is coil 1 pluss phantom coil. Is there a sound difference with the phantom coil or is it just a noise cancelation thing?
Thanks guys
 
#6
yeah-if you take out/lift up your pickup-you'll see a third coil underneath. That's the coil they use for the phantom coil.

I've got a Stingray 5 H and want to buy an HH sometime. I figure, if i like the H, why not get an HH for more tones w/the neck, construction, and feel that i love?
 
#7
68Goldfish said:
It's an H model. But it's pretty beat up and I want to get a new one.
Click to expand...
Hey, it's relic. :smug:
I've got an older SR-5 H and a new SR-5 HH. I love them both but, they don't sound like each other. The sound your bass makes when the switch is all the way towards the neck is the only sound that these 2 basses share (series). The HH can't comp the other 2 settings ( middle and bridge ) The HH however can pull off a Jazz'ish, Precision'ish, a double humbucker Hi-Fi'ish, and the setting between the middle and neck has a tone pretty unique to the HH. I personally prefer the H model because I've played it for so long that the settings have become a huge part of my sound. But, I've had the HH going on 2 years now and haven't thought about selling it, not even once. So I say buy the HH but keep the H too. Now you'll have 7 great sounds to choose from.
 
#11
I've no intentions of selling the H. I'm going to refinish it and then it will be golden..literaly. Here's a pic of the one I just bought.
whitesterling.gif
 

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