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Sterling Question

I

Iruleonbass

May 29, 2005
324
0
37
New York
#1
Well, I went into my local shop today, and I went to the back of the store to look at the bass I thought to be a stingray all along, and it turns out they moved it up to the front of the store, and looking at it up high, I noticed it was a sterling, I was puzzled, but than it all made sense. The stingray doesn't have the selector switch, And I was confused why it did, but now that I know its a sterling, it makes sense. But I still dont know it does, so can someone fill me in?

Wow, so all along though, I thought I was a stingray fan...lol, I even played the bass, thats sad on my part.

Thanks
 
#6
hmmm, well I looked on ernieballs website, it said what you said, but I still have no idea what it does. Like what makes it sound diffrent, becuase like I said (or should of said) was that I played with the switch and didn't notice any sound change. And the bass was working properly, they have everything working right at the local shop. So dont blame it on them, blame it on my bad ear if anything.
 
#8
Iruleonbass said:
hmmm, well I looked on ernieballs website, it said what you said, but I still have no idea what it does. Like what makes it sound diffrent, becuase like I said (or should of said) was that I played with the switch and didn't notice any sound change. And the bass was working properly, they have everything working right at the local shop. So dont blame it on them, blame it on my bad ear if anything.
Click to expand...

No offence, but you must have a pretty bad ear if you didn't notice anything.. Single coil gives a nice slight growl to the tone (Middle) Series gives a fatter, punchy sound with a cutting top. Parallel is a bit harder to explain, it's a bit more attacking, sounds flatter IMO and sounds like it has more of a midrange than series.
 
#10
popinfresh said:
No offence, but you must have a pretty bad ear if you didn't notice anything.. Single coil gives a nice slight growl to the tone (Middle) Series gives a fatter, punchy sound with a cutting top. Parallel is a bit harder to explain, it's a bit more attacking, sounds flatter IMO and sounds like it has more of a midrange than series.
Click to expand...

The change is fairly subtle... but it's noticeable if you're listening for it.
 
#12
it selects between serial coils, parallel coils or single coil (with phantom coil).
Click to expand...

It changes between SERIES, Parallel or single coil.
Click to expand...

D'OH! Sorry, was programming at the time I wrote that, had PICs and assembly language on the brain!

The difference could be considered subtle, but it's not hard to notice. Turn the amp up and do something more than just plucking an open string as you flick the switch!
 
#13
popinfresh said:
Hmmm, IME, it's not that subtle. Especially when slapping or tapping, or playing a complicated line, the changes really show. I think theres a pretty big difference between parallel and series, and same with single coil. I spose ya just gotta know how to work 'em.
Click to expand...

Oh, I know how to "work 'em", I've had a Sterling for several years now. What I'm saying is that it's not going to make it sound like a different bass. Shades of tone, not primary colors.
 
#14
Well I was in GC Looking for an amp, and I found a sterling on the shelf, so I asked the sales person, and he explained everything to me in detail. So I got everything, Im pretty sure, that around christmas time I'll get one. Blue Pearl, White pearloid pickguard, rosewood fretboard, it'll be heaven. Kinda anyways.
 
#15
Iruleonbass said:
Well I was in GC Looking for an amp, and I found a sterling on the shelf, so I asked the sales person, and he explained everything to me in detail. So I got everything, Im pretty sure, that around christmas time I'll get one. Blue Pearl, White pearloid pickguard, rosewood fretboard, it'll be heaven. Kinda anyways.
Click to expand...
Just like mine, then!
 

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#16
popinfresh said:
No offence, but you must have a pretty bad ear if you didn't notice anything.. Single coil gives a nice slight growl to the tone (Middle) Series gives a fatter, punchy sound with a cutting top. Parallel is a bit harder to explain, it's a bit more attacking, sounds flatter IMO and sounds like it has more of a midrange than series.
Click to expand...

Actually:

3-way lever pickup selector (position 1 is closest to neck)
1 - both coils, series mode
2 - single coil
3 - both coils, parallel mode

Link Removed

When I borrow my buddy's, I tend to use position 3, it just sounds the most natural to me. Tonight I'm borrowing it again, I'll try 1 on for longer than I usually do and see if it grows on me.

Is the pickup on a Stingray 4 wired series or paralell?
 

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