Sterling (Red Head Stepchild Syndrome)

[40Hz]

i think he meant the imports and not the American made Sterlings...which is where i think the confusion comes in

Might have been more helpful if he said that, and elaborated on what he understands the issues are with them. Saying they’re inferior because they're inferior doesn’t tell me anything useful. But he’s new here so I did what I could to clarify what I was asking. Can’t wait to read his response.

 

[asparaguspee]

Are these people still in high school? Cos that's the last I remember anyone caring about brand names.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

I don't think they make a Sterling by Music Man Sterling? Do they?

I was surprised to see that (I'm pretty sure) this went unanswered. Currently? They do not. When SBMM first came out they did for a few years though!! The SB14.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-sb14-bass

 

[swink]

Lol. Is it that important to prove someone wrong that you assume what someone knows and doesn’t know? This goes to the heart of the op original comment. People who judge and worry and care about what they think other people say and think and do. Why does anyone care what someone else thinks of their bass? In the same way that why does someone care about what they think someone else knows?

just play and be happy.

never the less. I have known since page 1.

Well, I care and my judgment is made:

well, it (Sterling by MusicMan) is in fact, inferior. there is nothing wrong with owning one. but it is inferior.

- How many people have you bumped heads by saying they play on an inferior bass.

It’s not a game and I’m not interested in your troll.

- Regarding a respected and helpful member as a troll.

never the less. I have known since page 1.

- Continuing to ramble on even though you know you're beside the point.

From the above, I have learned that you are not concerned about this anyway, so I would like to ask you to definitely not reply to this.

 

[GManfromOz]

I had the Sterling 4 string and to this day regret selling it. An awesome tool.

 

[40Hz]

It’s not a game and I’m not interested in your troll. Learn the definition of the word and answer your own question

my statements in this thread are points of fact. Yours are opinion.

The way it works around here, it’s considered good form to offer reasons for your opinions if asked rather than doubling down on the snarky comments. Because the only person trolling this thread right now is you. Only nine days in and you’re already off to a great start.

And if you want talk talk about ‘facts,’ at no point did I offer any “opinions” on the bass in question. I simply asked you why you said they were inferior. Figured I might learn something. But that was apparently too much to ask of you. So ok. We’re done here.

Later.

 

[bassfuser]

To add to the confusion there is the USA S.U.B. and the SBMM S.U.B. What are the actual names of these 2 lines of bass guitars? Who the heck is in charge of marketing?

 

[abarson]

I wouldn't waste a single erg stressing over what other people think. It's your bass, it works for you and that's all that matters.

 

[40Hz]

FWIW I have played EBMM and Sterling by MM, there is a difference in quality. Primarily the quality of the neck is better. It is hard to explain but when playing basses, there is a “solid feel” that the nicer necks have. Not heavier or thinner/thicker, nothing to do with string spacing or neck shape...it is just a feel of a well constructed neck. I dunno, maybe I’m weird. But the SBMMs I’ve tried didn’t contain this “quality” so-to-speak.

Understood. I’ve experienced similar with other brands.

And thank you! That very nicely answers my question. Far better than @Bassclef46 was willing (or maybe able) to.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Sterlings are in no way inferior! I’ve had 2 along with quite a few Stingrays. I currently have an Ibanez Atk700 as my musicman vibe bass. When selling my last Sterling I got a lot of people thinking that it was a SBMM at least their offers suggested that.
I’d probably chalk it up to reading through the Ernie Ball catalogue aloud would sound akin to possibly having a stroke!

 

[Bassclef46]

Understood. I’ve experienced similar with other brands.

And thank you! That very nicely answers my question. Far better than @Bassclef46 was willing (or maybe able) to.

dude let it go already. When the OP made the thread he didnt specify which Sterling. I clearly stated Sterling by MM on page one which was right around the time it was clearly stated he meant Sterling USA. So you are arguing mute point. You guys are bickering for no reason. Geez. It not my responsibility to repost whats already been said. Read the thread next time.

 

[swink]

When the OP made the thread he didnt specify which Sterling.

didn't see the big picture of the OP's sterling?

 

[muggsy]

I own a Stingray, a Sterling, a Bongo and a Big Al. Different body and fretboard woods, preamps, pickups, etc. No difference in build quality.

 

[40Hz]

dude let it go already. When the OP made the thread he didnt specify which Sterling. I clearly stated Sterling by MM on page one which was right around the time it was clearly stated he meant Sterling USA. So you are arguing mute point. You guys are bickering for no reason. Geez. It not my responsibility to repost whats already been said. Read the thread next time.

Perhaps not everyone here was aware there were so many different MusicMan sister product lines sold under the name Sterling. So even after reading through the thread, it might not have been obvious to everyone. Had you elaborated a little more when I asked, this entire sub-conversation could have been avoided.

And since you’re apparently so big on definitions, I thought you’d like to know the correct phrase is: moot point - not “mute point.”

 

[BrentSimons]

so a couple years back i managed to snag a U.S.A. made Sterling HS-4 from a collector who basically didn't play them (he had two)

I for one like the smaller neck profile and the smaller body vs, the other models (which actually kept me from buying them for years)...but it seem to run into a lot of indifference or flat out hate for Sterlings vs. Stingrays....what gives?

Are Sterlings the Red headed step child of EBMM family?

but honestly i get a lot of nasty comments about my wanna-be Stingray


View attachment 4186385

Hi there,
I've had several USA Sterlings. They all played wonderfully right out of the box! I'm a large fellow and the jazz like neck was perfect and the smaller body actually didn't look goofy on me at all I thought? I loved the variation in tone with the 3 way switch. The only problem I had was that with our odd Vermont weather I couldn't get the necks to stay put. They needed almost constant tweaking. I had a blue H model with a maple fretboard and a gorgeous clear teal HS with a maple fretboard. Bummer...
Enjoy your Sterling with pride!
Stay healthy,
Brent

 

[svlilioukalani]

I have 40 basses. Alembic, Lull, MTD, Fenders, and more. My go to gigging bass is a Sterling. It sounds awesome in the studio. And, it is light and fast for live gigs. For me it is the best bass out there.

 

[Jscriv]

I own 2. My only complaint is one of them isn't isn't HS. I get nothing but compliments

 

[Bassclef46]

didn't see the big picture of the OP's sterling?

Couldnt the same be said for you not seeing where i wrote (Sterling by MusicMan)?

Perhaps not everyone here was aware there were so many different MusicMan sister product lines sold under the name Sterling. So even after reading through the thread, it might not have been obvious to everyone. Had you elaborated a little more when I asked, this entire sub-conversation could have been avoided.

And since you’re apparently so big on definitions, I thought you’d like to know the correct phrase is: moot point - not “mute point.”

which is why i asked you to read the thread when you first wanted to "play a game"
Spell checker, but nice try

can we stop the bickering now?

 

[LBS-bass]

Understood. I’ve experienced similar with other brands.

And thank you! That very nicely answers my question. Far better than @Bassclef46 was willing (or maybe able) to.

The only SBMM I have ever played was placed into my hands by a friend of mine who works at GC while I was there to look at a different bass. My impression was that it had a beefy preamp that was a bit overpowering, and it was an OK bass for its price point. The necks on my SLO Sterlings were far nicer, but of course there's nothing in that SBMM line (AFAIK) that would compare to a Sterling neck with their shallow profile and thin neck. The SLO Sterlings were among the best playing necks I've ever touched. The SBMM was nice for what it was, but at that price point I like my Sire V7 better, because the neck is nicer and comparable to my EBMM Sterlings. The preamp on the Sire is also more versatile and less "OMG I'M OVER HERE." If that makes any sense.

So, to sum it up, the SBMM was nice at its price point and plenty loud but I like other choices in that price range more, but it wasn't anything like either of my USA made EBMM Sterlings.

 

[sotua]

lol...i hear ya...but i feel like John Myung has single handedly made the Bongo cool...

John Myung has never, ever made anything cool. Absurdly precise, completely unflappable in the face of complexity, but never cool.