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Sterling SUB Ray 5 string decision?

Baker69

Baker69

Mar 24, 2008
2,048
1,149
UK
#1
The stock strings that came fitted to my Sterling SUB Ray 5 are a 45-125 set, I understand that they are Ernie Ball strings but I don’t remember reading anywhere that specifically confirms this though?

The Ernie Ball ‘Slinky’ 5 string sets are 45-130 and the ‘Super Slinky’ set is 40-125, ie 5 thou off each string thickness. I don’t know why they decided to use a .125 ‘B’ string on the SUB Ray 5?

Anyway, the bass is due for its first string change and I have a set of both the Slinky and Super Slinky’s, should I use the Slinky set which matches the string thicknesses on the first four strings and canibalise the .125 out of the Super Slinky set, or use the .130? If I use the .125 it will leave the Super Slinky set with a .130 ‘B’ string, I don’t know whether this will cause any tension issues?
 
#2
Going up or down that small a difference shouldn't change anything that much. Now if you think you're perfectly satisfied where you were with the set coming off then by all means keep it that way. Otherwise try the super slinkies and see what that does. I care far more about how my e and b string feel and would only go 100 or 105 and 125, 128, or 130 on the b. I've tried up and down from there and don't like it. The rest I don't notice a difference typically so I'm good with whatever the set came with. All a 130 string will do is make it feel a little firmer and add the smallest bit of tension. If you go 135 or higher you'll really feel a difference and it'll get much less articulate.
 
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#3
GTHintz said:
Going up or down that small a difference shouldn't change anything that much. Now if you think you're perfectly satisfied where you were with the set coming off then by all means keep it that way. Otherwise try the super slinkies and see what that does. I care far more about how my e and b string feel and would only go 100 or 105 and 125, 128, or 130 on the b. I've tried up and down from there and don't like it. The rest I don't notice a difference typically so I'm good with whatever the set came with. All a 130 string will do is make it feel a little firmer and add the smallest bit of tension. If you go 135 or higher you'll really feel a difference and it'll get much less articulate.
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The 'E' string on the Super Slinky set is only a 95, I don't think I've ever gone less than 100, in fact on my 4 string basses I always used to have 40/60/80/100 string sets. The 'A' string at 75 is also a bit thinner than I'd like to go.

I'll give it some thought and decide/swap them over the weekend probably.

Thanks for your comments.
 
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#4
Baker69 said:
The 'E' string on the Super Slinky set is only a 95, I don't think I've ever gone less than 100, in fact on my 4 string basses I always used to have 40/60/80/100 string sets. The 'A' string at 75 is also a bit thinner than I'd like to go.

I'll give it some thought and decide/swap them over the weekend probably.

Thanks for your comments.
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I've used some light sets on my Warwick and depending on the string it works just fine. I think you'll have to try it and see what you think. If you look up Evan Marien he's a 5 string player with his own signature set made by GHS. He plays even a bit lighter gauge than those slinkies. I've seen the YouTube videos where he talks about why he likes the smaller gauges and what it does for his sound. You might gain some knowledge.
 
#5
EBMM basses (and guitars, I imagine) pretty much all ship with Ernie Ball strings. My 4HH StingRay Special certainly did. While EB Slinkys are one of the very few round wounds I'll tolerate on a bass - for a little while, anyway, they didn't stay on it very long. It wears Galli Jazz Flats, now... In any case; go to [email protected] and talk to Jason (the owner). He may be able to custom order the Slinkys in gauges that will make you happy. As you've found out - the factory strings are not available commercially. Don't feel too bad, though; factory strings that you can't buy at a music store are... well, not common; but, not all that uncommon, either... :cool:
 
#6
Thanks for all of your comments guys.

I think I’m a bit worried about moving away from the gauge that this bass came with, I’ve got used to how it plays now, it still has its original stock strings fitted and I’m a bit reluctant to change to something which may alter its feel and playability.

I think I’ll bite the bullet and put the super slinky’s on her, after all if I don’t like it I can always change them to the slinky set.
 
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#8
Baker69 said:
Well I put the Super Slinky’s on the bass tonight and I really did not like them, they are just too, well slinky!

I took them off within about 10 minutes and replaced them with the Slinky set I have (but kept the .125 on. It’s funny how 5 thou difference can make?
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Sometimes the bass dictates what strings it needs. I've been through so many different brands and gauges that I can probably write a book on roundwounds.
 
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#9
I installed some Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my Sterling Ray5HH Sub series... and they feel and sound phenomenal. Perfect strings for the Sterling Stingray, IMHO. Definitely a "round-ish" tone from the Cobalts, without the finger noise.
 
#10
ElectricBass72 said:
I installed some Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my Sterling Ray5HH Sub series... and they feel and sound phenomenal. Perfect strings for the Sterling Stingray, IMHO. Definitely a "round-ish" tone from the Cobalts, without the finger noise.
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I just did the same. I hade super slinky's on my 2015 EBMM Stingray 4 H and it was too bright for my liking. I switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats and it is a night and day difference. It is now the perfect amount of brightness and very punchy too. I love these strings on this bass
 
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#11
ics1974 said:
I just did the same. I hade super slinky's on my 2015 EBMM Stingray 4 H and it was too bright for my liking. I switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats and it is a night and day difference. It is now the perfect amount of brightness and very punchy too. I love these strings on this bass
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I hear ya. Stingrays are naturally bright basses. I really like the Cobalt flats. They last longer than rounds. I have them on 3 of my basses.... Fender Player Precision, Sire V5 Fretless Jazz bass and the Sterling Ray5 Sub.
 
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#12
ics1974 said:
I just did the same. I hade super slinky's on my 2015 EBMM Stingray 4 H and it was too bright for my liking. I switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats and it is a night and day difference. It is now the perfect amount of brightness and very punchy too. I love these strings on this bass
Click to expand...

I agree, Stingray’s are inherently bright and the Super Slinky’s are just overkill!

I’m open to trying some Cobalt Flats, flats aren’t really something I would associate with a Stingray though? I do like the twangy growl of a Stingray, would I like lose this with the Cobalts? I have a set of TI jazz flats that I could try, but to date I haven’t really taken to them on any of my other basses.

Perhaps I’m not really a flats person? I find the tension on the TI’s a bit too loose for me, do the Cobalts have a stronger tension?
 
#13
Baker69 said:
I agree, Stingray’s are inherently bright and the Super Slinky’s are just overkill!

I’m open to trying some Cobalt Flats, flats aren’t really something I would associate with a Stingray though? I do like the twangy growl of a Stingray, would I like lose this with the Cobalts? I have a set of TI jazz flats that I could try, but to date I haven’t really taken to them on any of my other basses.

Perhaps I’m not really a flats person? I find the tension on the TI’s a bit too loose for me, do the Cobalts have a stronger tension?
Click to expand...
The colbalt flats are the brightest flats I have ever tried. Yes you still get growl. I don’t find the tension to be loose at all. I’m using the 40-95 set.
I also find the EQ to be much more usable then compared to the super slinky’s
 

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