Sterlings at MF

[Kevin_BlueBASS]

Great idea, but I STILL can't afford it!
ARRGH!
EBMM is still in my opinion the finest mass-produced basses out there though!
And I'm sure this line will kick Fender MIM's ass!
Peace

 

[lonote]

+1

I took another look and then brought them into photoshop for a closer inspection. There has definitely been work done on them.

That being said, it's very common practice to enhance a photo like that, we'll just have to see how they look in person.

...and your point is?

 

[Ampeg SVT]

True - OLP's were popular because they were so cheap.

I've never seen a used stingray or sterling go for less than $900-950. $850 maybe once or twice in the years that I've been looking to pick on up. So for $500-700 new this new sterling line is still cheaper - I imagine once these become popular and the used market picks them up, at $400+ or so they'll be a steal!

I still want a maple fretboard - why rosewood on everything? A CAR sterling with maple fretboard....I'd be in heaven

I picked up a honeyburst 'Ray for $500 a few years ago.
I bet these will be nice but for some reason the Sterling looks really tacky, that is probably me being a snob but I like the 'Rays especially the 5 string Ray.

 

[excane]

...and your point is?

My point is that they could look drastically different in person ex. wood grain, finish, etc. That's all.

 

[jarrod cunningham]

the olp's were junk ... i owned a 4 string and a 5 string tony levin and a 5 string double bucker ... all were sub par and has their own issues .... not gig worthy in a worl if you play 3 or so times a week .....my opinion ... im sure someone will light a fire under me for sayin what i think ...

these sterlings look great !!! and with the better pickups these will hopefully play and sound a lot better than the olpoops ....

anyway , i am sure i will try one or 3 of these new ones ... if they made a 35 scale 16mm string spaced 5 i would be in lust ....

 

[lonote]

My point is that they could look drastically different in person ex. wood grain, finish, etc. That's all.

I have no doubt you're right. In the case of that hideous blue Sterling, I hope and pray you're right!

 

[excane]

the olp's were junk ... i owned a 4 string and a 5 string tony levin and a 5 string double bucker ... all were sub par and has their own issues .... not gig worthy in a worl if you play 3 or so times a week .....my opinion ... im sure someone will light a fire under me for sayin what i think ...

these sterlings look great !!! and with the better pickups these will hopefully play and sound a lot better than the olpoops ....

anyway , i am sure i will try one or 3 of these new ones ... if they made a 35 scale 16mm string spaced 5 i would be in lust ....

I will respectfully disagree...I think OLP's were pretty decent for the money, and with a little noodling you can get them to sound really good.

Is it going to sound like a real Ray? Hell no.

A good bargain bass that sounds good and can be used for a beater? Most definitely.

 

[optikhog]

I will respectfully disagree...I think OLP's were pretty decent for the money, and with a little noodling you can get them to sound really good.

Is it going to sound like a real Ray? Hell no.

A good bargain bass that sounds good and can be used for a beater? Most definitely.

But therein lies the difference - the goal of the new Sterlings is to sound like a real 'Ray at a lower price point. Obviously none of us have played on yet but it was made pretty clear on the EBMM forums that these new basses are not meant to live at the OLP price point.

I, for one, am saving my $ to buy one of these ASAP.

 

[bassistgook]

I might have to get one of these and try it out. Anyone know the release date on these yet? If they are any good I might have to make a switch from my Ibanez basses. I wonder if they'll make a 6 string?

 

[optikhog]

I might have to get one of these and try it out. Anyone know the release date on these yet? If they are any good I might have to make a switch from my Ibanez basses. I wonder if they'll make a 6 string?

MF says 4-10. The official web site says it will be open for business on 3-2, so the April date may be an exaggeration for business purposes.

 

[Double Agent]

I will respectfully disagree...I think OLP's were pretty decent for the money, and with a little noodling you can get them to sound really good.

Is it going to sound like a real Ray? Hell no.

A good bargain bass that sounds good and can be used for a beater? Most definitely.

But therein lies the difference - the goal of the new Sterlings is to sound like a real 'Ray at a lower price point.

Agree with optikhog on this one. I don't think people wanted a bass that looked like a 'Ray and sounded like something else. People want a bass that sounds AND looks like a 'Ray, but doesn't cost as much. A lot of Ibanez ATKs have been bought because they are pretty much as close as you can get to that sound for under $1K, and they don't really look like a 'Ray at all. The sound is what's most important IMO. I think the Sterlings will be even closer to a real 'Ray, and I think there will be a big market for these. I can't say I'll buy one, but I will definitely try a few of them out.

 

[excane]

I agree... I am anxious to get my hands on one myself.

 

[spideyjg]

Obviously none of us have played on yet

Those of us that were at NAMM had the chance. I posted a lengthy hands on review in one of the threads after NAMM.

Sounded close enough to a USA that the difference could have been attributed to the strings.

If you try a G&L Tribute compared to a USA, these Sterling by MM to EBMM are like that

Jim

 

[optikhog]

I agree... I am anxious to get my hands on one myself.

Excellent, wasn't trying to argue. And I actually agree with you in that when the QC was working at OLP, they could be pretty good basses for the $. Unfortunately they couldn't stay consistent.

 

[cliff78]

its the same as the usa made musicman basses. these are manufactured overseas. same as the lakland skylines. thats why it's cheaper.

 

[Joey3313]

Wow, the Sterling finishes suck...

And the Stingray ones are boring. Black on black with a rosewood neck? Are you joking?


But either way, those prices are funny.

 

[bassman03]

Look pretty good for me! I was gonna get an MIM Fender Jazz but since those prices are closer to 700 now this is looking like my top option now. Two people have commented on the looks... i kinda like the black on black and i REALLY like the blue on black... hehe

 

[Ian Perge]

I don't understand why anyone would hate on them for this, its a smart business move on their part and they should be much better than the terrible OLP line was.

Both on here as well as on the EB/MM boards (where I lurk) I haven't seen any "hating" (there goes that word again... ), but a fact amount of people bringing up two valid points: a) that as bluegreenturtle posted, the naming of the line will be unnecessarily confusing to shoppers who are going to see a line of offshore-made budget basses with the same name as a bass that at more than first glance look very similar but costs over double the price bass that to the stepping-up, non-TalkBass bassist as well as the parent who very well will be helping to pay for this purchase... and that b) as optikhog ha pointed out, at this pricepoint all the OLP talk is useless. This is much more a replacement for the S.U.B. line of basses than the OLPs, and that the real competition will be NOS or Very Lightly Used SUBs (which I'm glad I purchased a former a few years ago, as the slab body and textured finish that I have little-to-no problem with certainly makes its USA-made construction a huge positive) as well as some Stingrays and Sterlings priced to sell in this economy.

The name issue is unfortunately and a PITA but not a killer. The decision to start the line now in the middle of the current depression might very well be.

 

[nuno.ka]

I'll have a black on black Ray34 Fretless please! Thank you!

 

[Smallequestrian]

Wow, the Sterling finishes suck...

And the Stingray ones are boring. Black on black with a rosewood neck? Are you joking?


But either way, those prices are funny.

Well, I know its boring, but well over half of the instruments they sell are Black, or Natural, sometimes you have to go with what works.