Stingray or Sterling

[WarwickFan]

Just a little thread revival. So, anyone heard or a stingray4 with a sterling neck?

2 reasons why that won't work. Sterling has 22 frets and a 5 bolt neck. Stingray has 21 frets and a 6 bolt neck.

 

[armybass]

They wont line up, a Sterling is a 5 bolt neck and Stingray is a 6 bolt neck.

 

[Bassline_Delux]

Right. Dumbass question, sorry. Well thanks for all the help.

 

[bste9]

I like the looks of the sting ray 5's pickguard alot better then the 4's. You think you could put a 5's on a 4? anyone?

 

[captainbeardo]

I like the looks of the sting ray 5's pickguard alot better then the 4's. You think you could put a 5's on a 4? anyone?

I'm actually the opposite, I like the 4's pickguard better. I have neither, so I guess it really doesn't matter.

 

[WarwickFan]

Right. Dumbass question, sorry. Well thanks for all the help.

No, not a dumbass question. What you are looking for is a Stingray with a slim Sterling type neck. Ernie Ball would have to make this an option. Like when Fender use to offer the P-Bass with the "A" neck. Could they do it, yes. Will they, ?.

 

[mrelwood]

If You start collecting these bits what You'd like the bass to have, write 'em down and walk to a luthier. You would get exactly what You want, and if You find a suitable one, You'll get it for the price that a SR goes new.

Has anyone else wondered, why haven't MM made a Sterling5? Since SR5 has some upgrades on SR4, perhaps Sterling5 would have an added J pup and 24 frets? And 35" scale.... Oh, wait! That would be the bass I'm getting built!


-Aki.

 

[hands5]

Stingrays and Sterlings will usually go for $750 to $1K used. I picked up and SR5 3 weeks ago for $850. $#!tty case and horrendous pickguard though, so I'm out another $35 for a PG and $65 for a case. That being said, the SR5 diplaced my MTD Grendel (original production run with wenge head stock, serial #14, yes, 14) and my 1986 P-bass at the top of the food chain. For Rock, there simply is no better bass. You may find some others that are as good, but none better. As far as funk, Stingrays and Sterlings were created for funk.

Stingrays are not light. They are not going to break your back (10.5 lbs), but they are virtually all made of ash. If you are used to playing a bass made our of basswood, it will take you a couple of weeks to get used to the weight. They have maple fingerboards. Mine does, and personally I think that maple best compliments the intrinsic tone of a Stingray.

All of this info applies to Sterling, except the weight. They are a little lighter. The tones are very similar between the two, although the Sterling a coil tap feature and hot-rodded Pup setting. These features are also found on the StingRay 5, but not the 4 as far as I know.

You will lover either one.

I used my SR5 basically for Rock/Alternative music because as said the bass work rather well in this genre of music,however,as far as funk, ,and it depends on what funk were associating with Chili Peppers (which ain't funk at all to me,maybe the very 1st album,and he used a Spector on that album) late 70's to early 82 Funk -preEB MusicMan,or MusicMan Sabre or the tried and true Fender Jazz and the noisy aluminium Neck Y-head stock Kramer.As far as the SR5/Sterling they are kinda thin in the low-mids which is what you would want,and need when playing some real Funk IMO

 

[Figjam]

If You start collecting these bits what You'd like the bass to have, write 'em down and walk to a luthier. You would get exactly what You want, and if You find a suitable one, You'll get it for the price that a SR goes new.

Has anyone else wondered, why haven't MM made a Sterling5? Since SR5 has some upgrades on SR4, perhaps Sterling5 would have an added J pup and 24 frets? And 35" scale.... Oh, wait! That would be the bass I'm getting built!


-Aki.

The Sr5 basically is the sterling 5. It is similiar to a sterling in more ways than a stingray, the most important being the electronics.

 

[mrelwood]

The Sr5 basically is the sterling 5. It is similiar to a sterling in more ways than a stingray, the most important being the electronics.

I agree, but imagine if a Sterling5 would bring even more user-friendly add-ons? MM would turn into "mmmmmmmmmmmmm..."!


-Aki.

 

[rulyøngo]

If you can check out the Bongo, right now is the best Music Man available...

 

[mrelwood]

If you can check out the Bongo, right now is the best Music Man available...

Oh man, it has the amount of frets, the pup configuration, even weight that I'd love. I've tried so hard to like the shape, but still, after all these months, I think it is just plain ugly. I know, I'm old-school.

But I am surprised since the Bongo is said to be even more aggressive than a Stringray. Basswood tends to make any instrument very smooth and even, while Ash seems to make everything bark like a dog! Which I love!


-Aki.