I have 2 stingray 5s at the moment...one is a 2004 and one an 05....the 04 is MUCH lighter than the 05...just depends on the actual piece of wood...play a bunch of em.
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Stingray or Sterling
- Thread starter MrFortuneCookie
- Start date
I thought the main difference in tone is that the 'Rays' coils are in parallel while the Sterling's are in series? Not sure what that means, but they're definitely wired differently...
When talking about new, 4-string Sterlings and Rays, here are the basics:
1. Sterling has 22 frets, Ray, 21
2. Sterling has ceramic magnets in pickup, Ray, Alnico
3. Sterling has Series/SC+Phantom Coil/Parallel selector switch, Ray, Parallel
4. Sterling has smaller body and jazz bass-like neck profile, Ray, larger body and wider neck.
Hope that clarifies it. Things are bit different on the 5-string side.
Bob
1. Sterling has 22 frets, Ray, 21
2. Sterling has ceramic magnets in pickup, Ray, Alnico
3. Sterling has Series/SC+Phantom Coil/Parallel selector switch, Ray, Parallel
4. Sterling has smaller body and jazz bass-like neck profile, Ray, larger body and wider neck.
Hope that clarifies it. Things are bit different on the 5-string side.
Bob
The Stingray is "that" sound. It's easily identifiable in a lot of bass tracks. Flea, Steve Severin, Pino Paladino etc. The vintage Stingray tone is the 2 band, and honestly on my 3 band musicman basses I almost never touch the mid knob.
OTOH the Sterling is a lot different than a Stingray. It has a narrower but slightly thicker neck. Some say a brighter tone due to the smaller size but it seems the same to me. I like the smaller body because it's a tad less to wear on your shoulder.
The Stingray can be a bit of a door but it's got that indestructible battleship kind of feel to it. Get a long strap and wear it low.
OTOH the Sterling is a lot different than a Stingray. It has a narrower but slightly thicker neck. Some say a brighter tone due to the smaller size but it seems the same to me. I like the smaller body because it's a tad less to wear on your shoulder.
The Stingray can be a bit of a door but it's got that indestructible battleship kind of feel to it. Get a long strap and wear it low.
I have a stingray 5 in perfect condition. I found it really heavy and wide (+ its a fiver!). My main bass is an P-Bass MIA that I love!! I put the SR5 to sell or trade today. I receive two trade offer already; a sterling 4 that seem in OK condition and a fretless P-bass 1997. I consider the sterling for a trade; keeping a musicman in my bassload and it seems that the sterling is lightier, narrower si it'll prolly fits me better. Considering that the two basses are in comparable condition is it a fair trade one for one?
Hey MrFortuneCookie,
I'm not sure if you made your decision from over a decade ago, but I'd go with the Sterling. For sure.
I'm not sure if you made your decision from over a decade ago, but I'd go with the Sterling. For sure.
Hi!
I've met the guy with the sterling. The sterling was in poor condition (My SR5 is near mint). So I declined the trade. I'm really happy that I have kept de SR5; I played through it and I really like it now. Moreover, I bought a us jazzbass 2012 last december. The us P-bass has no playing anymore. US jazzbass is MY bass, it fits me so well. So I'll sell my P-bass. A really nice bass but jazz bass is just a better fit for me.
Peace
I've met the guy with the sterling. The sterling was in poor condition (My SR5 is near mint). So I declined the trade. I'm really happy that I have kept de SR5; I played through it and I really like it now. Moreover, I bought a us jazzbass 2012 last december. The us P-bass has no playing anymore. US jazzbass is MY bass, it fits me so well. So I'll sell my P-bass. A really nice bass but jazz bass is just a better fit for me.
Peace
I really like this one, it is heavy as all get out! But the way it sounds is awesome, three band eq and just plain beautiful!
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=324313&d=1363205686
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=324313&d=1363205686
White with gold bridge, knobs and tuners. Very nice. Maple fretboards. Awesome.
It means that the Sterling obtains a tone that is a little hotter & darker than the Stingray, with a thicker, more compressed overall tone, and a more prominent, aggressive midrange.
The Stingray, by contrast, will sound more open, with a more relaxed, natural midrange, greater overall clarity of tone, and more extended highs & lows.
MM
