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Stingray vs. Sterling
- Thread starter GrooveWarrior
- Start date
I love my Sterling. Very ergonomic and the tonal flexibility is pretty vast. The ceramic pickup makes it play nicely with flats too, since there is some inherent treble extension. I hope EBMM keeps it in the lineup in the future, because it's a wonderful instrument that compliments the new Specials nicely.
I have owned quite a few Stingrays over the years and 1 Sterling, did not like the Sterling at all, having said that, I have lost my love for Stingrays as well. However, the Classic Sabre I had was an incredible bass, less aggressive than either the Stingray or the Sterling, but close enough to the Stingray for government work. I don't miss too many basses that I have owned, but the Sabre is one I do miss. It was a little on the heavy side, but it played unbelievably well.
I really liked the Sterling in comparison to the Stingray. I have never loved the Stingray but I've never hated them either. I think they're a perfectly good bass for a lot of players and they really fit a classic niche, such was the inspired touch of Leo Fender.
That said, I have played a few of the Musicman Sterling models and really liked them. I thought the smaller body and thinner neck than the 'Ray was a good idea and the tones were pretty bright and pleasing. It may be just luck, but I've also never played a Sterling with the characteristic weak G string of a Stingray.
What was a dreadful blunder, however, was Sterling Ball's hubris in deciding that the Sterling name was so good that it had to be spread far and wide (and mainly downward) through the Musicman range. A lot of people now don't even release that the Sterling was at one point a premium model made in California with the Stingray, they just associate it with a range of cheap, tatty budget instruments!
That said, I have played a few of the Musicman Sterling models and really liked them. I thought the smaller body and thinner neck than the 'Ray was a good idea and the tones were pretty bright and pleasing. It may be just luck, but I've also never played a Sterling with the characteristic weak G string of a Stingray.
What was a dreadful blunder, however, was Sterling Ball's hubris in deciding that the Sterling name was so good that it had to be spread far and wide (and mainly downward) through the Musicman range. A lot of people now don't even release that the Sterling was at one point a premium model made in California with the Stingray, they just associate it with a range of cheap, tatty budget instruments!
I always understood it as Stingray having the more P type neck w/ the Sterling more like a J & that was the major difference between the models, but I never had a Stingray to compare directly so ???
Loved that Sterling neck on the US made one I had but couldn't bond w/ the sounds. It was an amazing playing & looking bass though.
I'm not sure what genius at EBMM decided to start using Sterling as the brand name for all their Asian manufactured models, but they suck
Loved that Sterling neck on the US made one I had but couldn't bond w/ the sounds. It was an amazing playing & looking bass though.
I'm not sure what genius at EBMM decided to start using Sterling as the brand name for all their Asian manufactured models, but they suck
Well, Mr Scorpion, I think it's fair to say the Sterling is the Denver Broncos to the Stingray's Dallas Cowboys.
I had a sterling, it was part of the Ball Family Reserve line, rosewood neck, cherry burst finish. I loved that bass, but, times were tough and I ended up selling it so I could pay rent until I got a job. I miss that bass a lot.
I do enjoy the US Sterling models. I've owned 3 in total and kept the 94 model. I've owned and sold a sterling by musicman subray 5 string in mint green and though it played awesome, a lot was to be desired with the stock electronics. An easy swap of personal taste I suppose but just my two Lincolns.
Same. Stingray special is my new work horse, but I love the sterling too. I'm actually saving up to buy a 5 string HH model. I'm really hoping that EBMM is making a Sterling Special. Shed some weight with the lighter components, tweak a few things like String spacing on the 5 string...
They shot themselves in the foot with poor marketing that abused the Sterling name. Only themselves to blame. Both the EBMM Sterlings I have owned were superior in every way. Best necks I ever played, but you could not pay me enough money to buy an EBMM instrument ever again. There are other brand choices that won't do things do completely obliterate your resale value.
I'm curious, what did they do to completely obliterate the resale value of your instrument?
I been thinking of getting a Musicman myself, and wandered the difference in the Sterling brand. I watched tons of videos today. One with Scott from Scott's bass lessons where here talks to the guys at Ernie Ball about the new changes. Others from Timmy Commerford and Tony Leven who like the new Musicman. They were all interesting videos and they all approved the new changes for the better. Also noticed Tim uses a ramp on his MM. Still up in the air for me on the Sterling brand.
Different horses for different courses. I currently own several of each and love both models. The SR is a classic sound and recipe. I have to think at its inception it was Leo Fender's "P Bass of the future." It shares DNa with the P IMO. Wide nut, wide spacing, simple controls etc.
the Sterling is a different beast. I believe it shares more DNA with an SR5 (of which it is asmaller 4 string version, essentially) and a J bass. As if a J bass and an SR had a love child. All the punch of an SR but switching capability for more sounds, more complex pre, slimmer nut and spacing etc. it's also a sleeker instrument.
I don't think one is better than the other. Each is special in its own way.
YMMV
the Sterling is a different beast. I believe it shares more DNA with an SR5 (of which it is asmaller 4 string version, essentially) and a J bass. As if a J bass and an SR had a love child. All the punch of an SR but switching capability for more sounds, more complex pre, slimmer nut and spacing etc. it's also a sleeker instrument.
I don't think one is better than the other. Each is special in its own way.
YMMV
I always understood it as Stingray having the more P type neck w/ the Sterling more like a J & that was the major difference between the models, but I never had a Stingray to compare directly so ???
Loved that Sterling neck on the US made one I had but couldn't bond w/ the sounds. It was an amazing playing & looking bass though.
I'm not sure what genius at EBMM decided to start using Sterling as the brand name for all their Asian manufactured models, but they suck
It bears repeating :
EBMM licensed their designs to a company called Praxis.
EBMM, and Sterling Ball's involvement basically ends there.
It was Praxis who decided to brand that line of instruments "Sterling by Music Man".
Apparently Sterling Ball himself, wasn't too thrilled with that branding.
Yeah, it's confusing as hell, and messes up search engine results to no end - but blame where it's due : Praxis.
I have but I never noticed that it affected the resale value of mm basses. Maybe because I'm in Canada, but I've always got good resale value on MM basses.
I picked up my blue 4 string a few months ago on sale from The Bass Place. It is soooo nice. If they are discontinuing them, I jumped onboard at the right time.
