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stingrays vs. sterlings.

#3
BigSwami said:
IMO they're the exact same bass, except one has a narrower neck at the nut.
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Actually no. They both have the same neck width at the nut but the Stingray has a wider body, a 6 bolts neck anchor(5 for the sterling) and is slightly heavier.

Hopefully somebody with more experience with those instruments will butt in, but the ones I tried at the music store I found the Sterling to have a growlier tone while the 'ray tone was cleaner and punchier at all settings. Loved the 'ray tone and instrument ergonomics.
 
#5
The Stingray has a P-Bass like neck, the Sterling, a Jazz neck. They don't have the same width at the nut.

The Stingray has an alnico pickup, the Sterling, ceramic.

They have different preamps. The Sterling preamp is also in the Stingray 5.

As far as which has more bottom end, flat, I'd say the Stingray has marginally more low end, I'm guessing because of the increased body mass and the alnico pickup, but when you actually boost the bass, that becomes negligible.
 
#6
TrooperFarva said:
The Stingray has a P-Bass like neck, the Sterling, a Jazz neck. They don't have the same width at the nut.

The Stingray has an alnico pickup, the Sterling, ceramic.

They have different preamps. The Sterling preamp is also in the Stingray 5.

As far as which has more bottom end, flat, I'd say the Stingray has marginally more low end, I'm guessing because of the increased body mass and the alnico pickup, but when you actually boost the bass, that becomes negligible.
Click to expand...

Great post. All great points.

I find my SR5 with its ceramic pickup mags to be a bit more midrange present. Seems to have a bit more punch. The alnico pickup mags in the SR4 can get warmer, but I find the Sterling/SR5 to sit in the mix better for my touch.
 
#8
TrooperFarva said:
The Stingray has a P-Bass like neck, the Sterling, a Jazz neck. They don't have the same width at the nut.

The Stingray has an alnico pickup, the Sterling, ceramic.

They have different preamps. The Sterling preamp is also in the Stingray 5.

As far as which has more bottom end, flat, I'd say the Stingray has marginally more low end, I'm guessing because of the increased body mass and the alnico pickup, but when you actually boost the bass, that becomes negligible.
Click to expand...

+1
 
#9
also, a 4 string Sting Ray has the pup in parallel mode, the Sterling has a switch to go series-sc-para. The 5 string Sting Ray has the same switching as the single humbucker Sterling. Apparently there is some new "series" option instead of the single -phantom coil option on some of new three way switches.

On the multiple pup 4 string Rays and Sterlings, the Rays are wired in parallel, the Sterlings are wired in series. 5 string HH Ray is series.

Been doing research, pending a purchase. Sterlings have more midrange, and Rays more bottom, with a higher sizzle on the top, a little scooped. (comparing 4 string, single pup varities)
 
#10
Ill just chime in a bit, even though the important points were covered.

Stingray has a bit more low end, yes. This is definitely due to the slightly larger mass of the body as well as the alnico. The sterling does sit in the mix better, and is less scooped sounding.

Since you mostly inquired about sound, i wont go into the other differences.
 
#15
tkozal said:
I would have to go with the Sterling for looks my friend, just the other day I was reading some of the reviews on MF about Sting Rays, many of which began.."If this wasn't such a butt-ugly looking bass..."..;)
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Surprising since the StingRay is a very nice looking bass. Reviews for the Bongo usually start this way. And the Bongo is one awesome looking bass.

I think the Sterling is more "traditional" looking in a Fender-like sense. The StingRays (at least the SR5) always remind me of Rickenbacker guitars (not the basses).
 

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