USA Sterling Praise!

[brocco]

I own a SR5H, Bongo5HH and a Sterling4HH love them all, but the Sterling is my go-to. Tone and punch yep, the playability is what stands out, the reach to the first fret is shorter than the SR and Bongo ( 3/4" - 1") a 4 hour gig is much more comfortable with this baby. No not quite a short scale, but I think the best alternative between short scale and a 34" scale.Thank you Mr. Sterling Ball for this marvelous instrument.

 

[lidl e]

Musicman is on the Mt. Rushmore of bass brands without a doubt.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

The U.S. Sterling is such a wonderful instrument. I have a single pickup model that I bought in 2000 or 2001. With it’s 3-way pickup wiring selector switch, it could very well be the most tonally versatile single pickup bass that I’ve played. It amazes me that EBMM hasn’t advertised this model much.

 

[wazzel]

I like my Sterling more than my stingray. Wish EBMM would update the Sterling.

 

[MisterFabulous]

Love 'em!

 

[ryco]

LOVE my '04 Sterling 4H =
Slap machine and a TONE MONSTER! Just an easy instrument to play and dial in!
Paired with GK rigs make me a very happy basser guy!

 

[lidl e]

The single best rig I've ever played through, and I've played through lots, was a MM Sterling into an SVT and ampeg 8x10

To this day still the most thunderous.

 

[Jonny Reese]

My #1 since I bought it in 1997!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Wish EBMM would update the Sterling.

Do they really need to?
The Sterling already has a few of the “updates” the Stingray Special has; 22 frets, carved 5-bolt neck joint, roasted neck. It has a smaller body already, the steel hardware might make it balance well. But they still might do the hardware anyway…one day…though I believe it’s fine without. Just needs better colors than Red and Blue…

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Man I had a killer mid 90s Sterling fretless (with Classic bridge-pre '96) that I foolishly sold. I was very very young...

 

[wazzel]

Do they really need to?
The Sterling already has a few of the “updates” the Stingray Special has; 22 frets, carved 5-bolt neck joint, roasted neck. It has a smaller body already, the steel hardware might make it balance well. But they still might do the hardware anyway…one day…though I believe it’s fine without. Just needs better colors than Red and Blue…

Why not? Lite weight hardware is already designed on the ray, tweak the pre amp to take 18 volts and contour the body a bit more.

 

[bcbassman]

I own a USA SUB Sterling bass. It has a 6 bolt neck, no switch and 3 band EQ. Textured black finish with a faux aluminum pickguard. It is very cool.

 

[subtlestew]

I just bought a chili red one with a matching headstock. It came with a fretless neck as a bonus. Since it has the additional Piezo pickup, the fretless gets sweet upright-ish tones, while the fretted neck gets rich, aggressive sounds. I like it a lot, and I'm someone who has bought and sold several Stingrays because I didn't bond with the sound. The Piezo is the special sauce! And the light weight and skinny neck are also very attractive. Great bass!

 

[Marc DLarosa]

4H (2 of 'em), 4HS, Sterling Classic 4H (I really want the one in classifieds here, as it has a Maple board. Mine is Rosewood), 5HH.

All of my Stingrays are gone...

 

[alembicguy]

 

[Julian G]

I have a Sterling H5 its there in my profile pic. Bought in in 2008 and still play it even though I've added another 5 basses since then. I've stated before that this is a very underated bass, why it does not get the recognition it deserves I don't know. Mention Musicman bass to someone and thay Always assume you're talking about a Stingray! But then naming their Budget brand Sterling doesn't help much.

 

[TheLowDown33]

Agreed! My Sterling 4H (1999) is a wonderful instrument. Originally, I found it almost harshly bright but because of the switching flexibility and preamp, it’s really amazing how one pickup can cover so much ground! I run mine with GHS pressurewounds. In series with the treble down halfway and bass boosted a hair, it’s smooth and punchy ala Bernard Edwards. In parallel with the treble and bass slightly boosted running through some overdrive, it can rip.

 

[Relsom]

I've had 3 4H Sterlings that I just could not bond with for one reason or another. The latest one went from here 2 weeks ago. I will find another eventually. I always do.

 

[ahbradot]

I really want an EBMM Sterling.
It was this exact video that won me over a while back;

 

[skyline_01]

Never owned a US Sterling but I've played a few over the years. Fantastic instruments - very versatile, easy to play, and top quality build. If I ever found the right deal on a 5'er I'd pursue it.

I DID have a SBMM SB14 for a short while before trading it toward a 5 string. It was a scary good import that had all the tone and playability of its US counterpart. I sometimes wish I'd kept it.