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Musicman Sterling
http://leftybassist.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10005
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Author:  Matt R. [ September 8th, 2019, 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Musicman Sterling

Any of you have experience with Sterling Basses? I mean the USA ones, not the import Stingray types. I have a used one on the way and I’m pretty psyched to check it out.

Author:  jersey bluesdude [ September 8th, 2019, 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Matt R. wrote:
Any of you have experience with Sterling Basses? I mean the USA ones, not the import Stingray types. I have a used one on the way and I’m pretty psyched to check it out.


I had a 2008 black/ rosewood Sterling. They really cut through the mix.
They can be on the medium heavy side (mine was 9 lbs 6 oz) but balance nicely.
Only beefs I had was like all MM basses no passive option. I also found it hard to eq some of the zing out for a more rounded tone.
Also living in Jersey with our humid summers and frigid winters I worried about the oiled only neck. But never experienced any problems.

All said they are very well constructed basses and the downsized bodies make them a comfortable gigging bass.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy it.

Author:  Matt R. [ September 8th, 2019, 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

I’m guessing it’ll basically be a Stingray 4 with an electronic setup similar to a Stingray 5. I’m looking forward to it.

Author:  pjmuck [ September 8th, 2019, 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

My 2001 Sterling was my main gigging bass for many years. I loved it. Punchy, fat, and, as stated clear, defined notes that won't get lost in the mix, with subtle tonal variations using the 3 way switch. (But it can still get very close to a 'Ray if needed). Super comfy to play and I much preferred it over a Stingray, since it's smaller and the neck is closer to a J profile than the wider, flatter necks one associates with a 'Ray.

In short, you're gonna love it. :)

Author:  Matt R. [ September 9th, 2019, 6:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Yeah man, I’m confident I’ll dig it. I like that it has the same selector switch as the SR5’s. Those were always my favorite sounding stingrays.

Author:  bigevilrobot [ September 11th, 2019, 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Great gigging basses, but I always found I defaulted back to a Jazz or Precision to record. I couldn't get the sizzle out of the tone enough to record happily with them.

I had two different ones between 2001 and 2006. I started with a black and maple that I miss dearly to this day, it cut through the mix like a chainsaw.
I replaced it with a rosewood board model in Rolls Royce Burgundy, easily one of the best looking instruments I've ever owned but the tone didn't suit me so I flipped it for more Jazz basses...

'cause you know, Jazz basses right?

I think my main issue is that a Sterling inherently doesn't sound like a Stingray fully, and that's the tone I thought I really wanted at the time.
But the Sterling for me played far more comfortably than any 'Ray I've ever tried out.

Author:  Matt R. [ September 11th, 2019, 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

I just got it. Did some initial tweaks and it’s pretty badass. It was obviously not well cared for but that’s all cosmetic. It definitely sounds like an SR5, which I’m good with. The neck is pretty fucking wonderful. Definitely a cooler bass than any SR4 in my experience.

Author:  tim [ September 11th, 2019, 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Awesome!

I'm playing the snot out of my kilo and wondering how I made it so long without a stingray-style bass (meaning a humbucker in the sweetspot).

Author:  Matt R. [ September 11th, 2019, 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Yep the bucker in that spot is perfect sonically, and as a thumbrest. :)

Author:  Matt R. [ September 11th, 2019, 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Here it is

Image

Author:  tim [ September 11th, 2019, 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Matt R. wrote:
Yep the bucker in that spot is perfect sonically, and as a thumbrest. :)

Exactly!

Author:  NoXX [ September 11th, 2019, 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Matt that’s killer! I’d play it until my fingers bled :mrgreen: Congrats! Please channel Joe Lally and drop some Fugazi lines on it .....(I know he mainly played a regular Ray, but hey...)

Author:  bbl [ September 17th, 2019, 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

It just dawned on me - Matt lives in a lefty bass shop. 8-)

Author:  Matt R. [ September 17th, 2019, 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Ha! :mrgreen:

Author:  fivebass52 [ September 18th, 2019, 2:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

A great looking collection of basses... just curious - do you own any 5-stringers?

Author:  Matt R. [ September 18th, 2019, 4:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Musicman Sterling

Not at the moment

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