Music Man Sterling vs. Stingray - Checking out the Ray's smaller sibling - LowEndLobster Fresh Look 

STERLING Fingerstyle: parallel 10:33 single 11:25 series 12:19 Slap: parallel 13:14 single: 13:37 series 13:56 STINGRAY Fingerstyle: parallel 10:58 single 11:52 series 12:45 The Stingray has a more scooped / nasally sound but you don't know if it's because of the preamp and/or the alnico pickup (and the strings are different as well...) But I think that the narrowed neck nut is priceless!

If vsauce had family it would be this guy

The Sterling was a lot less nasally than the Stingray. I find the branding confusing. Good thing you kept it straight.

I own both basses, they are truly incredible instruments. While they are both bright, punchy, aggressive basses, I find the Sterling has a bit more of a low-mid 'smoothness' to it. The Stingray just has more of an in-your-face 'je ne sais quoi', especially when digging in. I'd play the Sterling at a wedding and the Stingray at a bar. The biggest difference is the nut width by far, my Ray feels like the fat end of a baseball bat relative to the Sterling. In the mix they are both distinctly Music Man basses, but by themselves side by side, the unique character of both basses really shines. I completely agree that the EBMM Sterling/SBMM branding nomenclature was a very poor decision and a huge oversight. The Sterling is equal to the Stingray in build/part quality but it's devalued simply because of perception and name association of the Indonesian imports. Good content on this channel by the way.

You're quickly becoming one of my to-go bass channels. It seems that whenever I want to know something about a bass, preamp or pickups your channel always pops up and delivers an answer/comparison for me to decide.

Glad you made this video detailing the two. A 94' model year sterling with the larger bridge has been my main stay for a few years now and a go to when recording. Cheers!

i’d always take a Sterling, i saw Chi Cheng use one in the very early days of Deftones and that sold me immediately

Thank you lobster. Everytime im looking for a certain compare video yours come up. Thank you.

Thanks for this video! I've never known the difference until I saw this. My friend was given a prototype Music Man that he thought was a Stingray. Because of this video, I was able to pin it down as a Sterling- and after some research, I think it might be literally be the first Sterling ever made. Great work as always.

I've owned a 2002 and a 2010 4 and 5 StingRay.covid hit and sold both of them but as clubs started opening back up I picked up an Sterling that needed alot of electronic work and other issues at a pawnshop for 200.Thank you sir for doing your videos.its been quite enlightening on what I really have.I will be playing some shows with it soon and we'll see if I keep it or just spend the money on another Ernie Ball 5 string.Shalom

It's always a pleasure to login again on RU-vid and watching your videos: you're near to 5.000 subscribers man! :D Cheers, Joe

LowEndLobster does it again! Nice comparison. I'm also glad to see you are teaching your cat how to play the bass.

I used to own an amazing '77 Stingray and fell in love with the classic 2-band sound, but I've always preferred a Jazz bass/Sterling sized neck. Had a Sterling briefly years ago, but never grew to like the sound of that pickup/EQ combo. I have a Ray 34 that I recently threw a MojoTone 2-band EQ into and thought about doing something similar with a Sterling by swapping out the pickup and electronics to keep that Sterling feel, but get a sound much closer to my Stingray.

Just received my Sterling5 HH, rosewood fb in blue powder with matching head, it's really a beautiful axe. Looks, plays and sounds like a dream.

Can't wait to see full review. For me it has the "thing" of a Stingray but in different flavour, just like Ray Special. And it has more tonal possibilities.

Thanks for another great video. It is instructive as to the subtle differences between these two basses, small sample size notwithstanding. As always, you leave me laughing. Thanks again, Lobster.

Man very accurate video thank you for all the time you spent on this

I love that t-shirt! Also your cat grooming you around the 6min. mark was very cute! Great video again! Cheers.

Great video! The first "nice bass" I ever got was an Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling. I haven't played it in years but I still have it back in the U.S.! You're spot on that they are completely different basses. I love the Stingray tone, but the feel of the Sterling was always to my liking (exactly the same as the Jazz and Precision bass). Best thing in life is to just own both 😁

The old USA SUB Sterling was an interesting variation because it had three band eq, but coil splitter. It actually is a petite Stingray.

ive owned multiple sterlings and stingray basses and kept my tangerine sterling similar to yours. They do have a a more mid present tone kind of like a p bass but more focused. While the stingray sounds more scooped naturally and gets a better sizzle on the top end kind of like a an active jazz. The sterling can get that stingray sound when it has newer strings on it but once they start dulling out the mids come out again. The sterling is definitely a more versatile bass but I am still wanting a stingray again ,unfortunately they got really expensive even second hand.

Your black kitty looks like mine :) Thanks for this comparison. I recently ordered a Stingray Special 4H and can't wait to get it :)

Awesome video. I'm picking up a SBMM today! I've been wanting an music man for a long time now. I've been playing on a couple Ibanez basses for years now. Wanted to switch it up a bit.

you did a good job, thank you so much for this great video

Had my Sterling since 93 got it when they first came out, Love my 96 Stingray too... but the Sterling is much superior in everyway cannot beat that look and Jazz style neck :) Also I've notice now they are making the Stingray more like the Sterling now...Smaller body, 5 bolt neck with that curve, more frets etc The first position on the pickup select when doing things like tapping sounds really strong and fluid which you don't get from a Stingray. I'm amazed how so many don't really know that much about the Sterling.

The Sterling is really under-appreciated and you can hardly find a video about them. Thank you! Branding is confusing though with their less expensive lineup under the same name.

I have one of the original. US made Sterlings .. mine has the roasted maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.. love it’s ease of playability, the thinner nut width and the smaller and lighter body ..

I have a 1997 rosewood neck Sterling, bought from the London Bass Centre in Wapping. I used it on many TV sessions and a major West End theatre show. And great for slapping.

Thanks for that great video ! I really think that the US Sterling (damn that confusing brand name) is a really underrated instrument. The neck is so easy to play and the 3 ways selector gaves a interesting versatility to the instrument. It.s my main instrument for 14 years now and it would be nearly impossible for me to change it !

We can tell you love to play :-D sounding good my man

I'm currently agonizing between a Stingray 5 and Sterling 5. I have a Sterling and I love it. I don't realize how small the nut is until I play something else but that was something that really sold me on it in the first place. Great bass. You should give a set of D'Adario Chrome's a go on one of them. I have a set on my Sterling at the moment. I've been gigging with that plus a Jazz 5er with chromes as well. After our last show our sound guy said "dude, your tone is great but when you pick up that orange bass (the Sterling)... That thing cuts through the mix and sounds so killer. Then he asked me what I did to it. Just added a set of Chromes lol. Btw... Love the videos and your collection... Had to get a new keyboard due to drool damage lol.

Hah, my cat started rubbing against my leg right when your cat first started meowing at you in the video! Cats like bass! Really cool comparison of these two. Seems to me that the StingRay cuts more than the Sterling. So which sounds better depends on what setting you are in.

that sterling sounds fantastic bro!

When I thought I couldn’t enjoy this video any more, a cat comes in! 😍 Brilliant comparison sir.

I would be more than happy with either of those 👍🏆.

Your excellent breakdowns are slowly but surely warming me up to these Music Men. I’ve not been a fan historically, but you do such a good job of modeling their flexibility and quality. Greatly enjoyable as always, Lobster. Q: are you familiar with Serek basses? Would love to hear your thoughts on them, if you can get your hands on one.

Cool video, good comparison, as much apples to apples as can be.

Always loved the Sterling, and this one is the perfect spec. And I always told myself I wouldn’t consider a Sterling unless I already had a Stingray...well now I have a Stingray (Special) so I GUESS IT’S THAT TIME

I love the red/black/maple combo on the sterling. I wish they offered the ray4 with a maple neck on the red version

I just got that 2024 Sterling SB14 a couple days ago. I took the pickguard off, and it looks exactly like the Joe Dart bass, AND it's passive! I also got the last one on the whole internet lol

Well i can say the Sterlings electronics was much quieter than the Stingray..probably due to that 3rd small coil UNDER the p/u....AND the strings i believe was also a factor in the sound difference ....but we will HEAR in the next video!!!!!!!...killer vid as always!!!!

I have a Fender American Deluxe Dimension Bass IV HH. This is Fender's version of a Stingray. It had a lot of the newer Stingray features first. 18 volt, contoured heal, unfinished neck (not roasted), light weight tuners, the bass is overall light in weight. It would be great if you can get a hold of one and compare it to the Stingray.

LOVE that orange color on yours !!!!..i would say...it would look KILLER with a deep charcoal grey metal flake pick guard!!!!!

There's something of a mystic around the Sterling, especially bc the old Sterling's sound insanely good and kinda hard to find/usually expensive. I prefer the nut width on the Sterling, and although I do miss the control plate on the front I think the body shape and ergonomics kinda make the stingray feel bulky after playing the Sterling for a bit. Still, the skinnier nut with I feel like is the biggest difference I like best, whether it's on a Sterling or some Stingray versions. It's pretty perfect IMHO. Cool comparison!!!!

Thanks so much for the video! Because of the pandemic I am not able to go store-hopping to play these. I am saving up for an Ernie Ball but am really on the fence about which one to get when the time comes. This was really helpful since I can't yet go play them myself. Do you have any idea when that full review on the Sterling will be coming out?

Both finishes are superb

LOVE both of my 90s model USA Sterlings!!!!...the smaller size is GREAT ..and my more narrow neck is SAAAWEEET!!!....and my 3 band preamp with the 3 way switch is THE TICKET!!!!!!

I had a sterling for a couple of months. Ended up selling it but enjoyed the tones and build quality while I had it. Coming from and going back to a Lakland 5502 I missed having a neck pickup to blend in or just anchor my thumb on

Thank you for yet another great video LowEndLobster! I have a Stingray (with Lane Poor pups) and a 2005 Sterling on its way in a few days time. So.... Any news on the review of the Sterling? :-)

Never seen a Sterling in person so it was great to hear a demo. Any interest in trying to get a big al? They seem wacky but awesome

I had a musicman sterling, but had to sell it to complete my personal luthier bass. I really miss that sterling to this day, what a great bass :C

I'm a happy 5H Black Sterling owner. I had a 5HS before but let it go due to the lack of a parallel humbucker setting. I also have an old, ceramic pickup Stingray5 (back when EBMM didn't offer a Sterling 5) which obviously has a comparable sound to the Sterling. While once in a while I wish my bass had the same "zing" and clarity Alnico Rays yield, I wouldn't swap this slim reaper with a ridiculously comfortable neck away for its bigger, chunkier brother for all the gold in the world. Well, maybe for a Honeyburst Sterling 5H, actually :)

Cool comparison. both basses sound good. to my ears, the music man sterling sounds warmer compared to the regular stingray, but on the count of the pickup selector, it sounds like it has a variety of sounds. the regular music man stingray seems to sound a little brighter in comparison, but still has that classic stringray sound. I think a friend of mine had a music man sterling in a blue finish. it looked pretty cool. other than that, they both sounded pretty good. and I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these basses.

1 suggestion, record a demo backing song, couple bars of funk, couple of reggae, couple rock and couple metal so we can hear how these basses sound in a band situation or mix, solo sounds are nice to hear what the bass sounds like when u practice, but a "real" world application would be much more interesting to hear , since at the end of the day, not many ppl do solo bass albums, keep up the good work man

Still would love to see the Sterling 4H deep dive. I'm trying to decide whether I need one to go with my Sterling 4HS.

I have a Stingray 5 and I have always wanted an EBMM Sterling as well as an EBMM Sabre. All three basses may look similar, as you pointed out with the Sterling, but they have unique and distinctive tones.

Is it just me or the Sterling sounds warmer? And even in single coil mode it doesn't sound weak like when soloing a jazz bass bridge single coil for example. Very interesting instrument. Thanks for the video!

They both sound great. I like the fuller sound of the Stingray better.

Awesome video and thank you for all of the fantastic content. Out of curiosity, do you prefer maple fretboards with Ernie Ball instruments, or is it a coincidence you happen to have more of them that way?

Great video, I have a 20th Anniversary Stingray. ;)

Other than my Michael Kelly jazz bass, best feeling neck on the Sterling that I've ever played.

I wish I didn't sell my SB14, that bass was awesome. One pickup, 3 different tones. Very flexible.

Would love to see a review of the new Music Man Tim Commerford model bass!

I’m a mad Stingray fan and have always just looked past the Music Man Sterling as I’ve always confused with the name with the Indonesian made “Sterling by Music Man”. The Music Man Sterling however seems to be such a different great Bass in its own right. I’m another one who kept looking at the t-shirt btw.

I have a 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4H in Blue Pearl with a maple fingerboard. I bought it the summer before last. It’s a terrific instrument and I absolutely love it. Thanks for the cool video, Lobster! Nice job.

I love USA Sterlings, I own a 1999 4H & a 2007 4HH. I've owned a few Stingrays & other Sterlings over the years. Imo, the Sterling (especially the 4HH) is a beast compared to Stingrays. I also like the slim, faster neck & lighter weight body vs a beefier neck & a back breaker.

Hi Mister lobster and happy new year, I prefer the sterling, neck, weight and the verasatility also the price :-) S.V

Had one and traded it for an SVT 4 Pro. Like you said, at the time, I wanted the stingray sound and it didn’t really do that for me. Enjoyed it for the time I had it though for sure.

Hey, sweet video! Is your Sterling deep dive out yet? Couldn't find it on your channel. Thanks : )

LowEndLobster= Bass Ambassador #1.

Hey Lobster, I just got my dream bass EBMM short scale in sunburst! I think you will really dig it. :-) You should definitely pick one up.

its a mixture between Git-Video and Sweetcat-Video. Great idea. I love your cats please make a video with them only.

​@Hey Lobster, here's a question. If I bought a Sterling Sub is it worth upgrading the pickup in it to the standard Musicman pickup or the preamp or any of the hardware? I'm on a budget and doubt i'll ever be able to afford a new American made Stingray unless i buy a used one, and can't decide what the best value to do. I have a 28 year old Westfield that I learned on which still plays remarkably well, and I want to upgrade to mid priced instrument. I never invested in my Bass gear once i started playing guitars and i spent most of money and time on regular acoustic and electric guitar. I want to get back into playing bass again. I don't see the point in buying the expensive Sterling models around a grand, because I could get a used Musicman for a little bit more money. So basically if i bought a Sterling what would you upgrade on it to make it as close to a Musicman as possible, or is this not a financially worthwhile venture.

Ok I was on the fence about the Sterling until I saw your cat enter the video and give you kisses. Now I'm buying a black Sterling 4 string!

Thanks for yet another great video about Music man basses! Would make sense to replace the Sterling pickup with an alnico one to get a more classic MM sound in a more comfortable instrument? Is it even possible?

Have a ash body USA Sterling 4, with rosewood fretboard. To me, love the slap tones and bottom.

Now this is a bass I need. But.... What about a Sterling Special? That would be overkill!

Your demo lick is now stuck in my head like an earworm.

Lobster, your smile is infectious

Lobster 🦞 been practicing now he bringing it the funk 😮

I have always preferred the sound of the Sterling, but prefer the look of the Stingray. Aaahhh the Stingray special :-)

You like your Stingrays I take it? Can't say I blame you. That pink champagne one you've got is the prettiest bass I've ever seen.......I will get my hands on one. Some day soon.

I Love your Vids Brother, Keep Up the Good Work, Maybe one day I'll get the guts to do one at 60 Years Old, I Might do a Vid on 70's Funk Bass, a "Thump and Pluck" Special LOL!. @LowEndLobster

That orange is 🔥

Why in the world would they release a super awesome bass called a Sterling and later come out with Sterling by Music Man? I can’t imagine how much confusion it’s caused.

How come everyone is saying that Sterling sounds more aggressive? I think the ceramic pickup gives it a more P bass like warm sound and the SR definitely sounds more aggressive to my ears.

Killer sound Le son qui tue! 😃👏

Hey lobster, what do you think about the fender mustang PJ bass, tide pool blue from Sweetwater.

Hey low end lobster will the Mike pope flexcore preamp fit into the sterling back cavity? and when I’m looking for the colors it comes in do I check the Indonesian site? by the way what is it? I’m looking for an all black sterling /not stingray THANK YOU nice groove😎🌈🎸

Does anyone know the size of hex Allen key for the saddles?

Man that orange 🍊 color is beautiful

Hello, With the Seymour Duncan Pickup SMB-4A-3C, i think is possible to replace the ceramic pickup on a Sterling Musicman US 4 H to this alnico Seymour Duncan pickup. Thank's to confirm that if possible ? Thanks and nice vidéo :-

With the sterling can you tell me what the pickup ohms read with the toggle switch between the 3 positions Thanks

Is the Stingray better in sonic tone?

I think I'm a musicman fanboy, I love all of their basses. Except for the Bongo, which I find horrendous (but sounds great).

After this sterling Sterling review Lobster, you know what you need to do...the Joe Dart Sterling.

It seems you’re a bit obsessed with Stingrays. That OK though because my next bass is going to be a Sterling Ray34 HH in Stealth Black.

Phantom coil: this will be my next band name

Awesome lick at 6:12 :D

I absolutely love the feel and design of the Sterling over the Stingray. This is especially so with the 5 string versions of the two. I hate that gigantic ugly pickguard on the Stingray 5. My ultimate EBMM would be a Sterling 5 with a roasted flamed maple neck/board with the Stingray Special upgrades, pickup and pre-amp. I haven't bought a bass in 25 years but would buy that combo in a second.