Calling all Musicman Experts

[Chris Horton]

I currently have a 2002 Stingray 5 Piezo.

Can anyone please tell me what the difference is between my bass and a Sterling 5 string ? are they worth looking at ?
Are the neck profiles or sound etc very different ?

Many thanks
Chris

[Prime_BASS]

I'm not sure about yeah but until recently the stingray used ceramic pups like on a sterling 4, and the preamp I think was the same.

So in essence, the early SR5s compared to Sterling 5s are roughly the same sound wise I guess, expect the sterling5 to have a smaller body and a thinner neck.

The body is a given but the neck size I'm not positive about.

[Grand Wazoo]

I wouldn't call myself an expert but, as far as I know the necks on Stingray 5 and Sterling 5 are the same, if you were talking about Stingray 4 and Sterling 4 then my understanding is that the Sterling uses a smaller / thinner neck similar to a Jazz bass.

The Sterling 4 has these specs:
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 7.5" (19.1 cm)
Headstock Size: 7-5/8" (19.4 cm) long
Frets: 22 - High profile, narrow width
Neck Width: 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) at nut, 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret

The Stingray 4 has these specs:
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size: 8-3/4" (22.2 cm) long
Frets: 21 - High profile, wide
Neck Width: 1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret

-------------------------

Sterling 5 has these specs:
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size: 7-7/8" (20.0 cm) long
Frets: 22 - High profile, wideNeck Width:1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-3/4"" (69.9 mm) at last fret

Stingray 5 has these specs:
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size: 9" (22.9 cm) long
Frets: 22 - High profile, wide
Neck Width: 1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-3/4"" (69.9 mm) at last fret

The other major difference is in the pickups magnets, Sterlings use ceramic magnets and Stingrays use AlNiCo magnets, and the two will sound different from each other and debatable to people's own choice.

Some say... that the ceramic is more punchy and loud with a brittle top end, while the AlNiCo are more warm sounding, with more vintage bass presence and rolled heights. Hence they divide the world in two different factions those who like either one or the other. I am a frontline activist for the AlNico Freedom Figthers and I won't take any prisoners.

[Chris Horton]

Thanks Grand Wazoo , thats really helpfull