NBD: 1994 EBMM Sterling

[BassAgent]

So I had tremendous GAS for a Music Man bass. Whether a MM Stingray, Sterling Ray34 or something else, as long as it had that Music Man sound and feel. So I posted a "wanted" ad on several platforms and got a message on Bassic.de from a guy in Belgium that was selling a 1994 Music Man Sterling. Black, with mutes, great condition, birdseye maple neck...exactly what I wanted. I had a gig in Belgium yesterday, and the bass was practically on te route, so we left an hour early, and I picked it up. And it's absolutely great. Good shape, great sound, birdseye neck, Hipshot D-tuner (but the original tuner was in the case), new knobs (but I also have the original knobs)... Awesome bass. It's from October 1994, and I can't wait to use it extensively

 

[Bunion]

The USA Sterling is a great bass, glad you got what you wanted. 

[Guest]

I love mine (a 5HH). That’s some lovely birdseye maple on the neck! String mutes as well. Needs the original knobs, though

Edited January 24, 2022 by FDC484950

[BassAgent]

5 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

I love mine (a 5HH). That’s some lovely birdseye maple on the neck! String muted as well. Needs the original knobs, though

I still have the original knobs  I'm going to put them back on today, didn't have time yet.

[Eldon Tyrell]

This looks great. Enjoy 👍

[cocco]

That's bloody lovely. My favorite era of EBMM

[BassAgent]

I put the original knobs back on (much better):

 

Here it is with its newer and cheaper cousin:

[tubbybloke68]

I’ve really got into Sterlings recently (USA ones) fantastic compact basses with wonderful necks.cut through the mix more than stingrays too I reckon. Enjoy your new bass, certainly am with mine 🤘

[theyellowcar]

That neck figuring is incredible!

[andyaber]

Really interesting to see a sterling and a ray side by side.  Shows how much smaller the body is.

 

I have a usa sterling which I'm pretty sure is mid 90's.  It has the mute bridge but no mutes.  It just feels right as soon as you pick it up.

 

Enjoy!  

[horrorshowbass]

Really want one. The neck profile looks a lot more manageable than a standard Ray

[zapp]

Great looking bass, congrats.

[BassAgent]

3 hours ago, horrorshowbass said:

Really want one. The neck profile looks a lot more manageable than a standard Ray

Honestly it's a very long time since I last played a 4-string Stingray so I can't really compare, except with the Status neck on my fretless. But I have no idea how that Status neck compares to a Ray😅

[Shiveringbass]

I've just taken a USA Sterling 5 out of it case yesterday.

I wanted to take some pics to prepare its sale. Managing a 4.6kg bass on stage is a bit difficult for me these days.

 

Unfortunatly, I've made the mistake of plugging it in... This damned thing just sound terrific. Violent and agressive with the switch towards the neck, glassy and airy with the switch at the opposit.

 

Small body, very confortable JB like neck, the ergonomy is also very good. If I didn't have those stupid shoulder problems, this bass would be just fantastic in my funk/pop band. This tone can only put a big smile on the face.

[Bunion]

6 minutes ago, Shiveringbass said:

If I didn't have those stupid shoulder problems, this bass would be just fantastic in my funk/pop band. This tone can only put a big smile on the face.

Try a Sterling 4 with a hipshot dtuner? 

[BassAgent]

20 minutes ago, Bunion said:

Try a Sterling 4 with a hipshot dtuner? 

You rang?

 

[andyaber]

I think the neck on a 4 string Sterling measures roughly the same as a Jazz and not a million miles from a Ibanez SR.

[Bunion]

41 minutes ago, BassAgent said:

You rang?

 

Marvellous, I love the dtuner.

put one on every bass I get. 

[Shiveringbass]

14 hours ago, Bunion said:

Try a Sterling 4 with a hipshot dtuner? 

Are there some ultra light tuners that would fit a Sterling ?

 

[BassAgent]

Finally had the opportunity to take some photos in proper daylight. Love that birdseye on the neck.