Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Dan Poudrette
Experience	10yrs
Email	dapouey2@msn.com
Review date	July 18 2001
Manufacturer	Ernie Ball Music Man
Model	Sterling
Price	1100.00
Item owned for	1-6 months

Bass type	4 string fretted
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	1 piece Maple neck and fret brd
Fingerboard	22 frets
Body	Alder
Finish	Gloss Burst Blue
Pickups	Humbucker Music man
Hardware	Ernie Ball
Electronics	Active 3band eq w/3 way switch

If you're considering a Music Man get it.The Sterling was my choice,it's lighter than most Basses. Its neck is the same as a Jazz Bass. The tone options are great. The 3band eq includes mids which is a must[espeicially when you have a loud guitarist set up next to you],I've been told at gigs that every note can be heard with clarity and no muddiness. The 3 way switch is my favorite on this Bass, for great slap tone put the switch all the way back towards the bridge. For the deep bass woody sound the switch in the middle, for that old P Bass sound put the switch all the way up towards the neck.As good as the stingrays are I went with the sterling because of its diversity and the size of the neck. I love the Jazz necks this neck is comparable to the Jazzes. I also own a Fender Marcus Miller Sig. Bass and love it and still enjoy it but it does not compare to the sterling at all. The humbucker on the sterling is quite unlike the superfluous noises I get from the Marcus Bass. As far as weaknesses there are none to report at this time. Final word you won't be sorry if you get this Bass. Thanks. Dan.

Construction	95%
Appearance	90%
Playability	98%
Sound	95%
Value	85%
Overall	95%