The Sterling isn't just another Musicman bass. It is named for Sterling Ball the current owner of Musicman who formerly worked under Leo during the original Musicman-CLF phase. The description which compares this to a stingray is pretty inaccurate. It has a different neck. If the Stingray is a P bass this is Musicmans version of a Jazz. It also has the pickup switching which is only found on the Sterling (and the 5 string but then that has a different pickup). It also has a much smaller body as well, so overall it has a differnt tone. The only things in common are the bridge and the headstock really! That all aside its is a great bass with a lot of different tones between teh 3 band eq and pickup switching. I like to run the single coil mode with the treble up a few db and the mid cut a tad. Run flat through my Mesa Boogie and it kills. About the price, this bass is a great value. Compared to other American bass companies it is hard to find such a quality instrument made domestically. Most other US companies offer an import at this price point and expect you to shell out another grand for the US made instrument.

I owned this bass for many years, and although it is very good, I never was fully satisfied. I guess I am a Fender jazz player at heart. My main bass I play with now is a Highway one Fender jazz. The musicman has a very fast neck, and very comfortable to play, beautiful finish and attention to detail, but I always found the tone not modern enough sounding for me. You put new strings on, it sounds great for a while, and then just goes dull. Where as the fender has had the same strings on for a while and still sounds punchy modern, I think it has to do with the bridge. I think having a neck pickup is essential which the old sterling bass lacks. I found myself always wanting a rounder tone, that you get when you combine the bridge PU with the neck PU. Also I find the musicman pickup overpowering, and lacking clarity that you get with single coils. It all comes down to personal preference tho. the tuners are very good, finish on neck is perfect, poly finish on body is protective, bridge is solid, but again something is lacking there...I really do think this instrumental is phenomenal, but for this kind of money you can get better, that's for sure.

The Musicman Sterling is one of the best basses I have ever played. Basically the same as the Musicman Stingray but with a smaller body, thinner neck and pickup switch. If you like the feel and playablity of a jazz bass, this bass has what you want and then some. It feels ands plays like a tank. Feels like you could drop it out of an airplane and nothing would be wrong with it. The neck is smooth and thin(like a jazz bass) and is extremely comfortable to play. You can get so many different tones with this bass. The finish is amzing and flawless(mine is a dessert gold finish). Honestly if you have the money for it, buy this bass, you cant go wrong with it and you won't regret it.

I have played many-o-basses in my day and this bass really does it all. Starting with looks alone... Mine is a stained red finish with a black pickgard. the only way I can describe it is sexy. 100% American made sexyness. I know its a preference thing but the music man tone really "floats my boat". From grungy sounding to low end gospel sounds what more do you need. I play more funk/slap bluesy type music and it really does the trick for that. As far as hardware and features really who can complain much about this fine crafted piece. The word that comes to mind is Tight. Sometimes on low end basses the knobs can be loose and wiring is somewhat questionable. but thats not the case with this bass.

All in all I am absolutely satisfied with this bass. I got it used for 950$ and it was worth every penny. I would recommend it to any bass player any day.

If you prefer the Ray for fretted playing, cuz like me you find the Sterling too bright, don't automatically get a Ray for your FL. That same Sterling tone that is too bright for metal-on-metal is perfect for string-on-wood. It keeps more of the 'organic' quality. Not that the Ray is wholly lacking there, but the Sterling delivers even more.

Also, being able to solo the rear coil is very important to me for FL, but not something I really need for fretted.

With FL, the Sterlings hotter tone delivers so much extra presence, vs the Ray, that you can boost the bass a lot more without burying that woody FL voice. It's a win-win noncompromise deal.

Even if you can't stand the Sterling with frets, you really gotta hear it fretless.