Sterling MM pickup swap.

[TheLongManDrums]

Hi guys. I know two friends who have American Stingray 5’s and they both have this magical mid range clank to them which I have always assumed was the pickup. 
 

I also have known a friend to have a sub version (about 10 years ago). This one did not have the magic tone that I love. 
 

Now that there is the Sterling line in between, I’m trying to find out wether I’d be satisfied with that or wether I’d regret not holding out for the real thing. I’ve read that the materials in the pickup is slightly different (ceramic vs. something I’ve forgotten), and it’s raised a question in my mind:

 

If I put the real American pickup in the body of a Sterling, am I cheating the system here? What else am I missing?

 

I realise it likely won’t feel like the American in every way (the sub sure didn’t, it was quite a long way off), but I can take a LITTLE trade off in terms of the feel, as long as the sound is legit. 
Has anyone done this, does anyone know?

I don’t want to pester my local shop too much as I have no intention of buying new whatever I decide to do. 
 

Thanks people 

[warwickhunt]

Off the top of my head I think the USA Ray 5 is an Alnico magnet so you'd need to ensure you were comparing like with like and the preamp has as big an impact on sound as the pups do.  

 

In summary; to get near in tone you are going to have to source the same pup AND preamp.

[Bunion]

Set up and strings have a lot to do with the clank your talking about. 
Some basses won’t allow you to get a super low action due to the break angle at the neck heel and may require a shim. 
The nut height can make a difference too. 
The tension of the strings can make a difference too some are high tension, some lower allowing more flexibility. 
The string condition and type  too can make a difference. 
new strings will sound bright and clank old strings sound dead

Round wounds will clank, flat wounds will thump 


 

 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Bunion