How could I have missed the Sterling?

I have played Musicman basses for quite some time (I think I got my first Bongo 5 HH in 2005), mostly Bongo fivers but also SR, both 4 and 5 strings. Once I tried a Sterling 5 (London 2009), but until last week I had never had a 4 string Sterling in my hands.

But, I “needed” a four string bass, there was a Sterling for sale and knowing the EBMM quality I had no hesitations about buying it without trying. I sort of knew about the Sterling: Kind of like a SR with a bit downsized body, thinner neck and parallell/single/series switch. Or so I thought…

So I got it, a little surprised at the low weight, plugged it in at home, sounded fine, restrung it and set it up like I like it, and went to rehearsals, where the bass completely blew everyone away! Cuts through like no bass I have ever had before, packs an amazing punch and that stick like neck and tiny body felt totally like home after ten minutes. My band mates loved not only the sound, but they all agreed it looked great too!

Yeah I like my new to me Sterling, think maybe I should have tried one earlier…