Sting, the celebrated musician known for his distinctive vocals and masterful bass playing, has cultivated a rich and diverse sound over his illustrious career. For those seeking to pinpoint a signature “Sting bass,” the journey reveals a fascinating collection of instruments from numerous esteemed makers. Initially, delving into his gear history might suggest a somewhat eclectic approach, with Sting utilizing a wide array of basses throughout the years.
However, in a testament to his foundational influences, Sting eventually returned to the instruments that shaped his early musical journey: Fender basses. While a comprehensive catalog of every bass he’s ever touched would be extensive, the sheer depth and intriguing details surrounding his primary basses make them a worthy focal point in understanding his sonic evolution.
Fender Precision Bass: The Cornerstones of Sting’s Sound
At the heart of Sting’s bass collection reside his cherished 1955 and 1957 Fender Precision basses. These vintage instruments, built by Leo Fender himself, remain in active use to this day and represent more than just tools for Sting; they are imbued with history and character, qualities he deeply values in his instruments. Adding to his Fender lineage is a 1962 Jazz Bass, a reliable studio companion that has featured prominently in Sting’s recordings over the years.
Sting’s connection to Fender extends back to his early career. Photographs from his time with Last Exit, a jazz fusion ensemble active in the early 1970s, showcase his use of a Fender bass. Furthermore, his collection included several fretless Precision basses, distinguished by a natural finish and another in red with a black pickguard. These fretless Fenders were favored for touring until Sting’s shift towards Ibanez basses.
The Ibanez Era: Embracing Modern Versatility
Sting’s adoption of Ibanez basses marked a significant phase in his gear evolution, becoming his preferred instruments over Fenders for a period. He particularly gravitated towards the Ibanez Musician series, exploring its diverse range and capabilities. Evidence of this era includes sightings of him playing a fretless MC900, a fretted MC824, and even the unique fretless MC980 8-string bass. This transition to Ibanez occurred around the time of the Regatta de Blanc album, and these instruments became staples in his setup for a considerable duration. Beyond the Musician series, Sting also experimented with an Ibanez RB888 Roadstar II, modifying it to be fretless, offering a slightly different tonal flavor within his Ibanez repertoire.
Hamer Basses: A Brief Chapter
The Hamer basses in Sting’s collection represent a less impactful chapter in his overall career. While he acquired and used them, they often took a backseat to his favored Fenders and Ibanez instruments during the same period. Among his Hamer acquisitions was an 8-string fretless bass, used sparingly around the Zenyatta Mondatta era, and a Cruisebass, which also saw limited stage time. The Hamer Phantom bass, while visually striking, followed a similar pattern of infrequent use compared to his main basses.
Van Zalinge Electric Upright Bass: An Unconventional Sound
The Van Zalinge electric upright bass stands out as perhaps the most unconventional instrument in Sting’s bass arsenal. This Dutch-made creation, while unusual, proved to be a valuable tool in his studio work. It was notably used during the recording sessions for Synchronicity and potentially on Ghost in the Machine as well. Sting appreciated its unique sonic character, often employing it to layer bass lines, recording parts both with the upright and a traditional electric bass to create a richer, more textured sound on recordings.
Steinberger L2: Synthesizing Sounds
The Steinberger L2 bass entered Sting’s gear collection around the Synchronicity period. Its sleek, headless design and unique tonal qualities made it a useful studio instrument. In line with his techniques using the Van Zalinge, Sting often used the Steinberger to double bass lines initially played on the electric upright, adding a synthesized or layered dimension to his sound. While utilized in the studio, the Steinberger’s stage presence was short-lived, quickly being superseded by the Spector bass on the Synchronicity tour.
Spector Bass: An Instant Icon
The Spector bass holds a special place in Sting’s history, becoming one of his most recognizable instruments, and remarkably, it wasn’t initially purchased by him. The story recounts how a Spector dealer in St. Charles, Missouri, provided the bass to Sting’s guitar tech before a 1983 concert in the city. Intrigued, the tech presented it to Sting for that evening’s performance. Sting played the Spector throughout soundcheck and the entire show, captivated by its feel and tone. As the dealer prepared to leave with the bass after the concert, Sting, clearly impressed, instructed his team to “write that man a cheque.” This spontaneous acquisition occurred on the second night of the Synchronicity tour, and the Spector became Sting’s primary stage bass for the entire following year of touring. This Spector bass has since attained iconic status, a testament to its impact on Sting’s sound and performances, and is now enshrined at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, a symbol of his enduring musical legacy.
Sting’s journey through various bass guitars reflects a continuous exploration of sound and instrument characteristics. From the vintage charm of his Fender Precision and Jazz basses to the modern innovation of Ibanez and the unique character of instruments like the Van Zalinge and Spector, his choices have consistently contributed to his distinctive and influential musical voice.
Explore more about Sting’s music and career at Sting’s official website.
