Question: Ray 34

[KevinKBass]

hey guys!

its time for me to be buying a new bass.

ive been considering a few basses including a Schecter Stiletto Elite, Fender Standard Jazz and other basses in that price range.

I really want a stingray but there far out of my budget

so the question is, what exactly are the differences between a stingray and a ray 34. and should i purchase one over a Standard jazz or SR530 etc.

[Powman]

If you are interested in the Fender Jazz, why not also consider the Sterling SB14. It has a neck similar to the Jazz.

As for the differences, check out Ed Friedlands"s review: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fo7AKwfA0"]YouTube- Sterling By Music Man Basses[/ame]

[rappa29]

The Sterling By Musicman SB14 and the video for the EBMM Sterling 5 posted above are different animals. Notably, about $1000 and one's made in Indonesia and the other in USA.

Go to YouTube and search for Sterling By Musicman Ray34. Ed's review is very good. Generally, the primary difference between the SBMM Ray34 and a USA EBMM Stingray are place of manufacture and the hardware\electronics.

I had a Ray35. For all intents and purposes, it sounds pretty much like a SR5H. Felt similar. Construction quality was very good. Little heavier than USA SR5H and the components are obviously not the same quality. For example tuners are generic, no compensated nut, etc.

IMHO, the SBMM line of basses are very good and beat other basses in their respective price range.

[Powman]

Yeah, at that price point, I can't really think of a better bass.

[IvanHardy]

Take it from me bro I had a Ray 34. Get one you won't regret it. For that price range nothing beats a Ray 34.

[KevinKBass]

Thanks a lot guys, im definitely going to consider both of these basses! and the jazz neck profile with a single humbucker sound like exactly what Ive always wanted!

one thing im confused about though is on the sterling website it says the pickups are MusicMan Designed. does that mean there just lower quality pickups from MM or are they the same?

[Powman]

Tomorrow someone from Ernie Ball Music Man will likely read this posts and give you an educated correct answer. Mine will only be speculation. Specifically I think the humbuckers on an American Music Man are built in the US while the ones on the Sterling by Music Man are built overseas to Music Man specs.

[rappa29]

Mine will only be speculation. Specifically I think the humbuckers on an American Music Man are built in the US while the ones on the Sterling by Music Man are built overseas to Music Man specs.

That's the way I understand it as well. In addition, the preamp being done the same way. I highly doubt they'd put the SAME EXACT pickups and pre from a USA EBMM into an SBMM. But what do I know, I don't build 'em. I play 'em!

Doing an oranges to tangerines test of my SR4 vs my Ray35, the Ray35 had less oomph or low end, with everything set flat on the preamp and on my amp. Of course there could be other factors involved, strings, setup, pickup height, etc.

This was playing both solo, outside the context of a live or recorded mix.

In a live and recorded mix, the average listener would be hard pressed to tell the difference between an SR5H and a Ray35. The Ray35 sounded great.

Again, IMHO the SBMM line of basses should not be overlooked if someone wants the Stingray sound and feel but can't hang with the Stingray price tag.

[KevinKBass]

All right thanks, i appreciate the suggestions and answers

[agplate]

Ray34: Amazing Bass

[IvanHardy]

hey if you wanna see a ray 34 being played i can show you my facebookvideos where i cover songs using it. not the best videos but if it can help you make your decision then let me know.

[nashman]

You might consider buying a used Stingray.

[kevins]

i bought my stingray back in 04 when they were still in the 1200-1400 range and pre EB rays were going for 1500. shop around. i ended up getting mine brand new with the case for 1000$ even. i dont like guitar centers(just a personal thing) so i avoided them and waited patiently for mine to be built out in SLO. so my advice is saving up, finding a place that will do a decent layaway program that will have the thing built when you put a down payment on it and having the thing made fully to your specifications(the stingray quality control is good enough to simply have the thing built and roll with it) and waiting the painful three months. believe me it is well worth the wait and having a perfect bass is awesome.

that and there is craislist. used rays go for around 750 sometimes one there

[the unrepentant]

i think if you want a jazz sound, get a MIM jazz, i think if you want a more modern sterile sound, go for the schecter, if you want a musicman sound, go for the sterling by musicman. Personally though, for the price of a new SBMM, you could get a used EBMM if you look around, and i would do that. I know some people don't like buying used basses though, and i can understand that.

[Powman]

In Canada, Sterling by MM goes for $699. Used made in US MM basses go for $1000-$1200. New MM goes for $1450++.

So, I have never seen a used made in US MM go as low as a new Sterling by MM. Maybe that's not the case across the pond?