Don't worry guys, I'm STILL all in!

[madbassplaya]

Ok, it's confession time. I sold a Music Man bass to get another bass of a different brand.

I found a great deal on a Dingwall and I've always been curious about that 37 inch B string. I made the deal with the guy and sent payment and then I listed my newly aquired Music Man S.U.B. 5. You can read about that NBD here:
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/51253-nbd-im-all.html

I really liked that bass. It had a great tone and played very well but I like the actual SR5 body shape better than the 4 string body with 5 strings, so it wasn't that hard to move it. Well, after selling my bass I received an email from the Dingwall owner that he had a "Change of heart" and would be refunding my money. I wasn't sure what to do. Not only was I not getting the Dingwall but I was losing my newly aquired S.U.B.

I did what any good seller does, I packed up the bass that I sold and I shipped it to its new owner. There was no way that I was going to do the same thing to someone else. I was quite disappointed and had an incurable case of GAS. I was looking at every bass I could find considering buying it. Then tonight, I played my Ray 5 HH and I remembered just how much I love it. It just seems to fit me and realized that no matter how great that Dingwall may have been, I can't get rid of my Ray 5. I began looking online for a suitable second bass/back up and I found something that has been there all along and should fit the bill quite nicely!

That's not my actual bass, but I'm hoping to have it early next week. It should feel similar to my U.S. Ray and looks the part as well. I've heard great things about them sonically as well!

Anyone in EBMM land rocking a Ray35?

 

[J Romano]

Good luck with the new acquisition. Hope it has the sound you are looking for. I don't have one, but all the reviews I have read and reading the reports here on the forum, you won't be disappointed.

 

[DTG]

I hear ya bro, my SR5 will never leave me. It just fits me
D

 

[keko]

I'm just one step to sale my Sterling too, it seems that this Saturday will go away!

But still have my reflex and waiting for NAMM news, ...something from EBMM single H with piezo is smiling to me!

 

[laneline]

I think you'll find it way more than just similar to your U.S. MM. Huge bang for the buck. I play mine as much as my U.S. MM's. I was going to get Natural also but the one that came in was just too heavy so I went with a Black one that is actually lighter than my MM's. I can't imagine you not liking it. I had mine up for sale to fund a non bass issue and I'm glad it didn't sell, real glad. All the best , Rick

 

[madbassplaya]

Thanks for the replies!

I talked to the tech today that set up the bass and he told me that everyone who played a SBMM usually couldn't tell that it wasn't a U.S. Stingray until they looked at the writing on the headstock. I know they look the part for sure!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I've tried a few Ray35's and they all felt and played well. On average, they were heavier so that may be something you want to consider, but they seem like great value for the money. The only thing that strikes me as visually different, is the tuners are just a tad bit longer or different. I'm so used to the standard ones, that that is one detail that sticks out.

 

[drTStingray]

A mate of mine has one of these - it's v similar indeed to my natural finish SR5 - as others have said the tuners are the most obviuous difference. The SR5 is an awesome beast so I'm sure it'll fit the bill.

 

[LawDaddy]

I was wondering my local GC earlier this year in the bass section (as usual) and there was a gentleman shopping for a bass. For whatever reason, no help was to be found. I asked if I could help and answer any questions. I ended up selling him on a Ray34. Easy sell once he played the competitive offerings at the same price.

 

[madbassplaya]

I was wondering my local GC earlier this year in the bass section (as usual) and there was a gentleman shopping for a bass. For whatever reason, no help was to be found. I asked if I could help and answer any questions. I ended up selling him on a Ray34. Easy sell once he played the competitive offerings at the same price.

Hope you got commission!

I've actually done this at my local shop. The owner and worker there are not bassist and I've helped out. They don't sell EBMM though.

 

[JayDawg]

Several weeks ago, I was at my nearest Guitar Center and there was a younger kid playing a gold Stingray Classic. He was saying it was a toss up between it and another brand that rhymes with "bender". I started talking to him about the Music Man company and the history of the company. I was showing his the different things on the Classic and even the regular Stingrays that the other brand did not offer. In the end he said he was sold. In our conversation he said he was waiting on a student loan check to buy his new bass (gotta love young kids sometimes). Well, I went back to the same Guitar Center about 2 weeks later and noticed that same bass was gone so I am hoping he came back and bought it. If it wasn't him, I know somebody got a very nice bass!

Prior to that, I also took my Dargies Delight II Bongo 4HH to try out some Markbass amps because I had never played them before. As soon as I plugged in, I almost instantly had about 10 people gathered around me asking me about the bass. It was nice to be able to show it off and tell others about the Bongo. Everybody around me loved the shape and also really loved the color. Then I started playing it and a few of the people started asking the sales guy why Guitar Center doesn't carry Bongo's in that store.

 

[J Romano]

The GC here doesn't have Bongos. I got my 5HSp thru them, but it was used. If they had a Bongo or 2 on hand and customers were able to plug in and try one, I think they would be sold!

 

[eadg98005]

Will the regular MM (Schaller) tuners fit the SBMM without alteration to the headstock ?