Sales interference?

[Jules]

Being a Sonor aficionado for a few decades, and having seen the trend of overseas manufacture of lower lines with that particular brand name, I have to wonder if the Sterling Ray basses are too much of a good thing for the Stingray market.

In the case of Sonor, the lower lines were engineered NOT to compare with the higher end German models. However, from the perspective of this novice, the Sterling Ray 34 is a kick ass bass, and it has mildly diluted my inner need for a higher end bass. That's NOT to sat I won't buy 14 or 11 of them, anyway.

I just find it interesting that the company is offering an instrument that seems to closely replicate the current premium series. It is obviously working, as MM doesn't seem to be tanking. It just leaves me wondering; If I like my Sterling Ray 34 so much, how would I feel owning the real, American made McCoy???

 

[JayDawg]

I wondered the same thing too but on the Sterling by Music Man basses, the EBMM company also did some smart things. They limit the finishes, there are no special order basses as far as things like the BFR roasted necks, PDN's, Dargie Delight's etc. I absolutely love the Sterling by Music Man basses too as the company has done some very nice things withthem and I would own own in a heartbeat but with the EBMM basses, you also have more pickup configurations, and a bass that will maintain a higher value due to it being American made. People see all of those things and still buy as a result.

 

[Big Poppa]

Here it is in a nutshell.

If you dont address a segment of the market someone else will....especially in the countries where we don't have the same intellectual property coverage....

To survive you need to balance the leveraging of your designs to meet the price points of the market without compromising your brand integrity.

The Music Man sit in the black hole of the market.....not cheap and not super expensive....we have to address the price points where the velocity and action is...I have no interest in doing it so I license it to the Park Family...the very best in the world.

 

[jlepre]

Bp,

 

[oddjob]

I have a long drawn out history with 5 strings - owning several Bongo 5s that have come and gone just because I like them but don't NEED them and had too much money in them to let them just sit. I actually need a 5 for an upcoming gig and couldn't justify spending a ton of cash - enter the Ray35 (now on order). It will meet my needs, sound great, and I won't feel guilty keeping it around. From the one I test piloted, the build was great as was the tone. For the money, I liked it much better than the Ibanez and Schecter 5s in the same range. Win/Win!

 

[4play]

Awwww. That "Thank You" drawn in the sand is sooo romantic!

For S&Gs, I just picked up a Ray34-CA (Vintage White/RW) on the used market for a SONG and I must say, it kicks some major bootay! The 38mm nut-width along with the vintage tint neck and 2-band EQ make this a real treat for us SLO Special guys! That 2-band just thumps man! Highly recommended!

 

[Jules]

Here it is in a nutshell.

If you dont address a segment of the market someone else will....especially in the countries where we don't have the same intellectual property coverage....

To survive you need to balance the leveraging of your designs to meet the price points of the market without compromising your brand integrity.

The Music Man sit in the black hole of the market.....not cheap and not super expensive....we have to address the price points where the velocity and action is...I have no interest in doing it so I license it to the Park Family...the very best in the world.

Very interesting information here. There whole Sonor Drum thing is controlled by a company that is now Asian owned (parent company of Hohner). So there really is even less of a parallel at all.

I didn't realize that the Sterlings were licensed and assumed without any forethought that they were a product of Ernie Ball. Now, knowing the whole story, while I give kudos to the Park Family for an excellent product, my interest in buying a bona-fide Music Man has been reaffirmed.

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Hellboy]

Yeah the Sterling by Musicman-basses are wonderful and great value for money but I personally prefer the US models. But if I was 17 years old and wanted a great bass that didn´t cost so much I´d buy one instantly.

 

[Holdsg]

Also great that there is a natural "trade up" for those 17 year-olds later to the real deal.

 

[Hellboy]

Also great that there is a natural "trade up" for those 17 year-olds later to the real deal.

Indeed. And it´s great that there are decent quality instruments that doesn´t cost that much for young musicians these days. I played on **** when I started out......!

 

[strummer]

Indeed. And it´s great that there are decent quality instruments that doesn´t cost that much for young musicians these days. I played on **** when I started out......!

Well, you certainly fixed that now

 

[Hellboy]

Well, you certainly fixed that now

I don´t know what you are talking about.....

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It makes sense. I often come out of music stores disappointed because they don't have any or many higher end basses. But, unless they're a specialty shop, there's a reason for that. They just sell much more cheap and intermediate instruments and so they stock what they sell.

 

[adouglas]

That BP's a pretty smart dude, eh?

 

[Chrishi]

You lucky Americans over there.
Here in Germany you have to pay 1.000€ (1.200$) for a SBMM...... at GC USA 570€ (699$)
So most get a used EBMM from the bay for about 850€ (1.040$)

If I would live in your country, I would have a whole Garage full of EBMM Basses....

 

[Jules]

You lucky Americans over there.
Here in Germany you have to pay 1.000€ (1.200$) for a SBMM...... at GC USA 570€ (699$)
So most get a used EBMM from the bay for about 850€ (1.040$)

If I would live in your country, I would have a whole Garage full of EBMM Basses....

My SBMM was $499.00 for some reason. It had four MINOR scuffs (as if something was dragged across it) about 3/16s long under where the arm rests on it, and for some reason or another they weren't selling it as NEW. I am inclined to hurry up and return it within the 30 days (it's still like I walked out with it, protective pg film and all) to put toward a MM. I am torn between the Classic and modern versions though. I'll NEVER use the mutes on the classic, and I like the idea of the 3 band preamp on the modern version. Why am I even considering the Classic, then? Anyone else having such a dilemma?

 

[Jules]

I was going to post GC links to the two that I am referring to, but am not sure if that is allowed and will have to check the rules later. I will say that I can't seem to find the one I am favoring on the MM website. Hope it is still available.

 

[Chrishi]

Man... thats so much money >.<
But well, that´s the game here

And the Classic, maybe one of the best EBMMs you can get. I think the birdseye maple is the "magic trick".
On my SR5 it sounds so unbelievable good.
I don´t like the look anymore, but everytime I play the 5er, I get a big big fat smile

 

[Jules]

I might gravitate to the Rosewood simply because the thing is so snappy and bright already, and I think the Rosewood would add some warmth. I have vacillated between wanting a 4 or 5 string as well as trying to figure out which model I want. Maybe I am trying to keep from locking in on something to keep myself from going broke. Or maybe I'll just buy one of each!

 

[TherealAC]

Yeah the Sterling by Musicman-basses are wonderful and great value for money but I personally prefer the US models. But if I was 17 years old and wanted a great bass that didn´t cost so much I´d buy one instantly.

I was 16 when I bought my Bongo 6 I can't see it leaving any time in the future!