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dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
After a couple of months of really enjoying my Sub ive now taken it further and got a Black Ray34.
Ill not go in to a review as its already been done, i just wanted to post my thoughts.
I was a bit apprehensive as ive never played one, and in fact only ever played 1 SR4 in my life, and that was a few mins in a shop over christmass.
While i knew the tone would be good i was a bit worried about the size of the neck.
To me it does feel a bit different to the Sub but it reminds me a lot of my Lakland basses, i guess that might be expected considering they all come from the same factory. Im not sure how the neck compares ot a real SR4 but i believe its spot on so thats good to know if i ever want to go even further in to debt.
Out of the box i cant fault the set up. It seems just perfect for me. Ive raised the G side of the pup a bit and lowered the E side but i think im going to level the A and D pole pieces as the G is getting lost a bit. Its not a volume thing, its just not got the punch. Im sure this has been done to death so ill not dwell on it. Ive got some XLs with a .50 coming to day. These are my fav strings and i think this will improve the Ray34 even more.

The only cosmetic issue i have (well two actually) is the logo on the headstock is very close to the edge. This isnt a big deal and i guess at this price point minor things can be expected. Its not over the edge so looks fine. There is also a scratch going across the neck, just behind the nut on the G string but im sure a black or brown marker pen will fix that.

I have a feeling my Lakland Duck Dunn will get left behind on gig nights for a while. Im hoping this will become my main bass so its going to get marked/scratched etc, this is one reason i went with a SBMM rather than a USA model. For now.

Overall, I'm very happy and I think the Ray34 is very good value for money.


Dave.
 

apcpa2000

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2010
Messages
9
I've had my Honeyburst Ray34 for about a month now and I love. Just put a white pearloid pickguard on it and it looks awesome.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
This all black look is exactly how i want it. The only thing i would change is to have blocks and inlays on the neck, but i know thats not going to happen.

Ill give it a few months and see how i get on and if all goes well ill be selling the Lakland to get a White SR4 if i can find one.

I have a feeling this year will be a Stingray year. The first time ive really gone away from the Fender type of basses (other than a 55-01 but that was still a Jazz like bass).
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
Thanks.
Yeah, I was surprised at how well my sub sounded. It coped well with all our cover songs, even the Motown ones. I found I could get a URB type of tone from it that my P can't get.
I've still to gig the Ray34 and I can hear a differnce between the 2 and 3 band EQ but I think it's going to become my main bass, once I ge t used to the neck and slightly higher action/feel.
 

orpheus55

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
60
Location
Port Charlotte, FL
Really nice bass! Funny, I use my Syingray for our entire Motown set and it works very well. Some extra definition on those old muddy runs doesn't hurt, IMHO.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
Thanks guys.
I'm really itching to gig it, this will be when I really find out how it compares to my old Sub. Either way it's a keeper.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
I've just noticed the neck heel is not quite as wide as the cavity on the body. This is causing a slight lip.
It's not a big deal but I would have expected a better fit.

Can't find any other faults so this is a keeper.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
Cheers.
It ended up costing me £260 as i sold my Sub as well so yeah, im pretty happy with the out come.
 

syciprider

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
2,995
Location
The 951
These SBMMs sound so good and so close to the EBMMs you will swear they're the same thing if you didn't see the headstocks.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
I'm starting to think I should have got a SB14. I'm really striglong with the neck at the moment.
Compared to my lakland it seems huge, even though I know it's not.
Hopefully this will pass.
 

Grand Wazoo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
2,830
Location
Planet Remulak :)
I'm starting to think I should have got a SB14. I'm really striglong with the neck at the moment.
Compared to my lakland it seems huge, even though I know it's not.
Hopefully this will pass.

Once you've mastered it'll make you a better player with improved dexteririty and hand strength. If you can't be with the one you love, love they one you're with.
 

dave_bass5

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
38
Once you've mastered it'll make you a better player with improved dexteririty and hand strength. If you can't be with the one you love, love they one you're with.

Yeah, its going to improve my playing if i can master it. I can already feel my fingers moving around a lot more than im used to.

All good though.
 
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