New Ray Day

[Ezbass]

Having sold my acoustic bass and a guitar, I finally had the money to buy one of the new Sterling by MusicMan Ray34s. I tried one of these many months ago and was very impressed. I finally went for the all black over the honeyburst because a) it was much cheaper and b) there is something very classy (or rock if you prefer) to the subdued black over the more flashy 'burst, and I think the matching headstock works better in black too. My new 'Ray plays and sounds just as well as the one I demoed all that time ago (seems that the offshore consistency is very high) and I have to be honest and say that I think it sounds and plays better than my old US 3 band 'Ray (oh no he didn't!), all it needed was a little 1/4 turn of more relief for a great set up. So I'm a happy bass player today

Oh yeah I know, no pics, no bass........

 

[TheBassGuy]

Cool Ray man, welcome!

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Hi Ez - Lovely SBMM you have there - Just like the one I had. Enjoy!

 

[five7]

Congrats, great choice!

 

[Ezbass]

Hi Ez - Lovely SBMM you have there - Just like the one I had. Enjoy!

I saw your extensive review on BC which was excellent, I think it was there that I started to really see the beauty of the RAy34 in black. I should have bought yours and saved a packet!

 

[keko]

Congrats, it looks like real MM!

Sorry, I don't know much about these Sterling by MusicMan Ray34s basses!

 

[Ezbass]

Here's a thing I've just tried to fit a Hipshot drop D tuner to it which was fitted to my SUB and the holes don't line up. This is the standard Hipshot that fits 'Rays, does anybody know if there is one that will fit or will I have to start drilling some extra holes?

 

[Chuck B]

Congrats!

 

[Ezbass]

Fitted a Hipshot BT7 to this today (see this thread for more details) and a black pearloid (moto) p/g yesterday. New p/g needed a fair amount of reshaping around the p/up and one of the screwholes didn't match up (no biggie, just a quick redrill) but now it looks really classy. One happy Ray player

 

[apcpa2000]

Where did you get the pickguard? I am ordering a Ray34 this week and want to put a white one on.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

They are very solid basses those Sterling by MM, nice score dude!

 

[patpark]

Where did you get the pickguard? I am ordering a Ray34 this week and want to put a white one on.

our pickguards are not exact fit with the usa pickguards. they are slightly different in the screw hole location and the pickup cutout is different on the Ray vs. Stingray

 

[Navybass]

Very cool Ray. Enjoy her.

 

[Powman]

Classy looking Ray! Enjoy!!!

 

[syciprider]

I only hear good things about this line of basses. I need to check them out one of these days.

 

[Ezbass]

Where did you get the pickguard? I am ordering a Ray34 this week and want to put a white one on.

I got mine used from a guy on the UK bass forum. Patpark is right about the difference, but a very sharp craft knife, sandpaper and some patience gives great results, I used the original as a template.

Yeah I know, nice fingerprints, well that's what you get with a black bass.

 

[patpark]

amazing how the pickguard can really change the character of the instrument. looks sharp!