- Thread starter danno1no1
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Thornton Davis
Well-known member
The Sterling Ray 34 is a great bass, however you should know that it's not made by Music Man. It's made by Praxis Instruments offshore (Indonesia). Praxis are licensed by EBMM to make "copies" of Music Man instruments which are targeted towards a lower price point than USA made Music Man instruments.
I bought my son a Ray34ca a couple of years ago and he loves it.
TD
I bought my son a Ray34ca a couple of years ago and he loves it.
TD
Chris Tarman
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- Jan 31, 2014
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I have a '99 Stingray, and I just bought the fretless Ray 34. It's great! It sounds very much like my Stingray, apart from being fretless and having a 2 band rather than 3 band EQ. The neck feels like my Stingray, but a little narrower, which is ok, as I am a Fender Jazz bass fan. The main difference in feel is from the non-contoured body, which also may make it slightly heavier. Neither the weight nor the slab body are a big deal for me. I wasn't sure about the slab body before I got it, but I have to say it isn't at all uncomfortable to play, either on a strap or on my lap. Honestly, the main difference I can see (and which bugs me a little bit, but most people wouldn't even notice) is that the tuners stick out a little farther than on the real Music Man.
I highly recommend it. It's a great bass for the money!
I highly recommend it. It's a great bass for the money!
Gravesend Black
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Really? Yes, maybe different wood and electronics are not so important as tuners
It is very good low cost bass but I have no idea how ppl can put it on the same plank with real USA made EBMM.Really? Yes, maybe different wood and electronics are not so important as tuners
Ive seen videos of people who have many EBMM and have bought the ray 34 and said the sound and playability is just as good. Even videos of people who have used EBMM for years using the ray (blindfolded ) and couldn't tell the difference! I'm not being a fan boy for ray 34 but its just what ive seen.
Chris Tarman
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That seems like a decent price. In the US, they generally sell for a little over $700 new. I'm not sure what they go for used over here, or what a new one costs in the UK. I paid $600 for mine, which was a "floor model" from a music shop, so it was SLIGHTLY used.
Chris Tarman
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I agree. I watched a lot of the same videos. I got mine because I needed a fretless, and couldn't talk my wife into letting me spend EBMM money. Frankly, it was tricky convincing her to let me spend $600! The reviews I've seen of the Ray 35 are pretty good, too.
Yeah totally agree, I think if your touring or have a total affinity with EBMM then thats fair enough but for $1000 less the Ray 34 & 35 are brilliant alternatives. If the same parts where made in the US then you would be paying a hell of a lot more. This is what differentiates Ernie ball basses to fenders, Gibsons etc the lower & mid priced basses don't compromise on sound and overall quality.
fly
Well-known member
if you can find a used SUB......(which EBMM made)........they are damn fine basses.
georgestrings
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sanderhermans
Well-known member
I've tried a sterling ray next to a real singray recently at my local musicstore and i must say they both sounded good. The real one hade more bite/snap to it while the sterling was a bit more mellow and deep sounding. It wasn't a straight compare since the ebmm was a 3band eq and the sterling a 2 band "classic sr" but in my opinion its more of a taste thing. You should really try it yourself.
I would have gone for the ebmm since it had a larger spectrum of sounds and it was the better bass but must say i was surprised the sterling sounded that good!
I would have gone for the ebmm since it had a larger spectrum of sounds and it was the better bass but must say i was surprised the sterling sounded that good!
