I am thinking about selling my MIM fender moded P bass for a Sterling by Music Man Ray34. Thoughts? I know this is a music man forum and most likely every one will say go for the Ray34 but I just wanted to make sure I was not crazy. I did have a bad experience with a OLP at one point and I do feel all the Sterlings I have played seemed to be way better quality wise. Are they better made? thanks for any info.
- Thread starter NoUse121
- Start date
Movielife
Well-known member
Off topic, but are you a No Use For A Name fan?! 
TommyK-Stingray
Well-known member
Go for it man. I have a Ray 35 and i am really pleased with it, use it at gigs just as much as my USA EBMM basses. Real good value for money and in a different league to any OLP stuff I ever tried.....
There is a thread on the 35 Here: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/46224-sting-ray-5-vs-sterling-music-man-ray35.html including a quick review I did, hope it helps ;-)
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stu42
Well-known member
You are definitely not crazy. Ultimately, it depends on what tone you're looking for but I've checked out the Sterling By Music Man basses in the store and I thought the build quality was fantastic. And the tone and playability is just what you expect from a Music Man so it's top notch.
Here's a nice review of them that should help in your decision making:
YouTube - BassGuitarMag's Channel
Here's a nice review of them that should help in your decision making:
YouTube - BassGuitarMag's Channel
TheAntMan
Well-known member
I tried a Ray34 and thought it kicked!!! Great bass for the $$$.
I plan on getting one in the future. Don't think you will go wrong.
Good luck.
--Ant
I plan on getting one in the future. Don't think you will go wrong.
Good luck.
--Ant
MSilvers
Well-known member
I've played a few Ray 34's. They're all great. My general experience with MIM Fenders is inconsistancy. I've played some that seemed great and some that really sucked.
bovinehost
Administrator
Nothing wrong with a Fender if what you want is a Fender. Anyone says otherwise is ignoring nearly 60 years of bass history.
Ultimately, it will depend on what you want.
Me, I have a 62 RI Jazz that sits all alone in a closet...but there is a mint green SBMM Ray34 in my very near future.
Ultimately, it will depend on what you want.
Me, I have a 62 RI Jazz that sits all alone in a closet...but there is a mint green SBMM Ray34 in my very near future.
Manfloozy
Well-known member
The SBMM is really good quality stuff from what I've seen in my local GC. I can say with a pretty decent degree of certainty that the Ball family wouldn't put their name on it if it wasn't something they believed in.
Off topic, but are you a No Use For A Name fan?!
Yes I am a NUFAN fan among just about every other early Fat Wreck band. I take it you are a Movielife fan? Been listening to NUFAN since about the "Making Friends" era. Matt Riddle the bass player was also one of the main reasons that I went with a Fender P bass. But after I have developed my own style as a musician I just feel the Stringray is more my style and sound. The Stingray just seem to be a lot more punchier. I would love to buy that real deal Music Man but I can not justify the cash since I am mainly a guitar player and only play bass on my simply home recordings and the once in a while jam session.
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bovinehost
Administrator
Then you're on the right track. The SBMM stuff is such a great value. Of course, it's also a gateway drug......
Movielife
Well-known member
Ah yes! Another Fat Wreck Chords fan
I love the whole mid-late 90s US melodic punk, and there are still great bands coming out today. The P does fit nicely in a mix, ill admit, but it wont cut like the the Ray. I do like the Movielife, I keep forgetting about them despite my username, but yeah, great band. I think their bassist used a Ray on some recordings.You could wait for the right second hand single H Ray to come up? Some of them are absolute bargains!
If you want to hear a Ray in the mix that sounds amazing, check Brian from A Wilhelm Scream, (which no doubt youve heard). Brian is a very very fast bassist and his Ray tone is perfect.
Holdsg
Well-known member
SBMM much better than any OLP you will likely find, and brand new to boot.
Don't forget Jesse from Lagwagon. He's played a SR 4H for years.
Movielife
Well-known member
Big +1!
