tried out sr4 h/s at G.C. not too...

[barginkov]

impressed with the sound , the neck felt so different from the early and mid 90's, wood also seems very different, anyone else notices this .

 

[x-ray]

probably the sanded neck you're referring to...

 

[Randracula]

There could be alot of factors contributing to you not liking the sound(dead strings,high action,the amp you played it out of,excessive background noise at GC).I don't think it's fair to judge all EBMM basses by that one random bass you tried at GC.As far as quality,i've been through alot of Musicman basses including some from the 70's and early 90's and IME the quality is 100 % consistent from bass to bass and the absolute best value there is in a production bass.As far as I know they are still using Ash for the bodies and Maple for the necks.There is a shortage of birdseye maple so you don't see it as much as you did in the early/mid 90's but that's purely cosmetic.

 

[barginkov]

maybe i just like the finished ncks better, as far as the sound goes,i tried a single pickup , same maple neck same background noise, same amp gk 100rb and aguilar 4 10 and it sounded great, maybe it was just that h/s. i ve been wanting one but wouldnt get one over the internet w/o trying it first

 

[shamus63]

I prefer the feel of a new Ray (both SR4 and 5) to the older models.

 

[Baird]

I love the sanded neck. In fact, all of my basses have been sanded by me except for one really expensive NYC bass that I don't want to sand and depreciate the value.