My Ray 35 Just Arrived...

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by zachbass02

are you sure the top ear tabs are different on the Ray35?

the top tabs look very similar, but I dunno if they're the exact same size or not.

EDIT: well those pics are way smaller than I anticipated.......nevertheless, when the pics are bigger, they look very similar, almost the same.

My understanding is that there's several different shapes out there.

From bestbassgear.com
Non-eared SR5 pickup shape.


Eared SR5 pickup shape.


Nordstrand...


Ray35 pickup shape


Ear edge to ear edge on the Ray35 is about 112mm by 48ish. By the numbers it seems very close to the Nordstrand MM replacement dimensions... minus the single tab vs double on the official MM's. Of course, you could take a dremel tool to the pickguard area between the tabs if the size 'was' correct.

Obviously some possible discrepency there as the ray35 has a single long tab on one side rather than two tabs. I believe the Big AL pickup may also have the single tab.

So I'm waiting for more adventurous people than myself to verify what works and doesn't work.

:-)


.

[CElton]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Ray35 pickup shape

Looks like the pick up on my SR5. This is the "newer" version of the pup. If you check out some sights for pickguards, they will usually offer 2 versions. One for the old style with the three different ears and the new style like the one pictured above.

[stflbn]

You are correct.

They look very similar or identical to the pickups in this Anniversary bass.

[SteveC]

Granted I'm still in the "honeymoon" stage of my Ray 35, but I am really liking it so far. The tone is way different from my "Bartolini/Jazz" Yamaha. The neck feels really nice. I could see myself looking/getting a used "real" Stingray down the road. Maybe even replace the Yamaha.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Granted I'm still in the "honeymoon" stage of my Ray 35, but I am really liking it so far. The tone is way different from my "Bartolini/Jazz" Yamaha. The neck feels really nice. I could see myself looking/getting a used "real" Stingray down the road. Maybe even replace the Yamaha.

Well, I've gigged it a couple times and while it plays great - especially with new strings (EB Slinky) and set up - I don't know that it will work for me. It has a great sound, but I don't think it's for me. It's a little heavy on my shoulder. Doesn't hang quite right for me.

[phillipkregg]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Steve, you are on the right track. A really big part of controlling GAS is knowing that you will never overcome it. Every time you log on, you will see basses, you would love to own. Accept that, and deal with it. To me, the goal is to buy basses you genuinely like, that will help you meet your needs as a player, understanding that other basses will continue to be tempting. My theory is that after a while, you begin to understand what you like, and why you bought what you bought. Once you understand that, hopefully, you can apply logic to GAS, and keep it at bay.

BTW, the Ray35 is a great option for those who love the Stingray tone, feel, and look.

Spoken like a true Bass Jedi.

[denchiq]

now, you could get a US MM pickup and order a pickguard at jeanies or whatever.

Then, you have replacement MM pickups from SD BL, Nordstrand, Lakland/Hanson, Bartolini, you name it...

[denchiq]

the pups on this 45th gc anniversary sr5 hh (yr. 2009) look similar:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attach...2&d=1277075964

[Mike M.]

Question about the Sterling Ray 35, just bear with me for a moment. I use to own a single pickup Stingray bass that I bought new in 1979. Loved everything about it except for one thing, which was the G string which wasn't on par with the others in terms of output.

Meaning, while there was plenty of clarity the G string just had no "umph" to it at all. I adjusted that pickup everyway imaginable, tried differant settings on my amp but it didn't do any good. I've read that this was a common problem with the early Musicman basses that has since been addressed and corrected.

So, with that out of the way does the output of all the strings on the Sterling Ray 35 seem pretty even in terms of "umph"?

Thanks for your time.

[Bobster]

Mike,

Mine are pretty even across the G string. I haven't had any issues with them in terms of output or projection.

You may want to try one locally and see if you agree.

Bob

[mgauge]

Awesome

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by Bobster

Mike,

Mine are pretty even across the G string. I haven't had any issues with them in terms of output or projection.

You may want to try one locally and see if you agree.

Bob

Thanks, Bobster! That's good to know. I REALLY want to try out one of these basses but I haven't seen them yet in the local music stores. I'll have to find out when they be expecting some.

I love how the EBMM 5 strings play but wow, those price tags are a bit much for this poor boy! Now there's some hope on the horizon!

Thanks, again.

[basswave]

On a whim I tried a really good Ray35 (I already have a 34) and it plays better (from memory) then EBMM Rays I have tried. I just picked it up and dig the B on it over a 5 sting Fender.

[bassmanbri]

After reading loads of reviews and listening to samples, I went out and bought a Ray35 Natural finish. It looks beautiful but, it plays like a plank! They say that they ship them to California for set-up, inspection and played? Yeah right, complete baloney and I challenge EB to prove otherwise. The guitar I received rattled from something inside the electrics, intonation and action miles out and the most unforgivable and obvious fault: The pick-up hasn't been adjusted correctly and can't be moved at all because the screws are jammed in!
This guitar was not playable in the condition it was delivered to me.
So EB, please tell me who sets them up, inspects and plays them before being despatched?
The store where I bought it from had 2 attempts to sort the problems but didn't (very bad service!) so I took it to a guitar specialist (at my expense) who managed to come close to what it's supposed to be like. However, he couldn't fix the pick-up adjust screws and had to use excessive force to get some movement out of them, but it is in no way a solution.
Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but it's the truth.
Brian

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by bassmanbri

After reading loads of reviews and listening to samples, I went out and bought a Ray35 Natural finish. It looks beautiful but, it plays like a plank! They say that they ship them to California for set-up, inspection and played? Yeah right, complete baloney and I challenge EB to prove otherwise. The guitar I received rattled from something inside the electrics, intonation and action miles out and the most unforgivable and obvious fault: The pick-up hasn't been adjusted correctly and can't be moved at all because the screws are jammed in!
This guitar was not playable in the condition it was delivered to me.
So EB, please tell me who sets them up, inspects and plays them before being despatched?
The store where I bought it from had 2 attempts to sort the problems but didn't (very bad service!) so I took it to a guitar specialist (at my expense) who managed to come close to what it's supposed to be like. However, he couldn't fix the pick-up adjust screws and had to use excessive force to get some movement out of them, but it is in no way a solution.
Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but it's the truth.
Brian

Unfortunately, I think some of the recent SB series basses have slipped in quality. At least that is what I have seen at my local GC. All I can say is save for a used Stingray or Sterling.

[bassmanbri]

Thanks Dr Cheese,
You are absolutely right, although, I had the option to purchase a Stingray, all of the reviews for the Ray35 didn't seem to justify the extra £1k. Now I know better.
It's true what they say 'Buy cheap - buy twice'. But the second time may not be from EB! Unless I purchase pre-drop-in-quality-era!
Brian

[LostInSauce]

I'm debating on pulling the trigger on a Ray 35. Unlike above, I've had the opportunity to play them at my local GC and at a Sam Ash with no obvious problems with quality in construction or setup. I really feel bad for bassmanbri, and I hope the condition of his Ray 35 was an isolated incident and correctable through either the store where he purchased it or through SBMM directly.

On a whim I contacted Sterling by Musicman via the email address on the SBMM website and asked about future models. The rep there responded very quickly to my questions and stated that there are no plans in the near future to include another single coil or humbucker pickup to future models.

Not a deal breaker for me; but man would that be sweet.

[ch33sey]

Ive just bought a Honeyburst Ray 35 and its off back to the shop, it is unbelievably poor, after reading the reviews I was expecting something half decent not something that plays and sounds like a sub £200 guitar.
The strings were shot straight out of the box, with the B and E clunking like some well used fence wire, the 3 way switch crackles like hell{fixed with wd40, which you shouldn't have to do on a £650 bass} and when pressed down on cuts sound altogether.
And the set up.............ha ha ha ha ha..........set up by a blind deaf man in darkened room with the intonation on the D and G being a mile out.
I agree with Bassmanbri the quality and set up is very very sub standard and I am wondering how Ernieball can associate themselves with this rubbish.
Ive been playing for over 30 years have had 4 Ricks a MM Stingray Ovation Magnums and have now got a Bongo and a G&L L2000 Tribute which is flawless and brilliant.I even own a Schecter Omen which is another Indonisian build and it makes this Sterling Ray35 look like a bad Chinese copy.

I wont be buying another one.

ch33sey

[jlepre]

Good bye... Geesh he just joined TB today just to say all that?

[DeliriumTremens]

It seems maybe the ones sent to the UK aren't set up/inspected in California, perhaps they're going there direct from Indonesia?