NAMM Preview - Sterling By Music Man Basses

[jlepre]

There was a link started on the EBMM forum that shows some nice things coming...

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-ma...an-basses.html

Hello Fans, Friends, and Players of Sterling By Music Man instruments!

First off. Everybody here at Sterling By Music Man would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year!
2013 is going to be a great year, and, for us here at SBMM, quite a BIG year, with the addition of new models, both bass and guitar (I've posted the guitar news on the Guitar Forum).

We would also like to extend a huge and heartfelt THANKS to BP and the Ball Family for allowing us to do what we do here at SBMM!

Well, here it is.
The Bass lineup for 2013 from SBMM:

Ray34CAFL Fretless!
With it's 38mm nut, slab body, and "Vintage Tinted" neck, Ray34CAFL is the perfect vehicle for our addition of a Fretless Bass to the Sterling By Music Man product offering for 2013!
Features a "Lined" Rosewood fretboard (side dots only)
Available in the following finishes:
Vintage Cream
Mint Green
Black
Sunburst
Silver Metallic - 2013 Limited Edition

Ray34CA
Ray34CA is now available in the following finishes:
Vintage Cream
Mint Green
Black
Sunburst
Silver Metallic - 2013 Limited Edition

Ray34
Ray34 is now available in the following finishes:
Black
Tobacco Sunburst
HoneyBurst
Natural
Transparent White Blonde - 2013 Limited Edition (Awesome finish! Ash wood grain shows though amazing!)

Ray34LH-NAT
Our Lefty bass, the Ray34LH gets a new, Limited Edition 2013 Natural Finish!

Ray35
Ray35 is now available in the following finishes:
Black
Natural
Transparent White Blonde - 2013 Limited Edition (Awesome finish! Ash wood grain shows though amazing!)

I'll be posting the SUB Series lineup in a different post.

So there it is kiddies! Now, get ahold of your favorite Independent Mom and Pop Guitar Shop and tell them to stop by and see all these fantastic instruments at the Sterling By Music Man section of the Ernie Ball/Music Man Booth (#5440) at NAMM and come on board with us!
Brian Martin
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Product Specialist
Praxis Musical
Home of Sterling By Music Man

[jlepre]

Bump in case this was missed

[pringlw]

SUB by Sterling by Musicman by Ernie Ball...

You guys make great guitars but please get a real branding person.

[jlepre]

nothing nice to say....

[mfbolton]

The fretless could be cool.

[Commreman]

Vintage Cream on the Ray 34 CA will be killer! I might have to break out my wallet for that one.

[pringlw]

Hey I love EMBB. My EMBB Sterling is a staple for me (not to be confused with Sterling by EMBB). But I gotta admit the branding thing drives me nuts. Maybe because in my day job I've been connected to heavy branding work for over 20 years. Great guitars and basses. IMO the best mass produced guitars and basses available. But the branding is absolute amateur hour. Sorry but it's true.

[jamersonburton]

I gota see a pic of that fretless. I bought a fretless 2 months ago and absolutley love the expression that fretless offers. Too bad i limit myself to one instrument ever 11-12 months.... For now

[3234718]

Originally Posted by jamersonburton

I gota see a pic of that fretless

This

[pudgychef]

bet the new metallic finish looks great....

I keep waiting for the Ray34CA to be offered with the 'normal' ray neck/nut specs (1-5/8" (41.3 mm) Would order one tomorrow....

[Aasmund]

The fretless sounds nice, but it would be even nicer if it was unlined with a 41,3 mm nut!

[Troph]

I think the branding is hilarious, like the naming department wants to include as many recognizable name drops in one product as possible.

But I guess that shouldn't really detract from the instrument, since it's all about the sound, playability, and stage appearance!

[jobo4]

I'm a sucker for tobacco burst. New finish choices seem really nice :-) And a fretless... Can you say Pino? Great stuff.

[gr8avocado]

Oh man that Transparent White Blonde Ray34 sounds tasty! I feel GAS rumblings

[jasonbraatz]

Originally Posted by pringlw

But the branding is absolute amateur hour. Sorry but it's true.

Yup.

[sevdog]

I've been gas'ing for a fretless Stingray but I think if they dont throw the piezo in then I'll have to keep saving for a USA.

...as for the branding, I really couldn't care less. Usually the restaurant with the lamest name serves the best chili.

[j.kernodle]

branding issues or not the import musicman stuff is among the best quality gear at its respective price point. it's unreal how good the fretwork is on the 250 dollar SUB basses. they're doing a good job of bringing out new finishes and options each year.

[Munjibunga]

No pics, no basses.

[Big Mike Ipp]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

No pics, no basses.

+1

[Marlat]

Maybe my memory is failing me, but didn't the EBMM crowd used to heckle Fender for just bringing out the same bass in a new colour each year and calling it a new bass? These times they are a changing.