The Official Sterling by Music Man Owners Club - Page 24

Ray34HH · #**461** 11-19-2012, 09:27 AM

Hey Brian,
perhaps you can help (see posting above)?
Thx

SBMM · #**462** 11-19-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray34HH

Hey Brian,
perhaps you can help (see posting above)?
Thx

We actually own and operate our factories in Indonesia, Korea, and China.

notsogr8bassist · #**463** 11-20-2012, 07:26 AM

I just signed up on this site and will post a pic of my new Ray34CA Sunburst soon.
I am wondering what strings come on this from the factory EB SS?
I have been a Fender guy fo many years and on a whim played this EB MM Ray34CA at a Guitar Center and was blown away.
I went out to my car and brought my 98 Jazz in to do a side by side compare and left with the RAY34Ca.
I was torn between it and a MM RAY tha had a very sweet sounding Bartoloni pickup installed

I know it had strings that had been on it while hanging on the rack and numerous people demoing it so I decided to install a new set or DR Sunbeams on it.
I know the nickels would sound different and they do sound nice but now I have two seemingly dead strings, D & G.
I have used these many time before and know about the "crimping" technique and followed it to a T.
Also have some rattling and buzz.
I was wondering what I took off of it because they were great.
BTW I have also used RotoSound's, EB Super Slinky steel and nickel, DR Sunbeams and FAT Beams as well as Fender's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

VeganThump · #**464** 11-22-2012, 07:42 PM

Ok I couldn't wait any longer and I pulled the trigger on a black Ray35 from GC. They have a black friday deal going on, 15% off any one item, got my Ray35 for $628!

Brian, I know you said you were going to post pictures soon of a new color for the Ray35, any chance you can do that in the next 30 days? That way I can return my black one if I really like the new color hehe.

miketallica315 · #**465** 11-24-2012, 08:08 AM

,I am in love with my honeyburst Ray35. I take it with me to over night trips, I keep it with me in whatever room I am in at my home, and I take it to school and every class with me. I keep it strung with Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys and it sounds so tight and punchy. I am so glad that I sold my Warwick 5 string to fund the SBMM Ray35. I love it and can't wait to get another. But I'm waiting to see some of the new colors and models if any!

SBMM · #**466** 11-26-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notsogr8bassist

I am wondering what strings come on this from the factory EB SS?

All of our Sterling By Music Man instruments come from the factory with Ernie Ball Strings.

The Ray34 comes with what would be the same as Ernie Ball 2834

The reason I say "what would be the same as" is because we use bulk strings in the factory. Each gauge of string comes in a bulk bag of 50.

Aznslappadabass · #**467** 11-27-2012, 08:53 PM

About 5 months ago I purchased my Ray34 in Honeyburst (pics to follow soon). It has been a monster of tone and power that I have never had before. I just joined the site and this looks like a pretty cool group if Sterling by Musicman basses are the thing here =)

Tupac · #**468** 11-27-2012, 09:19 PM

What are the chances of a black and maple Ray34 being released at NAMM? I want one, but the color options are terrible.

SBMM · #**469** 11-28-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac

What are the chances of a black and maple Ray34 being released at NAMM? I want one, but the color options are terrible.

What's wrong with our color options

?

Currently, you *can* get a black/maple/maple Ray34CA. Unless you don't like the 38mm nut and have to have the 3 band EQ, that's the one you want!

Tupac · #**470** 11-28-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBMM

What's wrong with our color options

?

Currently, you *can* get a black/maple/maple Ray34CA. Unless you don't like the 38mm nut and have to have the 3 band EQ, that's the one you want!

Not a big fan of the tight spacing, and I need that mid control! I shall wait.

Aznslappadabass · #**471** 11-28-2012, 09:32 PM

If they ever release some of the other finishes such as White with matching headstock, pacific blue burst, or blue pearl for the SBMMs I'd buy another in a heartbeat (I'd also take alternate pickup options).

Ray34HH · #**472** 11-28-2012, 11:31 PM

Can't wait for the new models. My absolute favorite would be a Ray35Ca with an oval pickguard in pearl white, 3TS and maple neck. Please, do that for me

Pimmsley · #**473** 11-29-2012, 12:13 AM

Hi Guys,
Greetings from Australia...
Proud new owner of a Sterling Ray 34 Natural (so damn pretty) and new member, been enjoying reading bits from the forum for a little while and decided to sign up as I have a question regarding my new love...

I bought my Sterling Ray 34 from a Bass player 2nd hand here in Aus as she was upgrading to an MMSR5 and gave me a great deal ($600) as they retail here for $1295AU.
It's flawless and I saw many pics to confirm it's condition but as it was in another state I couldn't play it... I got it yesterday and it's amazing to play, I love it, but...
Here's the question;
It seems to be missing the upper mid growl I have seen and heard in the Ray 34's on Youtube etc.. and remember from playing two MM, a pre EB 78 and an early ninties one... to my ears it's like 70% there...

Did I get a dud ? AM I going insane ? Has anyone else come across weird or less than MM sounding SBMM Ray 34's ?
I haven't found anything online regarding this
I changed the strings for a new set of EB 45-100... adjusted the neck, pup height and action as per the SBMM site...
It is totally legit and I checked that the electronics wern't changed or the pup, all stock and serial is correct and all the accesories inc. SBMM luxury gig bag...
Why could it not sound right ? Maybe I need more sleep...

Please offer your thoughts ?

EDIT: Sorry if this the wrong thread to ask...

tastybasslines · #**474** 11-29-2012, 01:28 AM

AFAIK, they use the exact same pickups and preamp as the us models..just assembled overseas.

Chrishi87 · #**475** 11-29-2012, 07:57 AM

Wrong...that was the old USA MusicMan Sub

MoeGJBeener · #**476** 11-29-2012, 08:40 AM

The old musicman sub wasn't assembled over seas. It was still made here in the USA. Cheaper price was achieved by simplifying the design of the bass with no contours in the body and such.

MoeGJBeener · #**477** 11-29-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

AFAIK, they use the exact same pickups and preamp as the us models..just assembled overseas.

I believe everything is the same design, by not exact.

Pimmsley · #**478** 11-29-2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoeGJBeener

I believe everything is the same design, by not exact.

That might be the problem... maybe mine is on the edge of the spec that makes that MM tone... inc. wood, pickup, electronics... if all three were kinda mismatched i guess the sound the instrument makes could be off enough, from what the perfect combination would be... not bagging SBMM, just trying to understand the issue with tone I have...

VeganThump · #**479** 12-04-2012, 11:48 AM

I got my black Ray35 yesterday, wow. I'm really in love with this thing, I defy anybody to take the Pepsi challenge with an EBMM Stingray 5 the able to tell the difference. It sounds, feels, and looks amazing, though I probably am going to get a tort pick guard for it

I'm really blown away by 2 things, the B string and preamp EQ. The B string is just perfect, not too booty, certainly not muddy, it really is just perfect to me. I found that the EQ for the pre is very usable and the sweep for boost/cut is just right, some other onboard pre'sI I feel go from not enough to too much way to easily, which has made them all but useless to me, not so with my new Ray35! Okay I'll stop gushing now, I just can't wait to get done working and play some more

Can I get a number please? I'll post the pics tonight when I get home.

SBMM · #**480** 12-04-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLouis1981

I got my black Ray35 yesterday,

Nice purchase!!!

Where did you get yours from?