SBMM Ray 34, gimme your true opinions

[Sublab]

So I'm looking at buying a main axe without the cash to spend anything over 1000 euro's in Europe. I've played Rays but not the Indonesion SBMM. Word is they're very good. But just how 'good' are they??

I could buy a Sandberg for that, which is just as good as the American Stingay craftsmanship. The Ray34 costs as much as a Sand Basic over here. But I'm biased towards Sandberg.

Electronics are of no importance, just the build quality.

thx!

[frootbooty]

I owned a Silverburst Ray 34 for a while. Build quality was top notch as far as I was concerned. What impressed me the most was the tone. I could switch between my Stingrays and the Ray 34 and you could not tell the difference based on tone

[djaxup]

Sandberg = tame sound, sterile some even say.

Ray = simply a great no frills bass. The Sterling Rays rival the US build basses in quality, the tone is excellent on them. They tend to be heavy though.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by djaxup

Sandberg = tame sound, sterile some even say.

Ray = simply a great no frills bass. The Sterling Rays rival the US build basses in quality, the tone is excellent on them. They tend to be heavy though.

I'd say that's more to do with the pickups and electronics. Personal preference and all that.


OP, I don't know what the prices are like atm, but when the SBMM 34 first came out, you could but a used EBMM Stingray for the same price.

[djaxup]

it is of course personal opinion, who am i to give any more than that.

prices in Europe for those Sterling Rays should cost you no more than 700€. I know they are being sold in many stores for ~1000€, wich is the standard pricetag for a nice used Stingray. I'd prefer the used then, it won't sell for any less than that if you decide to sell. Used Sterling Rays cost somewhere ~600€, but are sold sparingly.

[hdracer]

I played a lot of them when I was looking for a Ray.
IMO of all the ones I played (5-6) none of them had the kind of build quality that I expect of a bass that costs as much as they do. The new Squiers at half the price are way better.
I got a used SUB for half the price of a SBMM. It is 10X the bass that a SBMM is.
Get a SUB or save some more money and get a used Ray.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Aye, I've seen them (new) in the £750-£825 range, which overlaps with the used EBMM range. Would certainly prefer to go for the EBMM, but I'm bias in that respect.

I was just mentioning the electronics because the OP seems more interested in build quality.