Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

[AznChris]

Just bought my Ray5 two weeks ago and I love it! I was planning on buying the Ray4 but I saw the Ray5 at GC and I fell in love with the tone of the Ray5. This is my first 5 string so I'm still getting use to the large neck. The bright side is that now when I play my 4 string it feels like butter. Also the Ray5 is pretty heavy, I probably won't be bringing it to band practice that often.

I noticed some posts about the Ray4's preamp being extremely hot. When I was at band practice, my bass started sounding distorted after an hour and a half of playing, I thought that I accidentally hit my overdrive or something. Maybe it was just a mental thing because I read about the Ray4, I'll have to try it again at my next band practice. Does the Ray5 have the same preamp as the Ray4, because if it does I think I'll get it modded.

Also if you guys want to see a short demo of the Ray5, I posted a cover of Roads Untraveled by Linkin Park on youtube. It really isn't much, but it'll give you an idea of what it sounds like if you haven't been able to play it yet.

[SBMM]

Originally Posted by AznChris

Does the Ray5 have the same preamp as the Ray4

Yes - the preamp is the same for Ray4, Ray5, and SB4 SUB Series Basses

Glad you are digging the Ray5! Great bang for the buck!

[tmurphy729]

I've been playing professionally for 35 years and my GC just got all 3 of the S.U.B. basses in. First one I was attracted to was the Walnut Satin. But man it was heavy and having a bad back that's part of the reason I stopped playing EBMM's and Fender Marcus Miller Sig Jazz basses and moved to Road Worn Fender's a couple of years ago. I just can't handle their weight anymore. But the WS Ray4 sounded nice and played nice (although I have to admit I'm not a fan of slim necks on a Ray). Then I saw the SB4 in black/maple and picked it up. The setup was horrific, but I took it over to the counter and the tech and I got her in playing shape in no time. Went back and plugged it in and I was blown away. From neck to back it's controls are V-B-T. So it's in the first couple of months if I understood that right? Plus this little thing is featherlight! I think it had every bit the sound of the "big-BIG brothers" and the slimmer neck felt right on a Sterling copy. Sure some of the hardware is cheap, but come on for 249, what do ya want already? LOL! You just can't beat it. So I was getting ready to lay out the money for it and they came to me and said, "this just came in, you need to check it out." It was the SUB Ray 5. Black/Maple. When they handed it to me, I couldn't believe it, a 5ver that is lighter then either 4 string I just played. They took it back and brought it back out and it scaled at just under 8lbs, yes that's right UNDER EIGHT POUNDS. It was setup perfect right out of the box. I used this cheapo strap and I noticed some neck dive so I went out to my car and grabbed one of my Neotech bass straps and that stopped that. I plugged it into a small Acoustic B200 combo amp, sounded great. Then I plugged it into an SVT and that's when I knew it was right on the money. It sounded PERFECT. So I bought it instead. Played it last week on 2, 4 hour gigs and used it for the entire gigs. My Acoustic Combo handled it fine on the first gig, no over driven preamp at all. Then on the second gig I played it through a '74 Ampeg V6-B into an SVT 810E cab and no problems there either. Pure MM sound and the quality is great! So last night I had a bit of GAS for that SB4 I left out there and went out and put some money down on it. We weighed it and it was 8.2lbs. Both of these basses are lighter then any of my Fenders. I wished they weren't both black/maple's, but function is better then looks for me. No back issues and I have that MM sound again. My Fenders will be taking an extended winter, spring and possible summer break! These are great products. I am totally impressed! I honestly wasn't expecting much from an Asian import bass as some I've played are horrific, but these are being done right. At least in my opinion. If I can find a white or honey-burst Ray 4 around the same weight as these, I'll snatch it up in a heartbeat too! Peace, Tom

[SBMM]

Originally Posted by tmurphy729

If I can find a white or honey-burst Ray 4 around the same weight as these, I'll snatch it up in a heartbeat too!

Thanks so much for the great compliments on our SUB Series Basses! We are pretty proud of them as well!

If you are looking for a white or a honeyburst Ray4, go down to UP TEMPO MUSIC, 2714 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, 515-277-0145, ask for Dave and tell him I sent you.

They are one of our premier Independent Dealers in Des Moines, and he just took delivery of the full line of SUB Series, and also got in a few of our Mid-Priced line, Sterling By Music Man (including a really sweet Ray35 Five String Bass in NATURAL finish!

Honeyburst Ray4 basses are exclusive to our Independent Dealers, so you won't find them at Guitar Center.

Enjoy you new babies!

[jabsys]

Originally Posted by AznChris

When I was at band practice, my bass started sounding distorted after an hour and a half of playing

Anybody else with this issue? I've been looking at getting a Ray5, but not if you can only play for an hour and a half before it gets distorted.

[martyonbass]

I've been playing bass professionally for 30 years, playing mostly fenders, then Ibanez, thrn fender again, and finally Musicman I just bought the Walnut Stain SUB Ray4 from GC in Jax, FL. I am very impressed with the sound and quality given the price tag. I see it as a competent backup to my HH Stingray. The walnut has a wright similar to the real thing, so I'm good with that. I also see this bass as something that can upgrade at my leisure without it loosing value. It looks very nice AND it sounds very good.

The only minus was that the dealer failed to give me any of the accessories. No bag, no tool, no product card. I didn't miss it until later because I really am happy with this bass. My new puppy.

[SBMM]

Originally Posted by martyonbass

The only minus was that the dealer failed to give me any of the accessories. No bag, no tool, no product card. I didn't miss it until later because I really am happy with this bass. My new puppy.

GC is notorious for not giving any of that stuff with the instruments. BTW, the SUB Series do not come with gig bags, only the Sterling By Music Man instruments.

The tools do ship with every instrument. I would go back and complain.

[shoot-r]

Got to check out a S.U.B. 4, Black and maple neck (the $249.00 model) ealier this week.

WOW!!!!!!!

The G.C. I was at had roughfully 40 or so basses on the wall (including some real MM) and to my set-up tastes the S.U.B. played better than almost all the basses they had in stock.

The bridge is not as thick a gauge of steel as the high-dollar MM.
I agree with other posters on the pots not turning evenly.
The active pre-amp seemed to go from off to full on with a quarter of a turn of the volume knob.
Same with the bass knob, a quarter turn and your at full dub.

But.......

The neck to body fit was as good as I've seen in instruments costing thousands.
The finish was applied very well.
The neck size and shape was (to me) perfect.
Frets were smooth and no high edges.
Set-up was spot on!!!

When I run across the Walnut body and Rosewood board/neck model, and it's as good a instrument as this one is, I'll buy.

Very well done Sterling/MM.

[oldcatfish]

I just bought a walnut stain one at GC.

Mine has the wobbly tone controls and the volume control taper issue that others complained about. Also forgot to ask for the tools....but I am thrilled with the purchase anyway.

For the price, it's a great bass. And I have my own tools and do my own setups, so no biggie there.

Brian (SBMM), thank you for bringing such a great product to those of us on a budget. I essentially now have my dream basses on a working stiff's budget. A P-bass copy, a Squier VM jazz, and now the Ray4. Between them and my Zoom B2, I can get just about any sound that I like. And I can still pay my rent and eat. Life is good!

[DWBass]

For those with hot preamps, SBMM posted a mod that will give better control over the volume taper. It does not solve the hot preamp issue, however. I'm planning to mod mine with a Bartolini preamp. I had already ordered the preamp but Bartolini has slowed down production and I couldn't wait since I had other projects to work on. So I cancelled but am planning to reorder when I see BBG has them back in stock.

[jlepre]

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to post #340 for the beginning of the mod instructions.
Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

[millsbass5]

I've realized over the years that these bass mags are not gonna give their honest-to-goodness opinions on any type of gear. They ain't gonna lose their advertising from a company due to a bad review. Now, it really seems (to me, at least) that Bass Gear Magazine gives an honest opinion on gear, so far. Only time will tell, I guess. When it comes down to it, you just gotta go try it (gear) for yourself.

[martyonbass]

Eventually I probably will update the preamp with a good aftermarket. However I don't want to rout out the cavity or make a backside entrance. BUT, I would like a passive bypass option. All in good time, no rush. Please offer up any suggestions.

[RyanJD]

Well I finally got the chance to try one at a GC while I was out of town.
I haven't played many basses, but I liked it. A lot. It felt nice and the sound was great.
There was also a Fiesta Red 60's Squier CV P sitting on the wall for $250 new. I'm still kicking myself I didn't get it.

[mcnach]

Originally Posted by martyonbass

Eventually I probably will update the preamp with a good aftermarket. However I don't want to rout out the cavity or make a backside entrance. BUT, I would like a passive bypass option. All in good time, no rush. Please offer up any suggestions.

John East MMSR preamp. You won't need another cavity and it's the best out there.
When I ordered my first one, I asked about a passive option, and he added it for me for an extra $10 or so.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by martyonbass

Eventually I probably will update the preamp with a good aftermarket. However I don't want to rout out the cavity or make a backside entrance. BUT, I would like a passive bypass option. All in good time, no rush. Please offer up any suggestions.

Bartolini makes a pre that needs no routing and uses the existing holes. 2.3AP. I'm planning to mod mine with this.

Aguilar has one with the same config. East makes one already attached to a control plate. Expensive though. Nordstrand makes one as well. You can configure some EMG componants.

[mcnach]

Originally Posted by DWBass

East makes one already attached to a control plate. Expensive though.

You don't need to buy the plate, you can simply buy the preamp. The plate is an extra, if you want it.

It is not cheap, that is true. But that midsweep control (parametric mid EQ) is well worth it, for me. You can tune in your mids just right in any venue/band, and ensure your bass cuts through but still sound fat.

Actually, you can get the mid sweep module on its own and use it with another 2band pre, or with a passive tone control.
There was someone here assembling clones of the original Stingray 2band preamp, cheap. It could be interesting to get one of those and the midsweep and save a lot of money.
Personally, I go for the whole thing because I'm lazy and I have too many projects that take ages to finish... an MMSR takes 5 minutes to fit. Not even soldering necessary. That suits me

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by mcnach

You don't need to buy the plate, you can simply buy the preamp. The plate is an extra, if you want it.

Wouldn't you NEED the plate as the SUB comes with a 2 band EQ?

[mcnach]

Originally Posted by jlepre

Wouldn't you NEED the plate as the SUB comes with a 2 band EQ?

No, the MMSR comes in various "flavours". You can get a 3-knob version which can use the original plate. The bass and treble are stacked on one control, the mid and midfreq sweep in another stack, and the volume single. In one of mine, the volume knob can be pulled to bypass the preamp.
They have 4 knob versions too, of course. But the 3 knob one will fit the SUB.

[jlepre]

Oh cool. Sounds like an easy upgrade. That is the only thing that I thought was lacking from the new SUB that I played at GC.