Sterling by Musicman Ray 34-A WINNER!!!

ilovenofrets · #1 01-19-2011, 09:19 PM

So I set out tonight to buy a new bass. A mom-and-pop store in my area just got a Musicman dealership, carrying both EBMM and SBMM. I've been gassin' for a Stingray for some time now, and tonight just felt like the night to go and play a few. When it all came down to it, there was a sunburst Sterling Ray 34, and a gorgeous metallic pearl white MM Stingray. Played them both back and forth for the better part of an hour or so. Tonal differences were very subtle, and craftsmanship and attention to detail were excellent on both.
After 22 years of playing, I thought I 'deserved' the $1500.00 Stingray. But honestly, the Ray 34 just had that 'something' about it. It wasn't a question of price; I could have purchased the EBMM if it came down to it, but the Ray 34 played and sounded SOOOOOO good, and it just begged to go home with me. And so it was. $700.00 and two hours later, I am the PROUD owner of a Ray 34! And FWIW- the included gig bags are pretty nice too. I'll post pics soon. Anyone thinking about a Stingray, at least give the Ray 34 a play, you may be pleasantly surprised. I know I was, and I'm happy with my purchase.

tnickk · #2 01-19-2011, 09:39 PM

funny, I already own a Stingray, and I played the Sterling 34 at a music store tonight as well. I was very impressed with what it did for the money! Nice guitar.

Xavier Zed · #3 01-20-2011, 03:18 AM

I just defretted my Ray34 it is awesome. Congrats on NBD look forward to pics.

PJSShearer · #4 01-20-2011, 03:20 AM

I got myself a Stirling RAY35 for Christmas (rather than the EB) and I can only say +1

bassplayer1494 · #5 01-20-2011, 04:21 AM

ive been considering getting one myself, but im starting to question the quality of these basses. there are 3 at my local guitar center and 2 of them had a weird buzzing noise that can be heard through the amp and the other one had a very poor setup but it still sounded nice. anyways, congrats on the new bass!

chavezding · #6 01-20-2011, 05:15 AM

I own a Ray34 too. As I've said before, for slap tone, rivals my Lakland DJ4 equiped J Retro (killer combo). I don't care where it's made or who made it. The Ray34 and the SB14 are super fine instruments at a great value...IMHO...

Jazzbassman23 · #7 01-20-2011, 06:22 AM

Haven't played any of the basses, but I own the JP-50 guitar, and it's outstanding. I've never played a "real" Petrucci, but I'm fairly certain I wouldn't sound any better.

bovinehost · #8 01-20-2011, 06:48 AM

I want one in that mint green color I saw at NAMM.

rimtism123 · #9 01-20-2011, 06:54 AM

I actually based my purchase of a EBMM from playing a SBMM. I thought if their affordable line sounds and feels this good...then the real thing must be killer..and sure enough... I totally recommend SBMM to anyone with a $600 budget for sure.

mmbongo · #10 01-20-2011, 07:38 AM

How is the fretwork on the SBMM basses? I wanted to try one, but the only SBMM instrument they had was a Silo30 guitar, and it had literally some of the worst fretwork I'd ever seen. It looked like the fret ends were just wiggled back and fourth until they broke off instead of cut. They were not filed at all. I couldn't believe it.

basswave · #11 01-20-2011, 07:42 AM

I been exactly there ilovenofrets.

I prefer the EBMM 'Sterlings' themsevles to the SBMM sterlings.
However I have been really impressed with the Ray34 and Ray35 and own a couple.

Enjoy

kevteop · #12 01-20-2011, 07:52 AM

The sterling... stingray... what now?

The taxonomy of stingray basses has got out of hand. Can someone do me a venn diagram?

ilovenofrets · #13 01-20-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

How is the fretwork on the SBMM basses? I wanted to try one, but the only SBMM instrument they had was a Silo30 guitar, and it had literally some of the worst fretwork I'd ever seen. It looked like the fret ends were just wiggled back and fourth until they broke off instead of cut. They were not filed at all. I couldn't believe it.

Fretwork is great on mine. As I said, I A-B tested the Ray 34 and a $1500.00 EBMM Stingray for at least an hour-and-a-half, and the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail were EQUAL! Interestingly, the neck on the EBMM would have needed a slight tweak, whereas tne Ray 34's neck, setup, and action were just amazing. Not into 5-stringers much nowadays, but they also had a Ray 35, and it was an incredible bass too. The crafstmanship was just as good, and anyone wanting that Stingray 5 sound, I would highly recommend it! I am so impressed with these basses. And to boot, the gig bags are really nice as well. Very heavily padded, with nice plush interior. My one wish? Hoping they have a fretless model in the works.

ilovenofrets · #14 01-20-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bovinehost

I want one in that mint green color I saw at NAMM.

Part of the new Classic series coming this year. Does look really cool.

ilovenofrets · #15 01-20-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer1494

ive been considering getting one myself, but im starting to question the quality of these basses. there are 3 at my local guitar center and 2 of them had a weird buzzing noise that can be heard through the amp and the other one had a very poor setup but it still sounded nice. anyways, congrats on the new bass!

Well, not to start another Guitard Center bash, but, well, I've NEVER played ANY instrument at Guitard Center that didn't have something wrong with it. Find your nearest independent dealership, get treated like a real person, and play one that's been looked over and chances are won't need anything. They really are sweet axes; I can't say enough good things about them.

Sam Hain · #16 01-20-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovenofrets

Well, not to start another Guitard Center bash, but, well, I've NEVER played ANY instrument at Guitard Center that didn't have something wrong with it. Find your nearest independent dealership, get treated like a real person, and play one that's been looked over and chances are won't need anything. They really are sweet axes; I can't say enough good things about them.

Agreed!

ericmknight1906 · #17 01-23-2011, 09:08 AM

Just purchased a Ray35 Honeyburst a couple of days ago...I must say that this bass is truly awesome. Maybe I'm going crazy but for some strange reason it feels and sounds a lot like an American P Bass w/ active electronics. And its just as good if not better than the american stingray in my opinion. The only difference I could see in the design was that the nut on the stingray was different. Otherwise identical.

Well worth the money.

ilovenofrets · #18 03-10-2011, 07:37 PM

A little late, but pic as promised(sorry it's not a nice clear pic)...

mmbongo · #19 03-10-2011, 07:50 PM

If SBMM basses are that good, don't look for them to be around long. If Music Man sales start to suffer because of them, Sterling Ball will pull the plug in a heartbeat. Mark my words.

kjpollo · #20 03-10-2011, 08:38 PM

I'm hoping to add a 3TS Ray34 Classic in the next month or so. I always wanted that color back in the day but I never did find one.