Sterling by Musicman Ray Custom 34 review

88persuader · #1 01-28-2012, 11:33 PM

Well, friends I've had my white Ray34 now for two days and have probably put in 6 hours of play time on it so thought I could give my 1st review. I assume its a 2011 model because they only made white in 2011 and I bought it used from the Guitar Center for $399 with the gig bag. (What a deal!) It also came with strap lock end buttons left on by the original owner which fit several of my strap end pieces which is a nice plus. The bass looks new.

When I received the bass the strings were either dead or simply not to my taste and the action was a bit high so 1st thing was I adjusted the neck (very simple and it came right in) and played the bass a bit. I didn't want to put new strings on it if there was a chance I wasn't going to keep it.

I plugged it into my Markbass CMD102P combo amp (2X10 plus horn and 300 WT MarkII head) and it sounded bad. It was distorted regardless of volume, like the speakers were being over driven, but they weren't. I thought it was going back to the store THEN I realized the input plug was ultra tight and the cord wasn't plugged in all the way. It took a little effort to push the cord properly in but once it plugged in all the way the bass came to life. I'm wondering if the original owner who owned the bass for less than a year had this issue and didn't realize the input wasn't letting the cord in all the way? Now that I've gotten it in properly it's still tight but in a good way, it's working properly.

So after playing for a bit I knew this bass was good so put on the new strings. I like GHS boomers, MED weight. They're cheap and sound good to my ear. Once I changed the strings I was totally blown away by this bass! I've owned a EBMM Sterling model years ago and although this is a Ray copy not a Sterling copy I still know what that Musicman sound and feel is and this bass has it in spades! I haven't gigged with it yet (I had a rare weekend with no gigs this weekend) but I played along with some tunes in my studio at a decent volume to feel the bass out and it has quickly become home.

I initially played along with some Kansas tunes (I'm an old prog rocker at heart) I have the MB combo almost flat with just a touch of lows and mid lows and a touch of VHF gain. On the bass I have just a touch of bass on and to my ear the sound is PERFECT. Reacts to my fingers, a lot of tone and bottom but you can also hear EVERYTHING I'm doing, it's very articulate.

When playing along to the Kansas I added about half the gain on the treble knob and it honestly sounded like I was using a pick. (I'm strictly a finger player) Since the bass player in Kansas uses a pick this added the right flavor for the tunes. Tonight I played along to Donald Fagan's Night Fly CD (Steely Dan) which is very "big city pop jazz" flavored music. To get the proper sound all I had to do was lower the treble a little from neutral and that gave me that old school Fender sound that's popular in those styles of music without losing any note articulation.

I read these basses were close to American MM basses, now I'm a complete believer. It looks like a Stingray, it SOUNDS like a Stingray and it FEELS like a Stingray. There are subtle differences in the construction but for the price these differences in my view are totally unimportant and not worth the extra grand it would cost to own the original. As a EBMM fan I'm glad that they have their fingers in and pie on this line of basses because if you can't afford an American MM bass but really WANT a MM bass you'd be a fool to overlook these because of where they're made. And they're so close to the American basses SBMM should sell tons of these things and EBMM should make a good chunk of change for licensing these. The way I see it, the only thing that can hurt the sale of these basses is people ALWAYS think knock offs stink compared to the originals and the cheap price will label these basses as being ENTRY LEVEL basses. Well I've been a very busy gigging professional bass player for over 30 years and i'll tell you, this is NOT an entry level instrument, it's simply the best bargain in town!

I think when I have a few more bucks I'll by an SB14 just because! Now if they'll only make an unlined fretless!

El Raro · #2 01-28-2012, 11:52 PM

Y'know, I've been eyeing these basses down all week and they keep coming up on my radar both online and live. I hit a local show last night where one of the bands' bass player was playing a Stingray. It sounded beast, as you'd expect, and it really made itself present amongst the wall of distortion from the two guitarists. On closer inspection, I noticed the headstock read "Sterling by Music Man" and my jaw almost dropped. I've heard people on TB talk this bass up like crazy but, then again, these same people talk up the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass (which is good for the price but not comparable to more expensive Fenders). From what I've personally seen and heard, the SBMM basses are every bit comparable to their more expensive American counterparts. I'll absolutely consider picking one up in the coming months.

4StringsEnough · #3 01-29-2012, 01:43 AM

I also have the SBMM Ray 34 in white (by far the best colour) and I agree that it sounds as close to the US EBMM models as makes no difference.

It's not a Fender/Squier situation where one is inferior to the other - the basses genuinely are comparable. Absolute bargain. Love everything about it.

Temcat · #4 01-29-2012, 02:20 AM

Sorry for my ignorance, but what was "custom" about this bass? Or is it a part of the model name?

88persuader · #5 01-29-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temcat

Sorry for my ignorance, but what was "custom" about this bass? Or is it a part of the model name?

The color! That's all that is custom, they made the white in a limited number only in 2011 and it was referred to as custom. Otherwise it's simply a Ray34

kahanamoku · #6 01-31-2012, 12:03 PM

I just bought this bass yesterday in Mint Green and it's Mint Awesome. Sounded every bit as good as a couple of the Stingrays I picked up. I think I even sensed a little jealousy from the GC clerk. Practice tomorrow and I can't freakin' wait.

88persuader · #7 01-31-2012, 09:42 PM

UPDATE: I used the SBMM Ray34 at rehearsal tonight for the 1st time and all I can say is it IS the REAL DEAL!!! Totally awesome, all STINGRAY regardless who made it!!! I'm playing both Friday and Saturday this coming weekend and my main bass will be the Ray34!

DerTeufel · #8 01-31-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88persuader

UPDATE: I used the SBMM Ray34 at rehearsal tonight for the 1st time and all I can say is it IS the REAL DEAL!!! Totally awesome, all STINGRAY regardless who made it!!! I'm playing both Friday and Saturday this coming weekend and my main bass will be the Ray34!

I have a Ray35 and used mine for the first time at practice this past Sunday. I had the same reaction that you did.

**DougD** · #9 01-31-2012, 09:55 PM

TalkBass protocol stipulate No Pictures=No bass

Post porn please, er bass porn that is

**Staccato** · #10 01-31-2012, 10:00 PM

Here's the mint version...

88persuader · #11 01-31-2012, 11:12 PM

Ok, here are photos I posted in the Sterling Club thread. BTW the bass is not left handed it's right handed, my computer cam took mirror image photos.

**DougD** · #12 02-01-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88persuader

Ok, here are photos I posted in the Sterling Club thread. BTW the bass is not left handed it's right handed, my computer cam took mirror image photos.

Works for me

Nice bass. I've always wanted a ray. Maybe since these are so close, I can grab one. Does anybody know what the string spacing is on the 5 string version? I need that low B, but I never liked the close spacing on the USA models.

SteveHeissner · #13 02-01-2012, 07:52 AM

What a beauty. I love it in the natural ash finish with maple fingerboard.

pudgychef · #14 02-01-2012, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougD

Works for me

Nice bass. I've always wanted a ray. Maybe since these are so close, I can grab one. Does anybody know what the string spacing is on the 5 string version? I need that low B, but I never liked the close spacing on the USA models.

a total guess but I think the bridge is essentially an off-shore clone of the USA model and likely has the same spacing...

but much like Schultz - as far as facts go, I know nothing....

88persuader · #15 02-01-2012, 08:07 AM

The 5 string has a 17.5MM string spacing. I just checked the Sterling web site.

**Staccato** · #16 02-01-2012, 08:14 AM

Congrats, enjoy your Custom!

**DougD** · #17 02-02-2012, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88persuader

The 5 string has a 17.5MM string spacing. I just checked the Sterling web site.

I wish I had the concentration and control to deal with close spacing

having sausage fingers doesn't help either lol.

88persuader · #18 02-04-2012, 12:32 PM

Did my 1st gig last night with the Ray 34 ... oh yeah, it's a Stingray!!

Tupac · #19 02-04-2012, 02:06 PM

The Sterling by Music Man line doesn't get nearly enough attention as it should. Those basses are unbelievable, kick the crap out of Fender's MIM options.

88persuader · #20 02-04-2012, 02:58 PM

Soon I'll be picking up a Ray35 for those tunes my band plays where the low B comes in handy. I COULD buy a EBMM 5 string, they are not out of my reach I've owned several very expensive basses, but after playing the Ray34 I see no reason to spend the extra GRAND on the EBMM 5 string. Sure they are a LITTLE nicer and they have a lot more color options then Sterlings BUT IMO Sterlings are SO close I'll Gladly pocked the extra grand thank you.