What do you think about the Music Man Ray34?

aaronhutson · #1 05-19-2011, 09:50 AM

I read the threads about these but couldnt find a good answer for what im looking for.

How does it play and whats the tone like on it?

I play metal and praise and worship. I realize that it may not be ideal for metal. But how would it sound for P&W? Or even a more modern rock?

I play my peavey Millenium for it mostly right now and it has very hot passive pickups with a very warm and versatile sound.

Would the Ray34 compare? How so?

What would you think about putting different tuning knobs on it? Im not a fan of the big flat ones..

Any input would be great!

**Staccato** · #2 05-19-2011, 10:01 AM

Apples and oranges, the two basses that are comparing sound quite different.

Fender32 · #3 05-19-2011, 10:05 AM

I posted this a while ago, so it may not have come up in your search results, but it might help with some of your questions

...

Just pimped my Sterling Ray34.

I still think that it's a great version of the StingRay (although I miss the two band pre-amp and wicked tone of the pre-EBs

).

Runnerman · #4 05-19-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender32

I still think that it's a great version of the StingRay (although I miss the two band pre-amp and wicked tone of the pre-EBs

).

You can still buy a 2 band Ray and they sound very, very good. Not the same as a pre-EB but very good nonetheless. I played a LakeTahoe blue one at GC a couple weeks ago and it was awesome. They would not come off the price though so it went back on the wall.

Selta · #5 05-19-2011, 11:09 AM

It's not an EBMM.

tsunami1052 · #6 05-19-2011, 11:18 AM

YouTube - ‪Sterling By Music Man Basses‬&rlm;

mmbongo · #7 05-19-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

It's not an EBMM.

Yep. Just to clarify, these are not made by Ernie Ball, they are made by a seperate company (in Indonesia?) who licenses the EBMM designs.

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 05-19-2011, 11:43 AM

I had one (which I now wish I hadn't of sold) that was absolutely fantastic. They sound just as great as US StingRays and they're very playable. They do feel 'cheaper' than US Rays, but by cheaper I mean they feel just as good as any other $500-$700 bass in comparison to a US Ray. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

aaronhutson · #9 05-19-2011, 09:20 PM

Well thanks guys. That helps.

But what kind of tone does it put out? Videos i saw showed a very trebley sound. But i need a warmer more full sound. Would this one work? How can it handle metal?

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 05-19-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

Well thanks guys. That helps.

But what kind of tone does it put out? Videos i saw showed a very trebley sound. But i need a warmer more full sound. Would this one work? How can it handle metal?

It just sounds just like a US StingRay. There's really no other way to put it. Just Youtube videos of either bass and you'll get a good idea of how they sound.

They are traditionally more hi-fi and trebly, but you can mellow them out through EQ, strings, how you pluck it, etc....

SantiagoGT15 · #11 05-19-2011, 09:39 PM

I own a ray34 on cherryburst and I just can't get enough of it ,it's a great bass it's 99% EBMM
I use it for P&W and it does well to my soul!

can't say enough , go play one for yourself and see... and about those classic new ones ..im craving for a mint one

delicious mint

aaronhutson · #12 05-19-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantiagoGT15

...and about those classic new ones ..im craving for a mint one

delicious mint

Im really digging the new limited edition white with black pick guard!

aaronhutson · #13 05-19-2011, 10:04 PM

Oh and by the way, im looking at the ray34 custom. Not the ray34 classic.Any input?

Fender32 · #14 05-20-2011, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

Oh and by the way, im looking at the ray34 custom. Not the ray34 classic.Any input?

There are a few comments here, but I guess that you've already seen this thread

.....

Buying a sterling ray 34 custom tomorrow

I like the unpainted headstock on the Custom. Just wish that it came with a maple neck instead, personally

.

mongo2 · #15 05-20-2011, 05:07 AM

I tried a Ray 34 last weekend at GC and compared it to the Stealth Stingray and regular Stingray they had hanging near it. The Ray 34 was not-so-good by comparison.

aaronhutson · #16 05-20-2011, 09:26 AM

How does it handle drop tuning?

rockstarbassist · #17 05-20-2011, 09:31 AM

I had a Sterling SB14 for a while. Was a pretty awesome bass for the price point. Didn't sound as good as my Spector but still incredible for the cash. Can't imagine the SR being any different.

SantiagoGT15 · #18 05-20-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

How does it handle drop tuning?

I have only de-tuned to DGCF and it held nice, I don't have the need to go further down (or up) or whatever