So, let me start by saying that I am new to the forum, and this is my first post. But, the reason I came here is to give all of you wondering about the Sterling Ray34ca a real review and let you know what the deal actually is!
I'll preface this review by telling you that I am owner of a EBMM Stingray Classic - El Dorado Gold, and it is the single best bass I have ever played. EVER.....
I bought this as an alternative to having beer spilled on my EBMM again....once was enough..
Let's get to business:
Looks:
I own the Mint Green model, and let me tell you, out of the box, this thing is just stunning! The paint is very well done, very consistent and actually has a "depth" to it that the Ray34's from last year didn't.
Surely some of you saw the "Silver Burst" and though....damn, that looks cheap. Why? Because it did. Not this case with the new 34ca, it's simply beautiful. Very well done, and the lacquer used is right on par with what the American Stingray's use.
Fretboard:
Very nicely done. As I mentioned earlier, I own a EBMM Stingray Classic, and having played the SBMM Ray34ca side by side, I can tell you firsthand, the differences are very, very minute.
The frets are NOT the jumbo's that everyone seems to be using these days, however, the are bigger than the thin frets that are used on the EBMM Stingray classics.
The fretboard is smooth, frets are very level and even, and the satin finish looks good and is very functional, and feels almost identical to the EBMM. Seriously.
The differences are mainly the radius of the neck 10" as compared to the 7.5" that the EBMM is. Other than that, it isn't much.
Tuners:
They're n ot bad as far as holding the strings in tune go, but they are bigger than the EBMM's and looks a bit...well...cheesy. Almost like they're too big. But, it's not anything that a retrofit set of tuners can't fix.....
Hardware:
Perfect. The hardware (knobs) itself is absolutely identical to my EBMM Classic. I cannot tell a difference.
Bridge:
The bridge, while different from the standard EBMM's, looks very similar. It IS lacking some of the substance and weightiness from the EBMM's. However, it still is a well made, nicely designed bridge.
Now the good stuff.........
Tone:
Look, I have played and owned everything from Marcus Miller Fender J-Basses, to Alembic's to EBMM Classics and Warwick FNA Jazz bass, and I can honestly say I am as impressed by this as I am with any other bass.
These were made to give your average Joe a chance to have a "Stingray Classic" on a budget. And let me tell, it delivers!
Playing my EBMM Classic and this new SBMM Ray34ca side by side, it's almost undetectable to the ear, at least to me, to tell which one is which. The feel will tell you, as the Ray34ca is a bit heavier, but overall, the sound is almost the same.
The EBMM Stingray Classic has a 2 band eq, as does the RAY34ca, and the biggest draw for me on the EBMM Classic was the tonality you could achieve with the bass and treble knobs...honestly, it's staggering how many different sounds you can get with just those two knobs.
Well, the tonal range on the Ray34ca is equally as good. Not as dynamic and broad as the EBMM Classic, but very good, and much better than most high end P-Basses you'll find, and this is coming from a $600 bass! It's simply amazing.
The sound is that of an older bass, but it still has the highs that a lot of aggressive types will like, and being an active bass, the tone is aggressive. For me, bass full, treble at 3/4 sounds absolutely perfect, and side by side, you can't tell much difference.
Also of note, is the fact that the pickups are MUCH quieter than last years models. Apparently they changed them and re-voiced them to be quieter, and it worked. No more annoying buzz!
Conclusion:
For the slim $600 price tag, one would be very hard pressed to find a better quality bass. The sound, the look and the finish quality are top notch, and if these were made in America, I guarantee you they would carry a $900 or better price tag.
Comparing them to the foreign Lackland's and G&L Tribute's, honestly, these blow both of them out of the water. The quality of the build is just better in 2011 than it was 2010, and it makes for a very nice bass.
For someone looking for a bass on a budget, with playability, looks and sound, then there's no need to look anywhere else. This isn't going to sound like that "Tinny" Ibanez that GC is selling for $700 or that over bass-y Schecter for $600 or the average to poor Squier J-Bass.
This is a real instrument, with real quality and a must own!
I hope that helps!!! And, good playing to all!
I'll preface this review by telling you that I am owner of a EBMM Stingray Classic - El Dorado Gold, and it is the single best bass I have ever played. EVER.....
I bought this as an alternative to having beer spilled on my EBMM again....once was enough..
Let's get to business:
Looks:
I own the Mint Green model, and let me tell you, out of the box, this thing is just stunning! The paint is very well done, very consistent and actually has a "depth" to it that the Ray34's from last year didn't.
Surely some of you saw the "Silver Burst" and though....damn, that looks cheap. Why? Because it did. Not this case with the new 34ca, it's simply beautiful. Very well done, and the lacquer used is right on par with what the American Stingray's use.
Fretboard:
Very nicely done. As I mentioned earlier, I own a EBMM Stingray Classic, and having played the SBMM Ray34ca side by side, I can tell you firsthand, the differences are very, very minute.
The frets are NOT the jumbo's that everyone seems to be using these days, however, the are bigger than the thin frets that are used on the EBMM Stingray classics.
The fretboard is smooth, frets are very level and even, and the satin finish looks good and is very functional, and feels almost identical to the EBMM. Seriously.
The differences are mainly the radius of the neck 10" as compared to the 7.5" that the EBMM is. Other than that, it isn't much.
Tuners:
They're n ot bad as far as holding the strings in tune go, but they are bigger than the EBMM's and looks a bit...well...cheesy. Almost like they're too big. But, it's not anything that a retrofit set of tuners can't fix.....
Hardware:
Perfect. The hardware (knobs) itself is absolutely identical to my EBMM Classic. I cannot tell a difference.
Bridge:
The bridge, while different from the standard EBMM's, looks very similar. It IS lacking some of the substance and weightiness from the EBMM's. However, it still is a well made, nicely designed bridge.
Now the good stuff.........
Tone:
Look, I have played and owned everything from Marcus Miller Fender J-Basses, to Alembic's to EBMM Classics and Warwick FNA Jazz bass, and I can honestly say I am as impressed by this as I am with any other bass.
These were made to give your average Joe a chance to have a "Stingray Classic" on a budget. And let me tell, it delivers!
Playing my EBMM Classic and this new SBMM Ray34ca side by side, it's almost undetectable to the ear, at least to me, to tell which one is which. The feel will tell you, as the Ray34ca is a bit heavier, but overall, the sound is almost the same.
The EBMM Stingray Classic has a 2 band eq, as does the RAY34ca, and the biggest draw for me on the EBMM Classic was the tonality you could achieve with the bass and treble knobs...honestly, it's staggering how many different sounds you can get with just those two knobs.
Well, the tonal range on the Ray34ca is equally as good. Not as dynamic and broad as the EBMM Classic, but very good, and much better than most high end P-Basses you'll find, and this is coming from a $600 bass! It's simply amazing.
The sound is that of an older bass, but it still has the highs that a lot of aggressive types will like, and being an active bass, the tone is aggressive. For me, bass full, treble at 3/4 sounds absolutely perfect, and side by side, you can't tell much difference.
Also of note, is the fact that the pickups are MUCH quieter than last years models. Apparently they changed them and re-voiced them to be quieter, and it worked. No more annoying buzz!
Conclusion:
For the slim $600 price tag, one would be very hard pressed to find a better quality bass. The sound, the look and the finish quality are top notch, and if these were made in America, I guarantee you they would carry a $900 or better price tag.
Comparing them to the foreign Lackland's and G&L Tribute's, honestly, these blow both of them out of the water. The quality of the build is just better in 2011 than it was 2010, and it makes for a very nice bass.
For someone looking for a bass on a budget, with playability, looks and sound, then there's no need to look anywhere else. This isn't going to sound like that "Tinny" Ibanez that GC is selling for $700 or that over bass-y Schecter for $600 or the average to poor Squier J-Bass.
This is a real instrument, with real quality and a must own!
I hope that helps!!! And, good playing to all!
Congrats on the new bass and great review.
