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A REAL Sterling Ray34ca Review

#21
tdizzle said:
I consider 8.5 or less to be lightweight. I know EBMM makes heavy basses, but these were specifically advertised as having "lightweight ash bodies". It is the first thing on their list of features. I take that to mean "lighter than usual for our basses". What happened? That and the 1.5 inch nut meant that I had to have one. Now I can search for a 1.5" Sabre neck for my old Stingray and call it the same.
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Heavy like a tank always comes to mind when I think of a Ray but that's not a bad thing either to me. I like a little weight for me to throw around. I've never handle one well under 9lbs that's all.

I will post pic soon recently converted a Ray34 to fretless and loving it.

P1040479.jpg
 
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#23
So, what do you think of how many hundreds of dollars apart in value are the 2010's and the new line?

DaymonJ11 said:
Well, in my experience, the 2010 Sterlings just had some issues with the neck twisting. In 2011, they changed the truss rod design, and have used denser woods on the neck, and you can tell in the feel.

The 2010's were solid, and for $600-700, it was hard to beat, and definitely beat Fender's budget friendly models (the Mexican j-basses).

Honestly, the quality of the new Ray34ca is superb. I actually took it to Guitar Center and spent some time playing through a markbass setup, and I played that along side the 2010 Sterling Ray34 they had, a Mexican Fender and a Marcus Miller, and mine outperformed both of them.....easily.

The Marcus? Not so much, but wasn't far off from that one in terms of feel and playability.

It's just my opinion, but, I do believe that the quality standards have raised in that price range in the market, and Sterling/MM is doing a nice job putting out the best they can, which is much better than most.
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#24
tastybasslines said:
So, what do you think of how many hundreds of dollars apart in value are the 2010's and the new line?
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In my area, the cost is still that same $650-700, so the cost isn't different at all. However, if in some areas they are higher that last years line, that wouldn't surprise me.

These basses are just better appointed than last years models. The paint is deeper and nicer. The lacquer is thicker and more polished. The fretboard is cleaner, and while still heavier than an EBMM Stinger, it's lighter than last years as well. Also, the neck pocket is tighter and the bass is solid.

I could justify paying a couple hundred more for it. It's just a nicer bass, and really, if it were American made, this thing would be a $1000 bass. Last years didn't rise to that level, at least not imo.
 
#25
I'm picking up both models, just so I can put the maple neck on the green body and then I'm going to sell the sunburst.
 
#27
bovinehost said:
I'm in the hunt for one of those green ones. The one I played at NAMM was really superb and I agree that the finishes look way better this year.
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Yeah, there's no doubt about that. I thought last years finishes, aside of the black, were just very, well....blah.

The Silverburst, for some, may be the baddest bass ever, but, I though it looked pretty cheap. The new White is a much more attractive color, the black looks deeper and the mint green is right on par with what you'd expect it to look like.

I think they really listened to the gripes of most players, and decided to improve upon what they could. The fit and finish is a lot nicer too. Just a nicer bass this year.
 
#32
Mine came in tonight and I'm totally stoked.

I A/B-ing to my friends 30 anniversary stingray and I prefer the Ray34CA.
If you are a J-bass kind of player you will love this neck, it felt like home to me.
 
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#34
So - I got it.

greenSBMM.jpg


This is most excellent. I could tell they were good when I played them at NAMM, but it was really difficult for me to say for sure how good - I'm a dedicated flatwound guy, and who puts those on at the factory? So I had to change the Slinkys to EB Group III flats before I even started to fool around with it.

Oh my. What IS this? Do I have to take back all my musings about the 2band versus 3band debate? I might have to. I might have to admit that the 2band is completely better. Or maybe it's just the bass itself. I don't know.

This thing is immaculate. Frets are perfect. Paint is delicious. (The tuners do look a little weird but they work perfectly so I'll get over it.)

I've had a boatload of mid-priced "budget" and import basses but all of them lived short lives here at Camp Bovine. This one ain't going nowhere. I love this bass. I think it plays and sounds as good - easily - as my SUB. But it's MINT GREEN. I like that.

The smaller neck profile is going to excite some people. It's definitely like a hot rod. Chunky-neck enthusiasts can still be happy with the other models. I was never a fan of the Sterling-sized neck, it seemed too small, but it's been years since I've played one and now I find it comfy. Who knew?

Tone for days. Big, fat, wide. With the flats, this will be a great choice for blues and oldies and polka. Wait, I don't know anything about polka. I even tried turning the tone knobs all the way off and it still sounded good after I got used to it. Bump 'em up and go nuts, though, it's got depth to it.

These are scary nice for the price.

Jack
 
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#37
Just an update some two months later.

Sometimes, especially with mid-priced basses, I have this initial honeymoon period - "Oh, it's NEW! Look, it only has four strings! This is COOL!" - and then I go back to playing my usual USA basses and the poor neglected mid-priced bass goes in the closet and a few months later I think, "I should sell that, I'm not playing it."

I bet a few of you multiple bass guys go through this. And you read those glowing reviews you wrote when you were still in lust and think, "Can I get a mulligan?"

So this one isn't like that. I still have to recalibrate my brain to "just" four strings, but once I get a few minutes in, it's cool and I realize that I really DO love this bass.

Tonight, I put straplocks on. So that's a commitment.

Jack
 
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