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Affinity vs Ray 4

N

new_bass

Guest
Sep 24, 2012
7
0
#1
Hello everyone,
I am an entry level bass player (reformed drummer). I am trying to choose between the affinity series and the sterling ray 4 which would be the best playing bass and the best value?
 
#3
Affinity V is vastly underrated. I also played the SUBs and compared them to the Sterlings.

You really need to play them as they are very different so feel is a factor as well as sound. It wouldnt mean much to recommend. I prefer the Affinity.
 
#4
new_bass said:
Hello everyone,
I am an entry level bass player (reformed drummer). I am trying to choose between the affinity series and the sterling ray 4 which would be the best playing bass and the best value?
Click to expand...

It's a personal thing. I don't mean they are the same, in fact I mean quite the opposite: they are very different, and depending on how you wish to sound, and what you find more comfortable to play, one may be a much better choice than the other.

If you know somebody who knows basses (or you have a decent working knowledge yourself) the used market may be a good option (you can get a lot more bang per buck).
New, there are a lot of entry level basses ($0 - $400 or thereabouts). Some of these are awesome - depending on budget you could get a bass that will last a long time. I haven't played the ray but have tried an affinity Jazz in a shop - seemed good.
Try a few basses, explore budget options - consider your goals, eg. Do I want to spend my entire budget on a bass or should I split it with a good rig? I know a good rig is as important as a good bass.
 
#7
Dr. Cheese said:
If you want a Music Man style bass, get a Sterling Music Man or an Ibanez ATK, the new SUBs feel pretty cheap, IMO. An Affinity J V would be far, far better in terms of quality.
Click to expand...

-1. Affinity's are far from quality basses. The new SBMM Subs are some of the best basses in their price range.
 
#11
There are years and countries of manufacture for the Affinities that makes buying them complicated to a n00b player.

The problem is that an inexperienced bassist won't really know where to look for quality and may very well miss it in a bass that's set up poorly, has dead strings or just needs the required tweaks to make it right.

One may therefor pass a genuine diamond in the rough and never know it. ANY bass can be part of heaven's angelic choir or something out of Dante's Inferno (think: Charlie Daniels or RUSH) for sound, quality and reliability (although that last category somewhat mystifies me as playing a bass is not a contact sport).

Therefor - I sincerely recommend taking someone without a 'jaundiced-eye-to-all-things-Squier' and let him/her help you decide.

You may be fortunate enough to really find an Affinity that more than exceeds your current musical-instrument buying eye. I have one such Affinity that really yet amazes me and a bass teacher that I had in SoCal.

It has a tense internal power that you can just feel in it and possesses a uniqueness that sets it apart from a lot of other basses that I've played.

I cannot explain it - but somehow it just feels like it's all tensed up with a non-definable energy, just waiting to play it's heart out. You might be fortunate enough to find one such animal too.
 
#13
4StringsEnough said:
-1. Affinity's are far from quality basses. The new SBMM Subs are some of the best basses in their price range.
Click to expand...

I can't speak about the fours, but the fives are very nice. I have owned a few and they had good fretwork and could take a really nice set up. The pickups are not as nice as more expensive basses, but that is an easy fix for a very inexpensive bass.
 

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