Anyone have SBMM Ray4 and Ray34?

[socknroll1]

I bought a Ray4 for some ridiculously low price 5 years ago. The preamp is extremely hot but I just keep my amp gain low. It sounds and plays great and competes with much higher-valued instruments. It's a keeper for me. I hope you find one you like.

 

[invalidprotocol]

I've found the Ray4's to be very consistent and usually have meh electronics but solid enough bones. The Ray34s can vary quite a bit in regards to weight and quality. The two ones that I've reviewed were all well over 10 lbs. I've worked with over a dozen Ray4's and they've all been right around 9 lbs. The first Ray34 I reviewed was really nice, the second one not as nice overall. I'll hopefully be revisiting the Ray34 with one of the new sparkle finishes at some point this year.

Purple sparkle please!

 

[Hevy T]

I've found the Ray4's to be very consistent and usually have meh electronics but solid enough bones. The Ray34s can vary quite a bit in regards to weight and quality. The two ones that I've reviewed were all well over 10 lbs. I've worked with over a dozen Ray4's and they've all been right around 9 lbs. The first Ray34 I reviewed was really nice, the second one not as nice overall. I'll hopefully be revisiting the Ray34 with one of the new sparkle finishes at some point this year.

If you grab a purple one with the black hardware be sure to have extra tuners on hand apparently

 

[bigdaddybass12]

My SBMM ray34 is still burning after 2 years of intensive use without flaws. I must have been the one who bought the only one they made right.

Love it!!!

 

[bigdaddybass12]

My Ray 34 was a 2022 model . Seized truss rod and stripped tuners . Brand new . Returned without even plugging it in . Never again .

Sorry you had a bad one. I have been a big Nissan truck fan, I have owned several, driven 725,000 miles total, no major issues. Except for My current one. Had to have the motor replaced at 44k miles sometimes a bad one could be in the bunch. Even with more expensive basses. The guy who I play for had the body of his Martin acoustic split open, neck came loose.

 

[johnh89]

Sorry you had a bad one. I have been a big Nissan truck fan, I have owned several, driven 725,000 miles total, no major issues. Except for My current one. Had to have the motor replaced at 44k miles sometimes a bad one could be in the bunch. Even with more expensive basses. The guy who I play for had the body of his Martin acoustic split open, neck came loose.

Appreciate that . But its not an isolated incident . SBMM need to seriously up their game or go out of business . These QC issues have been about for a while now and they seem to just be papering over the cracks and relying on a tenuous link to Music Man . There are a lot better basses out there for the same money or less . They have problems that I would not put up with in any instrument , whatever its cost . Not fit for purpose .

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Appreciate that . But its not an isolated incident . SBMM need to seriously up their game or go out of business . These QC issues have been about for a while now and they seem to just be papering over the cracks and relying on a tenuous link to Music Man . There are a lot better basses out there for the same money or less . They have problems that I would not put up with in any instrument , whatever its cost . Not fit for purpose .

Yes, you are right. I generally don’t buy new basses, gives it time for the neck to freak out. I looked at a GL Trib and passed on it. I have read numerous times about them having truss rod issues. I keep passing on a Sterling ray34. Afraid it may not be a good one. My son has an old ray34, it is probably 15-20 years old. Actually pretty good. Probably when they had a good QC. To me the worst thing is sterlings have almost 0 resale. You will see them for sale for months.