Difference between Sterling Ray5, Ray25 and Ray35?

Some basics:

Ray5 - Basswood body, ceramic pickup, less sturdy bridge, narrower neck, 2band preamp
Ray25 - Mahogany or ash body, supposedly alnico pickup, MM style bridge, narrow neck also, 2band pre (same as Ray5 I think)
Ray35 - Mahogany body (older ones ash), alnico EBMM copy pickup, MM style bridge, big azz neck, 3 band pre (also a copy of the EBMM

Ray35 is higher quality and also much brighter sounding, 25 and 5 are more mellow and vintage sounding.

IMHO I don't think the Ray25 is worth the $200 up-charge for basically a bridge and maybe a better pickup.

Get the Ray5 and love the value and quality, or go hog and get the 35 and have a near as you can get EBMM Stingray

I've had a few Ray4s and a Ray34, I prefer the less clanky tone of the inexpensive Ray4 and dig the value for a bar beater bass. I also like the slimmer neck and color options more as well.

 

The Ray 5 is the Sterling by Music Man entry level 5 string bass. It is made in China and was built to be the entry level version of an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5. Same with the Ray 4 for a Stingray 4.

The Ray 25 is also built in China but has a better bridge pickups and I believe tuners. The Ray 24 and Ray 25 are based off of the Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Classic 4 and 5 string.

The Ray 35 was built in Korea but now may be starting to be manufactured in Indonesia for all 2018 models and going forward. The Ray 34 and Ray 35 basses are almost identical to their American made counterparts, the Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 4 and Stingray 5. I just got a Ray 34 koa a few weeks back and when comparing it side by side to my Stingray 4’s and 5’s, it would be very difficult to tell which bass was what if I was blind folded and given either the Ray 34 or my Stingray 4. With EBMM also raising their prices across the board and every bass costing a minimum of $2,000.00 or more now, I have a feeling a majority of buyers will now be looking either used or at the Ray 34’s and Ray 35’s. I know with the knew price increases, I don’t see myself ever buying a new Music Man again. They priced me out of the market. Especially when the used stuff is less than half the cost.

 

Just had the local GC order a Ray25 in to check out. Curious what it will be like!

 

FYI, my Ray25 is Indonesian.

My NBD thread:
NBD: Butterscotch SBMM Stingray Classic Ray25