EBMM Stingray vs Sterling Ray vs Sterling Sub Ray impressions

[Stinsok]

In my time I have owned a USA SUB, a SUB SB4, and currently own a SUB Ray 4 and a Sterling SB14. I like the Indonesian made SUB's, I think they are a good value. Sound wise, the Sterling sounds so much "sweeter" and "airy" than it's Ray 4 cousin. The Ray4 is totally gigable in stock form. My plan is to upgrade the electronics in order to "sweeten it up."

 

[west al]

I'm playing a Sterling Ray34CAFL, through a Hartke HD150 that sounds really good.

 

[JonW]

In my time I have owned a USA SUB, a SUB SB4, and currently own a SUB Ray 4 and a Sterling SB14. I like the Indonesian made SUB's, I think they are a good value. Sound wise, the Sterling sounds so much "sweeter" and "airy" than it's Ray 4 cousin. The Ray4 is totally gigable in stock form. My plan is to upgrade the electronics in order to "sweeten it up."

Interesting. I have never heard or played an EBMM Sterling. I'd like to try one out and see how it differs from the Indonesian SUB's or the EBMM Stingrays. Yes, the SUB's are very high on the value scale. Before picking one up and playing, I would never have guessed that a bass could feel that nice and sound that good, yet could turn out to be as cheap as they are. I will likely buy one some day.

 

[JonW]

I'm playing a Sterling Ray34CAFL, through a Hartke HD150 that sounds really good.

Cool! I have no idea what that Hartke sounds like. But I bet the Ray34CAFL is a lot of fun. I don't yet know much about the fretless world. Something in the range of a fretless Stingray must have a unique vibe.

 

[AMp'D.2play]

If you want something a little less polite, and with more zing, than an EBMM Stingray, you should definitely try to get your hands on an EBMM Sterling. The real thing. The EBMMs, except for the Classic models, have a neck finish of gunstock oil & wax, which is one of the things I love about them. I used to own a SBMM Ray34CA about 2 years ago, and while the tone was in a similar ballpark to the EBMM - and the difference in a weekend warrior band mix would probably be undetectable - the notes of the EBMM Stingray had a little more "heft" to them, at least to my ears.

If you like the SBMM Ray but don't like the gloss neck, you could always just use some fine sandpaper to bring down the gloss.

 

[SamJ]

look no further than the EBMM Stingray (I went with Stealth models).... I liked them so much, I bought two... One ebony fretboard and one solid Rosewood neck/fretboard in HH.

build quality is on par with my basses costing 3-4 times as much, and sound is also there..

 

[JonW]

look no further than the EBMM Stingray (I went with Stealth models).... I liked them so much, I bought two... One ebony fretboard and one solid Rosewood neck/fretboard in HH.

build quality is on par with my basses costing 3-4 times as much, and sound is also there..


View attachment 570527

That's an impressive pair of basses. The rosewood neck is cool because it's not something that you see every day. How do you find the one versus two pickup versions? I've not played a two pickup MM much. It's their single/bridge pickup sound that I have in my head and like so much.

 

[JonW]

If you want something a little less polite, and with more zing, than an EBMM Stingray, you should definitely try to get your hands on an EBMM Sterling. The real thing. The EBMMs, except for the Classic models, have a neck finish of gunstock oil & wax, which is one of the things I love about them. I used to own a SBMM Ray34CA about 2 years ago, and while the tone was in a similar ballpark to the EBMM - and the difference in a weekend warrior band mix would probably be undetectable - the notes of the EBMM Stingray had a little more "heft" to them, at least to my ears.

If you like the SBMM Ray but don't like the gloss neck, you could always just use some fine sandpaper to bring down the gloss.

Ah, a Sterling. Good idea for something to look into. If I understand it correctly, one of the big differences between a Stingway and a Sterling is that the Stringray has AlNiCo magnet pickups and the Sterlings have ceramics. The EBMM Stingray5 and the Sterling Ray35CA that I played had AlNiCo pickups and sounded good. But the Sterling Sub Ray4 and Ray5 that I preferred the sound of had ceramic pickups. If that's true, maybe the EBMM Sterling is a good way for me to go. Good idea.

And gunstock oil... That is actually my very favorite feel for a neck. If I ever build my own bass or guitar from scratch, it will definitely have a gunstock oil finish. But life is so busy that I barely have enough time to play, let alone build my own instruments. (Although it would be a fun experience.) Finding a commercially available bass with a gunstock neck is appealing. Thanks for the idea. Hmmm...

 

[SamJ]

That's an impressive pair of basses. The rosewood neck is cool because it's not something that you see every day. How do you find the one versus two pickup versions? I've not played a two pickup MM much. It's their single/bridge pickup sound that I have in my head and like so much.

I like the difference between the two.. the neck certainly "Feels" different with the more matte oil/wax finished back, but it also seems to lend to a more "woody" and darker tone... The HH pickups are interesting as well, they tend to provide a great variety of tone but what I find works best is to use the mid (all coils) position for that bass... for some reason in the single bridge PU mode, it seems to lack any depth, which is odd since it has the same pre-amp as the H version... both have the 3-band.

 

[JonW]

I like the difference between the two.. the neck certainly "Feels" different with the more matte oil/wax finished back, but it also seems to lend to a more "woody" and darker tone... The HH pickups are interesting as well, they tend to provide a great variety of tone but what I find works best is to use the mid (all coils) position for that bass... for some reason in the single bridge PU mode, it seems to lack any depth, which is odd since it has the same pre-amp as the H version... both have the 3-band.

Thanks for the thoughts. I really like the sound of the single coil Music Mans and Sterling. It's such a unique, aggressive thing that provides a great alternative and complement to the standard (and also nice) P and J sounds. I'll have to try out an HH flavor and see how that sounds.

 

[bdgreen88]

This is a great thread and nice to hear I'm not the only one who thought the little $300 bass sounded wicked sweet. I would even go so far as to say I thought the SUB Ray "cheapy" felt AND sounded better than the $1500 EBMM. I'm currently putting my Ibanez SR 1005EFM from '06 up for sale then headed to Guitar Center to grab me the $300 SBMM Sub Ray and a hard shell case, and maybe finally an Aguilar ToneHammer with the leftover cash

I, like many people, pre judge products by their price point. So nice to be blown away every once and a while.

 

[1954bassman]

Being a EBMM Sterling owner (I have a 5H and a 5HS) - I will only say this: If you honestly cannot tell much difference in the build quality, playability, or tone between the US models and the imports, then by all means, buy the import model. I also want to add USA G&L basses are found at very reasonable prices used. They are very high quality, but a completely different beast from a EBMM.

 

[Rickenbottom]

Yes you can beat the quality build of Musicman basses...I have two Classics...

 

[SamJ]

I would even go so far as to say I thought the SUB Ray "cheapy" felt AND sounded better than the $1500 EBMM.

Yeah.... I don't think so.

 

[bdgreen88]

Yeah.... I don't think so.

Eh, my opinion. The import was lighter which was a plus for me. Honestly I found the sound to be punchier. And in a mix, I truly believe 99.9% of people would never be able to tell which one was the "expensive" bass. Upgrade the electronics and even fewer. Sure if I had the money I'd buy the EBMM, I'm sure the quality in the long run is unbeatable and I reckon more importantly I could impress my buddies and keep up with the Jonses. But i can play the same songs, with the same ease, and sound just as well in a mix and take everyone out to dinner with the import.

 

[jessekeels]

just bought a SBMM SUB ray 4. I played it next to a ray34 at the store over and over and over and over again. switching back and forth and back and forth. I really couldn't see why i should have spent another $400 on the ray34.

That being said... The fit and finish, also overall build quality of the SUB ray4 is far inferior to the ray34. The tone controls don't turn very smoothly and the chrome just has the cheap look to it. I also find the sound is loud and unforgiving when slapping and playing hard, it seems to hear every little buzz.
From what I have read upgrading the preamp can remedy this issue; i'll be looking into it (anyone who knows anything about this should PM me ).

Great purchase for $300. I did'nt get to test a EBMM stingray or a G&L L-2000. I think the L2000 will be my next bass however

 

[pudgychef]

Used USA EBMM SUB Rays are always worth looking at (imho) for Stingray on a budget. Discontinued in '06 iirc..but are fairly available used.

They have the painted neck - so no gloss that the OP doesn't care for, 2-band EQ and were built at the Musciman factory in CA.

Good values and can be found in the classifieds here or on GCs used site for between what a SBMM Ray and Ray 34 go for.

 

[JonW]

This is a great thread and nice to hear I'm not the only one who thought the little $300 bass sounded wicked sweet. I would even go so far as to say I thought the SUB Ray "cheapy" felt AND sounded better than the $1500 EBMM. I'm currently putting my Ibanez SR 1005EFM from '06 up for sale then headed to Guitar Center to grab me the $300 SBMM Sub Ray and a hard shell case, and maybe finally an Aguilar ToneHammer with the leftover cash

I, like many people, pre judge products by their price point. So nice to be blown away every once and a while.

Being a EBMM Sterling owner (I have a 5H and a 5HS) - I will only say this: If you honestly cannot tell much difference in the build quality, playability, or tone between the US models and the imports, then by all means, buy the import model. I also want to add USA G&L basses are found at very reasonable prices used. They are very high quality, but a completely different beast from a EBMM.

Yeah.... I don't think so.

I'll split the difference between you guys. I preferred the aggressive, zingy sound of the cheaper SBMM bass to the more expensive EBMM bass. And for $28-320, it feels really, really nice. But I preferred the feel and general "Oh, that's nice" part of the EBMM. That's playing alone, in a store, and not with a band. If each one makes different people happy, I'm happy. Horses for courses and all that.

 

[JonW]

View attachment 580569 Yes you can beat the quality build of Musicman basses...I have two Classics...

Those are very, very nice looking basses. I am a fan of surf green. And that neck looks very pretty. Although the roasted maple necks that EBMM is making now look even more stunning. I haven't seen one in person yet. But roasted maple with a slick, gun stock oil finish... Mmmm.

Used USA EBMM SUB Rays are always worth looking at (imho) for Stingray on a budget. Discontinued in '06 iirc..but are fairly available used.

They have the painted neck - so no gloss that the OP doesn't care for, 2-band EQ and were built at the Musciman factory in CA.

Good values and can be found in the classifieds here or on GCs used site for between what a SBMM Ray and Ray 34 go for.

I've only read about those here at talkbass. Never seen one in person but would like to.

just bought a SBMM SUB ray 4. I played it next to a ray34 at the store over and over and over and over again. switching back and forth and back and forth. I really couldn't see why i should have spent another $400 on the ray34.

That being said... The fit and finish, also overall build quality of the SUB ray4 is far inferior to the ray34. The tone controls don't turn very smoothly and the chrome just has the cheap look to it. I also find the sound is loud and unforgiving when slapping and playing hard, it seems to hear every little buzz.
From what I have read upgrading the preamp can remedy this issue; i'll be looking into it (anyone who knows anything about this should PM me ).

Great purchase for $300. I did'nt get to test a EBMM stingray or a G&L L-2000. I think the L2000 will be my next bass however

Yeah, I'm with you. Super value for around $300. And I prefer the sound. But the other, more expensive models are put together at a higher level. Still, it's great to have different options for different people.

---
So my one bass (Danelectro '63 reissue) is having stability issues. I'm getting tempted to soon buy a "proper" bass. Maybe a Sub Ray 5. Or an L2500. Or a P bass. Or maybe make a plan to have one of each. That could be a nice grouping. Still thinking. No big hurry.

 

[tastybasslines]

Ah, a Sterling. Good idea for something to look into. If I understand it correctly, one of the big differences between a Stingway and a Sterling is that the Stringray has AlNiCo magnet pickups and the Sterlings have ceramics. The EBMM Stingray5 and the Sterling Ray35CA that I played had AlNiCo pickups and sounded good. But the Sterling Sub Ray4 and Ray5 that I preferred the sound of had ceramic pickups. If that's true, maybe the EBMM Sterling is a good way for me to go. Good idea.

Don't forget that a Sterling has a smaller nut, like jazz width.

Personally, I don't like the sound of ceramic pickups - I feel they sound too harsh for my liking. But they are great if you are a big slapper. I'm finger dub only so the Stingray was a MUCH better fit for me and I prefer the depth of the alnico magnets.