I'm considering purchasing a Sterling Ray34. I've borrowed an EBMM SUB a while ago and found the neck to be too chunky for my hands, as a Jazz Bass aficionado. Does anyone have experience with both basses, and can tell me something about the difference between the two?
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EBMM SUB vs Sterling Ray34 neck
- Thread starter BassAgent
- Start date
The Ray34 has a 43mm nut width, which is more or less the same as the now discontinued EBMM SUB. In fact it's even a tad wider than the EBMM StingRay Special at 42.86mm. If you find this too wide, the Ray34 may not be for you.
If you're in the market for a SBMM with a more Jazz-like neck, check out the Ray34CA and the Ray4, which are both 38mm at the nut.
Sorry, I mistyped. I meant the Ray24CA. No such thing as a Ray34CA.
Yeah I was also looking at the 24 in white, but that is very hard to get by here in NL, whereas the Ray34 is available in blue sparkle. And who wouldn't want a blue sparkle bass?
I bought a Ray4 when I was out of town for a while. As an avid Stingray player, the neck of the Ray4 feels pencil thin at the nut.
Yeah, I love my Ray34 but my biggest gripe would be the wide and chunky neck. It's nice and smooth but my hands get fatigued on it faster than even my MIM P bass.
Moving to lighter gauge roundwound strings (40-100) has helped.
The Ray4 has one of the best necks honestly. I liked it even more than my actual EBMM Stingray (2008).
Moving to lighter gauge roundwound strings (40-100) has helped.
The Ray4 has one of the best necks honestly. I liked it even more than my actual EBMM Stingray (2008).
Im sitting here looking at a Ray34CA and I love its 38mm neck. It’s my favorite Ray of any kind, from any country.Sorry, I mistyped. I meant the Ray24CA. No such thing as a Ray34CA.
No longer made and somewhat hard to find, but they do exist
Then you have to decide what’s most important to you - how the bass looks, or how it feels. I love a cool-looking bass, but if it’s uncomfortable to play, it’s a waste of money IMHO, unless you can manage to get used to it.
I stand corrected - again.Im sitting here looking at a Ray34CA and I love its 38mm neck. It’s my favorite Ray of any kind, from any country.
No longer made and somewhat hard to find, but they do exist
Seeing your thread a little late - I have a EBMM SUB USA in black and a SBMM Ray 34 in natural ash.
The necks are similar in width. The SUB is a little thinner front to back, but not much.
I find them both pretty easy to play.
I grew up on Jazz bass necks and never really liked fat or wide necks until pretty recently.
The Ray 34 and USA SUB necks are both nice. I like the satin finish on the Ray 34 more than the black painted one on the USA SUB.
The necks are similar in width. The SUB is a little thinner front to back, but not much.
I find them both pretty easy to play.
I grew up on Jazz bass necks and never really liked fat or wide necks until pretty recently.
The Ray 34 and USA SUB necks are both nice. I like the satin finish on the Ray 34 more than the black painted one on the USA SUB.
Thanks! Can't wait to feel the sparkly goodness on this sterling.
Oh by the way: I already have a Sterling with a custom built fretless neck on it. That is also originally a Ray34CA:Then you have to decide what’s most important to you - how the bass looks, or how it feels. I love a cool-looking bass, but if it’s uncomfortable to play, it’s a waste of money IMHO, unless you can manage to get used to it.
I stand corrected - again.
My personal experience: First 'real' bass was a 70s P with a 44mm nut that was a real challenge for a 13 year old, but I played it for 10 years before trading up for a Spector NS-2A with a 38mm nut. Whoa. The second I picked it up I knew it was the bass for me. So fast and easy to get around! Recently picked up a Sterling Ray34 (Sassafras) to try out as a 2nd bass / daily driver, and I definitely notice the extra neck width. Kind of like warming up with a weighted bat, it makes the Spector feel incredible when I switch back. Getting used to it, though, and it does have great tone and feel.
I have a Ray4 and a USA SUB. The Ray4 has a narrower neck, the same as a jazz. The SUB neck is not bad. I have no issue swapping between them.
Ive found that the necks on the Sterlings are not consistent. The Ray4's and Ray 24's are both 38mm but the thickness varies quite a bit.
I tried to PM you but your account doesn’t accept PMs. I may be able to help you..:
Getting a Ray24 to the NL. I have one for sale and I don't mind doing the legwork to see if shipping to you is feasible and worth the cost.With what, exactly?
PM me if interested. If not, no worries.
