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Heavy Sterling Ray34 should I sell?
- Thread starter ics1974
- Start date
I've sold basses cause they were just uncomfortable to gig. I had an awesome spector euro but it was 12.6 lbs so I sold it. I've got a G&L Tribute L2500 right now I'm gonna sell cause it's really heavy and at 3-4 hour gigs it gets uncomfortable (coincidentally I replaced it as my backup bass with a 9 lb Ray35 
). The G&L sounds awesome but it's gonna sit so time to move it along.
You could keep it for recording, short gigs, and as a backup. That gives you a reason to buy a second, lighter, but equally awesome bass... win-win
). The G&L sounds awesome but it's gonna sit so time to move it along. You could keep it for recording, short gigs, and as a backup. That gives you a reason to buy a second, lighter, but equally awesome bass... win-win
Pff. If you're posting here, you know the answer. Sell the thing and move on. It's never going to get lighter, and amazing tone & sustain isn't exactly a mystery formula. Put in the 10-20 hours of research it takes to settle on a replacement and get it done.
If you're buying used/online, ask everyone to weigh the bass. The best way to get an accurate weight is to have them weigh themselves with the bass, then weigh themselves without it, and subtract the difference. Weighing the bass by itself can lead to false readings and you don't want to accidentally get something 2 pounds heavier than what you expected. If they won't weigh it, don't buy it.
If you're buying used/online, ask everyone to weigh the bass. The best way to get an accurate weight is to have them weigh themselves with the bass, then weigh themselves without it, and subtract the difference. Weighing the bass by itself can lead to false readings and you don't want to accidentally get something 2 pounds heavier than what you expected. If they won't weigh it, don't buy it.
I recently went through this exact dilemma.. I came to the conclusion that now was a better time to sell than later.
Modern gear (amps and basses) is so much more ergonomic, efficient, and lighter weight.
No one wants anything heavy now and I imagine that trend will only grow stronger. Look at 8x10s!? People dropped $$$$ on those and are now losing pretty much all of that. I bought a like new Ampeg 8x10 10 years ago for $400, I sold it for $350 a few years later..
Modern gear (amps and basses) is so much more ergonomic, efficient, and lighter weight.
No one wants anything heavy now and I imagine that trend will only grow stronger. Look at 8x10s!? People dropped $$$$ on those and are now losing pretty much all of that. I bought a like new Ampeg 8x10 10 years ago for $400, I sold it for $350 a few years later..
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
I used to immediately put up for sale any bass that was too heavy to play comfortably on stage.
But now, with gigs just barely making a comeback, my thinking is different. I do a lot of recording, so if it's heavy but records like a mother, I'll keep it. I have two or three "sit down" basses due to weight. I don't gig them but they make bass tracks do good stuff.
I have a Mike Dirnt P that feels like a grand piano around my neck but sits just fabulously in almost any mix. It's a keeper.
So it depends on what you do most often, I'd say. 4 hour gigs? Probably sell it. Sitting in a chair, recording or playing along with the intertubes? I'd keep it if it sounds that good.
YMMV, etc.
But now, with gigs just barely making a comeback, my thinking is different. I do a lot of recording, so if it's heavy but records like a mother, I'll keep it. I have two or three "sit down" basses due to weight. I don't gig them but they make bass tracks do good stuff.
I have a Mike Dirnt P that feels like a grand piano around my neck but sits just fabulously in almost any mix. It's a keeper.
So it depends on what you do most often, I'd say. 4 hour gigs? Probably sell it. Sitting in a chair, recording or playing along with the intertubes? I'd keep it if it sounds that good.
YMMV, etc.
That is pretty dang heavy, my Ray34 comes in at 9.6lbs. Also, as far as I know and at least pre 2018 they used regular ash, not swamp ash in the SBMM basses. Anyway, between the comfort strap and maybe some strength training you could probably make it work.
I was pretty much going to say the same thing. If it's your gigging bass and you play long gigs, sell it. If you record and practice stitting down and have another lighter bass to gig with, you should consider keeping it.
I have sold at least 3 basses because of weight. Two were EBMM's.
I bought a Ray34 3 or 4 years ago and ended up selling it last year.
It was heavier than I wanted to use for a full night gig and it wasn't going to be one that I switched out to for a couple of songs so decided it could go.
I have a Lakland 55-01 that I'm starting to go in the same direction on - it's quite heavy and I'm not doing much that needs a low B so it may go as well.
If I want to play a somewhat heavy not comfortable bass that's what I have my Rick 4003 for
It was heavier than I wanted to use for a full night gig and it wasn't going to be one that I switched out to for a couple of songs so decided it could go.
I have a Lakland 55-01 that I'm starting to go in the same direction on - it's quite heavy and I'm not doing much that needs a low B so it may go as well.
If I want to play a somewhat heavy not comfortable bass that's what I have my Rick 4003 for
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I use to play a Peavey T40 at 12 pounds on the nose. I'm 60 this year. Now I make my own basses from parts and I couldn't be happier. 6.6lbs, 6.5 and my fav....6.1 all p basses. I gig a lot and don't need or want heavy anymore. Hell I even sold my favorite bass a 77 Fender Precision because it was an 11 pounder. I'm not sentimental. If its not exactly what I like its down the road. We are not getting any younger and that bass wont get any lighter.
I haven't weighed my Ray34, but I'm sure it's over 10 lbs. Not sure about over 11. But it sounds like a monster and it's gorgeous. The roasted maple feels great to play, and hard slides on the E string makes a growl like there's a tiger in the room. So I cannot see myself ever letting go of it. However, I've got a nice wide strap and mostly don't have shoulder/back problems (don't ask about my knees, though) so I could certainly see someone else not keeping it. YMMV.
I don't know man, I have a 1980 J that weighs 12 lbs. and RIPS.
At 11.4, for me that would depend. If the tone was stellar, I would probably keep it but not take it to gigs. (I know, I know...) Something like that could have an excellent use as a recording axe (like my 1980 J).
Guess I got lucky. I got a Ray34 HH a couple months ago and it's the lightest bass I have right at 9lbs. I heard they could be heavy so I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this one out.
So yeah, I would sell it.
So yeah, I would sell it.
My Ray34 was around 9lb and it sounded great. That's quite a difference in weight from the one you have.
I would recommend going to a store and trying out their Ray34s if they have them, compare the weight to yours and see if they have one that sounds equally as good but is lighter.
Ray34s I've owned or tried at various stores have been pretty consistent in quality and in terms of attributes such as sustain, so I don't think you'll lose that if and when you find a lighter one. However, I would recommend you find a possible replacement first before you sell that heavy one you already have.
I would recommend going to a store and trying out their Ray34s if they have them, compare the weight to yours and see if they have one that sounds equally as good but is lighter.
Ray34s I've owned or tried at various stores have been pretty consistent in quality and in terms of attributes such as sustain, so I don't think you'll lose that if and when you find a lighter one. However, I would recommend you find a possible replacement first before you sell that heavy one you already have.
If you're 35 or younger, keep it.
If you're older than that, sell it immediately!!!
Honestly, at 67 I wouldn't even play it sitting down.
If you're older than that, sell it immediately!!!
Honestly, at 67 I wouldn't even play it sitting down.
I love how there is a so-called toughness regarding slinging a heavy bass. The crowd must be so impressed with your rock solid traps! In all seriousness, if you have to ask, then it’s probably not the one. Why settle?
Could you perhaps get a body made for it that is more in line with what you like weight-wise?
I'd hesitate to let go something amazing.
I'd hesitate to let go something amazing.
Is that all? My Les Paul weighs just under 12 lbs. And it's smaller.
Kids these days...
Yes, I would and I have... but it's hard when it is a good bass.
However, I would wait until I found a suitable substitute.
