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im super stuck! (Ray34 vs Lakie 44-01)

ghostjs

ghostjs

Aug 14, 2008
925
3
33
ghostjs
Disclosures
Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
#1
ok so im tired of my Fender Jazz (i dont want to sell it...)

and im looking for an active bass and i love the tone that the stingray brings out.

so my price range was around the $700 area and i narrowed down my decisions to the SBMM Ray34 and the Lakland 44-01. I hear a lot of things about Lakland that were great and i do like all the tonal options but i like the looks a bit more on the Stingray.

The only think that will make me get a Lakland 44-01 for sure would be if it can mimic a Stingray tone (like all punchy and thick).

i need a bass that can do a lot with my budget and im leaning for a Lakland... but i always loved the look and sound of the Stingray... so...

HELP!!!!!!!!
 
#2
Never tried the Ray34, but I do have a 44-01. Money well spent, I can tell you that much...I absolutely love it. :)

Also, I think you should head to your nearby guitar store and try them both out. That's probably the best way to find out which one is right for YOU.
 
#9
Yeah, I searched for a good used Stingray for a while and couldn't find what I wanted...or maybe I just wasn't patient enough. I ended up getting a Ray34 and it is a great bass.

I haven't played an original Stingray to compare the tones accurately to the Ray34, but I have checked the original Stingray out at our local GC and it is VERY close to the Ray34 in terms of construction.
 
#12
FWIW, You might want to add the SB14 to your shortlist.
Neck profile is closer to the Jazz... with a sound that's in the same ballpark (perhaps even more aggressive than the Ray)

IMO, the 44-01 has more of a modern "finess" sound than a vintage/classic sound.

Build quality is very good on both the Skylines and Sterling By MusicMan basses.
If you've got a GC nearby... you really need to go play both.
 
#13
i would do that if my stores offered Lakland. i had to go all the way from florida to chicago to try a Lakland... i can only test the Ray34's and i never played a 44-01
 
#15
ghostjs said:
i would do that if my stores offered Lakland. i had to go all the way from florida to chicago to try a Lakland... i can only test the Ray34's and i never played a 44-01
Click to expand...

Don't know where in Florida you are but, I'm in the Tampa/Clearwater area of Florida. Every Sam Ash I've been to has at least one 44-01 on the wall. Bass Central in Orlando also carries Lakland.
 
#19
I'm a huge fan of the -01 series laklands. However, if it's the stingray sound you want, you should go with the Ray. I own an 55-01, and it's a very versatile bass, but if you want the Ray sound, then I think a Sterling series Ray will get you the closest in your pricerange.
 

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