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MY impression of a Ray35...

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by eastcoasteddie, Jul 20, 2009.

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  1. Jul 20, 2009 #1
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    I happen to go to GC on 14th Street in NYC. They have a much better selection of basses than the Queens store has, I was amazed.

    I happen to try out a satin black on black Sterling 5HH. Absolutely amazing. The neck is PERFECT. The sounds you get out of it are incredible. If I were to get a new 5-string for $1800 this would be it.

    So on to the main subject. I picked up what looked like a black SR5, happened to be a Ray35 instead. Oooh, I forgot about these!!!!
    To me, it felt as though I picked up a MIM Fender. Felt exactly the same. I can IMMEDIATELY tell the difference between the $1800 Sterling5 and the Ray35. Sounded kind of tame as well. It did have that Stingray tone, but not as powerful. A good copy, though.
    Don't believe Ed Friedland when he says it feels and sounds exactly like the original. It only looks like it.
     
  2. Jul 20, 2009 #2
    LightGroove

    LightGroove

    Oct 24, 2006
    Happy Bottom, VA
    So your saying in a blindfolded test you could tell the basses apart by tone and feel??

    I highly doubt it..:rollno:

    Thanks for your thoughts however
     
  3. Jul 20, 2009 #3
    Flatty Banks

    Flatty Banks

    Oct 26, 2008
    California
    Ed Friedland, he betrayed all of us. :(
     
  4. Jul 20, 2009 #4
    LCW

    LCW Inactive

    Mar 2, 2009
    OREGON!
    I want a ray 4 string

    for 600$ i could get the ray34 BUT for 800$ i could get a used stringray in good shape, of course all go with the real ray.
     
  5. Jul 20, 2009 #5
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    Yes I can.
    Try it yourself, you'll see.:eek:
     
  6. Jul 20, 2009 #6
    king_biscuit

    king_biscuit

    May 21, 2006
    US
    Why are you surprised that there is a difference? They are two completely different price points. I for one hope that the cheaper imports are not exactly the same as my much more expensive American made models.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2009 #7
    w33nie

    w33nie

    Jan 27, 2008
    Aren't the Sterlings supposed to have a finish on the neck, and the music mans have unfinished necks?
     
  8. Jul 20, 2009 #8
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    The Sterling Ray35 I picked up had a finish on the headstock, but the neck itself was sanded smooth.
     
  9. Jul 20, 2009 #9
    LightGroove

    LightGroove

    Oct 24, 2006
    Happy Bottom, VA
    I wouldn't say I'm remotely surprised. I find it humorous however for some reason by a simple sticker you can hear a tonal difference.I can bet money that blindfolded you coudn't .There are threads that several people have done sound tests over various basses and no one can tell the difference.

    Just kills me...

    These basses have been bashed since said go...as if there is a holier than thou attitude toward the original.

    If all you can swing is 600 bones your getting a solid bass that sounds identical.
     
  10. Jul 20, 2009 #10
    bassist4dalord

    bassist4dalord

    Dec 13, 2007
    SW Missouri

    +1. I have a Squier Affinity Jazz V that cost $160, and nobody can tell the difference in sound of a Fender Jazz V (MIM, at least.) Honestly, I'm kinda sick of gear snobs who see Squier and judge it right off the bat. Just my $.02 :bag:
     
  11. Jul 20, 2009 #11
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    Dude, if you CAN'T tell the difference between a $600 bass and an $1800 bass just by how it plays and feels, I feel sorry for your wallet.

    That means that no matter what, an OLP, a Sterling by EB and the original itself, ALL FEEL, SOUND AND PLAY THE SAME by your standards.
    Then heck, why bother producing all these? Just make one and sell it for $300, they're all the same and NO ONE can tell the difference?
    **gga, please!

    Maybe I just have a better awareness to some things than others...?
    Not all people are dullards with their senses of touch and hearing...:rollno:

    And in all actually, when I picked it up I thought it was a an original Stingray 5. When I started playing, I knew something felt strange and I looked at it more closely. $635? what's wrong with this one??? Oh it's a Ray 35, no wonder.
     
  12. Jul 20, 2009 #12
    king_biscuit

    king_biscuit

    May 21, 2006
    US
    Light, have you actually played one of the new EB imports?
     
  13. Jul 20, 2009 #13
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    Whose a snob?
    I owned 2 Squiers and loved them both. Sold them to thin the herd.

    So there.:spit:

    All I'm saying is that a Ray35 is NOT exactly the same as a StingRay5. It's a cheaper copy and you can tell the difference.
    When did I EVER say anything bad about it???????????
     
  14. Jul 20, 2009 #14
    thudfromafar

    thudfromafar Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 2007
    Chicago
    hey bud dont freak out too much, i believe you at least. there is always a lot of hype over new products. people are always saying their new $200 equipment is as good as their old $2000 equipment, but i have rarely ever found that to be true.
     
  15. Jul 20, 2009 #15
    snaverb

    snaverb

    Feb 19, 2007
    Atlanta, Ga
    How?
     
  16. Jul 20, 2009 #16
    LilRay

    LilRay Commercial User

    Dec 27, 2007
    Between my Roscoe and Leather
    Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
    +1
    Where's Ed fit in this?


    God Bless, Ray
     
  17. Jul 20, 2009 #17
    laneline

    laneline Supporting Member

    Aug 18, 2006
    North Jersey
    Not Possible
     
  18. Jul 20, 2009 #18
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    Sarcasm: Lost on the Internet.
     
  19. Jul 20, 2009 #19
    Pickebass

    Pickebass Supporting Member

    Jul 12, 2004
    San Antonio, TX
    For the money, the Ray is not a bad bass. Get's you as close as anything to the classic sound. The build quality is good, but it is not the same as the regular stingray. What else can you get in that price range that can get that sound??
     
  20. Jul 20, 2009 #20
    allexcosta

    allexcosta

    Apr 7, 2004
    I tested both side by side for 40 minutes. Tone was VERY, VERY close but feel and finish was not.
     
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