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My Ray 35 Just Arrived...
- Thread starter BassMaster4s
- Start date
So the bass sounds and feels like the American Sting Ray, does the B string on the Ray35 sound and feel like the American Sting Ray?
My understanding is that the ray35's use all the same parts/hardware are the MIA stingrays so I would think it would be the same. Mine came with the same Ernie Ball strings that the stingrays come with as well. I don't have a MIA stingray to A/B though.
What's funny is yesterday I was committed to buying the exact same Ray 35... Walked out with a Stingray 5. The quality is VERY close. The only real difference for me between the two was the preamp which isn't quite the same (the Ray 35 still sounds great!) and the Ray35 was a little heavier.... and I got a KILLER deal on the Stingray 5 that I couldn't pass up
I don't have a stingray 5 to comment on the B string comparison. What I can tell you is that the B sting is very playable, and not at all floppy, even when playing in half-step tuning.
My favorite local store got some more SBMM basses in today including a honeyburst Ray35 with a painted headstock! This bass is seriously gorgeous! I mean it looks as good as any painted headstock MIA SR5 I have ever seen. The only giveaway is the neck wood. American basses seem to have a different grain, but I am going to get a Ray35 or a SB14 (Sterling) it is only a question of when, not if.
Dr. Cheese...I'm with ya..fighting this Gas off hard.. Aren't the SB14's basswood though? I'd think the ash would be the way to go.
Oh there's a few of these popping up on the bay now...combine the price plus 8% cashback (live.com) which could be another $30-40 man am I itchin...someone buy the color I want so this will pass.
Oh there's a few of these popping up on the bay now...combine the price plus 8% cashback (live.com) which could be another $30-40 man am I itchin...someone buy the color I want so this will pass.
I thought the main point in using basswood was the lighter weight? (other than it's cheap and doesn't look so hot maybe?) The new SB14's definitely aren't light.
Soundclips! Why are there no soundclips?! GAAH!
BassMaster4s:
Please post one soundclip with the SBMM, and one with the real 'Ray. That would be awesome.
BassMaster4s:
Please post one soundclip with the SBMM, and one with the real 'Ray. That would be awesome.
I may try to post some next week. If I get a Ray35,that is!
Yeah please do! I'm having the worst GAS ever (not from my butt)
I've had my Ray34 for a couple of months now and I love it. It is such a great bass for the price.
I was at our local guitar center last weekend and played a regular Stingray and it was VERY close to my Ray34. The USA version was a touch lighter, has a different nut, and the tuners seem a little better (not that the tuners on the Ray34 are bad). I'm sure the Ray35's are just as good.
I purchased my Ray34 from The Perfect Bass and they offer Talkbass discounts as well as other discounts fairly often, so I was able to get 10% off the regular Ray34 price. They also post the exact bass on their website along with the weight so you have a little better idea of what you are getting as opposed to some of the other sites. I have no affiliation with The Perfect Bass, but I did a lot of research and had a good experience with them so I thought I would pass this info along.
I was at our local guitar center last weekend and played a regular Stingray and it was VERY close to my Ray34. The USA version was a touch lighter, has a different nut, and the tuners seem a little better (not that the tuners on the Ray34 are bad). I'm sure the Ray35's are just as good.
I purchased my Ray34 from The Perfect Bass and they offer Talkbass discounts as well as other discounts fairly often, so I was able to get 10% off the regular Ray34 price. They also post the exact bass on their website along with the weight so you have a little better idea of what you are getting as opposed to some of the other sites. I have no affiliation with The Perfect Bass, but I did a lot of research and had a good experience with them so I thought I would pass this info along.
Unfortunately I live in Sweden, so I don't know how shipping would work. I'm searching their site right now for international shipping, but haven't found much. It would be great if I could order from them instead of Thomann, since SBMM's in Europe is more than twice the price than in the US.
Local store is getting a Honeyburst/Rosewood/Matching headstock Ray 5 in this week. Maybe today. I plan to play it and "audition" it for my 2nd/backup bass.
Your pics are beautiful. I'm anxious to try it. I also love the "real" Sterling single H for sale in the TB Classifieds.
Your pics are beautiful. I'm anxious to try it. I also love the "real" Sterling single H for sale in the TB Classifieds.
My favorite local store got some more SBMM basses in today including a honeyburst Ray35 with a painted headstock! This bass is seriously gorgeous! I mean it looks as good as any painted headstock MIA SR5 I have ever seen. The only giveaway is the neck wood. American basses seem to have a different grain, but I am going to get a Ray35 or a SB14 (Sterling) it is only a question of when, not if.
I played the HB Ray 35 today. I'm going back tomorrow and may buy it. We'll see. My Yamaha is waiting for a new nut. The Ray 35 would be a great back up/2nd bass. The options for a cheap 34" 5 aren't all that many. Used G&L, MM, Carvin. The Ray 35 is as good as any of those I think - and I've owned all of them.
The SB14 is OK. The Ray 34 was nicer. All 3 are VERY nice basses. The Honeyburst with matching headstock is very nice looking. Very.
I am also going to get a GB 6.0-12T combo and sell my Max 12. It's just too much head for me. The Combo will work better, I like having the head in the cradle and I'll have my current 12T cab for an extension.
I've had my Ray35 a bit over two weeks. It really provides both the Stingray tone and feel for a fraction of the cost. Having looked it over, the differences between it and a USA SR5 are that the Ray35 does not have a compensated nut, a different finish, and different tuners. The components in the pickups come from the USA, but the pickup is assembled in Indonesia. I think the preamp is different but it definitely provides the same sort of tone.
The Ray35 is certainly the equal of a 55-02 or Tribute L-2500. Frankly, unless you just have the extra coin, or you really want a special finish, or the two pickup models, I think the Ray35 makes more sense financially than a SR5. I say this as a man who has owned four SR5s, both H and HH.
The Ray35 is certainly the equal of a 55-02 or Tribute L-2500. Frankly, unless you just have the extra coin, or you really want a special finish, or the two pickup models, I think the Ray35 makes more sense financially than a SR5. I say this as a man who has owned four SR5s, both H and HH.
+1
I've had 2 Bongos, and 4 US Stingrays and the finish, playability and tone of these SBMM instruments is about 97% identical. I actually think the electronics on the SBMM sound a touch darker which is what I actually prefer tone wise. I'm thinking about collecting all 3 models. I already have the Ray 35 but have been contemplating getting the SB14 and the Ray 34. These really are great basses! Only downside to me is the gig bags aren't two good. I bought a nicer ProTec Contego bag for mine. But what can you expect at this price point?
+1
I've found very very little to be picky about with my Ray35. Love the sound and the playability and feel. Put a set of TI Flats on it last week and i'm even more in love with it.
