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My Ray 35 Just Arrived...

#61
Off topic: EBMM should have worked harder when it came to descrbing Stingray features. Frankly, every time I read "compensated nut," I think about Hugh Grant or a number of raunchy politicians!:D

I am getting ready to go play my Ray35 in church.:hiding: I guess I need to get those naughty thoughts out ahead of time.:ninja:
 
#62
this would look bad ass
ray 35 with new knobs/ pickguard

abalonemusicman.png
 
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#63
A WEALTH of information here about the RAY 35.. Im Broke and totally jonesing for a StingRay5 right now.....

If I purchase a Ray35, I dont want to have that nagging feeling like Im selling myself short, but it seems from what Im reading that wouldnt be the case.....

Time will tell... Wait an extra 4 months or more to save for the SR5, or just go with the Ray35..

UGH!
 
#64
They are very nice. The treble seems a little harsh to my ear, but all-in-a a nice bass. I didn't have the chance to do a side-by-side with a "real" Stingray 5, but it sounds very close. The neck feels REALLY nice I think. Better - to me - than the real thing I played a few months ago, but who knows, I can't remember what I had for lunch.

I think that while these "overseas" editions of basses - Lakland Skyline, G&L Tribute, Ray, etc. - do a nice job of "impersonating" the USA counterparts, and can save you a lot of money, you shouldn't overlook that they are just nice basses on their own merit. You can think of it as a budget Stingray, or as just a nice bass itself - that just happens to have a "Stingray-esqu" sound. Kind of like modeling - Pod's or whatever. Yeah, they are going for a certain sound, but you know, they sound nice when you make up your own "patch" as well.

I have played the Ray35 at the local dealer a couple times and am very tempted. I'm also tempted by $2,500 Roscoe's. But reality is, I need to keep my bass inventory down to a couple, and they need to be "budget" basses. Thank goodness that the term "budget" bass means something COMPLETELY different today than it did even 5 years ago, let alone 30 years ago when I started playing.
 
#65
SteveC said:
They are very nice. The treble seems a little harsh to my ear, but all-in-a a nice bass. I didn't have the chance to do a side-by-side with a "real" Stingray 5, but it sounds very close. The neck feels REALLY nice I think. Better - to me - than the real thing I played a few months ago, but who knows, I can't remember what I had for lunch.

I think that while these "overseas" editions of basses - Lakland Skyline, G&L Tribute, Ray, etc. - do a nice job of "impersonating" the USA counterparts, and can save you a lot of money, you shouldn't overlook that they are just nice basses on their own merit. You can think of it as a budget Stingray, or as just a nice bass itself - that just happens to have a "Stingray-esqu" sound. Kind of like modeling - Pod's or whatever. Yeah, they are going for a certain sound, but you know, they sound nice when you make up your own "patch" as well.

I have played the Ray35 at the local dealer a couple times and am very tempted. I'm also tempted by $2,500 Roscoe's. But reality is, I need to keep my bass inventory down to a couple, and they need to be "budget" basses. Thank goodness that the term "budget" bass means something COMPLETELY different today than it did even 5 years ago, let alone 30 years ago when I started playing.
Click to expand...

+100 to everything you posted. the Ray35 does have a slightly more shrill or harsh high end than a MIA SR5. I have A/B'ed mine with three American SR5s, and all of the American models have a more mellow top end. The beauty is that it is possible to turn down the treble!!!:D[/B]
I have said before that the Ray35 is a very nice bass on its own merits. The exact same bass made in America would easily cost $1,000-$1,200, in other words, the price would be so close the original, it would make no sense to build it here. For those who remember, that was why the SUB series have plank style bodies and inexpensive flat colored finishes.

This bass is so good that it really makes sense to hold on to it until one's money is truly straight for a really high end bass if that is something you want to do. if you are not bitten by the high end bug, just play it and enjoy!:bassist:
 
#66
I was specifically looking for a 34" 17-18mm spacing Musicman type bridge humbucker bass and as this is a backup bass I was not wanting to drop $1500+/- on a real musicman. After all the searching I ended up going with the Ray35 and honestly could not be happier.
 
#69
Hippos Melas said:
What is the name of that color of that pickguard? I'm contemplating ordering a RAY35 this summer and that would be a fantastic upgrade to the bass for sure.
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I'm pretty sure that color is is "Black Abalone."
stflbn said:
Problem is... the Ray35 pickup is a different shape than a standard Stingray (Different ear tabs on the top). I've found no real word from anyone 'yet' regarding how a standard SR5 pickguard will fit on a Ray35.
Click to expand...
If it were me, I'd just send the original to Tony at www.pickguardian.com and let him craft a replacement. He does great work with a very quick turnaround.
 
#70
Dr. Cheese said:
+100 to everything you posted. the Ray35 does have a slightly more shrill or harsh high end than a MIA SR5. I have A/B'ed mine with three American SR5s, and all of the American models have a more mellow top end. The beauty is that it is possible to turn down the treble!!!:D[/B]
I have said before that the Ray35 is a very nice bass on its own merits. The exact same bass made in America would easily cost $1,000-$1,200, in other words, the price would be so close the original, it would make no sense to build it here. For those who remember, that was why the SUB series have plank style bodies and inexpensive flat colored finishes.

This bass is so good that it really makes sense to hold on to it until one's money is truly straight for a really high end bass if that is something you want to do. if you are not bitten by the high end bug, just play it and enjoy!:bassist:
Click to expand...

Yep, I did roll off the treble just a touch and it was pretty nice. :bassist:

As far as the high end bug, you know how it is. :hmm: I will always be drawn to them, but I feel the need to be practical as well.

I hope my posts about this bass are not negative or deterring to people. It's a great bass and one I am very tempted to purchase.
 
#71
SteveC said:
Yep, I did roll off the treble just a touch and it was pretty nice. :bassist:

As far as the high end bug, you know how it is. :hmm: I will always be drawn to them, but I feel the need to be practical as well.

I hope my posts about this bass are not negative or deterring to people. It's a great bass and one I am very tempted to purchase.
Click to expand...

Steve, you are on the right track.;) A really big part of controlling GAS is knowing that you will never overcome it. Every time you log on, you will see basses, you would love to own. Accept that, and deal with it. To me, the goal is to buy basses you genuinely like, that will help you meet your needs as a player, understanding that other basses will continue to be tempting. My theory is that after a while, you begin to understand what you like, and why you bought what you bought. Once you understand that, hopefully, you can apply logic to GAS, and keep it at bay.:ninja:

BTW, the Ray35 is a great option for those who love the Stingray tone, feel, and look.:bassist:
 
#72
Dr. Cheese said:
Steve, you are on the right track.;) A really big part of controlling GAS is knowing that you will never overcome it. Every time you log on, you will see basses, you would love to own. Accept that, and deal with it. To me, the goal is to buy basses you genuinely like, that will help you meet your needs as a player, understanding that other basses will continue to be tempting. My theory is that after a while, you begin to understand what you like, and why you bought what you bought. Once you understand that, hopefully, you can apply logic to GAS, and keep it at bay.:ninja:
Click to expand...

This is my quest. :bassist:
 
#74
Dr. Cheese said:
Steve, you are on the right track.;) A really big part of controlling GAS is knowing that you will never overcome it. Every time you log on, you will see basses, you would love to own. Accept that, and deal with it. To me, the goal is to buy basses you genuinely like, that will help you meet your needs as a player, understanding that other basses will continue to be tempting. My theory is that after a while, you begin to understand what you like, and why you bought what you bought. Once you understand that, hopefully, you can apply logic to GAS, and keep it at bay.:ninja:

BTW, the Ray35 is a great option for those who love the Stingray tone, feel, and look.:bassist:
Click to expand...

Very well said!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
 
#76
stflbn said:
Problem is... the Ray35 pickup is a different shape than a standard Stingray (Different ear tabs on the top). I've found no real word from anyone 'yet' regarding how a standard SR5 pickguard will fit on a Ray35.
Click to expand...

are you sure the top ear tabs are different on the Ray35?


Here's a pic of BassMasters Ray35
Link Removed


Here's a pic of my MIA SR5
stingray20body.jpg


the top tabs look very similar, but I dunno if they're the exact same size or not.

EDIT: well those pics are way smaller than I anticipated.......nevertheless, when the pics are bigger, they look very similar, almost the same.
 
#77
I joined the club. Pulled the trigger on a HB/Rosewood Ray 35 today. Put on some EB Super Slinky's - man did that help. I'm taking it to church tomorrow - I'll have to sit as the store was out of StrapLocs. I did the tone. Very different from my Yamaha/Jazz pup/Bart bass. That's good.
 
#78
SteveC said:
I joined the club. Pulled the trigger on a HB/Rosewood Ray 35 today. Put on some EB Super Slinky's - man did that help. I'm taking it to church tomorrow - I'll have to sit as the store was out of StrapLocs. I did the tone. Very different from my Yamaha/Jazz pup/Bart bass. That's good.
Click to expand...

Congrats! That Ray35 will do everything except break the bank!:D
 
#80
I A/B'd a Ray35 with my '01 EBMM Stingray 5 a few weeks ago. Thought they were pretty close. Looks were fine all round, -oh BTW the store's Ray35 had a new set of EB Slinky's on it. As my Stingray did.
Thought my USA 'Ray5 was a bit fatter in the ass end, & even over all the strings, FAR more punchy overall, & as stated less harsh in the top end- which surely CAN be adjusted out. But a smoooother top end couldn't be adjusted IN!!!
They BOTH seemed very similar in weight. The ASH finish on my Trans finish Stingray5 was WAY nicer than the trans burst Ray35. Or more precisely- the grain in the wood UNDER the finish- was far nicer in the Stingray5.
My overall opinion- after being a Stingray 5 owner/lover since about '04 - The Ray35's definately worth a look see. IN Aus they aint so cheap- sure are less than the real deals, but as stated above- one can get a 2nd hand Stingray for the same price or LESS even here. I reckon I'd go for a USA made one- Just seemed more "complete" to me. A nicer top end, punchier all thru, & a fatter bottom end were my reasons.
ALL IMO & just what I found while doing a (pretty LOUD) instore demo or A/B. uckily I know the store owners & they let me crank 'em BOTH outta a few amps & cabs.
Used thru an ASHDOWN ABM EVO > Ashdown 810, Ibanez Promethean 1x10 combo, A hartke LH500 > Hartke 410 & MY own LMII & berg AE112
 

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