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NBD! Black & tan edition, kicks ash...

SunByrne

SunByrne

trained monkey
Supporting Member
Aug 29, 2019
2,277
6,296
Pearland, TX
#1
SBMM Ray34 Ash.

I've been GASing for one of these since I saw someone post a picture from this year's NAMM. Have wanted a Stingray-style bass for a while, and I Just love the transparent black so you can see the grain of the wood. I'm not usually a fan of maple fretboards, but the roasted maple just gives it the right amount of color to go with the black.

full_front.jpg


Man, I love how it looks. It's even better in person.

Setup is pretty good right out of the box, very low action but A and E strings are a bit buzzy, will have to tinker with that a bit. Didn't want to play it too much before it gets acclimated to being back in air conditioning (hot and humid like crazy here these days), but I did play a little. Roasted neck and fretboard feel AMAZING. Ferocious Stingray tone.

back_center.jpg


I wasn't going to order one until a little later this summer but then I noticed that all the big retailers (e.g., GC, Zzounds, Sam Ash) were out of them, saying probably not until September. Went on Reverb, found a total of 3 new ones in stock, so I decided to pull the trigger a little early.

Lots of pics, peruse away...

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#5
Ahh. Yup. Almost fell down this hole too. Saw this baby at my local GC (after lining up outside for 20 mins in 100° weather)– I was about ready to trade in my prized Fender PJ for one. I was incredibly surprised how well the SBMM Ray34 off the wall played.
 
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#6
Tubehed said:
Beautiful! Love the clear PG so you see more of the wood.
Click to expand...

For sure. There are some colors where I don't like the oval pickguard, but clear with this finish? Totally works.


P Cheen said:
Ahh. Yup. Almost fell down this hole too. Saw this baby at my local GC (after lining up outside for 20 mins in 100° weather)– I was about ready to trade in my prized Fender PJ for one.
Click to expand...

I have a Yamaha BB734a for P/J duties.

I was incredibly surprised how well the SBMM Ray34 off the wall played.
Click to expand...

First time I played a Ray34 was a day when at a GC I played all the 4-string Sterlings and an EBMM. I felt like the Ray34 was 90% of an EBMM at half the price. When they released this version, man, I was just doomed... GASing for it ever since.
 
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#7
SunByrne said:
SBMM Ray34 Ash.

I've been GASing for one of these since I saw someone post a picture from this year's NAMM. Have wanted a Stingray-style bass for a while, and I Just love the transparent black so you can see the grain of the wood. I'm not usually a fan of maple fretboards, but the roasted maple just gives it the right amount of color to go with the black.

View attachment 3897139

Man, I love how it looks. It's even better in person.

Setup is pretty good right out of the box, very low action but A and E strings are a bit buzzy, will have to tinker with that a bit. Didn't want to play it too much before it gets acclimated to being back in air conditioning (hot and humid like crazy here these days), but I did play a little. Roasted neck and fretboard feel AMAZING. Ferocious Stingray tone.

View attachment 3897140

I wasn't going to order one until a little later this summer but then I noticed that all the big retailers (e.g., GC, Zzounds, Sam Ash) were out of them, saying probably not until September. Went on Reverb, found a total of 3 new ones in stock, so I decided to pull the trigger a little early.

Lots of pics, peruse away...

View attachment 3897157 View attachment 3897158 View attachment 3897159 View attachment 3897160 View attachment 3897161 View attachment 3897163 View attachment 3897164 View attachment 3897165 View attachment 3897166 View attachment 3897167
Click to expand...
Very nice! :drool::drool::drool::drool::drool:
I didn't catch how much coinage it was?
 
#12
JRA said:
wow! is that a "ceruse" look/finish?
Click to expand...

None of the SBMM marketing stuff I’ve seen uses that term, but seems appropriate.

whatever it is = too cool. the fingerboard is great looking --- the whole combination is the bomb!
Click to expand...

Far be it from me to disagree. ;)

congratulations on your new instrument! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
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#13
SunByrne said:
SBMM Ray34 Ash.

I've been GASing for one of these since I saw someone post a picture from this year's NAMM. Have wanted a Stingray-style bass for a while, and I Just love the transparent black so you can see the grain of the wood. I'm not usually a fan of maple fretboards, but the roasted maple just gives it the right amount of color to go with the black.

View attachment 3897139

Man, I love how it looks. It's even better in person.

Setup is pretty good right out of the box, very low action but A and E strings are a bit buzzy, will have to tinker with that a bit. Didn't want to play it too much before it gets acclimated to being back in air conditioning (hot and humid like crazy here these days), but I did play a little. Roasted neck and fretboard feel AMAZING. Ferocious Stingray tone.

View attachment 3897140

I wasn't going to order one until a little later this summer but then I noticed that all the big retailers (e.g., GC, Zzounds, Sam Ash) were out of them, saying probably not until September. Went on Reverb, found a total of 3 new ones in stock, so I decided to pull the trigger a little early.

Lots of pics, peruse away...

View attachment 3897157 View attachment 3897158 View attachment 3897159 View attachment 3897160 View attachment 3897161 View attachment 3897163 View attachment 3897164 View attachment 3897165 View attachment 3897166 View attachment 3897167
Click to expand...
Awesome beautiful bass!:thumbsup:
 
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#15
Killing Floor said:
Wow, that's a looker. Congrats.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Welcome to the right side of the fingerboard/neck wood debate.
Click to expand...

Not sure I'm on the maple "side" for fingerboards as much as I've now found a version of maple that works for me, this time. But the roasted maple neck is amazing and that I will definitely be looking for in the future.

And most of all, Every time a Ray is sold an angel gets its wings.
Click to expand...

YES!!!!!! :hyper:

I was actually wondering if you'd make it to this thread and say that.

Every bassist should have at least one Ray in their stable. Happy to finally be there.
 
Last edited:
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