• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5

#24
07&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=TblpF7vOligAX-nvuF8&tn=yz_04fEHcLHTAQ0B&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.jpg


I traded my used EBMM Ray4 with single pup straight up for this new Ray35. The shiny pickguard on the matte finish is driving me crazy and gotta go. Gonna go with a dark, matte purple, I think. :)

*Strings also have to go. Gonna put my faves on, D'ad half rounds, regular light gauge.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Yahboy and bassist4dalord
#25
stelles75 said:
I traded my used EBMM Ray4 with single pup straight up for this new Ray35. The shiny pickguard on the matte finish is driving me crazy and gotta go. Gonna go with a dark, matte purple, I think. :)

*Strings also have to go. Gonna put my faves on, D'ad half rounds, regular light gauge.
Click to expand...

Congrats! Looks great, though I agree about the pickguard. You are the first person I've heard say that D'Addario Half Rounds are their string of choice.

Enjoy!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump and stelles75
#26
There aren't many half round options that I'm aware of, but I have them on three of my seven basses already (my gigging basses).

I honestly think a lot of people aren't wearing them in long enough, because they are awful for the first few hours. Sticky almost, like a fine sandpaper without the abrasion. This definitely goes away.

They are a dream to play to me. They got some of the dull warmth and boom of flats, but they also articulate with fuzz very well, imho.
 
#27
stelles75 said:
There aren't many half round options that I'm aware of, but I have them on three of my seven basses already (my gigging basses).

I honestly think a lot of people aren't wearing them in long enough, because they are awful for the first few hours. Sticky almost, like a fine sandpaper without the abrasion. This definitely goes away.

They are a dream to play to me. They got some of the dull warmth and boom of flats, but they also articulate with fuzz very well, imho.
Click to expand...

If you prefer the half round feel, I highly recommend you a try on Ernie Ball Cobalt flat 2816. The string winding gap are between halfwound and fine polished flatwound.
This modern flatwound sound great and growl on Stingray and sterling 5 string bass. Versatile tone with dual pickups rays.
Plus, she has great string to string tonal balance, tight focus B till full body voice G string.

All my bass load cobalt flat, include the C standard tune TRBX504.

IMG_20211202_004343.jpg
IMG_20211202_005053.jpg



Hopehelp
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump, stelles75 and bassist4dalord
#30
stelles75 said:
View attachment 4492671

View attachment 4492672

My phone cam is definitely making things "pop" a little much. It looks good here, but looks better and also darker (more "stealthy") in person. I love it!

(They were out of purple by time I got there.)
Click to expand...
Dang it!! ( too late for purple ):banghead:
I must say that the blue is quite appealing . :cool:
I would go with a different strap . :ninja:
 
  • Like
Reactions: stelles75
#31
Gonna! I ordered like four straps that were on sale and at least one of them will work. I also have a plain black seatbelt strap if none of them will do. This one might work just fine (and you can see I took the leap on them Ernies)...

upload_2021-12-3_15-28-2.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump
#32
Only two negatives about this bass:

1. The 5 way switch is a little scratchy when you toggle it. This might be normal, but the 3 way switch on my Wattplower 2 does not do this.

2. The neck heel might need to be shimmed very slightly. I got the truss turned as far as it will go (bent the tool included with the bass even) and lowering the saddles causes more buzzing. Gonna wait until after I restring and see how things go. Might have a touch more room to adjust the saddles with flats.

I should say I got the action just sufficiently low enough. I can adjust to it if need be, but I managed to get lower on all my other basses.
 
#35
Yahboy said:
If you prefer the half round feel, I highly recommend you a try on Ernie Ball Cobalt flat 2816.

Hopehelp
Click to expand...

Most definitely did! Really great suggestion as I would have overlooked them otherwise. Right on the money. Thank you!

Feel like flats with a little extra texture and significantly brighter than Chromes. HUGE upgrade from whatever came on it (reg Slinkys I imagine). I've really grown to dislike rounds unless I'm recording. Tends to be a lot more noise occurring on the fretboard and it drives me crazy at times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yahboy and lowdownthump

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back