• 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.

New model from Sterling by Music Man - Ray34 CA Classic Active

#61
I love the fact that I can nab an off the shelf SR with a Sterling nut width (if indeed 38mm is correct), but if they're boasting "Classic," they should have included the mute -bridge. I would have been ALL over that, regardless of where it's manufactured!
 
#62
endy_y_p said:
new tuner (EBMM tuner) are not available in my country (Indonesia)...that's sucks...hehe,
but, thanks for the reminder...mybe I should go check ebay, and find tuners that will ship internationally...
Click to expand...

These guys have everything you need - and they ship internationally:

http://www.bestbassgear.com/hipshot-ultralight-tuners.htm

I don't know if the ultralight tuners will fit this model, but you can get the vintage tuners for a little more.
 
#63
Bottoms_Up! said:
I love the fact that I can nab an off the shelf SR with a Sterling nut width (if indeed 38mm is correct), but if they're boasting "Classic," they should have included the mute -bridge. I would have been ALL over that, regardless of where it's manufactured!
Click to expand...

The mute bridge sure would be nice, but to be honest, I don't think I would ever actually use those foam mutes.

Who know, you may be able to get one separately that fits this model.
 
#64
krovx said:
I am in total disagreement. I am usually a big fan of 'cheaper' instruments ( my main player right now is a Squier Jaguar) but I wasn't impressed with this line at all. Every time I got to a music store that has some of these I always try them out because I want to like them. I am always sadly disappointed. Granted, it might be my rotten luck but 4 different stores and maybe 8-10 different basses?

I have to admit I miss my Classic and would love to find one of these I like.
Click to expand...

Just curious - what specifically turned you off of the SBMM's?

I've played about 6 of them in different stores back-to-back with their US counterparts and would have been hard pressed to tell the difference if I didn't already know.
 
#67
Early early spring.

anaheim2011q.jpg
 
#72
phillipkregg said:
Just curious - what specifically turned you off of the SBMM's?

I've played about 6 of them in different stores back-to-back with their US counterparts and would have been hard pressed to tell the difference if I didn't already know.
Click to expand...

The necks felt very inconsistent. Not to mention the fretwork was questionable. They all had horrible setups [which I do not directly fault because almost every bass I play needs to be setup.] Many of the electronics had scratchy pots and possibly bad batteries? Just was never happy with my experience with them. Granted, I would always try another because maybe it was my awful luck.
 
#73
phillipkregg said:
Wow - that looks freakin amazing.

Did you see any 5-string versions of this at NAMM???
Click to expand...

No 5 string versions Phil...(I was not at NAMM).
However there are some new things coming...More this week.
I think you would be stoked.
 
#75
Tunaman said:
100% True...
I use my mids on my Sterling ALL THE TIME. It makes a huge difference.
I would NEVER EVER buy this bass and I'm a huge EBMM guy, just look at the sig.
Click to expand...

I see folks that like both. People tend to me more vocal about the 2 band.

If you like the 3 band and dig classic looks...You should try the Ray34 in white (non-painted headstock) I played one this week that kicked @ss. One of the punchiest 'Stingrays' (does not matter where it was built) ever.
 
#76
krovx said:
The necks felt very inconsistent. Not to mention the fretwork was questionable. They all had horrible setups [which I do not directly fault because almost every bass I play needs to be setup.] Many of the electronics had scratchy pots and possibly bad batteries? Just was never happy with my experience with them. Granted, I would always try another because maybe it was my awful luck.
Click to expand...

I bought a Ray34 shortly after they came out. The quality was NOT the same as a U.S. Sure it looked pretty, but the neck needed to be shimmed, the fret work was mediocre at best, the hardware felt cheap, the electronics sounded a bit then compared to a U.S. MM, etc.

It's not that it was a terrible bass. It just did not compare well to U.S. versions I've owned. Every other Sterling series I've picked up in stores also shared most of the same issues as the one I bought.

I guess that you do get what you pay for. I'd rather spend a couple hundred more on a used U.S. version. Just MHO...
 
#77
basswave said:
I see folks that like both. People tend to me more vocal about the 2 band.

If you like the 3 band and dig classic looks...You should try the Ray34 in white (non-painted headstock) I played one this week that kicked @ss. One of the punchiest 'Stingrays' (does not matter where it was built) ever.
Click to expand...

I need the mids to dial down that punch when called for (In a cover band) The lows & highs leave the punch as is. The little versatility a Sterling H has is in the mid control.
If you in an original band & the punch is "your tone" then perfect but you are seriously limiting tonal options without mid control.

This is from years of experience with my 2 Sterlings... but I play in a coverband & have different needs. In my original band I picked my tone & didn't touch it all set.

EDIT: Used MIA can be found very often & for cheap now... I'd say about $600 on a lucky day. I bought my Sterling HH brand new off a guy who won it on CL for $800 so sometimes you get lucky.
 
#78
Tunaman said:
100% True...
I use my mids on my Sterling ALL THE TIME. It makes a huge difference.
I would NEVER EVER buy this bass and I'm a huge EBMM guy, just look at the sig.
Click to expand...

YES! The mids knob on my sterling is one of my favorite parts. I always didn't like the 2band because I didn't feel like it was aggressive enough, but then I finally played a classic this weekend that was really aggressive, and then I didn't really find the versatility that I like.

basswave said:
I see folks that like both. People tend to me more vocal about the 2 band.

If you like the 3 band and dig classic looks...You should try the Ray34 in white (non-painted headstock) I played one this week that kicked @ss. One of the punchiest 'Stingrays' (does not matter where it was built) ever.
Click to expand...

YES! x1000000000000000 I've fallen in love with these SBMM basses, cept the sterling one (haven't played a decent one yet), and I was dying for the honeyburst one cause I didn't want another black bass, and the silverburst was really cool but a little too metal for me, and I find the matching headstocks kinda tacky. I came back this weekend and saw this bass and flipped. Played it, it was amazing. Did my research and found out it is only a 2011 model. Which is kinda disappointing because I'd like to buy one of these new (as my first bass bought new), but I need a new amp 100x more than I need another bass. And I have my heart set on the Fender Rumble350, so there goes my ray money.


/rant
 
#79
Jim C said:
Are there really that many players that want the 1 1/2" nut over the 1 5/8"?
Love the standard SR neck and 2-band EQ; wish I could get this on a Ray34.
(I know, the SUB had this, along with a painted neck and textured body finish)
Click to expand...

uggh...just saw this. I agree 100%.....'ray necks are one of the best features to me.

cool idea though as the EBMM Classics are great - but a pretty steep ticket if it isn't going to be your everyday bass....
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back