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Question bout the Ray34 necks

Osztertag2112

Osztertag2112

Guest
Jan 27, 2013
351
63
#1
Ive been gassing over the sterling by mm ray34 ca and was wondering how the neck on one feels. Im def interrested in one but i would like something thats got a nice fast neck. I played one of the sub rays and wasnt all that impressed with the tone but these look really nice. But not too sure bout the neck. How would u compare it to a jazz bass neck or the Subs
 
#4
Thanks
It looks like the new lower price options (Ray 34 and SUB) are only available with a 38mm (1 1/2" nut) as opposed to the older SUB that came with a 1 5/8" neck like the original Stingrays.

I suppose that most like this thinner profile as also used on the Sterling line or the SR with the SLO option.

Unfortunately it doesn't work for me.
Perhaps a bit of bondo...
 
#8
Bob... you beat my post and +1. Both are great instruments for the dollar, but I'm partial to the CA as it has the two-band, boost only EQ which I always prefer over 3-band boost/cut preamps. Just wish the CA came in an natural/maple fingerboard version like the Ray34.
 
#9
The Sterling Ray34 has the 43mm nut, but the neck taper feels closer to the older USA SR SUB and not as chunky as an actual MM Stingray neck. At least on the copy i played. I liked it a lot. Very comfortable.

So if the Ray34ca/Jazz type neck is not for you, give the Ray34's a try.

I have one of the Sterling S.U.B ray4's. Great quality for the $279 but even having the same nut width as the Ray34ca, the neck over all feels smaller. Almost a touch too narrow from the nut to the 3rd fret.

~Jon
 
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#10
JonDark said:
The Sterling Ray34 has the 43mm nut, but the neck taper feels closer to the older USA SR SUB and not as chunky as an actual MM Stingray neck. At least on the copy i played. I liked it a lot. Very comfortable.

So if the Ray34ca/Jazz type neck is not for you, give the Ray34's a try.

I have one of the Sterling S.U.B ray4's. Great quality for the $279 but even having the same nut width as the Ray34ca, the neck over all feels smaller. Almost a touch too narrow from the nut to the 3rd fret.

~Jon
Click to expand...

How would you compare the tone
 
#11
Osztertag2112 said:
How would you compare the tone
Click to expand...

Tones bet the Ray34 and Ray34ca are a bit different. The ray34 has a 3 band eq and sounds more like a MMSR.

The Ray34ca has a 2 band eq and the PU was re-voiced for that model. I think they were trying to get closer to the tone found in the ceramic PU in MM Sterling. At least to my ear but I'm no expert in the MM department. To me the 34ca is kinda of bet the MMSR alnico and MM Sterling Ceramic. Others may have a better description though.

Either of those two over the sub ray4 for sure. Better quality bass all around, way better tone for sure. To upgrade a sub ray4 pickup and pre would put you close to the cost of the other two. If I had the $ at the time I would have gone that route instead of a sub no question.

The Sub Ray4 is ok for a budget stock PU/Preamp, better than a lot in that price range, the tone is decent, gets a bit hot so I tend to have to roll off the volume and eg a lot. An upgrade on the PU/Pre would be suggested. I plan to put the Basslines SD4/STC3 Pre in mine and keep it as a decent backup.

For me to sell the ray4 to get a ray34 as a backup wouldn't be cost effective or i would def do that. $170-ish for the baselines upgrades (with coupon discounts) and the price I paid for the ray4 I'm at around $425 Vs $600 for the Ray34/34ca.

Hope that helps some.
~Jon
 
#12
I wanted to add some info updating my replies.
So apparently last week the Sterling ray34ca i played @ $599 price tag was last years models.... So the tone comps bet the ray34 and 34ca would be for the 2012 models.

I just was up there tonight and they just put out the first 2013 ray34ca.... LOVE the re-voiced pickup. Has much more punch to it than last years models.

Beautiful quality and i normally don't play maple boards but the maple with the vintage amber gloss tint sold me on owning a maple board.

The 2013's are suppose to have a $749 street price. They had it marked by mistake with the 2012 reduced prices of $599 :D: :bassist:

With the 15% off coupon needless to say I walked out the door with the 2013 tobacco burst/maple 34ca for $540. The neck size on them are great, not quite a jazz taper, not quite a normal MMSR taper. HIGHLY recommend checking out the new models. :cool:

~Jon
 
#13
This just in from EB regarding nut width and EQ particulars for the new budget models:

All basses active

Ray4, SB4, Ray34CA, Ray34CAFL, SB14 nut width all 38mm

Ray34 nut width 43mm

Ray4, SB4, Ray34CA, Ray34CAFL all 2 band eq.

Ray34, SB14 all 3 band eq


I was hoping for the 2-band with 43mm neck like special order SR's and all the Classic SR's.

Still an amazing instrument at a low price point based on the two I tried at GC.
 
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