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Ray or Fender?

Ray or Fender?

  • Sterling by MusicMan Ray35

    Votes: 55 47.4%

  • Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V

    Votes: 61 52.6%
  • Total voters
    116
slapnthebass

slapnthebass

Dec 1, 2011
86
1
Durham, North Carolina, USA
www.youtube.com
#1
Sterling by Music Man Ray 35 (Natural Ash)
-or-
Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V (Vintage White)?

I'd checked around on TB but didn't see many good reasons on why people picked one of these basses over the other.. it was mostly just "Fender sucks, go Ray" or "Fender Jazzes are very versatile, get that".. I'd like to hear about peoples experiences with these specific basses, not just the brands overall.

  • I play through a 200 watt GK MB112 for shows & band practice, and a smaller Peavey Max 158 for bedroom practice.
  • Versatility: The ability to have a fat, aggressive tone as my primary focus, then calm it down for softer and smoother songs is a must.
  • Sticking with a used, under $700 budget
  • I really want a 5 string, versatile but aggressive, active bass (that can have a humbucker-like sound)


I mainly play Funk, Rock, and Soul.

Edit: I picked these two because they can both do a humbucker (or at least a humbucker-like) tone, are 5-strings, and have active electronics.. And they're both very versatile. I'd really like the Ray because I know I'd be completely satisfied with its aggressive tone. But if the Ray35 is lacking the aggressiveness of its EBMM counterparts, I'd probably give the Fender Jazz more of a try. It's "humbucker" tone is more rounded, and while it wouldn't be my number one choice, I know it should have enough grind for what I want.

So I really want a 5 string, versatile but aggressive, active humbucking bass.

If there's any more you can tell me about the Ray35 and the Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V, especially in live situations, don't hesitate to let me know. Thanks again guys
 

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#5
Alright, thanks guys, just trying to be sure before I drop hundreds of dollars on a bass. I'd checked around on TB but didn't see many good reasons on why people picked one of these basses over the other.. it was all just "Fender sucks, go Ray" or "Fender Jazzes are very versatile, get that".. I'd like to hear about peoples experiences with these specific basses, not just the brands overall. Thanks
 
#7
I've just committed to a MM Sterling HS and I found the Ray 34 to be almost as versatile.

And Yes Joe, it was at your suggestion I gave the HS a try. I agree the HH has a heavier sound, and I already have that with my Foundation S.

And my local store has the Ray 34's in the $700 range brand new. I can't imagine the 35's being that much more.
 
#8
I can only comment on the Stering Ray. I bought one (Ray35) about a year ago after reading all the raves here on Talkbass, and a pretty good review in Bass Player mag.

I have since then sold the Ray35 and bought a US MusicMan Sterling 5 ($1260 used)

To me the Indochinese made Sterling was not at all like a US MusicMan, build, tone, finish, craftsmanship nothing. It did look like a MusicMan from 10 feet away. Very shoddy craftsmanship. Cheap sounding pick-up, and near nothing electronics. I would call it a $300 bass selling for $700. I sold mine at a considerable loss, and was glad to get rid of it.

Will the Fender be a better guitar? I honestly don't know, but there is a good chance they are made by the same company.

If I was spending $500 - $700 on a bass, I would go for used Korean. G&L, Lakland, Fender, Yamaha, Cort (on and on).

Shucks, for that amount, if you are patient, you could pick-up a nice US Fender or G&L. MTD and Godin come to mind.

I have bought my last Indochina bass guitar. Here in America, others have the right to disagree. I am simply drawing from my own exprience.
 
#10
I recommend you try both for their B strings, one of the reasons I play MM's is because their B string is outstanding. My Ray 35 is very close to a US MM in tone. The B string is literally as good as is overall playability. I've had the Ray 35 since August
and it's been solid. I feel it's a excellent value bass.
 
#12
It's worth looking at the G&L Tributes too.

Probably Ray if you want active EQ.

Based on bang for the buck, my choices from cheap to expensive would probably go something like this...

SX
Squier
Ray35 or G&L Tribute
Lakland Skyline
USA Musicman
USA Fender
 
#13
1954bassman said:
I can only comment on the Stering Ray. I bought one (Ray35) about a year ago after reading all the raves here on Talkbass, and a pretty good review in Bass Player mag.

I have since then sold the Ray35 and bought a US MusicMan Sterling 5 ($1260 used)

To me the Indochinese made Sterling was not at all like a US MusicMan, build, tone, finish, craftsmanship nothing. It did look like a MusicMan from 10 feet away. Very shoddy craftsmanship. Cheap sounding pick-up, and near nothing electronics. I would call it a $300 bass selling for $700. I sold mine at a considerable loss, and was glad to get rid of it.

Will the Fender be a better guitar? I honestly don't know, but there is a good chance they are made by the same company.

If I was spending $500 - $700 on a bass, I would go for used Korean. G&L, Lakland, Fender, Yamaha, Cort (on and on).

Shucks, for that amount, if you are patient, you could pick-up a nice US Fender or G&L. MTD and Godin come to mind.

I have bought my last Indochina bass guitar. Here in America, others have the right to disagree. I am simply drawing from my own exprience.
Click to expand...

Contrary to your experience with the SBMM Ray 35, my experience has been very good.

I was all set to find an EBMM SR-5. I took a gamble and bought a SBMM Ray 35 at the beginning of this year, and have been very happy with my decision. In my opinion, it looks, feels, and sounds very close to it's US counterpart. I haven't found the pickup to sound cheap or the electronics to be "near nothing" as you put it. Is the US Stingray better? Sure. Can you find an EBMM 5 string used for under $700? Perhaps, but you'd best be really patient.

OP, if you have the opportunity to, play both and go from there. You're going to get many different opinions on this and the only one that matters is your own.
 
#14
Obviously, it's an EXTREMELY subjective decision...personally, I'd go for the jazz. The ray has a really distinctive tone (brighter, almost a scooped sound), but you would probably find that the jazz sits a little better in the mix with a more rounded tone.

Plus, that jazz has a SEXY finish!!
 
#19
I own a Ray 34 and "owned" a Ray 35 for about 3 weeks. I LOVE the Ray 34 but fell out of love very quickly with the Ray 35 and returned it. (Initially i thought it was great) The Ray35 I had didn't cut it live, I couldn't get a sound I was happy with that would cut through the mix. In the basement it was fine but live it got buried by all the other instruments and it didn't matter how I EQ'd it nothing helped, where as my Ray 34 cuts through the mix just like an EBMM Stingray. It even feels like it's made with the same quality as the EBMM, but for me the Ray35 was a disapointment. I may have had a "bad one" but that's my experience. For that reason I'd try the Fender.
 
#20
88persuader said:
I own a Ray 34 and "owned" a Ray 35 for about 3 weeks. I LOVE the Ray 34 but fell out of love very quickly with the Ray 35 and returned it. (Initially i thought it was great) The Ray35 I had didn't cut it live, I couldn't get a sound I was happy with that would cut through the mix. In the basement it was fine but live it got buried by all the other instruments and it didn't matter how I EQ'd it nothing helped, where as my Ray 34 cuts through the mix just like an EBMM Stingray. It even feels like it's made with the same quality as the EBMM, but for me the Ray35 was a disapointment. I may have had a "bad one" but that's my experience. For that reason I'd try the Fender.
Click to expand...

This is really what I've been wanting to hear. I've kinda realized the Jazz's "humbucker" tone (both pickups at full) wouldn't be what I want since its too rounded for my taste. So no Jazz right now, I want that EBMM sound that really cuts through the live mix. A lack of this live cutting tone is really a deal breaker for me.. and I'd try it myself but I can't exactly snatch a Ray35 from Guitar Center to borrow for a night lol.

I really wanted a 5 string, but if it's lacking then I'd rather go Ray34 than 35. So in your opinion, for a lower-priced EBMM live sound, the 34 would be a better option?
 

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