Ray34 standard vs. custom (maple vs rosewood)

[tuc54557@temple]

hey ok so i decided im getting a ray34 just dont know which one! i like the price on the white custom ($599) which i can get at guitar center but idk if i like the rosewood neck. Im more of a maple neck guy and one of the original ray34's comes with the maple neck but the price goes up to $689 (!!!) and it'd be an online sale. im looking for a nice clear metallic punk sound (as usual...) so would there be a problem if I got the rosewood neck?!? i heard rosewood is softer and maple is brighter but i'd like a number of references to make my decision on. please help

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

I'd save up a little more money and buy a used stingray. In all seriousness the sterling line reminded me of an olp with active eq.
If you look around you could get a used ray for around 750-800 at the cheapest.
Which will blow a sterling out of the water.

A sterling just felt cheap to me when I played it. Not something I'd want to put my $600 into.
Maybe a used one in the $350-400 range.

 

[Bobster]

I don't think most folks on the board who've compared SBMM to EBMM basses would agree with those statements.

The majority of posters seem to feel they are fairly close. And when comparing, remember a used SBMM is still 1/2 the cost (or less) of an equivalent used EBMM.

I know I've sold/traded my EBMMs and kept my Ray35. I just couldn't justify the cost difference.

BTW, I'd love to see an SBMM Big Al 5 string w/the 3 pickups...

Bob

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

Bobster
That may have been the case for you. But the ones I played at Gc felt cheap to me like an olp.
Soundwise they were close.
Keep in mind I'm comparing to my 89 Sr.
I think my 09 Sr feels cheaply made compared to my 89 n all the 90s I've had.

I myself can justify spending the extra money on a made in USA one.

 

[Rano Bass]

I really like this new models [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They really feel and sound like the real deal.

 

[arsie]

...I think my 09 Sr feels cheaply made compared to my 89 n all the 90s I've had...

I think that's the main issue.

I was looking at the SBMM Ray34 at the same time as a more expensive 1996 EBMM SR4, and got the 1996 because it was 9lbs. The SBMMs I tried were at a small shop that had a great setup. It was a close call. Oh yeah, to the OP, I tried both Maple and Rosewood fretboards and the difference was audible. The Maple was brighter and Rosewood warmer, whatever else may have played into the equation.

I'm gonna go give the new Ray34ca a spin at some point.