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SBMM Ray 35CA ?

E

eastcoasteddie

Guest
Mar 24, 2006
8,757
12,584
#1
what is the deal with the Ray35CA? Why can't I find any videos on the Tube (not even one)? Is it discontinued? Made-to-order?
I have seen some for sale, but not many.

Sterling Ray35CA - 3Tone Sunburst

This guy has been running around my head for the last couple weeks...hopefully I can find one to try out...

ray35CA-1.jpg
 
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#2
Great bass. Classic Sting Ray tone in an import version. Very good workmanship. Good quality components. A step or two below an EBMM, so if you can pop for a few hundred more for the real deal used, then go for it. Otherwise, this is a good choice.

My only criticism was the setup with mine -- and they're supposed to be setup stateside in Orange County, CA! It took a lot of effort and several turns, it seemed, with a hard-to-turn truss rod adjustment to take out an unplayable bow. Once done, it plays very well.

I see Musician's Friend has them.
 
#4
I've got one, only complaint I have is its weight. The Steriling hype says, "lightweight ash body". My gosh, what would a heavy one be? Mine weighs a little over 10 3/4 pounds. I had it for sale for several months at a local music store but ended up taking it back when it didn't sell for Christmas. Figured if it didn't sell then it would be there a long time. When I played it after I cleaned it up I discovered that the volume was almost turned down all the way--not sure who played it last. I got mine at Sam Ash in Aug of 2015.
 
#9
BassAndReeds said:
Got mine used for $250. Excellent bass for that price. I wouldn't pay more. My G&L tribute SB2 was $400 and that I'd gig on. Ray34 was an excellent learner bass, with the flaws stated above.
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$250? That's about 30% for the price of a new one. That's a CRAZY good deal. I would say in the sub $500 range would be a good starting point for a used one in very good condition.
 
#11
eastcoasteddie said:
$250 and you wouldn't pay more?
Jeeze....that doesn't sound like a "pretty good bass".
But did you get a Ray34 or a Ray35CA?
Click to expand...

It's a good bass. I just do my research, buy used, and make sure I get value from my purchase.

Let me tell you this bass is a lot better than many basses selling for $600, but I wouldn't buy them outright. That's another subject though.

I have a Ray34. From what I'm reading, it's almost the same bass design and preamp as the Ray35CA. I could be mistaken. My Ray 34 has the truss rod adjusting issue, the preamp is a bit tinny to my ear, but it does have bottom, and you can get good tones out of it. I haven't played it in a long time, so it's possible the highs can be rolled off or masked.

Again, a used G&L tribute is a very very good deal, if your budget is up to a new Ray35CA.

Also, here on TB, used bases I would buy over a new Ray35CA at same price or less:
Lakland Skyline 55-01 $675 (A steal)
MTD Kingston Saratoga Deluxe $800
Lakland Skyline 55-01 $500+$50 (Wow, this is incredible. These are Bartolini pickups!!! They cost more than this bass is selling for. I'm stopping here. Get this bass. Wow, no more words)
 

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