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Sell me on a US-made Stingray

Should I...

  • Stick with the Sterling SUB, don't be a fool, it does what you want, and you know you love a deal

    Votes: 54 32.9%

  • Get a EBMM Classic StingRay, it's worth the 8x price difference because... (comment please)

    Votes: 37 22.6%

  • Get some other EBMM model (specify in comments)

    Votes: 27 16.5%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 46 28.0%
  • Total voters
    164
Pings Bass

Pings Bass

bassist, arranger, aelurophile, ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ
Supporting Member
Apr 11, 2018
5,653
18,015
Portland, OR
linktr.ee
#1
I recently bought a cheapo Sterling SUB Ray4. Cheapest bass I've ever owned... and I friggin love it. So easy to set up, plays like a dream and basically has exactly the tone I've been chasing, but never quite achieving. (I know, duh!)

Anyway, it makes me think I should invest in a US Stingray, probably the "Classic."

I'm not looking for a "do everything" bass (that's what my L-2500 is for).

But is a $2400 EBMM that much better than my SUB? I know "fit and finish" will be better, but if it sounds good and plays well, I'm not all that bothered by cosmetic differences. I do like Made in USA, and I'm willing to pay more for that. But what else makes the 8x price difference worth it?

If you think I should consider a different model, I'm open to that, but not really interested in HH, and actually kind of like 2-band EQ over 3-band, FWIW.
 
#2
Pings Bass said:
I recently bought a cheapo Sterling SUB Ray4. Cheapest bass I've ever owned... and I friggin love it. So easy to set up, plays like a dream and basically has exactly the tone I've been chasing, but never quite achieving. (I know, duh!)

Anyway, it makes me think I should invest in a US Stingray, probably the "Classic."

I'm not looking for a "do everything" bass (that's what my L-2500 is for).

But is a $2400 EBMM that much better than my SUB? I know "fit and finish" will be better, but if it sounds good and plays well, I'm not all that bothered by cosmetic differences. I do like Made in USA, and I'm willing to pay more for that. But what else makes the 8x price difference worth it?

If you think I should consider a different model, I'm open to that, but not really interested in HH, and actually kind of like 2-band EQ over 3-band, FWIW.
Click to expand...

GAS will do some nasty things to your wallet. If you're purely looking for aesthetics go ahead, I'm sure you know at the end of the day it's how it plays and sounds. Are you open to used?
 
#3
The USA ones are way better in my opinion. Get a used one though. I frequently see them on Craig's list in the north west for under $900. The Sterling SUB Ray4 is a dam fine bass for what it is. I can set up almost any bass to play well, so it is questionable if it is really $2000 better. Not sure where the $2400 comes from. A nice new on can be found for $1000 less than your think.

I play USA Sterling basses. Lighter and faster with all the awesome tone. I found both of mine on Craig's list for under $750. Good luck with the hunt.
 
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#8
Every time I picked an USA made stingray I was disappointed, because the owners who bought them thought that putting so much money into a bass means you are never going to need setup or fret leveling. This aspect of those basses had nothing to do with the rays themselves, but goes to show that level frets and a setup go way farther than a difference between a 2k+ and a sub $500 bass.

If your SUB is well setup and frets are level, you really don't stand to gain much from spending a metric copulationton of money on something else.
 
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#9
OMG, they really do cost that much.

But check out this new one for $1500
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The previous writer must have had unusually bad luck with the Musicman basses he has tried. The fit and finish of a New MusicMan is outstanding, with outstanding fret work. It's the quality of the wood and the metals they use that make the difference. Also their customer support is excellent. Making hand made products in California will cost. But I feel the love in these basses. MOJO is real.
 
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#10
Look for a Musicman SUB (not to be confused with the Sterling SUB). These are US made, and are essentially the Stingray Ray Classic ie. same parts, same wood, same everything except the finish - it feels like a Stingray because it is one. You can find these used for around $500 (sometimes even less, I bought mine for under $200) but note, there is a passive version of the US SUB available too, what you want is the active with the 2 band EQ.
 
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#14
Maxdusty said:
Look for a Musicman SUB (not to be confused with the Sterling SUB). These are US made, and are essentially the Stingray Ray Classic ie. same parts, same wood, same everything except the finish - it feels like a Stingray because it is one. You can find these used for around $500 (sometimes even less, I bought mine for under $200) but note, there is a passive version of the US SUB available too, what you want is the active with the 2 band EQ.
Click to expand...
You ain't going to find one for less then $500. More like $600-650. STILL WORTH IT! I actually saw one for $990!
 
#16
Maxdusty said:
Look for a Musicman SUB (not to be confused with the Sterling SUB). These are US made, and are essentially the Stingray Ray Classic ie. same parts, same wood, same everything except the finish - it feels like a Stingray because it is one. You can find these used for around $500 (sometimes even less, I bought mine for under $200) but note, there is a passive version of the US SUB available too, what you want is the active with the 2 band EQ.
Click to expand...

Yup.... best bass ive owned for less than 1500 bucks... best built, best quality parts (metal weight and strength, not talking design), best fit and finish, best fretwork, best overall basic tone, best direct to board for recording or live, best made and most legendary preamp.....

And very heavy.

However i voted to keep what he has. The imports are really good for the money.

USA subs are hard to come by.... but yes a USA S.U.B. would be my only recommendation over ehat he has. No need for 2k basses if he's loving what he has..... i love some cheaper instruments too.... is the instrument, not the price or where it comes from.

Yes my north American made instruments are better, typically. But there are exceptions to that rule.
 
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#17
Pings Bass said:
I recently bought a cheapo Sterling SUB Ray4. Cheapest bass I've ever owned... and I friggin love it. So easy to set up, plays like a dream and basically has exactly the tone I've been chasing, but never quite achieving. (I know, duh!)

Anyway, it makes me think I should invest in a US Stingray, probably the "Classic."

I'm not looking for a "do everything" bass (that's what my L-2500 is for).

But is a $2400 EBMM that much better than my SUB? I know "fit and finish" will be better, but if it sounds good and plays well, I'm not all that bothered by cosmetic differences. I do like Made in USA, and I'm willing to pay more for that. But what else makes the 8x price difference worth it?

If you think I should consider a different model, I'm open to that, but not really interested in HH, and actually kind of like 2-band EQ over 3-band, FWIW.
Click to expand...
Stick with the sub...I recently picked up a used Sterling ray 34ca and it's my main player now....always reach for it first now...
 
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#18
svlilioukalani said:
The USA ones are way better in my opinion. Get a used one though. I frequently see them on Craig's list in the north west for under $900. The Sterling SUB Ray4 is a dam fine bass for what it is. I can set up almost any bass to play well, so it is questionable if it is really $2000 better. Not sure where the $2400 comes from. A nice new on can be found for $1000 less than your think.

I play USA Sterling basses. Lighter and faster with all the awesome tone. I found both of mine on Craig's list for under $750. Good luck with the hunt.
Click to expand...
I can't plus one this enough. I LOVE my uUS sterling. I like my ray as well. But not much can beat the US sterling
 
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