Squier Vintage Modified 77's jazz or Sterling SUB Ray 4

[fredolee16]

I have this two options for the same money ($299). Even when I know that my ears are my best help, if some of you have the opportunity to play this two, I want to hear what do you think. I play most of the time in a church but we play a lot of genres from gospel, latin, funk to rock. Any comments will be very helpful.

 

[Dec1975]

I don't have a VM'77, but do own a CV Jazz. I also have a Sub Ray 4WS that I got in trade. I have nothing negative to say about my Squier (it's my backup bass). The Sub Ray 4, on the other hand, just doesn't do it for me- I find the neck uncomfortable for my gigantic hands. I also do not like the sound of pre-amp. Lastly, I prefer a gloss finish on my basses. That being said, it's pretty well-made, and very affordable. In comparison, I had an OLP MM 5-string a few years back and absolutely loved it.

I don't know if you can get your hands on both in Puerto Rico, but if you can, play them both. You're right- your own hands and ears will be the best help in choosing.

 

[fredolee16]

I don't have a VM'77, but do own a CV Jazz. I also have a Sub Ray 4WS that I got in trade. I have nothing negative to say about my Squier (it's my backup bass). The Sub Ray 4, on the other hand, just doesn't do it for me- I find the neck uncomfortable for my gigantic hands. I also do not like the sound of pre-amp. Lastly, I prefer a gloss finish on my basses. That being said, it's pretty well-made, and very affordable. In comparison, I had an OLP MM 5-string a few years back and absolutely loved it.

I don't know if you can get your hands on both in Puerto Rico, but if you can, play them both. You're right- your own hands and ears will be the best help in choosing.

Thanks. A lot of VM basses in local stores but nobody brings the SUB yet. I have carpal tunnel syndrome and a uncomfortable neck could "kill" my hands too.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

When I was "cheap bass" shopping a few months ago, I looked at a SUB Ray 5 in comparison to a VM 70's Jazz V....the SUB was about $50 more and I felt that the overall quality was horrible. The new SUB basses are definitely NOT like the SUB's from 10+ years ago...
That said, I say go with the Jazz bass...

 

[Funkmabassup]

Do you want apples or oranges? These are 2 different basses, one passive classic jazzbass and one active musicmanstyle bass. The necks are a bit different tough: The ray4 have a jazz width neck with 12" radius, the squier have a jazzneck with 9,5 radius. I have played both and the ray4 definitly are a bit thicker front to back neckwise.

 

[fredolee16]

thanks to all for the advices.