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Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

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#261
Strat Hater said:
I am thinking the same way, that's why the remorse. How do they sound as compared to the Ray 34? I am thinking about of these myself. One for rounds and one for flats. BTW how does the ray 5's neck feel, anything like the Ray 35?
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I think the Ray5 neck is plenty comfy and straight (I tend to think no 5 or 6 string necks are particularly "fast") and I only demoed a Ray34 a few years ago so probably not apples to apples.

I will say do yourself a favor when you first get it and rip off those horrid stock strings - take few hours and condition the neck. That exposed maple was soooooo thirsty out of the box. I sat in front of the tv for a few hours every 15 minutes applying a new coat of planet waves fretboard conditioner and light brushing of 000 steel wool. Now it just feels buttery IMO. Back of the neck too why the hell not. Looks and feels 100% better now.

I'm sure a few luthiers might give great reasons why you don't want to do this but I'd rather feed it the right moisture than spend the next few months soaking up this fine new jersey humidity by itself.
 
#262
anyone having a similar issue? I got the new sub ray4 in white and I've noticed that if I play a little aggressive on the e string, it sounds like it clips. I'm running the bass thru some pedals into a gk mb200 and a tc electronic rs210 cab. I also have a sterling ray34 that does not do the same. I found that if I cut some of the bass on the ray4 and just boost the bass on the mb200 it seems to be fine. I have changed the battery as well. is it defective or am I possibly doing something wrong?
 
#263
zaviere said:
anyone having a similar issue? I got the new sub ray4 in white and I've noticed that if I play a little aggressive on the e string, it sounds like it clips. I'm running the bass thru some pedals into a gk mb200 and a tc electronic rs210 cab. I also have a sterling ray34 that does not do the same. I found that if I cut some of the bass on the ray4 and just boost the bass on the mb200 it seems to be fine. I have changed the battery as well. is it defective or am I possibly doing something wrong?
Click to expand...

Maybe the output on these preamps is a little hot and could be overloading your input stage. If the string is too close to the pick-up it will cause distortion, mostly in the upper registers.
Are you still running the stock strings?
 
#264
The 2 band EQ (on MM basses) tends to produce a little more bass boost than the 3 band - you can control clipping by setting your input stage so that it doesn't clip - make sure you hit the strings as hard when you're setting up the level as when you're playing with the band.

Other than that you may need to look at the output level settings on your pedals, and as Gabriel51 said, check your pick up isn't too close to the strings (I'm guessing the optimum is as per a Musicman - the settings for which can be found on their forum - howeverif your bass is new it should be set up OK).

It may be worth swapping the strings, if you haven't already, in the light of the Praxis post above.
 
#265
Well I finally got to try one of the SUBS. It was the SB14 with the thing Sterling neck. I have to say that I was quite impressed. Is it the same quality as a TRUE EBMM? No, but its worth all of $279 and then some. It was fairly light, and that's where I can see some of the differences. The bridge is a big difference from the more expensive Sterlings. The sound an preamp was a tiny bit weaker, but too noticeable. The neck and tuners were very solid with nice fast action.

The walnut stain finish was very nice, and if I pick up a 5 string, it will have this finish.
 
#268
It went great. Not as scary as I thought. I loosened the strings a bit and turned the rod just a little, probably about an eighth of a turn and now the neck is straight as an arrow and the action is exactly where I want it. I love everything about this bass.
jlepre said:
How did you truss adjustment go? I don't think it's too early.
Click to expand...
 
#271
I just rec'd a walnut stained Sub Ray the other day. I have owned the real rays, Ray 34, and OLP's as well. This is a fantastic buy for the money. Period. I can feel the inexpensive qualities about it but again, for the money- great buy.
 
#274
Ok, just received mine. Not quite as nice as the one I played in GC!! Bass wrapped in white thin foam wrap inside a standard guitar box. A piece of cardboard over the headstock. Box was opened (staples came loose). Bass was intact. Mine is black with the maple neck. Upon closer inspection, I can definitely see where they skimped on quality to make these so affordable. Tuners are not bad but I'm gonna throw some Hipshots on there. Bridge is ok. Stock strings are crap! I'm throwing some D'Addarios (my go to strings) on it immediately. Biggest issue are the pots and knobs. Knobs are slide ons (very tight). Volume knob is pushed all the way down to the plate. Now the Treble and Bass pots are either bent or the knobs are not installed correctly but the pots don't turn evenly. I'll be replacing all 3 with quality pots and knobs. Bass plays nice and the preamp is decent. Bass will also get a complete setup by my tech. When I'm done with it, it's gonna be a nice instrument. Not bad for a 'starter' bass at $279.

If SBMM wants to compete with the Squier and Ibanez low end lines, they better step up their game. Especially their QC. This bass should not have left the factory with the pots in the condition they are.

Send it back? Nah! I was planning to upgrade the above mentioned components anyway.
 
#275
DWBass said:
Ok, just received mine. Not quite as nice as the one I played in GC!! Bass wrapped in white thin foam wrap inside a standard guitar box. A piece of cardboard over the headstock. Box was opened (staples come loose). Bass was intact. Mine is black with the maple neck. Upon closer inspection, I can definitely see where they skimped on quality to make these so affordable. Tuners are not bad but I'm gonna throw some Hipshots on there. Bridge is ok. Stock strings are crap! I'm throwing some D'Addarios (my go to strings) on it immediately. Biggest issue are the pots and knobs. Knobs are slide ons (very tight). Volume knob is pushed all the way down to the plate. Now the Treble and Bass pots are either bent or the knobs are not installed correctly but the pots don't turn evenly. I'll be replacing all 3 with quality pots and knobs. Bass plays nice and the preamp is decent. Bass will also get a complete setup by my tech. When I'm done with it, it's gonna be a nice instrument. Not bad for a 'starter' bass at $279.

If SBMM wants to compete with the Squier and Ibanez low end lines, they better step up their game. Especially their QC. This bass should not have left the factory with the pots in the condition they are.

Send it back? Nah! I was planning to upgrade the above mentioned components anyway.
Click to expand...

Think it got damaged in shipment?
 
#277
Gabriel51 said:
Maybe the output on these preamps is a little hot and could be overloading your input stage. If the string is too close to the pick-up it will cause distortion, mostly in the upper registers.
Are you still running the stock strings?
Click to expand...

Yeah I replaced the stock strings as soon as I got the bass. What's weird is I can't lower the pickup as much as I think it should. I lowered it but only as far as it would allow me. The pickup doesn't move at all. Normally the pick up feels a little bit "squishy" from the foam underneath. But this one just feels solid. Does not move a millimeter.
 
#278
zaviere said:
Yeah I replaced the stock strings as soon as I got the bass. What's weird is I can't lower the pickup as much as I think it should. I lowered it but only as far as it would allow me. The pickup doesn't move at all. Normally the pick up feels a little bit "squishy" from the foam underneath. But this one just feels solid. Does not move a millimeter.
Click to expand...

It must be down all the way, how much clearance do you have between the string and the pick-up fretting at the last fret?
 
#279
image-1849577032.jpg
 
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