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Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

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#881
Am I insane for thinking about getting the RAY34 in Natural and ordering a Warmoth neck (Bird's Eye and Pau Ferro w/Jazz spacing) for it?

I will be able to get the bass heavily discounted from work, so that should offset the extra cost.
 
#883
Yes, my concern is the fit in the neck pocket:
* The MM neck width at heel is 63.5mm, Fender is 64mm. Close but workable.
* If the length of the pocket is different, I intend to order a 21 or 24 fret neck anyway, so any ugliness can be concealed by the FB overhang. A longer pocket will have a hidden gap, a shorter pocket will require lengthening. Sucks, but doable.
* Truss adjustment will now be up top.
* I can order the neck undrilled so I can use my own screw holes.

What i don't know is the depth of the pocket. The Fender dimensions are 19mm deep. but I don't know what the Stingray dimensions are.
 
#884
What about bridge placement once you have the neck mounted? The SUB neck is one fret longer, so assuming the same scale wouldn't the bridge have to be moved back a little? Getting an extra fret on a Warmoth neck doesn't change the mount location.
 
#885
Great point. I'm thinking that with the 21 or 24 fret Warmoth neck, I can actually set the neck back a little. There will be a small gap between the neck and the body, but because the Warmoth 21 and 24 fret models have an overhanging fretboard the gap will be concealed. If I were to get ambitious, the gap could be blocked too.

This could also be a really silly idea, but the idea of a Stingray Natural with Bird's Eye neck and Pau Ferro fingerboard with J spacing does get me all excited.
 
#886
I recently visited my local Sam Ash and GC interested in purchasing a 5-stringer.

I played several Schechter’s, Ibanez, Dean, Washburn, Fender MIA, and Squier, and lastly, a Sterling SUB Ray5.

The SUB Ray5 blew them all away. I was amazed and disappointed that the Fender MIA sounded hollow, way too bright and empty. I say this because I am a Fender lover.

Hence, I purchased the Sterling SUB Ray5. It fulfilled the sound and surprising great quality that I was searching for. And it was only$300.00!
 
#892
wvbass said:
I haven't weighed them, but the two fivers I ave played were very light. Far from boat-anchor weight. I would say they were closer to eight pounds.
Click to expand...



Wow, I did not realize they were running that light. Thanks for the information. If that's the case I might be picking one of these up. I love Stingrays but absolutely hate the weight that goes along with them. I never did buy into the the marketing crap that Sterling Ball and others have said, that 10.5 - 11 lb. basses are part and parcel to the Stingray sound and if you want that sound you have to put up with the weight. I tried 1 time with a Stingray because I wanted to believe what Sterling Ball was saying but ended up selling that boat anchor right away. And some might chime in and shout or standby the notion that heavyweight basses are cool and not a problem. And for some people I guess it's not a problem and they like heavy basses.... but I don't believe it. I have played lots of great basses that are very light and sounded fantastic.... and it sounds like it holds true as far as these SUB basses go.... but having said that I guess I should thank Sterling Ball for providing the Stingray sound in a lightweight package. Thanks Sterling!

:hyper:
 
#897
Wanted to add my 2 cents to this thread, as I just bought a SBMM SB4 on Friday.

1. I will echo others' impression that the bass is a pretty incredible buy for $250 street. Zero issues with playability, looks great, and sounds like I'm about 95% to the real thing. It will compete with my American Fenders for practices and gigs. Crazy.

2. Like most other buyers, I was concerned by the HOT preamp - nearly every note made my amp buzz on my usual settings. But I found that by simply turning the input gain on my amp down considerably, I eliminated all buzzing. So I turn down for this bass, up for all my others. Easy.

3. I AB'd the SB4 vs a Ray4 and couldn't hear much of a difference at all. I expected to, but didn't. Anyone else experience this? The SB4 was also lighter and cheaper, so it won the contest.

Overall, I'm thrilled! I've never spent so little and been so satisfied with an instrument.
 
#900
sourwookie said:
Does anyone know why the SUB 4 in Walnut Stain was pulled from the product lineup available in America?
Click to expand...

They did?!?! Then it was dang lucky I found one at my local Starving Musician for 200 bucks. Only one ding and the top strap holder was missing. :D

Just on a whim I ask if they have one of these and they bring out the exact one I want! :bassist:
 
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