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Sterling Ray 34CA vs. Sting Ray Classic

TjMetalhead

TjMetalhead

Oct 19, 2011
686
833
New Mexico
#1
So this is something I've been mulling over for a few years. I love my Sterling Ray 34CA, it's my number one (especially since they've been discontinued). The feature I love most is the thin jazz style neck. It would be nice one day to have an upper tier brand bass like a Sting Ray Classic or a USA made Fender. That's why I'm thinking the Stingray Classic because it seems like a logical step up from the Sterling but is it worth it? Is there a really difference in sound? What does the neck feel like compared to the sterling? I ask because I only played a SR classic once 7 years ago at GC and the set up was terrible so I never got to play one properly. What say you stingray players? I should mention the music I play is akin to Rush, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden. Thanks!
 
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#4
I have a classic 5
Used to own a 4 and and Tried a ray34

Let me tell you The classic had much more growl to me and sounded like a real vintage ray to my ears


The ray 34 is good for the money but didn't even come close... the eq points didnt sound the same


Ray 34 is cheaper and you could put the nord pre and pickup and then maybe it would sound the same


From what i remember the 34 didn't feel comfortable in my hands

My classic ray 5 I could play for hours
 
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#7
Thanks for all your input everyone! Actually as a matter of fact I have been considering a PJ, one bass that caught my eye was the Fender Deluxe Active Precision bass but If I were to go PJ I'd rather have a passive bass. Considering either getting a custom one made on Warmoth or finding a nice P and routing a J into it. Any good PJ recommendations?
 
#9
The classic is my favorite ray of all time. The neck is not super thin though. It's not a Pbass either, but it will not be the same as a thin Jazz. They are also fairly heavy at 10.5 pounds and slab bodies.

Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.
 
#10
AngelCrusher said:
The classic is my favorite ray of all time. The neck is not super thin though. It's not a Pbass either, but it will not be the same as a thin Jazz. They are also fairly heavy at 10.5 pounds and slab bodies.

Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.
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I don't mind, my Ray 34CA has a slab body and is about the same weight so I'm used to it. As long as the neck isn't baseball style like the regular Ray 4 I should be able to get around fine on it.
 
#12
TjMetalhead said:
I don't mind, my Ray 34CA has a slab body and is about the same weight so I'm used to it. As long as the neck isn't baseball style like the regular Ray 4 I should be able to get around fine on it.
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All Stingrays have fatter necks than your Ray34CA - 1.625" compared to 1.5" (something like a B neck precision VS jazz neck). So if you really like the thin neck on your Ray34CA, I don't think the Classic Ray will do the same for you. In a band mix, you'd probably be hard pressed to tell the difference tone wise. Those are killer affordable classic stingrays, but the thin necks turned me off personally :D

Another great Classic Stingray on a budget is the old USA SUB line. You get your 2 band preamp, slab body and all the quality workmanship, with a less nice finish and ugly pickguards (replaceable anyways). Again though, those have the standard Stingray neck width.

If you really wanna chase the vintage ray tone, there are some aftermarket preamps and pickups that get there. John East preamp (most interesting one to me), Mojotone, Retrovibe Stinger etc. Nordstrand pups are a common choice for the vintage ray tone as well. Aguilar AG4M worked well for me as well.
 
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#13
mouthmw said:
If you really wanna chase the vintage ray tone, there are some aftermarket preamps and pickups that get there. John East preamp (most interesting one to me), Mojotone, Retrovibe Stinger etc. Nordstrand pups are a common choice for the vintage ray tone as well. Aguilar AG4M worked well for me as well.
Click to expand...

This is what I'll probably end up doing. I had started another thread about pickups and pre-amp replacements for the Ray34CA. Most people said to change the pre-amp out. I've noticed the Ray34CA's pre-amp is a bit quieter than other stingray style basses I've played. There's a bit of options for pre-amps and pickups, what would you recommend for my style?
 
#14
TjMetalhead said:
This is what I'll probably end up doing. I had started another thread about pickups and pre-amp replacements for the Ray34CA. Most people said to change the pre-amp out. I've noticed the Ray34CA's pre-amp is a bit quieter than other stingray style basses I've played. There's a bit of options for pre-amps and pickups, what would you recommend for my style?
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Well, since you have the 4 knob 3 band preamp on yours, I'd recommend getting a replacement 4 knob version of the 2 bander, just so you don't have a hole on the side of your bass :D

I'd go for the John East MMSR 4 knob 3 band preamp. It's based on the vintage 2 band preamp, and when you have the mid knob in the mid position, its effect is neutral so your bass and treble knobs work like the 2 band ray preamp. The mid knob is stacked and you can chose the frequency sweep for the mids. I've heard a couple of clips and it sounds great.
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If I get tired of my original 3 band preamp on my Stingray, I'd probably grab that one too (John East).

Another choice might be Mojotone which also offers a 4 knob 2 band clone. Haven't heard any clips of this one though, but I've read it's the only actual true replica that uses the original LM4250CN chip.
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#15
mouthmw said:
Well, since you have the 4 knob 3 band preamp on yours, I'd recommend getting a replacement 4 knob version of the 2 bander, just so you don't have a hole on the side of your bass :D

I'd go for the John East MMSR 4 knob 3 band preamp. It's based on the vintage 2 band preamp, and when you have the mid knob in the mid position, its effect is neutral so your bass and treble knobs work like the 2 band ray preamp. The mid knob is stacked and you can chose the frequency sweep for the mids. I've heard a couple of clips and it sounds great.
Invalid Link Removed

If I get tired of my original 3 band preamp on my Stingray, I'd probably grab that one too (John East).

Another choice might be Mojotone which also offers a 4 knob 2 band clone. Haven't heard any clips of this one though, but I've read it's the only actual true replica that uses the original LM4250CN chip.
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Click to expand...
Oh! I don't have the 4 knob 3 band, it's the classic active series with the 2 band EQ (bass and treble), I'll show a pic. I never liked the 3 band series, too nasely and thin for my tastes. I like a thick beefy bottom end with a nice mid ranged punch. One of the reasons why I love this bass with flats.
My Stingray.jpg
 
#16
TjMetalhead said:
Oh! I don't have the 4 knob 3 band, it's the classic active series with the 2 band EQ (bass and treble), I'll show a pic. I never liked the 3 band series, too nasely and thin for my tastes. I like a thick beefy bottom end with a nice mid ranged punch. One of the reasons why I love this bass with flats.View attachment 2931949
Click to expand...

Oh, right, sorry, I mixed it up xD
Well, John East offers a great 3 knob replacement too (you can even get the double stacked one with the mid control).
Mojotone also has the classic 3 knob replica, which is cheaper too, so it might be a better deal for you.
Is the stock preamp not doing it for you? I had a USA SUB which has the original 2 band preamp, and it wasn't a particularly hot output bass either, my passive P had more output. I don't think 2 band rays as hot output basses honestly. Unless you crank everything, which I never really did.
 
#17
mouthmw said:
Oh, right, sorry, I mixed it up xD
Well, John East offers a great 3 knob replacement too (you can even get the double stacked one with the mid control).
Mojotone also has the classic 3 knob replica, which is cheaper too, so it might be a better deal for you.
Is the stock preamp not doing it for you? I had a USA SUB which has the original 2 band preamp, and it wasn't a particularly hot output bass either, my passive P had more output. I don't think 2 band rays as hot output basses honestly. Unless you crank everything, which I never really did.
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Might consider the stacked knob option, yeah I need a little more juice out it. I love the way the bass plays and feels I just need more volume and bottom end. I usually play with my volume and bass knobs cranked all the way with my treble between 6-8 on the pre-amp. My amp settings I have my mids at 8, bass at 5.5 and treble at 6.
 
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#18
TjMetalhead said:
Thanks for all your input everyone! Actually as a matter of fact I have been considering a PJ, one bass that caught my eye was the Fender Deluxe Active Precision bass but If I were to go PJ I'd rather have a passive bass. Considering either getting a custom one made on Warmoth or finding a nice P and routing a J into it. Any good PJ recommendations?
Click to expand...
passive version
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#19
hypercarrots said:
passive version
View attachment 2932156
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Oh yeah, this is what I'm gonna do. I'll keep the Sterling and upgrade the pre-amp (whenever I can get to that). I actually just bought a 2010 P bass and gonna get a J pickup routed for it. Probably gonna put the EMG Geezer PJ in it. I'll definitely get the right tone I need with that setup.
250349_2286594652212_7518328_n.jpg

This is what I had back in 2010-2012. I sold it January 2012 and I found the same exact model and year on Reverb this past Sunday. I don't like the modern Standard P basses with the gloss on the fret-board and the dark ugly sunbursts. The 2009-2011 models were the best to me. It should be here next week! It's gonna be like being reunited with an old friend :hyper:
 
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#20
TjMetalhead said:
Oh yeah, this is what I'm gonna do. I'll keep the Sterling and upgrade the pre-amp (whenever I can get to that). I actually just bought a 2010 P bass and gonna get a J pickup routed for it. Probably gonna put the EMG Geezer PJ in it. I'll definitely get the right tone I need with that setup.
View attachment 2932211
This is what I had back in 2010-2012. I sold it January 2012 and I found the same exact model and year on Reverb this past Sunday. I don't like the modern Standard P basses with the gloss on the fret-board and the dark ugly sunbursts. The 2009-2011 models were the best to me. It should be here next week! It's gonna be like being reunited with an old friend :hyper:
Click to expand...

P and Ray are my favorite combo and all I play nowadays :) I too have an EMG GZR P bass (2008. Highway One) and I love it to bits.

P.S. I JUST friggin ordered the John East preamp for my Stingray xD Can't wait to test that baby out and get the classic 2 band tone with the additional mid control for some badass tonal flexibility.
 
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