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Sterling Ray34 Vs. Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$

E_strat

E_strat

Jan 11, 2012
138
198
Columbus, OH
#1
So I've been saving up for a bass upgrade since there's a good chance that I may be getting a job at my local music store. I currently own a Dean Hillsboro J bass.

I have gone through many tough choices, and I've pretty much gotten down to what I want combined with what I need. I need something that is versatile and cuts through well in a band.

Choice #1 is a Sterling by Music Man Ray 34. I love the look and sound of it, and I'm a huge fan of the tone, almost like a P-bass. I've never played one, but none of the local stores carry it.

Choice #2 is a Warwick Rockbass Corvette. I was just about set on the Ray when I came across these. I've always liked the look and vibe of Warwick, but never payed a lot of attention to them since I figured they're a little too far out of my league. Their Rockbass line makes it a lot more affordable. I checked out some videos and I really like the sound of them. I'd like one with humbuckers, but they seem a little harder to find and more expensive. I like the sound of the one with jazz pickups, but I already have a bass with those.

I have plenty of time to think about this, but I was just hoping to get some opinions and facts from the community.
 
#2
I was having this same dilemma until last week when i finally just bought the ray 34. It just felt good in my hands, and those basses really give great representations of USA made stingrays. The warwick just interested me but against my fender jazz just sounded dull. I would take the ray but listen to videos and reviews and make your decision.
 
#5
I tried out a Rockbass 5 string and a Ray 35. i currently own a Ray 35 and i'm 100% satisfied with my decision. i recently got an American Musicman Stingray 5 and honestly, can barely tell the difference between the Ray 35 and the Stringray 5. my vote goes to the Ray 35, hands down, yet i still suggest you play both if possible and see what feels and sounds like "you"
 
#6
Sounds like there's a consensus building, but I'll pile on anyway: I picked up a Ray34 a few months ago, and I have just been floored by it. I've seen lots of people say that's it's barely distinguishable from a Stingray, and that's been my experience too. It's playable as all hell, versatile, it sounds freaking great. Just can't beat the value.
 
#7
tedesco23 said:
Sounds like there's a consensus building, but I'll pile on anyway: I picked up a Ray34 a few months ago, and I have just been floored by it. I've seen lots of people say that's it's barely distinguishable from a Stingray, and that's been my experience too. It's playable as all hell, versatile, it sounds freaking great. Just can't beat the value.
Click to expand...

+1000000000
 
#8
Having both I must say it's a matter of taste, for example I have ny ray (which I love) strung with flats which sounds great, and on the other side I have a german corvette std which is a slapper's dream and great amazing growly tone

Both are heavy but the vette takes the prize with over 12lb (bubinga+wenge)

I like 'em both

Get what suits your style
 
#9
I play alot of punk/ska/funk and have a 2000 Eb stingray and a 2005 Corvette standard..i love them both, its more or less what mood i am in that day they both sound great for the application.. i can say the sterling series and the made in CA stingrays dont differ that much in sound thanks to the active electronics (unlike the olp's)..now for the rockbass stuff, they sound too much like an Ibanez for me and just dont have the same warwick growl and punch IMO. Also, they are not made from the same exotic tonewoods as the german made models, dont have the brass fretts either. If you go warwick watch ebay like a hawk and scoop up a german made model on the cheap .. you will not be dissapointed with either bass.
 
#10
I would also suggest the Fender Blacktop P-Bass for the style of music you play.. thats the 3rd baby in my current wheel house.. they have tons of low end and cut through the mix great as well... my guitarist reffers to it as the Jackhammer.
 
#12
Add me to the people in the Ray34 camp. I've had GAS for a Warwick $$ Corvette for about 2 years now but the German ones are simply out of my reach. When I saw they were doing a Rockbass version, I thought that was the way I would go...until I played one.
I'm not knocking playability or construction at all. My complaint is about the sound. The German $$'s are tone machines! series/parallel/single coil switching for each pickup plus 2 band active EQ gives you TONs of usable tones.
The Rockbass version? Not nearly so much. The tone isnt bad, IMHO, but its not as versatile as I would want from a bass with 2 humbuckers. No active EQ, and the only switching option is to go single coil by pulling up on the volume pots. I know the Rockbass version is meant to be a somewhat stripped down version of the original, but I think Warwick took out TOO much for this one.

I know the Ray34 is somewhat limited in tone because of having only one pickup, but the MM sound is a bass-playing standard and the Ray34 pretty much nails it, based on just about everything I've read and heard.
 
#13
I've watched more videos on the Ray. I've now eliminated the Corvette from my list, maybe I'll have one someday when I'm all rich and famous (won't that be the day). Now all I have to do is get my job and figure out which color suits me. I'm digging the black with rosewood, but I love the look of ash, so we'll see!

Thanks for the input!
 
#14
9M2E said:
I would also suggest the Fender Blacktop P-Bass for the style of music you play.. thats the 3rd baby in my current wheel house.. they have tons of low end and cut through the mix great as well... my guitarist reffers to it as the Jackhammer.
Click to expand...

I like the sound of that too. I had a gas for a P-bass recently as well, but I'm not huge on the humbuckers on a P. I like the sound from the split.
 
#16
Personally, the Ray will be a bit more costly then the Warwick. I'd go with a Warwick Rockbass BUT I would go for a different model. I picked up a Warwick Rockbass Streamer LX. It is the 4-string model and comes with P/J pick-ups and an active two band MEC preamp.

The Bass is really versatile. I can blend to the P pick-up, play over it, lower the treble a bit and she sounds close to a P but with a bit of growl, or lower the treble further and no growl. Or I can focus more on the J and get a nice growl from that pick-up, with the treble up. The tones I can play are pretty endless and the construction is superb. Here's the link to my NBD thread.

It's up to you, but there are many other Warwick Rockbass models, and I just gave you my recommendation.

EDIT TO ADD: If you read my NBD thread, I do make a comment about the hum, but every bass is horrendous in my house (except my P Bass). I made a bunch of changes, including replacing the fluorescent lightbulbs in my room with LED ones, running the amp through a dedicated grounded circuit, and putting in a better surge protector and have drastically reduced all of the hum coming from the Warwick and my Jazz.

I also discussed possible changing the preamp, for some mid control, but am totally not doing that, she sounds great. I just had to use my EQ to get the mids I wanted.
 
#17
I assume you can play both instruments at your local music store. Play through "your amp" and decide which fits you and your budget. You began at a good starting point... you liked the sound that you heard on video. Keep in mind you will not get the same exact sound as the player in the video. You need to look at what amp and effects they are using.etc.
 
#19
E_strat said:
I like the sound of that too. I had a gas for a P-bass recently as well, but I'm not huge on the humbuckers on a P. I like the sound from the split.
Click to expand...

If you can get your hands on one (black top p bass) before you make a decision give it a try .. you can dial in the classic p & j tones and both humbuckers at once is slammin ..lol..also thought I'd mention what im playing through and claiming sounds great ... GK 700rb with 410MB 800w 8ohm stacked on a 1x15 MB 400w 8 ohm. Also have a mb212 combo with Eminance delta 12 lfa's. My 3 basses I had mentioned sound awesome in thier own respective ways through both rigs.
 

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