Thinking about getting a new bass. Would like everyone's opinion please!

[aprod]

A friend has the Carvin and it is a fantastic bass, P bass sound plus. The Ray is a completely different sound, apples to oranges.

 

[mantaraya]

I've owned a SBMM Ray35 in the past and could not get over the overly trebley tone of the bass, but I have never played a real deal Stingray 5 H.

Well that overly treble sound is the EBMM Trademark sound. Some love some hare it. But thats their signature sound. Have that in mind. The EBMM may be superior to the Ray35 but according to your aims they both share the overly treble sound

 

[sunnycal]

If you want the original sound either P or J bass then you need to check out Moollon. They are hand made out of Korea and you have to order it for about $2000 but they are much better quality than the big company names in that price range. Check out Moollon.com and no I don't work for them.