Torn on ordering a new Ray...WWYD?

[kln_bc]

Picked up an HH Sterling a while back and I absolutely loved the tone of it...but, within hours it fell apart. Tuners shredded, truss rod broken...I guess that's a thing, and back it went (and I'll never buy another, that's garbage). I picked up a used Music Man Ray Special 4H, I struggled with it. It was SUPER comfortable to play, the boomy bass was a lot and I finally settled on dealing with it, but I came to discover it also had truss rod issues; back it went.

I still have that HH sound in my brain and I want it. I'm really tempted to order another special, but with dual humbuckers obviously. But I'm also pretty put off by my last 2 experiences. They can't all be like that though right?

Or else, I'm thinking maybe another HH of some sort would do. The neck bucker in the Ray isn't really a "classic Ray" tone anyway right? I also love the Tbird tone, but it's horrendous to play. I've liked some Ibanez tones, but don't get on with that neck all that well. I do have a line on a really good deal for a Pro II Jazz...I already have one that I love...maybe I grab that and put some stacked humbuckers in it? Or maybe even a PJ...I have a P and it's just lacking the bite I'm after.

I've tried to ignore this but it's gonna keep eating at me...I have a problem lol.

 

[JumboJett35]

It's your money. Why do you care what I would do? Get what you want.

 

[Killing Floor]

The quality of US SLO MusicMan basses is as good as anything you can find at twice the price. Get one.

 

[Mike Vee]

It's funny, because everyone talks crap on Fender but I've had MUCH worse luck with Music Man. Truss rod issues, necks that won't setup correctly, etc. I've never had a bad Fender.

As far as Sterling (which should NOT be mixed-in with Music Man) if you get a good one they are great. Right now I have a new 2024 white Ray24CA that is the best feeling Stingray I've ever had, and I've had about 7 USA EBMMs. This one is SO good, fells better than any USA Stingray I've had, except a Special.

However, I've also had 2 brand new Ray 24/34s that were garbage as you describe. Horrific, stiff and grinding tuners, stuck truss rod, super high action that can't go lower because of really bad geometry on the neck, etc. This was within the last 2-3 months.

I've also had some crappy EMBBs too, but also some really good ones. The best stingray I ever had was a Special, I shouldn't have sold it. I also had a 2006 4H that was amazing. Should have kept that too.

Anyway, get another special from a reputable dealer and just return it if there's something wrong. Nothing sounds like, or replaces a Stingray.

 

[kln_bc]

It's funny, because everyone talks crap on Fender but I've had MUCH worse luck with Music Man. Truss rod issues, necks that won't setup correctly, etc. I've never had a bad Fender.

As far as Sterling (which should NOT be mixed-in with Music Man) if you get a good one they are great. Right now I have a new 2024 white Ray24CA that is the best feeling Stingray I've ever had, and I've had about 7 USA EBMMs. This one is SO good, fells better than any USA Stingray I've had, except a Special.

However, I've also had 2 brand new Ray 24/34s that were garbage as you describe. Horrific, stiff and grinding tuners, stuck truss rod, super high action that can't go lower because of really bad geometry on the neck, etc. This was within the last 2-3 months.

I've also had some crappy EMBBs too, but also some really good ones. The best stingray I ever had was a Special, I shouldn't have sold it. I also had a 2006 4H that was amazing. Should have kept that too.

Anyway, get another special from a reputable dealer and just return it if there's something wrong. Nothing sounds like, or replaces a Stingray.

Interesting, I wonder why that particular Sterling doesn't have issues.

I've found Fender to be super consistent, love the Pro II...I don't need another one, but mines so good I thought I could mod one.

Probably right though. If I want that HH Ray tone it's not happening elsewhere.

 

[Mike Vee]

Interesting, I wonder why that particular Sterling doesn't have issues.

I've found Fender to be super consistent, love the Pro II...I don't need another one, but mines so good I thought I could mod one.

Probably right though. If I want that HH Ray tone it's not happening elsewhere.

I've had 3 Ray24CAs - one had a bad truss rod but the other 2 were stellar examples of a stingray. Plus they have a 1.5" neck which feels soooo much better.

Why not try buying another Sterling from Sweetwater? You can see it first, know the weight, and return it 50 times if need be till you get a good one.

 

[kln_bc]

I've had 3 Ray24CAs - one had a bad truss rod but the other 2 were stellar examples of a stingray. Plus they have a 1.5" neck which feels soooo much better.

Why not try buying another Sterling from Sweetwater? You can see it first, know the weight, and return it 50 times if need be till you get a good one.

I would do that, but I'm in Canada. I do live by the border, but I only order from Sweetwater when I'm sure of it and it's a good deal (they are the best). The exchange rate is brutal and I pay tax in both Washington where it gets delivered, and again at the border when I bring it across.

Not big on doing that multiple times lol.

Unfortunately Long and McQuade (our big music store) isn't as good as Sweetwater. They have virtually nothing in stores, and you order blind. It's a crapshoot.

 

[Mike Vee]

I would do that, but I'm in Canada. I do live by the border, but I only order from Sweetwater when I'm sure of it and it's a good deal (they are the best). The exchange rate is brutal and I pay tax in both Washington where it gets delivered, and again at the border when I bring it across.

Not big on doing that multiple times lol.

Unfortunately Long and McQuade (our big music store) isn't as good as Sweetwater. They have virtually nothing in stores, and you order blind. It's a crapshoot.

In that case the real stingray special is a MUCH better bet

 

[MattZilla]

15-30 year old me would continue buying then selling every non-Precision after learning to play each one differently to maximise their strengths until I get sick of the revolving door basses and just give in to masses and just try a Precision for a few months and use all of the different playing styles I had to learn for all of the other basses.

If you’re under 30, get a used Ric 4003 with the old bridge next.

 

[tb-player]

Picked up an HH Sterling a while back and I absolutely loved the tone of it...but, within hours it fell apart. Tuners shredded, truss rod broken...I guess that's a thing, and back it went (and I'll never buy another, that's garbage). I picked up a used Music Man Ray Special 4H, I struggled with it. It was SUPER comfortable to play, the boomy bass was a lot and I finally settled on dealing with it, but I came to discover it also had truss rod issues; back it went.

I still have that HH sound in my brain and I want it. I'm really tempted to order another special, but with dual humbuckers obviously. But I'm also pretty put off by my last 2 experiences. They can't all be like that though right?

Or else, I'm thinking maybe another HH of some sort would do. The neck bucker in the Ray isn't really a "classic Ray" tone anyway right? I also love the Tbird tone, but it's horrendous to play. I've liked some Ibanez tones, but don't get on with that neck all that well. I do have a line on a really good deal for a Pro II Jazz...I already have one that I love...maybe I grab that and put some stacked humbuckers in it? Or maybe even a PJ...I have a P and it's just lacking the bite I'm after.

I've tried to ignore this but it's gonna keep eating at me...I have a problem lol.

I just picked up a new EBMM Stingray 5H. It's as nice as basses I own that are twice the price. Seriously. It plays great, sounds great, & feels great. Granted, it was new and it's the US-made, but in the end, it will last a good long time.

Do what you think is best for you. But allow me to say, an EBMM SR5 is never a bad way to go.

 

[kln_bc]

15-30 year old me would continue buying then selling every non-Precision after learning to play each one differently to maximise their strengths until I get sick of the revolving door basses and just give in to masses and just try a Precision for a few months and use all of the different playing styles I had to learn for all of the other basses.

If you’re under 30, get a used Ric 4003 with the old bridge next.

I have a Precision and a Jazz...the P is falling out of favor. But I should get back to it and try some different things with it.

And I wish I was under 30 lol.

 

[Topkat13]

What JumboJett35 said.

 

[logdrum]

You need a GL CLF L-2000 or if you get the 5 (L-2500) make sure get the .750 spacing. Forget Rays for now. You have too many bad memories recently.

But Jumbojett35's comment is what I'd like to really say without piling it up on you. My brain hurt a little following your train of thought.

 

[Clark W]

It's funny, because everyone talks crap on Fender but I've had MUCH worse luck with Music Man.

I went decades without ever touching a Fender, July 2019 changed all of that. I needed an acoustic bass and had an idea of what I wanted, or so I thought, Fender wasn't even on the list.

So I went to my local GC with a guitarist in tow. We went into their climate controlled acoustic room and started trying out basses with him playing along on acoustic guitar just so I could hear how the bass mixed in with another instrument. I'd try one bass, then another, then another, then decided to try a Fender Kingman V2. We spent an hour going back and forth with different basses but I kept going back to the Fender. And that's what I walked out of the store with.

That purchase led to me getting my first Fender American electric, Performer Precision P/J, cause you know, I could never buy a MIM, ha!

Then I traded a Peavey fretless I had for sale for a MIM Precision thinking I would resell it, I kept it. So now I have the Indonesian made Kingman V2, an Am Performer P/J, MIM Precision, two MIM Jazz, and one CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz.

Thankfully there's not much left in way of Fender that I want. But I would take a MIM Mikey Way Jazz, Am Roasted Pine Pro II Jazz, Am Adam Clayton Jazz, or the Am Geddy Lee Jazz.

Of course I say that now, but who knows what Fender will put out later?

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I would do that, but I'm in Canada. I do live by the border, but I only order from Sweetwater when I'm sure of it and it's a good deal (they are the best). The exchange rate is brutal and I pay tax in both Washington where it gets delivered, and again at the border when I bring it across.

Not big on doing that multiple times lol.

Unfortunately Long and McQuade (our big music store) isn't as good as Sweetwater. They have virtually nothing in stores, and you order blind. It's a crapshoot.

I would discuss the problem with a L&M sales rep. There are good ones, believe it or not. It would be cheaper and you have the option to return. Make sure you mention weight requirements if any. See if L&M is interested in doing business.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Get yourself a EBMM StingRay Special 5HH.

 

[woodyng2]

What would I do?
I’d get one of these…….
G&L Kiloton.

 

[jimmydean]

If you can't find one in your area , I would order a couple from Sweetwater and try them out .

 

[P. Aaron]

I have a Precision and a Jazz...the P is falling out of favor. But I should get back to it and try some different things with it.

And I wish I was under 30 lol.

This happens rarely here but, when I have a series of gigs coming up, (in this case, St. Patrick's weekend; 7 shows in 3 days) I always use the P-Bass because it's simple. Once in a while, I'll switch with my Dimension for a few weeks on once-a-night gigs.

I'm just superstitious about a simple signal chain when the band gets busy.

 

[BadB]

G&L L2000.