Torn on ordering a new Ray...WWYD?

[Lance Bunyon]

EBMM Bongo HH.
You won't be disappointed.

 

[aero58]

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.

How many different brands/types of strings have you used on your Precision? You just might find the sound you are after with that easy trial & error. Just a thought.

 

[kln_bc]

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.

What would I do?
I’d get one of these…….
G&L Kiloton.
View attachment 5379486

G&L L2000.

G&L is very much on the radar. My issue there is there's no way to even try one out...but I have a feeling it's exactly what I'm after.

Also, it hurts my brain following my train of thought too . I have some very strong OCD tendencies.

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.

Honestly, I only shop there now because I have no choice. Some of them are OK, but I've had to deal with way to many crappy attitudes there...and I have been a very good customer for a long time. I will go to lengths to not buy there...but its hard when they're the only legit game in town.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

G&L is very much on the radar. My issue there is there's no way to even try one out...but I have a feeling it's exactly what I'm after.

Also, it hurts my brain following my train of thought too . I have some very strong OCD tendencies.



Honestly, I only shop there now because I have no choice. Some of them are OK, but I've had to deal with way to many crappy attitudes there...and I have been a very good customer for a long time. I will go to lengths to not buy there...but its hard when they're the only legit game in town.

All the big box stores are like that.
One day last year a GC baby salesman gave me that weeks big pitch..."buy a starter pack and get 3 free lessons!". I replied "thanks kid, I've been gigging for 30+ years now..." And just kept walking.

 

[funkinbottom]

maybe I grab that and put some stacked humbuckers in it?

That's What I'd do. Find a bass that played and felt great, in the $500 or less category (or possibly one I already owned) yank the existing electronics out and go with a couple MM pickups and an East MM style preamp.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Sorry for the troubles. Especially on the Sterling. I bought a Ray4 in 2019. Mine has been a good one. I want to upgrade to another but any less than $1000 bass (what I can afford) may not be as good as my ray4. My son has a Ray34 that he bought in 2006? That has been killer. Seems like the older ones had better QC @LowEndLobster speaks high of them. I want a G&L trib kiloton but I read of a few having truss rod issues? I buy used from GC. I get the store rep to check out, turn truss rod, etc. if I don’t like it I take it back. Took 2 back to local GC which helps on cost. I usually look at used basses because the neck has had a chance to calm down. I recently bought a used Fender p from GC, sounds good, almost perfect condition.

 

[motoman]

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 agree with you my long and mcquade is the same not a large bass section and most of it are ibanez basses. There are no small shops anymore in our area because l&m steam rolled them over. You have to take your chances and order something and hope you like it.

 

[BadB]

The L2000 body is basically an offset P. The neck is comfortably placed between the feel of a P and a J. Unique electronics. 3-way pickup selector switch, global series/parallel switch and a 3-way off/on/treble boost preamp switch. Volume, passive treble cut, passive bass cut. It's pretty aggressive. I've not played a Kiloton, but if it retains the G&L pedigree, I wouldn't expect it to sound like a Music Man.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

G&L is very much on the radar. My issue there is there's no way to even try one out...but I have a feeling it's exactly what I'm after.

Also, it hurts my brain following my train of thought too . I have some very strong OCD tendencies.



Honestly, I only shop there now because I have no choice. Some of them are OK, but I've had to deal with way to many crappy attitudes there...and I have been a very good customer for a long time. I will go to lengths to not buy there...but its hard when they're the only legit game in town.

I admit that I have had mixed experiences, the best ones only lately.
However, the key to dealing with them is to be focused regarding your requirements and not tolerating any bs. If the rep gives you a hard time call them out.
Paying exchange rate, S&H, and tax upon tax makes SW a non-option.

If you DO like G&L, contact Greg (@RocketMusic). He is a responsive and knowledgeable dealer. I love G&L basses for their high quality to price ratio. Maybe you would find using a G&L equally rewarding.

Check out the G&L Club Part7 group to see Greg in action.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

What would I do?
I’d get one of these…….
G&L Kiloton.
View attachment 5379486

Nice, I would like to try one. Is that a trib or a USA?

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

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.

Have been thru a dozen or so basses since 1984, went thru many Peaveys and kept a couple of T40's, I have the Precision Pro II and it's an ABSOLUTE keeper, along with my 1982 avri Precision I resto modded by crossing with a 1983 Precision Elite, and now awaiting a EBMM Special 4HH.

What would I do?

This : ) and do something about the pickguard.

 

[InhumanResource]

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.

Rays are awesome but do yourself a favor and see if you can at least try out an L2000.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Speaking as a die-hard tinkerer, I would just get a Warmoth body in the shape and configuration that best suits my visual/ergonomic tastes. Then, between the TB Classifieds, as well as the internet-at-large, I’d find the neck and necessary parts needed to build a full-on, built-to-specs bass.

I haven’t done the math, but it’s a decent bet the total would probably come in quite a bit less than an American-made Stingray.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Speaking as a die-hard tinkerer, I would just get a Warmoth body in the shape and configuration that best suits my visual/ergonomic tastes. Then, between the TB Classifieds, as well as the internet-at-large, I’d find the neck and necessary parts needed to build a full-on, built-to-specs bass.

I haven’t done the math, but it’s a decent bet the total would probably come in quite a bit less than an American-made Stingray.

True!

: )

But in the end would also be worth less than it cost, vs years from now the Stingray if well kept will increase in value.

 

[Malak the Mad]

True!

: )

But in the end would also be worth less than it cost, vs years from now the Stingray if well kept will increase in value.

Also true. I suppose it depends on where you land with the eternal question; What's more important, "resale value" or "something that plays to one's specifications"?

Side note...I gotta give a big to Eastern Tennessee! I lived in Oak Ridge many years ago and hope to visit friends and family again early this year!

 

[Mike Vee]

G&L is quite different from a Stingray. I had a newer L-1000 for a while, it was beautiful but I wasn't a fan of the tone. For one, two of the three positions so not have hum cancelling. It was a lot like a P-bass just not as good, IMO

I am not sure what I can add to the conversation at this point, except the Stingray Special I had was a real winner. Out of all the Stingrays I owned, it was the best and had the best neck.

Right now I am happy with this Ray24CA. It's got the 2 band and a slim 1.5" neck. I would never give up the 1.5" neck, so the only options in a USA EBMM upgrade would be
1) USA Sterling 4H or Classic Sterling (too small of a bass, not fond of the body shape but i would jump on the right Classic but they are rare)
2) Joe Dart - had one and its awesome but passive and one pickup
3) Pre-2018 4h Slo Special - i had one and didnt like the neck geometry but am always shopping for one
4) wait for the EB custom configurator and spend about $4k on a SLO special Stingray special

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Also true. I suppose it depends on where you land with the eternal question; What's more important, "resale value" or "something that plays to one's specifications"?

Side note...I gotta give a big to Eastern Tennessee! I lived in Oak Ridge many years ago and hope to visit friends and family again early this year!

Yup, just did a count and I have more parts guitars than factory originals, and never worry about the value much, though after putting six hundred into my Squire based Jaguar am only interested in made in U.S.A.

I love the people here in Tennessee and plan on never moving away : )

 

[kln_bc]

True!

: )

But in the end would also be worth less than it cost, vs years from now the Stingray if well kept will increase in value.

So true. And I've built a number of guitars, I still have one, but most of them I never really bonded with and just lost a lot on resale. Probably wouldn't ever go down that road again.

 

[Vanheusen77]

So you found the Special 4H boomier than the Sterling HH? That’s interesting, since I would not expect the one “bridge” pickup on the H to be the boomier setup.

 

[woodyng2]

Nice, I would like to try one. Is that a trib or a USA?

That one is US made. I loved the overall design and feel, and really loved the sound. The pickup position was in my favored playing spot.
I sold it in a downsizing move, but would like to have another one someday. The next one I get would need to have a wider nut and flatter radius. (This one was 1.5/9.5”, respectively.)