Torn on ordering a new Ray...WWYD?

[kln_bc]

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.

I think there was an issue with the pickup actually, but I never got to confirm due to the truss rod being immovable. It needed a ton of compression to level it out.

 

[jd56hawk]

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.

You need to forget about the common everyday basses and go with something just a little bit different, something special.
Reverend Thundergun...one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.

 

[kln_bc]

You need to forget about the common everyday basses and go with something just a little bit different, something special.
Reverend Thundergun...one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.View attachment 5381020

I was seriously looking at these. Another one I'd have to go in blind, but it looks really cool, is reasonably priced, and seems to solve all the typical bird issues.

 

[jd56hawk]

I was seriously looking at these. Another one I'd have to go in blind, but it looks really cool, is reasonably priced, and seems to solve all the typical bird issues.

Bought mine online from Reverb.
One thing, though...12" fretboard radius.
Some people love them, some don't.
Other than that, it's the best bass in its price range...$1,200 to $2,000.
Fairly light, too...mine's under 8 lbs.
Every bit as good as my USA-made G&L L2000s.

 

[kln_bc]

Bought mine online from Reverb.
One thing, though...12" fretboard radius.
Some people love them, some don't.
Other than that, it's the best bass in its price range...$1,200 to $2,000.
Fairly light, too...mine's under 8 lbs.
Every bit as good as my USA-made G&L L2000s.

What's the neck like on it? I see it's wider like a P, but profile?

 

[jd56hawk]

What's the neck like on it? I see it's wider like a P, but profile?

A modern medium oval neck profile with a comfortable 1.65" nut width and a 12" radius. Reverend's medium oval profile is big enough to feel substantial but thin enough to feel fast and easy to play. The moderate nut width helps the neck hug the contours of your palm, and the 12" radius allows you to use a lower setup and bend strings more easily.

 

[ravelax]

This sounds like it's just a case of "habitual GAS". I've often found myself in situations like this, I feel I want something but still can't decide exactly what to do: this or that version, maybe something else entirely is what I really should be looking at? What if I don't like it even if I'm pretty sure I will? Etc. in absurdum. Sooner or later I always realize that I simply just don't want whatever it is enough, or rather, I don't really know what I want. And that makes it easy to decide not to buy anything at all at that moment, but hold off until I really know what I want or need. Usually the urge doesn't come back after that.