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Tribute L2500 vs Sterling Sub Ray5 HH

Tribute L2500 vs Sterling Sub Ray5 HH

  • Tribute L2500

    Votes: 39 62.9%

  • Sterling Sub Ray5 HH

    Votes: 15 24.2%

  • Mashed carrots and potatoes with butter

    Votes: 8 12.9%
  • Total voters
    62
Raman

Raman

Feb 19, 2003
2,223
3,273
53
Montreal, Qc
#1
Both basses are in the same ballpark in terms of built quality and pricing. (And this price range is what I can currently afford.) Playability -- weight, neck radius, nut, etc. -- also seem roughly equivalent in both instruments.

I currently own a Tribby L2500 and it's a fantastic instrument. The Ray5 HH has been intriguing me for a while, but I can't find one around to try. I'd have to order one and quite possibly wait 6+ months for it to be delivered.

As much as the L2500 gives me an incredible array of great tones and a super solid architecture -- bridge, body, neck, fretboard, etc. --, the Sterling appears to simplify things quite a bit, as well as give out a meatier, bassier sound.

So in short, what this poll really asks is:
Should I shed for a Ray5 HH, considering that I already own a G&L Tribute L2500?
 
Last edited:
#2
It’s been said in many threads before- if you’ve come to be told “just play what you have and don’t buy a new bass” you have come to the wrong place.

Now that that’s out of the way, yes, I think the two are different enough to justify owning both, as long as you’ll find enjoyment in having the variety. I have not owned either (I own a SBMM Ray5 that I love) but like I said, they’re different enough in controls and features to be worth it.

So here’s a vote saying “go for it!”.
 
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#3
Raman said:
Both basses are in the same ballpark in terms of built quality and pricing. (And this price range is what I can currently afford.) Playability -- weight, neck radius, nut, etc. -- also seem roughly equivalent in both instruments.

I currently own a Tribby L2500 and it's a fantastic instrument. The Ray5 HH has been intriguing me for a while, but I can't find one around to try. I'd have to order one and quite possibly wait 6+ months for it to be delivered.

As much as the L2500 gives me an incredible array of great tones and a super solid architecture -- bridge, body, neck, fretboard, etc. --, the Sterling appears to simplify things quite a bit, as well as give out a meatier, bassier sound.

So in short, what this poll really asks is:
Should I shed for a Ray5 HH, considering that I already own a G&L Tribute L2500?
Click to expand...
The Ray 5HH is on sale for $290 at Guitar Center this week. That’s 36% off the normal $450. Does that sway your decision to try it out? It sure is tempting to me ….
 
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#9
I've owned a Tribby L2500 for a few years now and I really love it. I was just playing it last night for the first time in a while, and even though the strings are fairly dead I was marveling at how good it sounded. It's really a versatile animal with the active/passive preamp and S/P switch.

That being said, all of the Stingray variants (Ray 5, 25, 35 etc) offer a signature sound that's really hard to emulate. If you decide you can't live without that sound, and you find a deal too good to pass up, then I'd say go for it. I personally have been GASsing lately for a cheap Ray project.
 
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#11
I have the Ray5HH that’s currently on sale at GC. The special edition matte ruby burst is beautiful IMO. Very versatile tone wise between the active eq and the 5 way selector switch. I really dig mine, but I just don’t play much that needs that low b string. I’m waiting for the GC sale to end so I can sell mine without taking a bath on it.
F2B49A0A-FCEB-47EC-A779-4157219816AB.jpeg
 
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#16
I don't know...it's a very subjective choice. About 20 years ago when I was shopping for a 5-string, I hit the shops convinced I would walk out with a Stingray, but after trying a bunch it's the L-2500 I fell in love with and bought (still have it). I have yet to find hotter pickups than the MFDs, so I'm not sure what you mean by meatier and bassier.

If you can't afford keeping both, I would recommend waiting for an opportunity to try one, as YouTube demos can be deceptive (and you seem happy with your L-2500). It could be a great move or an expensive experiment.

I guess it all depends if the Ray can give you a tone you can't live without and can't get from the G&L. Personally, I wouldn't own two active dual humbucker 5-string basses: I prefer to diversify.
 
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#17
Raman said:
Both basses are in the same ballpark in terms of built quality and pricing. (And this price range is what I can currently afford.) Playability -- weight, neck radius, nut, etc. -- also seem roughly equivalent in both instruments.

I currently own a Tribby L2500 and it's a fantastic instrument. The Ray5 HH has been intriguing me for a while, but I can't find one around to try. I'd have to order one and quite possibly wait 6+ months for it to be delivered.

As much as the L2500 gives me an incredible array of great tones and a super solid architecture -- bridge, body, neck, fretboard, etc. --, the Sterling appears to simplify things quite a bit, as well as give out a meatier, bassier sound.

So in short, what this poll really asks is:
Should I shed for a Ray5 HH, considering that I already own a G&L Tribute L2500?
Click to expand...

I voted for the L2500 as that is the decision I made when auditioning both instruments you are considering.

I was close to ending up a Ray35 and lucked out that a L2500 tribute happened to be sitting around at Sam Ash. It really made the construction of the Ray feel cheaper (to me) and I preferred the tone of the G&L, but those are totally subjective points.

frankly I can’t put my finger on it but I like the 4 string SBMM rays WAY better than the 5s. They seem better built and sounding to me, the 5 was kind of disappointing in comparison and the L2500 was leaps and bounds better. They are really well made and great sounding instruments.
 
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#20
Raman said:
The cost in gas alone would nullify the savings.
Click to expand...

If gas is cheaper in the US, bring a bunch of garbage bags and fill them up. Much better than gas cans, because you can really wedge them into every nook and cranny.


***
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

This is actor Joshua Jackson. You may remember me from movies like The Mighty Ducks, D2: The Mighty ducks, D3: The Mighty Ducks, or even the hit TV show Dawson’s Creek. What’s it like dating Katie Holmes? You’ll have to read my upcoming memoir to find out.

I’d like to take the time to urge you to avoid the suggestion above. For starters, gasoline should only be transported in appropriate containers. Transporting gasoline in garbage bags is a bad idea. The gasoline could interact with the bag material, potentially dissolving the bag and causing quite a mess. Also, have you ever tried to pour anything out of a garbage bag? Again, you’ll just make a mess, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s how bad it can be when you make a mess. Did I mention that I starred into two Mighty Ducks sequels?

Furthermore, think about the quantity of gas you’d need to buy to make it worthwhile. That’s money that could be used to purchase DVDs or even streaming service subscriptions, where you can watch me in films like The Skulls. Factor in the potential import duties, and you’re throwing away money that could be used for DVDs of movies like Racing Stripes or Shutter.

So please, think before you do something stupid. And as my close personal friend Orson Welles once told me, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”

Thank you, and have a great day!

***
 
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