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Well I think thats it for my Ray 34

#21
i installed a nordstrand MM4.4 in mine as well as a 2 band preamp. when i split the pickup using the coil closest to the neck, it has more a of fender vibe (with no hum since it's a quad coil). to me, splitting the pickup opens its tone up a, makes it smoother, and it removes the 'phased tone' of using both coils. plus i find the two band a bit less harsh than the stock 3 band that came in the bass.
 
#22
Well I suppose I can give strings a try considering they are the least costly option up for discussion. I'll pick up some new ones this week and wills see where that takes us.All I can seem to manage while in a band setting is a really harsh middy tone because thats the only way I can get this thing to cut through.
 
#26
Your rig does not match your bass. Hartke is the cheapest cab you can buy, and is lacking in low end and clarity.

You really need power behind you when using a MM style bass, since they have less low end then your Jazz has. I have heard MM basses fit with most styles of music but almost always out of an 8x10 with 1000 watts into it. Otherwise they just disappear in the mix. IME of course. If your band plans on recording I would keep the Ray around a bit and see how it sounds in that setting.
 
#27
^^^

Can't say I agree with any of that really. I use a 300w 1X12 combo with mine in a rock band and I'm more than present. I'm also not sure how they have less low end, you can dial in as much as you want with the preamp. Just IME as well. Different strokes for different folks.
 
#28
My Ray 34 (SVB limited edition -is smug-) has served me very well! It has worked with everything from funk to rock to metal, various jams, solo stuff...Never let me down! I find it difficult to find a sound I don't like!

And if you think you're poor, I'm running it through a Peavey max 115...hardcore! SansAmp BDDI deluxe helps the amp though, and crucially, live!
 
#30
bassgod0dmw said:
+1. I'll add Hi Beams as well...or Roto RS66's.

I never really thought Elixirs were particularly bright. They always sounded slightly dead and stayed that way for a long time.
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Elixirs aren’t that bright but they are even and consistent. They also last a ridiculously long time. For live gigs though I prefer the DR’s, even though I change them about once every 8 weeks. They cut like mad and really thump.
 
#32
Maybe starting a thread about how great the bass DOESN'T sound isn't the best marketing tool.
mathewcanhaz said:
I've tried every EQ setting I can think of, and I've let it come to half a dozen practices now and I still can't get it to sound good in a band mix. My jazz bass fits in perfectly every time but I just can't make this Ray work. :hmm: He will be getting posted for sale on every local craigslist/ recycler/ for sale location I can find today. Have any of you guys had this problem with your Ray's?

Here's a pic, I spent so much on this paint and was so excited about this bass, it's such a shame we couldn't work things out.

04897cf9.gif
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#34
mathewcanhaz said:
I've tried every EQ setting I can think of, and I've let it come to half a dozen practices now and I still can't get it to sound good in a band mix. My jazz bass fits in perfectly every time but I just can't make this Ray work. :hmm: He will be getting posted for sale on every local craigslist/ recycler/ for sale location I can find today. Have any of you guys had this problem with your Ray's?

Here's a pic, I spent so much on this paint and was so excited about this bass, it's such a shame we couldn't work things out.

04897cf9.gif
Click to expand...

I had a MM stingray once and even though it was beautiful and fun to play, it just couldn't be heard in a mix no matter what I did... it's a shame but I feel you!
 
#35
let me first start off by saying that i'm a total p-bass guy. i bought one of these back in january and tried it out in my punk/thrash band and it sounded good, but the p-bass just sounded a lot better. i've thought about selling mine but i know that if i did i'd regret it later on, i love how it feels and i like that it has a good weight to it and i feel it's got more quality than any fender bass in that price range. if i start another pop-punk band down the line this is the first bass i'm going to try playing in it. also this bass kinda inspired me to try playing with my fingers more, it definitely helped me build up some callouses haha. as for problems with mine, it's got a dead E string. it kinda looks like the nut got cut too deep for that string so i might try a replacement and see what it does

PS that paint job looks great, although it'd look better with a white gaurd and maple board :-)
 
#37
Just a suggestion. If you have a guitarist or two in your band, have them take some of the bass out of their tone. I've found that EB basses tend to sit in that place that is the low end of the guitarists range, rather than below that where something like a P or J bass will sit in the mix. Worth a try and it could make a world of difference.
 

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