What Did I Just Buy?

[Bassdoggydogg]

I've been looking for a nice Sterling that I can use with my other Sterling that's currently strung BEAD. Yeah I know I could just play a fiver, but I prefer the looks of a four banger. I'm a snob and I'll own up to that. So I just came across this Sterling bass that has the beefy upgraded bridge (ray24/34 ca bridge), and the headstock doesn't say sub series. At this point I'm thinking it's a ray24, but then I notice a body contour on the back. I also don't think I've ever seen a ray24 offered in this finish with a full maple neck and board. I'll post some pics. Does anyone have any insight on this specific model?

 

[RVRSCO]

They did make a Ray24CA at some point in a sunburst, but I remember them having rosewood fretboards. Could be a parts build combining the maple neck with the sunburst body.

 

[ghostdog93]

Off the top of my head...I know SBMM had the Ray34CA in sunburst with a maple board, but it had a slab body and the model name screened on the headstock. The non-CA Ray34 that they offered in sunburst had a roasted maple neck & fingerboard, IIRC. The Ray24 in the vintage burst with maple board was definitely a Sub series bass.

Neck swap? Parts build? Did you happen to check the serial?

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Is that not a short scale stingray? The bridge looks beefy because the bass is small

 

[Sharko]

Is that not a short scale stingray? The bridge looks beefy because the bass is small

The way the control plate almost touches the bridge certainly looks like the short scale ray

 

[BassAgent]

Yeah that is the short scale Sterling Ray, just like this one: Invalid Link Removed

 

[Tj smith]

It’s a short scale. It has 7 pickguard screws. Full scale have 9. I have the same bass and it’s super fun to play.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Is that not a short scale stingray? The bridge looks beefy because the bass is small

 

[Snibborwocky]

D string... must... put back on... string retainer... ocd... killing me...
Otherwise I dig it, congrats.

 

[BassAgent]

D string... must... put back on... string retainer... odc... killing me...
Otherwise I dig it, congrats.

This, and also: must...put...string end...in tuner...string end..poking holes in gig bag...

 

[steimlem]

step 1 - buy bass
step 2 - figure out what bass you bought

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Big bridge, big headstock, big pickup, that vague reminder of what it looked like when you were eight years old and wearing your parent's clothes....

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I prefer the looks of a four banger. I'm a snob and I'll own up to that.

Purely out of curiosity, how does your own particular vein of snobbery feel about short scales?

 

[Bassdoggydogg]

step 1 - buy bass
step 2 - figure out what bass you bought

Hey it was a hot deal on a good looking bass... Plus it was a GC order so the return policy is great, especially when the written description doesn't match the pics... I forgot to mention that in my OP lol!

Purely out of curiosity, how does your own particular vein of snobbery feel about short scales?

Shorties are alright, but sometimes it's hard to find a good case for them. Btw I did look like a total goof in oversized clothes at 8 years old hahaha!

This is a shorty for sure, as I just spent over 15 mins with the GC that's shipping it. I guess their new AI adds random stuff to listings. I figure I'll see what it's like, and perhaps give it to my daughter for Xmas... Or maybe keep it for myself like a real bass fiend, we'll see...

 

[ghostdog93]

I totally missed the short scale clues. If you need me, I'll be in the corner.

 

[BassBrass]

I guess their new AI adds random stuff to listings.

What did AI add to the listing?
btw, I had to buy one of those after I tried it, the sound was impressive, and the tone/volume controls are impressive, it's passive unlike the full size Sterlings (so you can keep it plugged in) and has less fret sprout than they do... Full volume is with the volume knob pulled out, which takes advantage of the high output pickup, and the tone control makes a nice punchy sound when rolled off a bit. Mine wears short scale steel rounds, no need for duller strings. It hits above its average. If you give it to your daughter, she will have a better sounding bass than you do, and that's very nurturing of you to do. It Is quite small, but in a crowded rehearsal or performance space you worry less about hitting things.

 

[Bassdoggydogg]

What did AI add to the listing?
btw, I had to buy one of those after I tried it, the sound was impressive, and the tone/volume controls are impressive, it's passive unlike the full size Sterlings (so you can keep it plugged in) and has less fret sprout than they do... Full volume is with the volume knob pulled out, which takes advantage of the high output pickup, and the tone control makes a nice punchy sound when rolled off a bit. Mine wears short scale steel rounds, no need for duller strings. It hits above its average. If you give it to your daughter, she will have a better sounding bass than you do, and that's very nurturing of you to do. It Is quite small, but in a crowded rehearsal or performance space you worry less about hitting things.

The written description didn't match the photos. The listed GC location confirmed the photos were correct, and therefore it's a short scale. The GC employee also said their new AI just throws in random stuff, which is often incorrect.

Anyways, I might have struck gold with this one... cuz these models are somewhat rare. I've been kinda gassing for a nice sunburst bass, but my daughter might be one lucky girl this holiday season. Either way I'll have to see how the bass plays, and I'll prolly throw some stainless rounds on it.