phatkat Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I couldnt justify nor afford £1600 for a Stingray but I quite fancy a Honeyburst Ray 34... any owners/users out there have any comment on thes guitars? Graeme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 (edited) Well here's an excellent review [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=63788&hl=ray+34"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...8&hl=ray+34[/url] and if you check for ed freidland on youtube there's a video review as well [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fo7AKwfA0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fo7AKwfA0[/url] The Ray 34 is reviewed at the end. Edited April 23, 2011 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Nor would I mate whos charging £1600? my Ray5 didnt cost that new. After all the arguements about these the new prices have gone up even more and some of the folk I was argueing with now agree a secondhand Ray for the same price makes more sense. This FTW for £220 more including a hardcase and thats top money right now, Choose a different colour and the gap can come down to as little as £100 including a £130 EB hardcase, Makes nil sense to me mate. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ernie-Ball-Musicman-Stingray-4-string-Bass-/180657128191?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a100102ff"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ernie-Ball-Musicman-...=item2a100102ff[/url] £800 or less if he takes an offer inc at least £70 worth of case you can sell if you dont need one. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sterling-Music-Man-RAY34-Honeyburst-Bass-RAY-34-/310294727345?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item483f01cab1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sterling-Music-Man-R...=item483f01cab1[/url] £579 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I had a ray 34 classic active In mint green. A lush looking and sounding bass, REALLY good sounding, possibly beat sounding ray I've ever had. BUT the neck was wavy garbage Terrible fretwork meant crazy buzzing and a poorly cut nut left the action always too high. As soon as the slightest back pressure was applied to the neck, (like, while playing!) it would move visibly and cause the first few frets to be unusable unless you really cranked the action. gutted, NOT what you'd expect for the money, and clearly this 'set up and inspected in the U.S. business is just garbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 (edited) Im realy happy with mine. Its a Natural with Maple (the expencive ones) but got it for under £600 (and Im not talking £599) Realy love the sound but not being a Ray expert I couldnt tell you if it beats the real thing! A Edited April 23, 2011 by apa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Mine's great, sounds good and plays nicely. Had a slightly raised 13th fret but just pressed that back down and it's all good. There are many threads covering the Ray34 Vs 2nd hand Ray Vs SUB so I'll not get into that. Suffice to say find one that you like the feel, look and sound of and lay your money down and enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 [quote name='apa' post='1209242' date='Apr 23 2011, 03:35 PM']Im realy happy with mine. Its a Natural with Maple (the expencive ones) but got it for under £600 (and Im not talking £599) Realy love the sound but not being a Ray expert I couldnt tell you if it beats the real thing! A[/quote] Come up to Edinburgh for a "Ray-off" would love to try that Ray34. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1209259' date='Apr 23 2011, 04:06 PM']Come up to Edinburgh for a "Ray-off" would love to try that Ray34.[/quote] Well judging by your lust for Rosie Id probably come home empty handed A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) a few months back you could buy a new Stingray 2 EQ for a shade under a grand without a case....candy red, blue or black with rosewood or maple fretboards ahh, still can [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Black-Bass-Guitar-M-N-/310304369621?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item483f94ebd5"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item483f94ebd5[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Candy-Red-Bass-Guitar-/270720791053?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f0837720d"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item3f0837720d[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Blue-Pearl-Bass-Guitar-/270710713095?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f079dab07"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item3f079dab07[/url] Edited April 25, 2011 by iconic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) Get an MM Stingray Sub bass, usually under £400 second hand and come up here in B/C every so often. I got one in a recent trade and i have to be honest and say i am completely surprised with it and really loving it a lot.....all the Stingray sound that i wanted but perhaps not the smooth looks of the expensive ones. To my ears, that are probably a bit deaf these days, i thought the two Sterling rays that i tried a couple of months back sounded a bit thin whereas my Sub bass has the meat i've been looking for in a Stingray. The Sterling's rays do look cosmetically nice though. Just my subjective opinion of course. Look at this beaut: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120652&hl=SUB"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120652&hl=SUB[/url] Edited April 25, 2011 by Rasta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Seconded on the SUB, bought mine as way to get a flavour of a 2EQ 'Ray, and loving it. The pros and cons are : SUB - USA built, 2EQ, slab body, diamondplate pickguard (you can replace with standard 'Ray if a showstopper), textured paint finish, painted gloss finish neck. Bit of a debate as to whether its bang on the money electrics wise as its series wired as opposed to a 'Ray which is parallel wired, however sounds great to my ears, as good if not meatier than my genuine 3EQ 'Ray. £350-400 ish. Check this new one out on the 'Bay in a very rare white -----> [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320690206903&category=4713&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619"]eBay white SUB[/url] Sterling Ray 34 - Far East build, USA QC. Painted headstock, 3EQ, satin neck (?). Some guys love 'em, few questions over build? £579-ish new Sterling Clasic Ray - As above except 2EQ (not same build/components as USA 2EQ?), narrow SLO/Sterling neck - showstopper for some, me included. Nice colour choices USA Stingray - from about £650-800ish. USA build, choice on colour, 2EQ/3EQ if you're prepared to wait for the right one Your choice..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 A US Ray right here on BC for £750 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=133341&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=133341&hl=[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) I dont usually condone Sterlings as you know buy this is fair enough I guess [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=133355"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=133355[/url] Or are we back to only comparing overpriced bad example USA rays (ie £1600, never heard of that being asked unless its a ClassicRay?) to the best deals on a nearly new Sterling Ray not quite a fair comparison IMO. Used Sterlings at that money are worth a punt but for £150 tops more for an sh usa against a new £599 one why bother? Again Im going to point out that the body shape isnt the same, both arm and belly contours are [i]much[/i] smaller and the body edge is squarer on a Sterling Ray compared to real ones which might bother some people. Edited April 25, 2011 by stingrayPete1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AinsleyWalker Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) I recently bought a 2nd hand (but perfect condition) Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray (NOT Sterling) for £700! Sunburst body, black pickguard, maple fingerboard, 2EQ and like I said mint condition. Basically my perfect bass for a stupid price. Couldn't believe it! If you just look around you can get the real deal for perhaps less than a Sterling. Edited April 25, 2011 by AinsleyWalker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Personally I'd save a bit extra cash and get a second hand Stingray. Never known any ray to cost £1600 new. Bass direct I think has starting prices of £1200+ and there is still the standard series that come in at £999. My big al didn't even come to £1600, and I see some places quoting prices of £1700 upwards. Although if you are that strapped for cash and just want a taste of a ray sound and playability in my opinion you are better buying a S.U.B. I did but then I got a secondhand ray anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatkat Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Ok guys... so £1600 was a bit OTT... I am now looking at the possibility of a s/h US Ray and i'll let you know how I get on. G... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 (edited) I have a store very near me asking for 2300€ for a 3EQ Stingray5 in honeyburst/pearloid pickguard/maple neck. And it doesn't have piezo! Find out how much that is in pounds and be amazed!!! Cheers Edit: it's just like the one in my avatar except for the PG. I bought mine from UK and it costed me about £1200 with shipping to my country. Edited April 26, 2011 by Ghost_Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 [quote name='phatkat' post='1211821' date='Apr 26 2011, 05:04 PM']Ok guys... so £1600 was a bit OTT... I am now looking at the possibility of a s/h US Ray and i'll let you know how I get on. G...[/quote] That's the spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB3000S Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Another vote clearly in favour of a 2nd hand EBMM Stingray, much much better option than a new SBMM. [quote name='iconic' post='1210628' date='Apr 25 2011, 09:57 AM']a few months back you could buy a new Stingray 2 EQ for a shade under a grand without a case....candy red, blue or black with rosewood or maple fretboards ahh, still can [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Black-Bass-Guitar-M-N-/310304369621?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item483f94ebd5"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item483f94ebd5[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Candy-Red-Bass-Guitar-/270720791053?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f0837720d"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item3f0837720d[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-133-Series-Blue-Pearl-Bass-Guitar-/270710713095?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f079dab07"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-StingRay-1...=item3f079dab07[/url][/quote] These are just wonderful prices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 And the Blue Pearl is awesome in the flesh! My Ray 5 is blue pearl which annoyingly with the gloss guard and knobs its not a budget colour on the 5's so I had to pay more. Worth it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 And if your a bit of a name snob who doesnt want a sheep in wolves clothing. I took my Ray34 apart and found a birth date and ........................... A CORT by any other name. Still Im not complaining (Since I knew they were Indonisian) shes still a beaut A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Well, Cort know a thing or two about making nice basses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1213368' date='Apr 28 2011, 12:01 AM']Well, Cort know a thing or two about making nice basses...[/quote] Not quite as much about fair/safe working conditions though I hear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1213466' date='Apr 28 2011, 07:23 AM']Not quite as much about fair/safe working conditions though I hear?[/quote] Now you tell me! If got a bond with Arifin and Wakim (from the body QC stamp) after Bassassin and I worked out who they were!! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Yeah not too ethical I hear but Im not a hippy or anything so as long as the stuff is good who cares? I eat Mcdonalds and where some branded clothes etc too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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