Thor Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Hi All, Just tentatively enquiring what people's thoughts are on these? Had a 'Ray 5 previously which despite looking pretty, I didn't particularly get on with at all, I had always wanted to try one but when the opportunity arose we just didn't click? So having sold it around a 18 months ago, I'm getting a touch of GAS for a 4 string Ray of sorts, but didn't want to shell out too much in case I don't like the 4 either. I think the main "problem" with the 5 was the definite difference in volume across the strings - the G string sounded very thin & weedy compared to the colossal E&A strings, the D was slightly weaker sounding but OK on the whole. Also the weight of the 5 was pretty heavy and the thought of gigging with it - ugh! Just thought I'd chuck it out there and see what experience you'd had with them? Cheers in advance, Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I had the ray 34ca. Sounded and felt amazing, but the neck was cheap, wavy, poorly fretted junk. Back it went I'd have another of they weren't so expensive for what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) Hmm, that's a bit disappointing to hear - read some reviews over on talkbass (ducks for cover) and pretty much everyone rated them? Edited March 25, 2012 by Thor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 No such neck problems on my Ray35, the neck is great and the strings sound balanced. The balance problems you heard were probably due to the strings used and how it was set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 The weak G string on all Rays seems to a bone of contention, but nothing a little adjustment of action or pickup height doesn't cure in my experience. Weight is another issue altogether though, all of the Rays I've owned have been heavier than anything else I've had, but on the upside this makes them really well balanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1332677589' post='1591441'] The weak G string on all Rays seems to a bone of contention, but nothing a little adjustment of action or pickup height doesn't cure in my experience. Weight is another issue altogether though, all of the Rays I've owned have been heavier than anything else I've had, but on the upside this makes them really well balanced. [/quote] I really quite fancy a Ray 4 and I'm sure if I could set it up properly then I'd learn to love it! Does anyone have the weight of a Sterling Ray? Any other comments good or bad? Cheers for the responses so far - helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 No worries. I had no balance problems, infact never have with any ray I've owned. Lucky ! It sounded more 'ray like' than some 'real' stingrays I've had. It was a tad unsubtle though! Such a shame about the neck. It felt amazing. Just wobbled about all over the place! and had such poor fretting a low action was impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) According to the bathroom scales I weigh 4.5kg more when I add the Ray34 to my weight. PS I'm starting to think about off loading my black one to help finance 5string fretless GAS Edited March 25, 2012 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeptrying Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Before I bought my ray, I had the same concerns as you. I went to a music shop and asked if I could try one. I did tell them I couldn't afford to buy new and had already seen the one I wanted to buy but it was in Scotland. They were fine and even offered to let me play one with an amp so I could hear it. If there's a shop near you with that level of customer service it's one way to see what you're buying With a decent strap the weight isn't too bad. Maybe there's a fellow bc member near you who wont mind you having a play on their ray, just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeptrying Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) as previously said tweaking pup height and action sorts out weak d and g strings according to my scales my stingray is 4.3kg Edited March 25, 2012 by keeptrying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 Thanks for your help guys - I reckon a trip to a guitar shop is in order! Would definitely like to try before committing to buy. Forgive my ignorance, do they come in different pup arrangements like "real Stingrays"? Off to ask Google... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Well I took the plunge and ezbass and I worked out a deal (helps both of us with GAS) so I'm now the proud owner of a nice Black Ray34 with a Black Pearloid scratchplate (collected earlier today), I have to say, my initial reaction is it's much better than the SR5 I had previously, I think this will be gigged more often than the 5 was - well pleased at the moment - the proof will be on Saturday night when I take it to next gig! Thanks for all the input guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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