mcnach Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 I recently got a Ray35 bass. Two things surprised me a bit: 1) String spacing of 17.5mm does not bother me. 2) The G string does not feel like it's falling off the edge. The spacing was a surprise because I used to not get along with 5-string basses unless they were at least 18mm. Even the 17.5mm of a Stingray5 felt odd. But that was when I was not playing 5-strings much. For the past year and a half I've been playing 5-strings regularly and with that came the realisation that I don't care about the spacing as much as I used to. The 17.5mm spacing actually feels quite good and I might even prefer it to 19mm now, which is not where I was a few years ago. But the thing about teh G string... I remember trying Stingray5 basses a couple of times and feeling the G string was way too close to the edge of the fingerboard. I don't have any issues with the Ray35 (in that respect, it had *other* issues ). It doesn't *look* to me different from what I see on Stingray5 photographs, but it's not a good way to compare them. It's entirely possible that the neck profile/dimensions are not close to what EBMM uses for their Stingray5, of course... Does anybody know how the EBMM Stingray5 and the Ray35 compare with regards to the neck dimensions, and in particular the width of the fingerboard? Here's the Ray35, because why not 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDC484950 Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Curiously, I never noticed this feature with the Stingray Special 5 I’ve just sold. I very much did however with both USA Sterling 5s I’ve owned (supposedly identical neck dimensions) and earlier SR5s too. Looking at specs online the only difference I can see is that a SR5 nut is 44.5mm and a Ray35 is 45mm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Been a while since I owned either a StingRay 5 or Ray35 but just wanted to say that your bass looks incredible. I love the combination of the colour, the roasted neck and the black hardware. That is all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 28, 2022 Author Share Posted August 28, 2022 12 hours ago, dub_junkie said: Been a while since I owned either a StingRay 5 or Ray35 but just wanted to say that your bass looks incredible. I love the combination of the colour, the roasted neck and the black hardware. That is all. It looks better in person It's a shame the hardware is utter crap. The tuner gears chew themselves, and when others reported that to SBMM they just get sent another set of tuners made of cheese, so I ordered a set of hipshots because otherwise is a pretty nice bass (if heavy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted August 28, 2022 Share Posted August 28, 2022 Read about the tuner issue - that's not good at all 😐 I've entertained the idea of getting one of these since they were first announced. Hope this issue is sorted by the time I get one. btw is the tuner issue just with the black hardware on the purple 4 and 5 strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 29, 2022 Author Share Posted August 29, 2022 13 hours ago, dub_junkie said: Read about the tuner issue - that's not good at all 😐 I've entertained the idea of getting one of these since they were first announced. Hope this issue is sorted by the time I get one. btw is the tuner issue just with the black hardware on the purple 4 and 5 strings? It seems it's only the black tuners, and only on the purple sparkle ones. It probably depends on which factory was making what at the time. The blue sparkle that came out at the same time, with chrome hardware, doesn't appear to have problems. I was hesitant to keep it, because with the tuners it becomes quite an overpriced bass. I could have bought a very nice condition USA Stingray5 and have a wad of extra cash in my pocket... but I'm happy with my decision now. Yeah, I paid over the odds, but it's a good bass and I just love that finish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 It's been a while since I looked at a bass and immediately wanted it, that's stunning! And you say there's a blue one as well? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 I caved in today and bought a Ray35. Not the purple one but the vintage sunburst with roasted neck. If I end up gigging the Ray35 as my main bass I'll likely upgrade one of my Ray25CAs to the purple 35 then. Hopefully the tuner issue might be sorted by then too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 17 hours ago, Graham said: It's been a while since I looked at a bass and immediately wanted it, that's stunning! And you say there's a blue one as well? Yup, this one, and the tuners on that one don't chew themselves, it seems. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenezer Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 I think ivory fret markers would have been better with the darker roasted maple boards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 (edited) That blue sparkle finish is equally as nice as the purple. I see they do a light green sparkle on the 4 but not on the 5 but don't think you can go wrong with either finish available on the five string. Edited August 31, 2022 by dub_junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJWW Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 On 30/08/2022 at 21:22, dub_junkie said: I caved in today and bought a Ray35. Not the purple one but the vintage sunburst with roasted neck. If I end up gigging the Ray35 as my main bass I'll likely upgrade one of my Ray25CAs to the purple 35 then. Hopefully the tuner issue might be sorted by then too. I've got the 4 string version of this, bought s/h from this site. It's light (3.8kg) and wonderful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted September 1, 2022 Author Share Posted September 1, 2022 On 31/08/2022 at 13:15, dub_junkie said: That blue sparkle finish is equally as nice as the purple. I see they do a light green sparkle on the 4 but not on the 5 but don't think you can go wrong with either finish available on the five string. The more I look it the more I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub_junkie Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 I'd have both if I had the slightest chance of geting them by the missus😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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