Terry M.

It would have been interesting to know if it was just that particular bass. Did you try another one? I've been there a few times and found the basses I tried generally quite playable.I'm not feeling the appointment only process they have in place now but I do understand why for security purposes.

The 55-02 I tried had an excellent set-up but it's not the first one I've tried in stores that had a (to me) dodgy sounding open B string. Other Laklands I've tried have had decent sounding Bs so it really is a case of kissing a few frogs so to speak.

So today I was in Guitar Guitar Birmingham and tried a Lakland 55-02 and a Darkray Stingray 5. The Lakland had a neck to die for,wow! The open low B however sounded (to me) atrocious. This whole "needs a 35" for the B to sound good" stuff means very little to me anyway if anything. I (now) understand there's a trim pot on the LH3 preamp to control this but the volume drop between active and passive modes is almost comical to me and this one was no exception. The Darkray SR5 I admit I didn't have a clue what the controls apart from the volume bass and treble knobs did. I could NOT get it to sound like a regular Stingray but again that was most probably user-error on my part. It also wasn't set-up great. The open low B sounded glorious to my ear though and the weight was good.

Thinking about this is making me wonder why EBMM bother to even gloss the headstock really. My Ray35 is unfinished all the way from headstock down and I can't see anything wrong with that.

I remember when this was on here because I have the bolt-on Broadneck version as well as a through neck Broadneck Streamer Stage One. Wouldn't be without either of them. I had to get to know the Thumb ergonomics but once it clicked...

I feel the same way with regards to the deliberate ageing trend we're witnessing on instruments. Imagine being charged more for a new vehicle that the factory bashed about a bit! 🤣

I'm with you on this. The gloss poly finish (in my opinion) on the back of necks is horrid.

That would be me. I've walked away from buying basses due to them having piezo pickups. It really is horses for courses 🙂

I've tried several 55-02 Laklands in stores and have to admit that the volume drop when in passive mode is holding me back somewhat.

While we're on this topic does anybody know why on the back of the Stingray headstock there's a "line" separating it from the neck? I've always wanted to know. Not sure if this applies to pre Ernie Ball models.

The SBMM branding was launched in 2008. Like you I prefer 19mm spacing but somehow I'm all over the neck on my Ray35 without as much as a thought.

I hear you on the SR5 price. Have you ever tried a SBMM Ray35? I recently acquired an early used example and as far as I'm concerned it's a Stingray made in Indonesia and sporting a different headstock logo. I've own EBMM SR5s in the past for reference.

Did you make those modifications and if so was there a discernible difference before and after? I ask because as mentioned previously my Ray35 (no mods) is all the way Stingray to me through and through as-is☺️

Was there ever an EBMM SR5 with 19mm bridge string spacing? Someone on here once said it was a thing briefly before being discontinued.

As in it might get in the way of one's technique rather than a lack of technique?

Can't play with my rings on,too uncomfortable both physically and mentally. Even my watch has to come off.

https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/ernie-ball-music-man-5 I've actually played this bass in the store and believe me when I say my recently acquired used Ray35 is no worse. It's hard to look at this price tag after that.

No worries Steve. Good luck with the quest 😀

Hi Steve. No problem at all. To answer your question I don't think it's anything to worry about too much. What's interesting here is the TRBX you tried and the TRB have identical fretboard radius' (23 5/8"). The fact that you don't recall the fretboard feel on the RBX probably means you didn't have an issue with that aspect of the bass. If you can go and check out the TRB bear in mind it has a 35" scale neck. I've noticed on Yamaha.com that that it is now discontinued.

You know you won't regret it based on your personal experience.

I'll go as far to suggest that the price difference flatters the US made ones somewhat when you actually consider what you get with the Ray34/5s.

I have to agree with this. I've had a few US Stingray 5s in the past and took delivery of a used first gen Ray35 just this week. As far as I'm concerned I now have a Stingray 5 with a different logo and made in Indonesia. Looks feels and sounds JUST like the real thing to me.

Hi Steve, Speaking of sub £500 5 string basses that I would go for I've just taken delivery of a used first generation SBMM Ray35 in the natural ash finish. I've had "real" US 5 string Rays before so am able to make a reasonable comparison:these Ray35s are Stingrays through and through! I know these might not be your thing especially with the 17.5mm string spacing but I love the Stingray tone but not the £2k+ price tag on some of the EBMM Rays that preceded the 2018 Stingray Special range. As far as I'm concerned I have a Ray for less than 1/4 of the price of some used USA examples ☺️

Hi Steve. I tried an 845 once when it was still in production but it had the BH2 Barts which really wasn’t my thing but,what's interesting is the replacement 945 has Nordstrand Big Single pickups which IS my thing. I'm wondering if the sheer body size along with the longer scale length and possible marketing towards the metal genre has made them somewhat niche 🤔 Don't rule out the 705 however as in my experience it almost played itself and sounded good doing it. I've noticed Ibanez have removed the 705 from their website now.

Hi Steve so for current production/more recent stuff I've tried the same bass (805MS) in the original transparent gray flat colour,the 705LM and the 605LM. All fanned fret and all using the T1 pickups. Long story short I've been very impressed with ALL of them. Those T1 pickups to me sound REALLY good. I think like you the far eastern licenced Barts do very little for me if anything. The T1s I would describe as a game changer. All 3 basses were ultra playable and the fanned frets took me all of 10 seconds to get used to. The 805 had the longest B string at 37" if that's important.