Paul S Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I think that is the first title I have written that contains no words. I am drawn to a Musicman style bass, but it needs to be a lightweight one with skinny neck. There now seems to be a choice! The SB14 [url="http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/sb14"]http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/sb14[/url] The Ray34CA [url="http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/ray34ca"]http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/ray34ca[/url] Superficially these seem similar, apart from the 3 band eq on the SB14 and a maple neck on the Ray34CA and I am finding it a bit confusing. Does anyone know if there are any major differences other than this - different pickup, build quality etc? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 The SB14 (modelled on the EB Sterling) also has the series/single/parallel switch, which I found very handy on the Stingray 5 I once had. I believe the EB Sterling has a slimmer neck profile than a 'Ray, but whether that's the case with these I'm not sure. Different pickup in those 2 basses too (ceramic in SB14 vs alnico in Ray34). Not sure what you're referring to with the maple neck as they are both available with maple neck? Also different body shapes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 (edited) The SB14 is based on the EBMM Sterling i believe. It does differ quite a bit as far as electronics and pup goes, From the description for the SB14. A 3rd Hum cancelling phantom coil zaps all the noise out and allows for series, parallel and true single coil operation with no hum. Check out Ed Friedland's video review of these basses and you will get a better idea of how they differ. The SB14 is also made of Basswood. EDIT; Here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fo7AKwfA0&feature=plcp&context=C47088faVDvjVQa1PpcFN3Fr-my2d8eoRpprVh_fS13f2rFZ6Znyk%3D Edited March 30, 2012 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thank you for those links and comments. I think that has clarified things a bit - I will aim for an SB14. Need to shift a couple of bits first, though. ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Glad it helped, it did for me. I had a Ray34 and only sold it because i prefer narrower necks. Back then the CA version wasnt out and something about the look of the SB14 put me off, even though i prefer the tone Ed gets over the Ray34. There have been a few SB14's come up on here, im sure you will find something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethfriend Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 My SB14 is really nice but I don't like solid colour bodies or rosewood fingerboards so I'm looking for a Ray34 CA. Should have thought about that in the shop but it was just so playable I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1333105133' post='1597410'] I am drawn to a Musicman style bass, but it needs to be a lightweight one with skinny neck. [/quote]Depends what you term as lightweight. MusicMan don't do what I would call light. However, the lightest of their range would be the Sterling (or its SBMM equivalent). If you need a light weight bass for comfort reasons I suggest that you demo one of these on a strap for half an hour if possible. I will say that the upside of MM weight is that they are very well balanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Well, the SB14 is basswood which, with the smaller contoured body, should work out under 9lbs - I have seen no actual figures for this but would imagine it to be so. The Ray34 makes an issue out of its 'lightweight ash body' so I guess it is different to standard. Anyway, I will give one a try at some point. Thanks again. Edited March 31, 2012 by Paul S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin E Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I've just weighed my SB14 at 8.6 lbs. I've been gigging it for over a year now and am very pleased with it's compact size and light weight as well of course as the range of tones available. Interested to see they've now put a thin neck on the Ray34 as well (Checkout my review of the SB14 in the reviews section) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Martin - thank you. For the weight and the review, which I had not read before. What you have written just about clinches it for me, in fact I am now struggling to stop myself trawling the net to find one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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