Jigster Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 (edited) ...in my humble opinion, altho there was a glowing report posted about the Sterling Ray 34 by outtoplaybass (i think) who prob knows far more than I ever will, I tried both of these this morning and you can just feel the difference in quality and tone with the Ernie Ball - feel, playability, so superior. (Well about £400 superior as that's pretty much the price differential!!) - altho I believe the Sterling has the same parts as the Ernie (?) is set up in the US and made in Indonesia they are two VERY different guitars.. Edited October 21, 2009 by Jigster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I would hope so at that price as well! Sounds like you found a really good MM there. The last couple of new ones I played were half finished dogs, but I recently played Higgie's Ray and really liked it. For now, Ray-wise, I'm happy with the 34. Putting the Marcus Miller fatbeam 40-100's on it this evening. We'll see how it plays then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 just on the string gauge thing sir - i play a whole step down from standard tuning, so if I bought an MM I'd need a heavier gauge than the standard gauge they are set up with, is that right ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Not really... I'd imagine playing a tone down that standard 45-105's would sound just fine. I've put the DR's on now. Sounds immense at the bottom end now as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 yeah I was re-reading about the sterling it says its electronics are 'hot rodded' - do u know what that actually means and does reg stingray have the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Jigster' post='632699' date='Oct 21 2009, 07:22 PM']yeah I was re-reading about the sterling it says its electronics are 'hot rodded' - do u know what that actually means and does reg stingray have the same?[/quote] I'm not sure. I recall Ed Friedland saying that they were the same MM preamp, identical to the American series basses for the Sterling by MM basses. It sounds just like a Ray with all the snarling top end you expect and now I've got the new DR fatbeam strings on it's immense. Obviously it's never going to have the power of a Status or Sadowsky preamp, but it sounds really nice all the same. Edited October 21, 2009 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I have to say if it sounds like a MM, thats brilliant. As much as I steer clear usually from onboard active/preamps as im a passive guy normally, the MM Stingray EQ is so bloody good. Powerful, easy, and reliable. Hope you are still enjoying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='632705' date='Oct 21 2009, 07:29 PM']I'm not sure. I recall Ed Friedland saying that they were the same MM preamp, identical to the American series basses for the Sterling by MM basses. It sounds just like a Ray with all the snarling top end you expect and now I've got the new DR fatbeam strings on it's immense. Obviously it's never going to have the power of a Status or Sadowsky preamp, but it sounds really nice all the same.[/quote] We'll have to do a comparison when you're in the area with your Ray 34 Rich. I'll have to get up to Electro and try one out. I was never a fan of the Subs - purely cosmetic of course but if these are up to G&L Tribby standard....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 [quote name='martthebass' post='632754' date='Oct 21 2009, 08:11 PM']We'll have to do a comparison when you're in the area with your Ray 34 Rich. I'll have to get up to Electro and try one out. I was never a fan of the Subs - purely cosmetic of course but if these are up to G&L Tribby standard.......[/quote] Yes, we'll do that for definite! Yes, the quality is amazing and now I've got it set up how I like it, it's even more impressive. [quote]Musicman20 Posted Today, 08:05 PM I have to say if it sounds like a MM, thats brilliant. As much as I steer clear usually from onboard active/preamps as im a passive guy normally, the MM Stingray EQ is so bloody good. Powerful, easy, and reliable. Hope you are still enjoying it[/quote] Yes, it nails the Stingray sound completely. What more can I say? Only doing a direct like for like comparison will show how close they really are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodney72a Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='632530' date='Oct 21 2009, 04:39 PM']The last couple of new ones I played were half finished dogs[/quote] Half finished? What do you mean by that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 How dare you ?!!??!!! Mm's are perfect in every conceivable way. I'm telling BP on you!! It's not them, it's you that's looking at them wrong. You commie ray hater!! ;-) ahem. Sorry about that, I couldn't resist. I'm sure those in the know will know lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 [quote name='gafbass02' post='634125' date='Oct 23 2009, 07:23 AM']How dare you ?!!??!!! Mm's are perfect in every conceivable way. I'm telling BP on you!! It's not them, it's you that's looking at them wrong. You commie ray hater!! ;-) ahem. Sorry about that, I couldn't resist. I'm sure those in the know will know lol.[/quote] Heh! Not a problem - To clarify, the quality on the last couple of new EBMM basses I played was not up to scratch. The necks weren't properly sanded and felt rough and unfinished & the output was sorely lacking. Also, overall sound was hardly sparkling. But that's just two basses in a shop. Previous Stingrays I've played have been lovely straight out of the box. It's that old mass produced variant again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brave Sir Robin Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 could be the difference between a good MM and a bad Sterling, as already said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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