Sterling by MusicMan: Any Good?

[Hellbound]

In my quest to find a decent bass to learn on and record (with my guitars) I have come upon the MusicMan Stingray and have liked the sound and the tones I have heard.

These beasts are quite expensive in the part of the world where I live so I've been looking at the Sterling Ray34 models as an alternative.

Not much on this forum about them.

Any thoughts and experiences? I'd be most grateful.

[s2y]

I think they're a good bass. Are they more expensive than a locally made bass?

I briefly had one but never bonded with it because I couldn't get that good of action out of it.

[CSWyatt]

Our bass player has one and I love it. He does rock and R&B funk, and it sounds great in the mix.

[Nebakenezar]

I have a Musicman and it's tremendous. I can get a variety of tones out of the single coil and the double humbucker. The bass is extemely versitile. Expensive, but worth it.

[Nebakenezar]

Musicman sterling that is

[sidewinder IV]

You should find more information on the talkbass forums. I have a MM Bongo 4H and must admit, it's pretty sweet. The Sterling by MusicMan line is a good line of instruments. Not to mention, this just came out this year...

http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/wp...ray34-blsp.jpg

Good luck with your search.

[GWDavis28]

So the Music Man Sterling bass is as a friend once put it, the guitarist bass. If I were to play bass, I'd get a Sterling more than likely. The great thing about Music Man basses and guitars, there is a huge used market for their stuff and the prices are pretty good. Down under where you are, this place stocks Music Man stuff and Colin is an awesome guy.

http://guitarplanet.com.au/

Good luck, Glenn |B)

[lankyloo]

I'm a bass player primarily, and my main bass is a Sterling. I like it a lot. It is a quality instrument, and feels and plays just like a real Stingray.

The Sterling is the Asian model of MusicMan, but the QC I've heard is excellent (and my bass was set up perfectly when I bought it), so I would definitely consider it.

[GuitarGuy510]

My only bass is a Sterling Ray35 and I love it. It's been modded a bit so now it's perfect (brass nut, stainless PLEK'd frets and a Nordstrand pickup, still using the stock preamp) but stock it wasn't too shabby! If you're not primarily a bassist and you don't want to drop a boatload on an expensive bass, I recommend giving these a shot.

[laneline]

I have a Ray 35 for about a year now and I think it's a great bass stock for the money. I've compared it at similar settings with my US MM's and was really impressed. It also has been very stable with very little movement in the neck which is big plus for a bass at this price point. They also just released their new Sub line which are even less expensive. I give them a big thumbs up.

[Hellbound]

Well I now have my Ray 34 and it's a great buy.

Sounds very close to a Stingray, plays great, beautiful build and finish.

Everything I wanted in a not too expensive package for my guitarist hands.

Thoroughly recommended. Don't understand why there aren't more posts on these guys.

[mix2much]

I just got one last night. I'm primarily a guitarist and producer so some projects require me to handle bass duties. It's been the easiest transition of all basses I've played coming from guitar.

Is the active version much preferred over the passive? I have a Ray34 passive so I'm curious.....

[EbMM]

Originally Posted by GuitarGuy510

My only bass is a Sterling Ray35 and I love it. It's been modded a bit so now it's perfect (brass nut, stainless PLEK'd frets and a Nordstrand pickup, still using the stock preamp) but stock it wasn't too shabby! If you're not primarily a bassist and you don't want to drop a boatload on an expensive bass, I recommend giving these a shot.

I too have a Ray35 and love it! Why did you change to a brass nut? Is that like a zero fret?

[seantk]

I've got a 2006 Sterling...with one big pickup and I love it.. Great sounds, good action, feels great. I think that they are quality made basses. I got mine for $1,000 w/case and it was in brand new condition. i mainly play guitar, but I do play bass too. I record with it too.