Sparkle & Shine! - Sterling By Music Man Ray35 [Demo]

[@BassicDaveNumberTwo]

I better go file for divorce because my wife is going to kill me. I need this

[@patrickhunter]

Good luck and god's speed!🙈

[@CC-hg9un]

She'll be ok with the price of a second-hand one. If you really want her to divorce you, buy a new US-made EBMM Stingray 5.

[@BassicDaveNumberTwo]

@@CC-hg9un I'm looking at Ray 35s as we speak. I bought a ray 5 and a Dimension bass recently, so I have two growlers!

[@CC-hg9un]

@@BassicDaveNumberTwo My last comment disappeared. Let's try again... I've owned 2 EBMM Stingray 5s over the years that I sold because i don't really play 5s too much. I bought a used black Ray35 last year and I can honestly say that I can't tell the difference. The build quality is excellent and it sounds the same to my ears.

[@a1468k]

Mine did not kill me. LOL

[@NMbass906]

Stingrays are very "you" already Patrick, and this one with the sparkle just seems even more so!

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Just got this bass in the purple sparkle. Overall this being 10 months later since this video was posted the QC has improved. One note on serviceability later if you have a worn out potentiometer it's going to be extremely difficult to replace the one on the OEM preamp. It uses a 3/4 in threaded shaft instead of the standard 3/8 in shaft. Unless you get the replacement from Sterling you are going to have a very difficult time sourcing it.

[@nj1255]

What I love about Stingrays is that they do vintage tones just as well as modern ones. They also do funky slap tones just as well as modern metal tones, and everything in between!

[@williampeckham9838]

I got a second-hand stingray for half price. It was owned by a recording artist who owned it for 8 hours and sold it back to the store. It was flawless and has served me well for 2 years. It now has an aguilar pickup in it, and it sounds magical. A bass that I will never sell. The perfect road bass. Just remember to keep a spare battery in the bag. It's an £800 bass that sounds like a £3000 bass

[@ZiwaHD]

I concur with the statements regarding comfort and playability of music man stingray basses across the range !

[@JonathanLeon]

Very nice bass. The B string really stands out!

[@dhen22]

I have a ray 35 myself. I’m very satisfied!!!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I purchased a Sterling Stingray SS-4 and I was so impressed with the: fit, finish, sound & playability. It's actually somewhat comparable to my: Taylor 414ce-R and Suhr custom Strat. The neck and fret-work is amazing. oNe LovE from NYC

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Metallic blue sparkle is so hot right now. I have a strat in this finish and it’s awesome

[@justinc246]

When I saw the thumbnail I couldn’t believe that finish and look was a SBMM. I remember when a SBMM definitely felt like and looked like more of the budget option. That said I saved my pennies to treat myself to a real MM but would love to add another 5 string like the Ray35 as an option. I’m sure in most instances I’d struggle to find any major differences

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome review and demo, Patrick 😎🤘🏻🎸 sterling stingray basses are phenomenal. They have an amazing pick tone and they sound killer with distortion. I did thought about adding one to my arsenal. Even though I normally go for underrated basses like a schecter stiletto or a Yamaha bb bass(which I happen to own both and I treasure these basses). Anywho, this is a pretty cool clip. 😎

[@Zen-js3tx]

The Purple Sparkle Rays with black hardware have known tuning key and truss wheel issues. Sterling can't seem to get to the heart of the problem after many months of complaints and returns. I had to return my purple sparkle with both these issues as have many others. There are some reports of defective silver tuning keys also so it's not just the black. I already have 2 EBMM Stingray Specials but I wanted to try a Sterling so after returning the defective purple Ray34 opted for the Vintage Sunburst Ray34. No issues with it but it certainly does not sound as good or feel as nice as my Specials but I'm having fun with it anyway.

[@poikusa0207]

I got the 4 string version of this from Chicago Music Exchange and I love it. I had bad luck getting damage blue pb models from musicians friend and ended up falling in love with this finish when it dropped.

[@Clumplays]

hoping to get one of these at some point. i have the purple ray34 but need a 5 in the collection

[@kistophe]

It cost over a grand, of course it sounds/play incredible. I'd be furious if it wasn't amazing.

[@andysmusikwelt1562]

Hi Patrick, great review, any notes/comments/links on what exactly the "filter" in mid-position does to the serial coil wiring?

[@carlosps9612]

Love the sparkling blue and love that neck color too, but sadly that pickguard shape turns me off completely...

[@PhoenixIsOnline]

my only gripe is, i WISH that the HH version came in the same blue sparkle finish with the white pickups. i prefer HH basses & i'm pretty unenthused by Music Man's finish options for those 😔

[@cayetanohuett9037]

Yes for real! If the HH came in this finish or the purple I would have it already!

[@gensericbassworld]

My future bass!

[@jmauney88]

What is the neck shape.? Is it the C shape or jazz bass slim?

[@hekzter3895]

PATRICK!!! can you look at the reverend basses? i just got a mercalli 5 and i am completely in love with it. i’d like to see what you think

[@renatolagotube]

What stringing does it come with? Can you tell me if its sound is the same as the American Stingray 5?

[@heber1984]

Every new Sterling ray35 (roasted neck) has had truss rod problems and bad Quality Control I’ve had to return two blue sparkle Ray35’s already they are coming with maxed out truss rods and they don’t quality check, sad because it’s such a nice bass but have to look elsewhere now

[@andreasmou6539]

Check Human Base Roxy at the same money! Amazing bass and has the stringray sound! I have the Ray34 with the same issues as you and I never play with it. Now I use a PRS and the Humanbase ! Epic basses

[@jimallen6197]

I’ve gone through 2 already with that problem.

[@suprbird]

Had one that was so stiff felt like I was going to break the wheel turning it to fix the neck being bowed. Ended up returning it.

[@bobbyzig3879]

@@suprbird roasted necks by design are extremely stiff due to the baking process sucking the moisture out.

[@budverissimo1]

I went through 3 of them lmfao. Finally, I'm super happy with my purple sparkle. I'm playing it live tonight, too. Won't buy another one though. I complained to earnie ball and was told they have no way to contact anyone in sterling and couldn't help me...

[@denisjrjoannette1645]

How does the B string feel compared to your Ibanez ehb? Awesome review as always, cheers!

[@RealEstateChris56]

So, aside from the body wood, what does this bass not have the the Ernie Ball USA 5 string has?

[@firemarshal2629]

An EB 18V preamp, American made pots and wiring, an actual mahogany body, light weight tapered tuners, a neodymium pickup, gun stock oiled neck, stainless steel frets, ect. This is a stingray in name and likeness only.

[@xx2]

Amazing review only one thing you have bad is the switch. it's otherwise. From bridge its series, series w the filter and the last one parallel

[@9691dapper]

He got it right in the video. Parallel down by the bridge and series closest to the neck.

[@BigBenH18]

Hey Patrick, great demo as always! How do you think it compares to the EBMM Stingray Special? Greetings from Germany

[@Luke_skywalker789]

And how about double pickups hambucker version?

[@UndarZ]

Did you run this direct in with no amp or cab? never heard so much string noise come from a bass.

[@michaelkeefer4293]

I love my '08 SR5 HH! My only issues with it are the weight (11 lbs!) and the G-string being too close to the edge of the fretboard. How is the weight and balance on that Sterling and does it have the same G-string issue?

[@HDproducer1]

I have tried several stingray 5's both Ernie Ball and Sterling and most have that issue. Really tough to find a well-aligned neck that keeps the G string in check. I got a sterling ray 5 for a couple hundred $ and surprisingly it is the first one I played that was tolerable. Go figure.

[@mynameisvisutinnadda]

I got used to the g-string, bit weird at first but it's just a minor adjustment.

[@michaelthorsen6208]

I've talked with the Ball family and they are very aware of the g-string problem and they flatly refuse to fix it, at all. Narcissism reigns in that family. They told me to fix my technique, even though I've been playing for 30 yrs. They have hundreds of artists and customers asking them to fix this issue but they think we are all wrong and they are righteous. Never gonna buy a new EB because of those emails

[@codcade]

Ernie ball discontinued this color and I am sorely upset because I had been waiting months for Sweetwater to restock

[@razielkain5458]

I'm a 4 string guy and I'd buy a 4 string immediately if they'd put 22 frets in the 4 string version as well (tapping need)

[@xplanet2112]

thinking of trading my NG3 in for one of these.

[@MusicChannel-rf5zz]

Great guitar! How much did you pay? Are they made in the US?

[@dezsodebreceni4829]

35 still isn't standing for a 35" scale :ccc

[@ignaciomeyerp]

doesn't need to, just tried one yesterday and the b string was amazing, really really clear!

[@dextermorgan1757]

Unpopular opinion as a bassist and a guitar player bass sounds better with a pick

[@patrickhunter]

To each their own! Also, I love your work Mr. Morgan!

[@dextermorgan1757]

@@patrickhunter thank you very much I like your work as well I play bass more like a rhythm guitar

[@ileutur6863]

I don't see the point of the Sterling line of instruments, over here in Europe they're so expensive that you can find a used EBMM model for the same price or cheaper depending on condition. Source: USA stingrays regularly show up on my lical marketplace for 900-1500€ An average Sterling on thomann is 1000-1300€. So why get a Sterling in the first place?

[@57precision]

You're comparing used to new. Also in freedom dollars most Sterlings cost almost 1/3 of what an EBMM does so they are a good deal.

[@ileutur6863]

@@57precision for a musician on a limited budget, those two options are sometimes one and the same

[@velvetnoir435]

The B string is very muddy! Of course this is an issue that all the basses with MM style pick up have!

[@MrHysteria09]

This or ehb1005ms