Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 RW Antique Maple
Four-string electric bass with ash body, maple top, Alnico humbucker and active electronics, including gigbag
Produced by the subsidiary of the American active bass pioneer, Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 RW Antique Maple is a detailed interpretation of the legendary StingRay, which offers all the features of this electric bass and thus conveys the authentic sound and classic playing feeling. Accordingly, the 4-string bass has an ash body with maple top, a screwed maple neck and an Alnico humbucker with active 3-band tone control.
The Sterling by Music Man Ray34 has a classic look and sound.
Classically built StingRay
In designing the Sterling Ray34, Sterling by Music Man follows the proven specifications of the original since 1976. Accordingly, the four-string has an ash body connected to the maple neck and rosewood fingerboard by six screws. This combination promises a rich primary tone with crisp punch in the bass, fast attack and healthy sustain. With the Quilted Maple top, the bass also sets optical accents. In addition, the strongly profiled neck offers a comfortable basis for playing the bass, on which every groove can be comfortably placed.
Alnico humbucker and active electronics for classic sound
The electric tone conversion of the Sterling Ray34 RW Antique Maple is done by a fat Alnico Humbucker, whose characteristic position contributes to the development of the legendary StingRay sound. Accordingly, the 4-string at the amplifier delivers a powerful sound, whose rich low end punch and striking lisping in the treble lend enormous assertiveness to every note. In addition, active 3-band electronics on board allow separate adjustment of bass, midrange and treble for further adjustment of the sound image. The equalizer convinces with its musical mode of operation, which transforms even extreme settings into harmonic bass sounds.
Classic hardware equipment
In addition, the Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray is equipped with classic hardware. The strings on the body are held by the Sterling by Music Man Heavy Duty bridge, whose shape and construction was inspired by the proven Sting Ray bridge. Accordingly, its massive construction supports the sound development of the bass, while individually adjustable string riders guarantee a perfect string position and intonation. At the top the strings are held by four classic vintage style tuners.
The Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 RW Antique Maple at a glance:
Ash body with maple top
sixfold screwed maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
Alnico Humbucker and active 3-band tone control
Sterling by Music Man Heavy Duty Bridge and Vintage Style Machine Heads
Includes Sterling by Music Man Gigbag
Manufactured by:
Praxis Musical Instruments Inc.
Sterling by Music Man
19122 S Vermont Ave, CA 90248 Gardena
USA
info@praxismusical.com
Authorized Representative in Europe:
MUSIK MEYER GmbH
Industriestr. 20, 35041 Marburg
Germany
info@musik-meyer.de
https://www.musik-meyer.de/kontakt-corporate
0049 6421 989 0
Features:
Design:
StingRay
Body:
Ash
Top:
Quilted Maple
Neck:
Maple
Neck Lacquer:
Matte
Neck Construction:
Bolt-on
Fretboard:
Rosewood
Fretboard Type:
Fretted
Inlays:
Dot
Nut type:
Plastic
Scale:
Longscale
Manufacturer pickups:
Sterling by Music Man
Pickup neck:
No
Pickup middle:
No
Pickup bridge:
Alnico Humbucker
Active pickups:
No
Piezo Pickup:
No
Electronic:
Active, 3-band equalizer
Control:
Vol, Bass, Mid, Treble
Tuners:
Vintage Strap-Style
Bridge:
Sterling by MM Heavy Duty
Strap Button:
Standard
Hardware:
Chrome
Colour:
Antique Maple
Finish:
High-Gloss
Factory Tuning:
Standard E
Case included:
No
Gigbag included:
Yes
Certificate:
No
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 RW Antique Maple
Ive had this bass for almost a year now. It is a very well crafted instrument. I have not found a single bad note on the bass. I also played on an identical Music-man Stingray (the bass which this model is based on) and found that I liked the sound of the Ray 34 better, because of its more "woody" tone. This is probably due to the fact that the pick-up of the Ray 34 is less strong. I see that as an advantage.
The neck profile is fender precision-like. Very comfortable to play and easy to get used too. The maple fingerboard resonates well with the strings, as does the swamp-ash body.
Though the preamp gives you ways to shape your tone, in my opinion the bass still lacks versatility, because the bass only one pick up. The arrange of sounds simply isnt as great as for instance a Musicman Sterling or Bongo with two pick-ups to experiment with.
To conclude: A very nice cheaper version of the Popular Musicman Stingray. In my taste its still a bit pricey, but nevertheless a great option if you really want to go for a stingray bass.
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(This review is from the same product in color Natural)
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