I was in the Southcenter area today and figured I would see what was in Guitar Center. I didn't see any used gear or guitars that interested me, so I went to the bass area. They had a cool vintage Jazz bass with cream block and binding. They also had some cool "aged" new MIM Jazz and P Basses. Those were pretty nice, but kinda expensive in my opinion. I tried those out and a Aeorodyne P Bass from Japan. I almost got that, but I found out it has a basswood body and it already had a dent on the back, so I decided to try out a StringRay style bass they had.
I knew sort of how the controls worked. This one had four knobs. (Vol, Treb, Mid, Bass.) I knew it was an active circuit and passive humbucker that is low output. I plugged it in and really enjoyed it. It has a roasted maple neck. I looked up the specs and it has a Nyatoh (I guess kind of like poplar) body and alnico pickup. It wasn't too expensive because it is made in Indonesia, but I know I am a fan of Indonesian Squiers, so I figured I would take it home.
I am really surprised how many tones you can get with that preamp. Honestly, if you keep your amp eq flat, you can adjust the bass controls instead and get all sorts of good sounds. It can do a p bass sound, a j bass sound, and other sounds I needed an amp eq or eq pedal with my other basses to get. I like the center indent with the controls too, so you can tell where you go from boosting to cutting each knob. No sharp fret ends. The body finish isn't flawless, but I am pretty positive that the one tiny blem I found is from being on display. The neck is mounted with six screws. The tuners seem to be generic open back. They work fine. It is 34" scale with a truss rod spoke wheel at the heel. The bridge has saddles kind of like a Mustang with height adjustment hex screws on each barrel. It sort of reminds me of a Duosonic bridge. I am thinking about putting a tort guard on it. The color is likely Firemist Silver. Online it looks more blue than in person. To me, it looks silver. Here are pictures. I also did a demo that is uploading to show some of the preamp sounds you can get.
IMG_20210403_175409 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210403_175415 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210403_175422 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210403_175455 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210403_175459 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210403_175444 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
- HNB
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New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
Christopher
Lilith Guitars
Lilith Guitars
- HNB
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 13539
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 7:55 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington
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Re: New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
Christopher
Lilith Guitars
Lilith Guitars
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
That’s a great looking bass.
- smjenkins
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Re: New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
Congrats on the NBD. That is a super cool looking instrument. I love the Music Man pickups and the active pre-amp circuit. That's what I have in my Warmoth bass and it's the business.
Gotta say it: With that neck, it needs tort.
Gotta say it: With that neck, it needs tort.
- HNB
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 13539
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 7:55 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington
- Contact:
- HNB
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 13539
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 7:55 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington
- Contact:
Re: New Bass Day Sterling Ray 34 Bass
Added the new guard and dunlop strap locks. All set for rocking!
IMG_20210411_145151 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210411_145230 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210411_145151 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
IMG_20210411_145230 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
Christopher
Lilith Guitars
Lilith Guitars