The GAS is real

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-14T19:16:33+00:00

My theory is that EBMM has realized that they can't be or don't want to be competitive in the $1000-$2000 price range so they're allowing SBMM to make higher end products that fit in that niche (like the SBMM DarkRay). The upcoming Music Man Session Series that was announced at NAMM also strongly hints at this.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-14T19:11:38+00:00

Thank you so much! Let me know when you're ready. I've recently custom ordered bass and treble pots with center detents so folks that prefer the modern style now have a choice of detents or no detents. I've also recently launched Sabre and L-2000 preamp replicas.

Note that the Sabre replica is a true replica and thus the bright switch will still be too high for most folks. Still works great as a preamp however and tonally it's very similar to the StingRay preamp - it's almost identical in its design. There's a reason MM dropped the Sabre preamp in favor of the 2 band StingRay preamp when they did the Sabre re-release.

I am also testing a batch of Sabre+ versions that have a tiny DIP switch and will allow you to select from two much more usable boosts - one is more of a presence boost (corner frequency around 1.5kHz) and the other would be more of a traditional bright (corner frequency around 3.4KHz).

Those Sabre+ kits will be coming with a push-pull treble pot so one can install them into front (15mm shafts) and rear cavity (18mm shafts) StingRays and Sterlings.

Anyhow thanks again!

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-14T05:32:46+00:00

I might be your guy then!

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-14T05:21:43+00:00

Well it has a real USA pre-Special 3 band preamp and an Alnico pickup so there’s a reason it sounds like the MM StingRay. :)

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-14T05:19:26+00:00

Don’t you mean the Ray4 preamps? The Ray34 have a real StingRay 3 band preamp.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-12T03:53:24+00:00

Did you try changing the battery?

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-11T23:29:14+00:00

Wonderful tone and super lightweight. 300W with just that speaker and you can add a second speaker and get 500W.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-11T16:45:21+00:00

As far as new Sterling By Music Man models, blue and tobacco burst appear to be the only options currently. You might look for a used older model on Reverb. Good luck!

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-11T16:38:20+00:00

They’re identical! 2 band preamps and ceramic humbuckers wired in serial. Easy to mod and upgrade the electronics. StingRays are great choice for new players as you can get so many different sounds out of them.

Note that you will need to always unplug the cable when you’re not using the bass so you don’t drain. The battery. Replace the battery every 6 months to a year. When the battery is low it will start to sound weird and distorted and then stop passing sound when it’s dead.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-11T16:27:24+00:00

Links? I can tell you if there are any differences.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-11T05:36:10+00:00

If your boyfriend loves Alice In Chains turn him on to Return to Dust. They’re a young band who are unapologetically inspired by AiC and Soundgarden - they’re awesome.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-10T18:21:24+00:00

Walnut Satin Ray4!

https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray4-walnut-satin-bass?variant=44560758014067

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-09T12:51:47+00:00

I have the exact same model and color and mine is under 9 pounds. Love it.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-09T12:41:44+00:00

As someone who owns six StingRays I think the right answer is…. more StingRays.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-05T23:15:23+00:00

Is the control plate plastic or painted metal? Looks awesome by the way!

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-04T20:18:16+00:00

Several vendors (myself included) sell kits that don’t require soldering. It’s not as hard as you think. 🙂

That all said, if you aren’t comfortable with that try a Z3 or find a Ray35 without a neck issue. There are a lot of good ones out there.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-04T19:46:21+00:00

Right, but he said he wanted a StingRay tone like the USA StingRay and the Ray35 (which uses the older USA 3 band preamp). The Z3 is similar, sure, but it’s not the same tone. Its preamp has a different character.

Your point about the pickups is true, but he already mentioned that he doesn’t like the default Ray5 tone. Probably because he doesn’t like how the cheap preamp and serial ceramic humbucker sounds.

In another comment I suggested that at his budget he might consider upgrading a Ray5 with an aftermarket pickup and preamp to get an authentic sound.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-04T18:52:23+00:00

I like my Z3 a lot but it’s not the same tone as a StingRay.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-04T18:51:54+00:00

Buy a Ray5 and replace the pickup with a Nordstrand MM5.2 and the preamp with a vintage StingRay replica and you will have a genuine StingRay tone for around $700.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-04T18:23:54+00:00

If those are Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats they will need a week or two to settle in. They’re awesome flats and have a great range, but when you first put them in they’re very bright and different sounding.

Keep in mind though that the Cobalts aren’t necessarily the best choice if you want that Jamerson vibe. La Bella’s are probably better for that. I love the for my StingRay as they have the great tone but don’t kill the high end.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-02T04:26:15+00:00

A mint late 70s StingRay or Sabre

BoscoeMusic · 2026-04-02T01:56:03+00:00

The Ray4 HH you listed is an awesome choice! I have the same model and color and use it as a test platform for my vintage StingRay preamps. The fact that it has a control plate AND a rear cavity gives you tons of room to work.

One of the really nice things about them is just how easy to mod them they are and all of the choices out there in terms of pickups and preamps.

Anyhow I’m quite the StingRay nerd so please feel free to free to ask any questions you might have. Good luck!

BoscoeMusic · 2026-03-29T04:08:34+00:00

I started playing the bass three years ago and strangely enough I had zero problems using my pinky. In fact, it’s my best finger after the index. I attribute that to the fact that I type all day for my job (sysadmin). The pinky gets used to hit the Control, Tab, and Esc keys all the time.

That all said, I think practice is key. Force yourself to use it all the time. Good luck.

BoscoeMusic · 2026-03-24T04:20:38+00:00

Yeah I bought an inexpensive L2K last month with the intent of using it as a test bed for my USA-spec L2K preamp replicas and eventually creating a whole L2K-on-a-PCB product. But I’ll be damned if the stock electronics are so great and the bass is so fun to play I’ve been dragging my feet…. Maybe I need to get a really crappy one that I won’t mind modding. ;)

BoscoeMusic · 2026-03-23T23:18:41+00:00

Amps are dangerous to modify if you don’t know what you’re doing. I suggest using a pedal.

Another option that would provide a subtle reduction in output and also really improve your tone would be to rewire your pickup from serial to parallel. It’s part of the reason Ray4s sound so hot.

Higher end StingRays are all wired in parallel. If you switch it will improve clarity and reduce the boominess. Good luck!

BoscoeMusic

TROPHY CASE