Sterling by Musicman | Ray 4 SUB Bass Review

[@seangautama]

I’ve owned dozens of basses over the years, from $200 to $5,000 and this ranks near the top. Definitely the best bang for your buck, IMO of course.

[@1thess523]

They are more consistent in feel and sound than an actual Music Man Stingray which I've been able to play quite a few.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I agree. I have a Sterling Ray34 and it’s absolutely outstanding.

[@donkunknown-9vx11I]

I remember seeing a musicman in the pawn shop 12 years ago for 150$ went home put some cash together and next day was gone 😢😂 too good to. be true i guess

[@anthonytompkins3205]

I agree I have 2 rays 4s and 1 ray 1 and I have have rhe ray 34 and an american musicman stingray classic and I s5ill play me ray 4s

[@anthonytompkins3205]

Ray5*

[@paulvincent2035]

I picked this up as a burner bass to leave at my rehearsal space. It's fun to play and does the job!

[@armani077cc3]

Thx for sharing, im 60+ and just bought the Ray 4HH. Brand New to playing, cabt wait to FUNK !!!

[@TheGreat199x]

I bought the Walnut stain satin finish version and after setup absolutely Blown Away cannot believe how great this bass is!!!! I'm so impressed I just bought the five string HH version because I prefer playing 6 string but they don't make a 6.

[@KeithCopeland778]

The Sterling by Music Man basses are an incredible bargain for the money!!! I'm a sucker for the humbucker tone! Never gets lost in the mix!

[@thescatman5029]

I bought the original SUB, in 2005, for $800. Best investment I ever made. It's a complete funk machine. I'm from the Bernard Edwards and Louis Johnson days, so I love the MusicMan. That SUB Ray sounds good for the price.

[@PadraigMeh]

Same here, will never ever get rid of mine.

[@TheJudg3d]

I had one of these before it was stolen. It is a great platform. It was the subject of many experiments, I found that changing the inbuilt preamp from the stock to a seymour duncan that I got second hand was great way to dial off the harsh/raw sound from the pickup. One of my favourite basses.

[@lakeithhaslam1650]

I just modded mine with a BassMods 2 band preamp. So far so good. The difference is very noticeable as far as taming the harshness from the original pre

[@samuelrey98]

I almost bought at SUB Series 4 string when I first started playing. They sound great, feel great, and have unique tone. For the price they’re impressive. The Humbucker is what threw me off so I didn’t pull the trigger and settled for a Fender Jazz Bass Player Series at the time. I don’t regret my purchase but I think if I knew more information about the SUB’s i would of got a SUB bass instead! Great review bro!

[@meloysmusicstudio]

This is my only bass - got it on sale last year for $249 and I LOVE IT! Only thing I've done so far is put on good strings and strap locks.

[@bennettwatson6350]

aguilar pickup replacement and itll be your favorite bass forever!

[@bobt5778]

​@@bennettwatson6350 I went with a Duncan SMB4 Alnico but the Aguilars are very popular upgrades for these.

[@1thess523]

​@@bennettwatson6350seriously, I just saw a demo of an Aguilar Pick up with the stock preamp and man oh man there is no need for a preamp swap.

[@williamperri3437]

@@bennettwatson6350Really? I just bought a Yamaha BB 234 and live it but still want a Music Man and I figure this is the way to go since it’s so cheap but I can modify it.

[@corkandi]

I've got one (same colour) and I love it. It's lightweight but has a solid build quality. My sub sounds great (at home, in the studio or performing) playing a wide range of genres... including reggae & dub. I'm due to change the strings but nothing else. Excellent value for money!

[@annieblu2048]

which strings do you play?

[@corkandi]

@@annieblu2048 Ernie Ball Roundwound 45, 65, 80, 100 gauge. They sound bright & punchy!

[@mattpowell6975]

Pro guitarist/bassist here. I got one of these on sale for $279 to take to smaller gigs where I didn’t want to risk my vintage stuff. I was blown away! Now I use it on almost every gig, unless I need a 5 string or jazz bass tones.
The stock pickup had uneven levels and a thin plastic cover that made noise when you tapped it. I planned on getting a Duncan or something for it, but ran across a pickup on Amazon for $13 that had great reviews. I figured it was worth a try. I put it in, and I was blown away again! Sounds amazing, great balance, I would gladly have spent 10x as much on the same pickup.
All in all, I have under $300 in the bass, and I rarely use my vintage basses now.

[@yurii_chynchyk]

Matt, what kind of pickup is that one you're mentioning? What's the name? Thanks

[@mattpowell6975]

@@yurii_chynchyk It's labeled as "BQLZR Noiseless Good Balance 4 String Bass Pickup".

[@LowEndLobster]

Great video! Excited to see what you're going to mod it with

[@rolltyd7]

For my next bass I am really digging this color!

[@paulraffles87]

I have this bass (black body with maple fretboard) since 2014. The neck is rock solid and fret buzz is very minimal. I changed the preamp to sterling ray 34 preamp and it kinda fix the “too hot” output it had. 😊

[@DarthCiliatus]

I have the HH version of this. Amazing bass. The HH one comes wired in series by default instead of parallel like a traditional stingray and as a result positions 1, 3, and 5 are much louder than 2 and 4. I rewired mine to parallel (takes like 10min with a soldering iron) and that made all the pickup positions the same volume and it made the bridge position sound like a typical stingray.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Let’s get our man Travis up to 200k subs!! He brings great content!

[@nealwyms2067]

The stingray was the go to bass sound in 80's R&B also gospel.. Fred Hammond used his on many commissioned songs.

[@marklongshore4860]

Thanks, great video. I upgraded my Ray4 with Aguilar preamp and pickup. It sounds great, and plays as well as my 2009 Ball Family Reserve Sting Ray.

[@UnitedRedDevil13]

I upgraded with same pickup. Do you think the preamp is a must as well?

[@Al-RudelDoesitall]

That bass sounds great for the price and also your finger tones / expression makes it sound more fire.

[@darrenwilcox5043]

I bought a sterling 5 as a backup bass a year ago and played it a couple of times and put it in the closet, not really happy with it, but took it out last month, dropped the action and took the B off and added a high C.... I'm having trouble now putting it down 🤣🤣🤣. I think they would sell a lot more of these if they lowered the action out of the factory

[@boblove2912]

What are you talking about man, for the price its unbelievable! Sounds incredible, as good as any other bass. You are not going to get a perfect setup out the box for the price or for three times the price. Be serious.

[@gregcooper296]

I upgraded mine With a EMG MMHz pickup and a Bqc preamp I love this bass!!!

[@nomojoe8150]

I bought mine to mod. I’m mostly a jazz bass guy but always wanted a stingray and fell in love with the look and price of the Sterling blue satin bass. I just got my Seymour Duncan alnico humbucker and flatwound strings for it and will be making this bass passive as well. These additions will more cater to the styles of music I play which is country and reggae.

[@kal1ma995]

I currently have a squire PJ bass, is this a upgrade from my current one? Thank you, sending love from the Philippines! ❤

[@eli_0213]

I got this bass before. It’s definitely good for the price, it’s worth it if your on a budget and it captures the stingray sound well. Me personally, I decided to upgrade and myself a ray34. EVEN better

[@rogonz910]

Great vid!. I only played this bass model at music stores and I think they sound good but those tips and upgrades will definitely make a difference. Ty Travis

[@dabicho117]

Unfortunately I am left-handed, and the closest I can get to a stingray in my country is this bass, but in a left-handed version. I have the old version of this bass, the ones that came with the "SUB" logo in a giant letter. From the factory, the sound leaves a lot to be desired, as it sounds distorted and it's hard to control it. However, the construction is very good and the bass is very comfortable to play. I changed the preamp and pickup for a Seymour Duncan combo (pickup + preamp) and the sound improvement was incredible. Now the bass sounds with a lot of definition and is very easy to control. However, as the body is made of basswood, it doesn't have much sustain or that characteristic stingray bottom. Anyway, it is true what they say, these basses are an excellent modification platform, but I suggest not to invest a lot of money in them, a good pickup and a good preamp is enough. If you live in a country where sterling by Musicman basses are relatively cheap and easy to get, like the US, I recommend you to go directly for a ray34, as it sounds almost identical to an American stingray, considering that the latter (ray 34) is made of better wood and has better hardware in general. The ray 4 is a good option, especially if you plan to modify it, but it won't sound like an American stingray. However, a modified ray 4 is an excellent working tool, both for studio and live playing. cheers!

[@1thess523]

A guy said he swapped the cheap saddles for some brass one's and it really improved the sustain

[@dabicho117]

Probably, but, according to my experience, sustain depends a lot on the wood, and basswood is a very soft wood.@@1thess523

[@gladysng4314]

I bought one used for less than $150 with the intention of modding it. I changed the pickguard as the original one was scratched and cracked. Replaced the knobs cause one was missing. Changed out the bridge with an ebay knockoff. I hated the way the original bridge looked without the string mutes. Changed the tuners to guitar monkey tuners, the original ones were a bit crunchy. Lastly, i swapped out the stock pickup for an Aguilar MM pickup. I have it tuned to BEAD. It’s a killer bass!

[@joshjosh25694]

I own a sterling ray34 it sounds so beautiful.
Just put a low B string. Cant wait to see how it sounds

[@SnarkyRC]

I have the Sterling SUB SB4. It’s badass. It’s a shame they don’t make it anymore because it sounds and feels phenomenal.

[@Sumbibebe]

You have no idea how well you played that Sterling MM bass.
Give it a better test by going to a Music Store and get an “Ernie Ball Music Man Sting Ray Special” and play in in a good amp. This way you’ll know the sound of it and know what to look for in the cheaper ones.
I’ll repeat, you played it like a MM should be played.
Listen to Louis Johnson of The Brother Johnson and many of Quincy Jones productions, also Bernard Edwards of Chic ( with Nile Rodgers). They made the Music Man become a major Funk player.
Love your show👍🏾

[@jasonstemm6450]

This is my daily driver. Im gonna upgrade the pickup, but as a lefty, its a great mod platform to get a bass I normally cant afford.

[@LPwarrior]

I'm a lefty too. Im a beginner and I'm between this and the Squier J bass to purchase.

[@slapasaurus_rex]

I purchased one of these to mod and use as a beater bass. Added a nordstrand mm4.2 pickup, nordstrand 3b-3 3-band eq preamp, and swapped the stock bridge for an Albridge bridge. Stock tuners were kinda meh--but they get the job done and I don't want to pay extra to replace them. Didn't care for the stock bridge either. Stock pickup was okay--but I know what you mean. 3b-3 volume knob has push/pull to switch between active and passive. The mid knob is push/pull to switch between 400hz and 1000hz. 400hz gives an old school 70s Stingray tone. Pickup is wired in parallel. I mostly use the 1000hz setting. Love the tone and have used it for a couple of gigs instead of my EB 2006 Stingray.

[@benphillips7448]

Got my music man stingray back in 2018 absolutely love it took a while to pay off but so damn worth it!!!!

[@TheGreat199x]

Joe Dart made me want a stingray and I am so glad I found this bass!!

[@GERALDOuncleG]

I have one of this, I bought it two years ago, and I love playing it, the neck is thin and very easy to move the hands over it. The pre-amp and tone controls are great.

[@williamperri3437]

You sound great man! I think I’m gonna buy one in just eventually modify it a bit. Seems to be the best Bass on the market to modify!

[@MadJackF1]

I'm a beginner to intermediate player, who crossed over from guitar. This bass is tight on the heals of my P basses (a 50's copy and more modern copy). I found the stock pickup really hot. It was wired in series, so I rewired it to parallel, which helped it noticeably.
I got a deal on a Seymour Duncan SMB-4A '70's AlNiCo. Much better for classic styles or just a warmer mellower tone. I have a three band preamp w/ push-pull series/parallel pot, but I'm in no hurry to swap it as, it sounds good as is for now.
I'd like to eventually get another to put a S-D SMB-4D Ceramic in it with a three band for a '90's sound.

[@eneribackwards]

I was worried the stingray wouldnt be able to get a nice warm mellow tone (the one you described), does a pickup swap really make a big difference ?

[@MadJackF1]

@@eneribackwards Yes, it's much warmer and more controlled than the stock ceramic.

[@raoutinietshilomba3498]

That bass line that you played at 6:00 is fire though!

[@sheppy951]

ive been looking into musicman for a while but its jsut to expansive and i was very unsure about the sterlings. your video is realy good showcase and i think ill get the 5 string version of it. thank you very much for the review^^

[@basslinephunk3441]

Thanks Travis. You helped make my decision👍🏿 I love❤️ that sound.

[@TitusB226]

I put a Bartolini Original MM pickup in it and Ernie Ball cobalt strings... Sounds amazing! I eventually want to upgrade the preamp, but not sure which one to go with.

[@ctatrains]

I have the Sterling 35 5 string. Try getting the battery in and out without either pinching your fingers or ripping the wire out. Can't believe they couldn't pony up for easier access.

[@TheGreat199x]

BTW the pickup is a bartolini with an Ibanez preamp. Love the tone considered a new preamp but don't want to mess it up. Mine sounds amazing!!!

[@indigosnow_]

Def gonna get one of these while I save up for my dream 5 string bass

[@abrahampaz5298]

I actually have the 5 string of this bass and I love it. I have thought about switching to a Aguilar humbucker pickup. But I’m not sure. I hope to see what you do to modify.

[@CynaYoingco-yn3wh]

I just bought this bass as part of a liquidation sale from Sam Ash Music Stores. I love it, I love the rich baritone sound. Only issue so far the G-string buzzes between frets 5 to 8, do you think the string action is too low.

[@preciseaudioblog]

You make it sound awesome man!

[@Mclasher18x]

I love doing upgrades on My basses this is a must buy for me XD. Especially if you are lefty, this is the only model from Ernie ball that is available on left handed at this time.

[@larryholland7192]

You make that bass great!!

[@6strngbass]

Great bass for the buck. The electronics are a little edgy/aggressive! Great video as usual! 👊🏾💯

[@henwiii3300]

I'll stop borrowing the bass in our church if I could get this Bass!!

[@justinrajimmanuel2823]

Bro then how did u learn it
By borrowing everytime?

[@starvideoproduction2045]

I got the 5-string version and I love it! I play a lot of rock as well as other styles of musicl so it works well for my sound.

[@johnnymystery8593]

I have the Sub Ray 5 and theEB Stingray Special. When I switch to the Ray 5, it’s way more bottom heavy. There’s a vid of me playing the EB Stingray Special in church on my channel. I can get sounds closer to a Jazz, or even a P out of the EB version.

[@moecabrera9595]

Love the way you play my friend! Lord bless you always!

[@nautilaz]

I've played the SUB series before, but the next version up- Sterling Ray 34, is a dark horse. Can hold with their American counterparts just fine.

[@robertrinehart6777]

When is the winner vid coming?

[@BikerEgg1]

I have a Ray 34HH, has two humbuckers. I like it, I don't love it. The tone is definitely "boomy". Solid instrument.

[@kielwest]

Man, even with the high action you were making that thing purr.

[@SDGirl05]

I bought the 5 string cream colored one. I love it.

[@JAYZIGGY5]

I love the musicman-ish tone. I hate that color, I don't do pastel color instruments 🤮 but I have the same bass in a flat sunburst type finish and it was my first 4 string after being a 5 string only player for over 20 years and I love that little thing. The pickup isn't even, the G string is way too hot and could use some fixing at for $150 on sale I love that little thing. More comfortable to play than the Ray34 I bought about a year later. Best beginner bass out there. Period.

[@javierespinozabass]

Sounds really good to me !!! Looking forward to have one of those basses !!! ✌️✌️

[@HarrisonSD03]

Havent watched the vid yet but I have the Sub stingray 5 string with 2 pickups and love it. It does all I need it to.

[@1thess523]

Check out Low End Lobsters SUB mod video's, he swapped the oick ups and preamps and they sound fantastic, Bully The Kid also did just a Aguilar Pick up swap with the stock preamp and that also sound's fantastic, I think I'm going to do that myself when I get mine.

[@Kooto3]

I installed a EMG pickup and preamp- Awsome!

[@CluelessSheepNazi4270]

I owned a black SUB bass and I found it to be a decent and good bass for the money.

[@youngprofessor]

I have the 5-string version. I like the sound, but the ends of the frets chafe the side of my index finger. So I’ll have to use some sandpaper to smooth it out.

[@LeFingal]

sounds like it bites pretty good to be fair :D i love it!

[@randolphbarnee8844]

Good afternoon my good brother bass player. I have a few things
1. Great video. I always enjoy everything you put out.
2. As you know many church musicians are a little on the heavy side so your hoodies and clothing on your website could we get some 5 and 6 XL.
3. Finally maybe I missed the video but could you do a video on playing each of the modes on 5 string bass. The shapes change a little from 4 to 5

[@christianjaycastillo6555]

Sad that its not available here in my country. Always want to try sterling bass. Still dont know what to buy for my first bass. Ray5 is my dream 1st bass

[@AcousticSerenity]

My wife bought me on back in 2013. Definitely need to switch out the pickup. What would anyone suggest?

[@klaymeister]

Had the 4 string in blue. Sold it and now I have the 5 string in this color.

[@JASONRODRI7]

Try a Sire M2 bass next!!!! I think it’s better and more worth it than the Sterling

[@BassGods]

I switched out my Humbucker as soon as I got mines. Didn't like the sound. I went with the Seymour Duncan Humbucker. What a difference. I'm debating on whether I should upgrade the Eq. I really don't need to, but I'm just curious about, (Can I get this thing to sound even better?)

[@reddhampton740]

I find these so heavy when I pick one up

[@Jason-kv7cm]

Do you even lift brah

[@Steve-mp7by]

The tone problem is the pickup is wired in series. Wire it in parallel like Stingray basses

[@brucesahroian1482]

Before you make up your mind totally, Beg Borrow, or?, A G&L L-1000 bass!! Im 78 now but have played old Fender P basses till 1981 when I discovered the G&L!!! Never looked back!!

[@ageshero]

Gosh dang I love your playing style

[@TheDarkKnight73]

change the pickup and tuners

[@Below-Average_Joe]

Travis, you sound great on this bass! I guess you just prefer Jazz to Stingray tone.

[@u_w5822]

No joke, i considered to buy a ray34 or a original musicman. But when i played first time a Sterling and Musicman, it felt bad for me, because the width of the saddle is not the right thing for me. Advantage to this bass, the saddle is less wide, and in my opinion the playing is better with it. Maybe, because i am used to Fender. But i am going for the SUB not the Ray or even the Musicman....

[@andymenchaca1648]

I need your help. I have been playing bass at my church for 6 years but I have the worship chords in fronti of me I I’m at a new church a larger church and I am rehearsing with the worship team but they want me off the paper. Any suggestions? How can I quickly transition.

[@LeFingal]

so whats the track you play on called? i loved the bassline there :)

[@TheGreat199x]

I love the way mine burps.

[@gospelmusician1]

Yo bro that bass sounds good. Also try out The standard Music Man StingRay bass sounds and feels great and needs no mods in my honest opinion. It's about a couple hundred more but it's worth it. Those things sound really good straight out of the box. The Sub model is like the lowest quality base model of MusicMan basses. But still are good basses

[@floydlay9189]

LOVE IT!,,,thank you!

[@ELLOCUTOR06]

Hey Bro, luv your channel. Is it possible to do a vid on the riff you are playing? Much Appreciated
God Bless🙏🙏
I'm a Christian Musician. 🙏🙏

[@Grumdot]

I have heard that Louis Johnson used a musicman, but put flat wind strings on it. Curious if that is true and what flatwound strings would sound like on this bass.

[@wesschellenberg7339]

I've got this bass in a cream color. It was OK when I first got it about 20 months ago. Then, this spring, I had the action lowered and installed flat wound strings. Way better now! I enjoy playing it and people tell me they love the sound - as do I.

[@caeb-92]

To me sounds perfect

[@visionsbymike1789]

@travis dykes what pickups would you choose to replace the factory pickups?

[@kbowen2251]

Signed up for emails. This is an amazing sounding bass but I've seen people swap the pickup for one with a whole new preamp. Might want to check out lowend lobsters content and build series he's done on this style of bass.

[@santosdominguez154]

Cool looking bass, I would like to win it.

[@yhonmontes]

Hi
Do you think this bass would be fine for playing metal?
Thanks

[@annieblu2048]

which strings would you recommend for this bass?

[@TheGreat199x]

Musicians friend has the Walnut stain satin finish for 294 right now

[@tnmando]

I like mine. I put tape wounds on it and get great tone. Everything else is stock.

[@colb999]

Never had a humbucker? Whaddya think a P pickup is?

[@phillipcollins1942]

Great video can u do a tutorial on God made it fail praise break I seen u playing it at your church online

[@tremor1001]

Tone is subjective... but a aside from the price, a bit odd to me to recommend a bass that "id prob recommend completely swapping out the electronics so it sounds good cause i dont like humbuckers", isn't the sound an instrument makes kinda the most important part lol?! Also, a little surprising to mention that this is probbably not suitable for funk considering the stringray is probbably the most associated with Funk players and Slapbass.

[@markbykadorov8250]

200-300 dollars??? Is it that cheap in the US? Almost 500 euro on Thomann for Europe...