Your honesty in bass reviews is really appreciated. Don't ever sell out.

I learned that a group of Sting Rays is called a Fever. I guess this confirms that you can only play Funk or Disco on these now.

Just bought one these. Went to visit it and feel it. Ended up walking out with it. I'm a new bass convert and have a Squire 70s Vibe Jazz bass and this just plays better for sure. Rosewood fingerboard. Just sounded better than others in the store. Slap is so nice on it. I just wanted to say that I love when you do that joyful laugh after playing a groove. Thankee for these videos.

Tip for the Stingray Classic: Loosen the volume and tone control screws, rotate knobs and tighten them with screws in centre detent position for each pot. That way you have a visual cue looking down at them 👍

“He wears a tuxedo t-shirt. It says ‘I’m classy, but I also like to party’” -Cal Naughton Jr.

FINALLY!!!!!! A MM BASS REVIEW!!!!!! It seems like HOURS AND HOURS since you’ve done one. Thank you for sharing another MM (I’m really not complaining, every MM video is one less ibenez video) You make my day buddy. Cheers

That Butterscotch color looks awesome. I've been pondering which one to buy for my next bass a ray24 or an s.u.b. I think i'm pretty well informed after watching this.

Really appreciate what you do, Lobster. Good stuff, bra

I have heard many bass tones, but the stingray is always one of my favorites. A NEW CAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT ONE

Going by this video, I actually like the sound of the Sterling a little bit better. Not that I'd ever turn away an EBMM, of course :) Thanks for the video!

I can respect your criticisms in terms of the pricing. But I think it's better worth getting the 5-string Classic than the 4-string version. One reason is because the 5-string Classic still preserves the body and pickguard shapes of a regular 4-string StingRay. And they're rare to find if you like the looks of the 4-string version. Other than that, I slapped a like and already subbed to your channel. Thanks for your honest review, be well!

Just picked up the Ray24ca at GC for $379, they matched MF price. This is my first MM, because I have been checking out all your videos and you speak very highly of them. I love it, great addition to my collection. Can’t wait to hear it in parallel, might have to get it adjusted if sounds good! As always keep those videos coming and thanks!

Man, you post videos faster than I can watch them! Great job! I will check it out later on. Also if I may add one thing - I purchased a Sterling by Musicman StingRay 5 last Momday, formely known as Ray35, and I gotta tell you. If it didnt say sterling on the headstock and on the bridge (and the country of origin wasn't printed on the backside of the headstock) I would say it was made in USA, that good the quality is! I was blown away

I just discovered your channel while trying to figure out Sterling MM bass to buy and what the benefits that the different mods provide. Thanks for the unbiased reviews!

I just ordered that “SLO Special” Styled StingRay Classic Bass because of your awesome demo :-) Thanks Lobster! $345.99 from GC

Somebody in the Sterling by MusicMan factory probably brought an actual Stingray Classic and compared the tones and went “oh s#it! They sound more similar when the Sterling is in series!” That is the only logical explanation for them doing that 😂

Just got this bass a good 2 weeks ago! love the tone! My favorite tone is 75% Treble and 100% bass. Love this bass!

Thomann prices for the affordable Stingrays as of 1/20/2022: Sub Ray4: 437 USD. Ray24: 748 USD. Not a good time for buying musical instruments and I live in Europe. Where is the power of Euros I've been promised? All prices high as crazy and you have to wait several weeks. I'm still in search for my 1st bass purchase. I gave you the 700th like on this video btw.

Great review and the calling out of the components vs. the naming. I agree with your final assessment that it just leaves a negative impression for what is otherwise a nice sounding bass.

Glad someone who reviews critical. Other who review, almost only review positive. Wich doesn't give me any view of how the instrument really is. Played an S.U.B. once, really hated the neck, it was like touching very dry wood.. So the tint to me does alot though.

The Ray 24 doesn't sound half bad but lacks that Stingray punch. I'd probably rewire it or simply replace the pickup with a decent AlNiCo one. And, to be honest, basing on your test and description, it's not really worth the price difference between it and the Sub Ray. Especially that you can get the Sub in my absolutely favourite black/black/maple combo ;-) Your Stingray classic though... It sounds awesome and is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!

I got my 25ca with a price cut of 120 bucks. I got my friend who works at the music store to buy it with his staff price benefit. And there's also a dent on the back of the bass so I bargained for a lower price on top of that lol. Saved me a lot of money.

Oh man! I was waiting for this video I think this video had cleared my idea about buying this bass Thank you for the demo Nice playing as always 💙💙💙💪💪

I have this model and absolutely love it.

10.3k subs and counting !!!!! Let’s gooooo !!!

Ray 24 CA was impressive, I had my eyes on the 5 string one wondering if I should get it or not, but thank's to your demonstration I think I will buy it, thank you so much.

Just bought a sunburst Sterling Classic 24CA at my local Sam Ash. I fell in love with it the moment I picked it up. It plays great tho it needs a set-up because there's a buzz on the lower end of the neck. Otherwise the it's lightweight but punchy. Playability and sound are most important to me. It feels great and I don't have to fight with it to feel comfortable and get my desired sound. Still haven't put a battery in to access the preamp. Never had an active bass before.

Thanks for the excellent review! FYI.. just snagged one @Guitar Center For $349.99 SWEEEET!!

The neck on that classic is fookin gorgeous

Best reviewer ever . So glad I stumbled on this channel

That sale price is worth it. The $499 is not. SUB with an upgraded pickup is the way to go.

Wow! Extremely informative video, I'm new-ish to bass and I love the Stingray tone. Sounds like the way to go is to buy a cheapo SUB4 and upgrade the heck out of it with a J-Tone preamp and a really good parallel pickup, and save myself $1000!!

Ok, im digging this. It blows me away at how many good basses we can buy sub 500 now days. This is a good bass, the sub is a good bass, I like my AIO telle bass, the list goes on and on. Realy been thinking about one of these, or the sub with a better pickup. Are the subs on sale? I'll check, or maybe I shouldn't, lol.

I'm surprised how close the sound of the Ray24 was to real 'Ray. And it is in series!

Just traded in my mint green sub for one of these. I like the tint in the neck! The sub neck was as pale as driftwood - not very appealing. This also has a very nice bridge and weighs less than my old sub, and the improved pickup makes the cheapie preamp seem a lot less harsh.

Lobster, this is a great review. I appreciate your honesty, and I like your dressed up tee shirt.

I'm looking at a used Ray24CA in great shape for $299. What do you think, Lobsty?

Hey Lobbie!!🤜🏿💢🤛🏿!!🐱 Just came across a 24CA on sale TODAY!🙏🏿🤗!! I gotta do it.👍🏿😁 My First Stingray!🎉🎉 Yes, technically, still not really in "Stingray" country.😣(Ray34) But,you say it has a decent pickup.👍🏿 Good platform!👌🏿 I'll definitely take Mahogany over Basswood.😉 I'll have to check out the parallel circuit hack you mentioned.☝🏿 Already rewatching the Stingray Mod Videos again!📼👀 Thank You for your input and your candor🙏🏿🙏🏿!

If you ever get your hands on an Ibanez SR Mezzo, would love to hear your thoughts. No worries if not. 😎 Cheers!

$380 does seem more palatable...but of course CME now has a maple board SUB for $255 shipped and GC has a rosewood SUB for $229 now (again Dec 2020)...makes it kinda tough to go down the “Classic” route even when it’s on sale unless you *really* don’t wanna tinker. Currently looking for a cheap knock-about second bass to also learn to mod a smidge and wondering if the sale prices SUBs may be the ticket...Thanks for the great vid as always!

I played this at GC and it sounds awesome for my alt rock/metal band. That being said I don’t know very much about this stuff.

i'll wait that series/parallel video

Magic cat change was awesome!! Hahahaha

I have been watching your Ray reviews non-stop for the past 3-4 days. I can’t decide between a Ray 4 with Seymour SMB-4a and john east preamp (2band) or a stock Ray24

I have 24CA, and just put flat wounds on it. Gorgeous

I like it. The one thing Im not crazy about is the way the tuners stick out so far from the head stock. On the US models, the tuners are a little more tucked in. I wonder if you can order the original tuners and stick them on the 24.

Mr lobster 🦞, I like the tone of this one, very punchy, growly yet very articulate at the same time.

I have the Toluca Lake blue model. It’s really nice. Looking to get this butterscotch model for different tunings for stage

When you cut the bass and boosted the treble my ears started bleeding! Arrg!

Not a bad sounding bass thanks! for sharing this demo

I just got a SUB Ray4 and it has a 4 lead pup I was able to wire parallel. Can't be 100% sure it's factory because it was second hand, but I'm pretty sure it was

Very informative video, thx for posting ! I also see your postings on TalkBass. I have a question: I currently have this ray24ca (toluca blue with rosewood fb) which will see a preamp change for the seymour duncan stc-3m3 and will also have the stock pickup wiring modified to paralell. Not looking to add value for resale, only modding it for my use. How close am I gonna be to a real Stingray ? (I would get an EBMM one, but their necks are not so comfortable for me, as opposed to the thinner ray24ca neck). Thx 🙂

I have the Ray24CA & the EMG MMHZ pickups. In passive mode, with both pickups wired in series, the Ray24CA sounds very similar to the EMG (the EMG is little bit brighter)

So from watching your videos I was really thinking about getting a ray 24 but I actually got to try one at Guitar Center and I really didn't like it, the body was too thick and the tone didn't seem to be that much better or even better than the regular SUB, the bridge is definitely better on the ray 24 but I think with a pickup and preamp upgrade the sub would be the way to go over the ray 24

Super groovy playing ,you get the crustation cool groove award

good sound !!!! 2 eq control, the my favourite " stingray" sound

There is a lot of "Marketing" in the musical instrument business today. Lots of Codewords and catch phrases. I like the bridge much better on the Ray 24 then the Ray 4, I like the pickup on the Ray 34 its Alnico, maybe an aftermarket P/U will sound better in the Ray 24. The MM Sting Ray sounds better but not necessarily 4 times better the the Ray24.

Hey Lobster, love the vids. I stumbled on the Ray4HH model stringray and i love the sound and its flexibility! however, I dont know how the preamp controls work. I am sad that there are no guides about this. Can you explain how to turn on/off a preamp in the Ray4hh?

Hmm…i really like the stock preamp/puckup! Been looking around to get hold of a spare one, but really difficult to get hold of.

Hi Lobster, my friend has this bass with a John East Musicman preamp, Status carbon neck and a Aguilar pickup. It sounds fantastic!! Nice review. 🙏🏿👍🏾

I went I subscribe, but found out I already subbed in the past. Nice! 👍🏻

Nice playing!! Slap sound better on Stingray. Do you know of any affordable music man who has a parallel pickup like the one on the Stingray? It bothered me to play on the pickup magnets and I ended up destroying it. Music man does not sell me the loose pickup.

Ok, I am brand spanking new to any instrument and chose to go with a bass guitar. There is a lot of jargon I'm not familiar with yet. So, I may have missed you clarifying the difference between a 24 and the 24CA..., but what's the difference?

9:45 nice sound

In your Ray34 review you mentioned the bass weighed about 11lbs, how much does the Ray24 weigh in comparison?

Honestly comparing the $500 Sterling against a real Stingray is harsh.

I find that I like both basses a lot in terms of their sound, but the EBMM gets the edge for being a bit more refined. It’s not five times better than the SBMM Ray34CA, though,

Finally ive been waiting for the 24. This was my first stingray i ever played but i ended up falling for the ray34. The 34 just sounds better. I would rather have a sub than a 24

Pardon the ignorance but what is the difference between a Sterling Ray24CA vs A Sterling Ray24. Is the classic available for purchase in the states?

This thing sounds amazing. Isn't the 38mm neck narrower than the "original" classic?

Forgot to mention in my previous comment that the neck radius on this a vintage 7.25 versus 9.5 on the sub 4. I think you statednthat the necks were the same except for the tint. This is actually a completely different neck and should be noted.

What’s the actual difference between these and a SUB? Have ordered a sub for NZD $785 but the Ray24 comes in at NZD $1199 and is in stock.

The big difference for me is I like jazz 1.5 necks and without all the gloss. The Sterling sounded just as good or at least not different enough to care. I already have 2 different SUB's though so I probably don't need this. hmm

The sterling has bouncy low mids that do give a vintage vibe. I preferred the slap tone on the sterling, I guess because its more like a precision up top. But how much do they weigh, Mr L. E. Lobster?

Visible cat = instant like

Lobster, did you 'burp' at the 9.47 minute mark? 😆

wich pot with humbucker in parallel? 250k or 500k? wich one is better with e better response wich 0.1mf tone cap?

24 CA sounds nice and throaty because of the alnico pup. 🦞 is a little burpey because of a delicious meal. 😆

How did u get my bass? Great comparison sir 👏

Literally just left GC playing this the sub and the ray34 hh I think it was. The 899 one. The 899 one felt and sounded like I'd rather pay for it than buy a classic or sub to build.

It will be interesting to hear the bass once it's rewired. Swapping out the preamp for one of those Mojotone 2-band clones would be cool too.

I own it and love it best bass for the money

Interested in this base, but in Germany the price ATM ist 800 Euro, I think this is way too much for that bass..

Im i crazy or the black vs de mustard are different dimension?

The Sterling sounds fantastic. Only me here?

Isnt the ray24 a much thinner neck at the nut?

I think the difference in the neck in the ray24 is that it has a 1.5” nut width. They usually have around 1.7”, no?

Saludations Mr. lobster, currently looking for a 5 string bass at around 500 euros. The Schecter Stilletto stealth 5 has caught my eye, is there any chance of you featuring it on the channel? Love the way you review stuff, highly trust your opinion. Thanks!

Good looking bass sound is .........i think thats okay is the correct word no more keep on enjoing tbe good life buddy

Which model of ray24 would you recommend? 5 strings or 4 strings?

I try to click your link and it doesn't take me to your basses, just like a hone screen to reverb

I couldn’t decide whether I preferred the Sterling or the Ernie. It depended on what settings you had and what you played.

imho the Sterling Ray 34 CA was much closer to a classic than the 24. The 34 had gloss amber tinted neck and slab swamp ash body. They also had alnico "Classic Active" pickups. I have a early 2012 model and it's the best Sterling bass ever made. I love it, I consider it my budget stingray classic. Sadly they've been discontinued since 2017. If you ever find one lobster grab it! They're awesome.

Suggest me best bass under 500-600$ funk style

Great starter bass but an upgraded sub is my way to go.

the USA doesnt sound as harsh in my opinion. A tad bit warmer than the stirling.

I have this bass with rosewood neck in blue with tort pick guard. Love the look, sounds better than the sub that I had, and feels better. But your right, it doesn't have the bite that your typical Stingray has. You have me thinking on rewiring to series.

Music man got that punch love it

I never understood the Music Man bridge pickup sound & why it's so popular. I wish Leo had just made it like the L1000. I had to wait a few years, but I bought one of the first L2000 basses when they came out.

At the sale price a no brainer