@Dani, If you buy a new Sterling Stingray Ray today, you are purchasing a quality instrument.
There are 3 basic models, each with sub models
The Ray 4 (5). [4 string {5 str5in)
The Ray 24(25)
The Ray 34(35)
The major differences are
The Ray 4 - Body = BassWood - Active 2 band EQ
The Ray24 - Body = Mahogany - Active 2 band EQ
The Ray 34 - Body = Mahogany - Active 3 band EQ
The Ray 4(5) also comes as Ray 4(5) HH
The Ray 34(35) also comes as Ray 34(35)HH
HH equals Double Humbucking pick ups
I own a
2020 Sterling Stingray Ray4
2012 Sterling Stingray34
And I pick up tomorrow
2020 Sterling Stingray Ray4HH
I have bought and sold many basses in the past 6 months, learning what I liked, keeping those, and selling the ones I didn’t like so much. I also bought some Bass/ Amp packages, where I was able to sell the Amp head and speaker cabinet for equal to what I paid or more, making a profit.
After selling two basses and making a $300 profit a few months back, I went into Guitar Center and bought my Sterling Stingnray Ray 4.
I took it home, added it to my rotation of Ibanez SR300, SR400, and LTD B-4E, and played all 4 of those basses daily for about 3-4 weeks, and at the end of the 3-4 weeks, I found myself playing the Stingray Ray 4 more and more and more.
I found myself playing on one of the Ibanez basses, and having a little trouble playing certain things, or just didn’t feel really good playing certain things, and then wishing I was playing my Stingray.
More and more, I just started picking up my Stingray first, and often finishing the day without picking up any others (unless I needed 24 frets, almost never.
So
I sought out and SCORED AN INCREDIBLE DEAL on the 2012 Stingray 34 from a Pawn shop selling it for $650. I did some homework to find out what I could, cuz just like @itsratso was saying, in years past, you need to make sure you are buying quality and not a problem bass.
From what I could find, the only other two identical bases I could find were going for a bit over $1000
I bought it for $400 and couldn’t be happier.
Also
Because I played my Stingrays most, then my ESP LTD B-4E, then my Ibanez SR400, I decided that I could give up my Ibanez SR300 (the SR300 and SR400 were all but identical. The year they were put out, the difference was almost only the quilted maple finish on the 400). Since I bought it used, online from Guitar Center, and since they have a special 6 month return police due to Covid, I decided that I would take it back to Guitar Center so that it, 1, would not sit unplayed, collecting dust, and 2, more importantly, so I could trade it in on the STERLING Stingray Ray 4 HH, which I pick up tomorrow, I am so excited, it’s GREEN, which is next best to Orange.
Ok, I will wrap it up here, its a long post, but
IN MY HONEST OPINION AND RECENT EXPERIENCE.
I beleive these prices are accurate but not certain
Sterling Ray 4 - $299. /. Ray 4 HH $379
Sterling Ray 24 - $499
Sterling Ray 34 - $749 and up
Sterling Ray 34 HH - $899 and up
So
****The Ray 4 is absolutely amazing, I love it, love it, love it. The difference between basswood and mahogany body, YES, I am sure there is a difference, and it is a higher quality, however, I am nowhere near being able to tell the difference myself, and it could be years before I might be able to notice much difference, and it is going to be a very subtle difference when I do notice it.
The Ray 24,-yes it had mahogany body, but it is pretty much the same build, same active EQ, and same pick ups (IIRC, there may be a pick up upgrade too). It is nice, it comes in limited colors, some are nice, but for me, it is not worth the extra money, between the Ray4 and Ray24, the $200 extra is not worth it. From what I have played, they play and feel the same, and they even sound the same to my novice ears.
******The Ray34 - upgraded body - upgraded fretboard, upgraded active electronics and pick ups, comes in many colors and designs, some I like, some not so much. it is really really really nice, It is not a MM, but you could almost upgrade it to one by changing the electronics. Once set up really god, they are awesome.
But, do they play and feel different then the Ray 3 or the Ray34. They feel and play pretty much the same as far as I can tell. They sound different, obviously with the 3 band EQ and pick ups. I love them, I love them I love them.
But, when trading in my Ibanez, I still chose to purchase the Ray 4HH instead of the Ray 34HH.
At this point, I didn’t want to spend the money since I already have a Stingray34, and because I love my Ray 4, I was very happily and willing to get the Ray 4 HH. And I absolutely love the color I am getting.
So all said and done. If you are able to play a Stingray, be it a 4, a 24 or a 34, and if you like the feel, and if you like the sound, and if you like the look, and if you decide you want to order one, I think you can’t go wrong weather you get the Ray 4, Ray 24 or Ray 34.
If it were me, I would take the Ray 24 out of the mix unless you really really really like the couple of creamy yellow and blue / green colors they come in. If you like thse colors and prefer the mahogany body, get a 24. But if you like Black, or White, then go with a Ray 4 or a Ray 34. For the reasons I listed above.
Try one, you may love one.
And
If you don’t, then get a MIM Fender.
But also try some
Ibanez
ESP LTD
Yamaha
Jackson
Schecter
Spector
Warwick
Etc…
The more you try, the more you will know what you like and what you don’t like.
and you may like everything about a Fender P-bass Best after trying all those, but you will know for 100% sure, and if that is the case, then an American Fender P-Bass might be your best option.
I was reading your story and just waiting to get to the end so I could add in “MusicMan also makes a smaller, lighter version bass of the stingray, called the Sterling“
But you gat it in there. Lol.