Sterling by Music Man Ray34CA (2013) in 3-Color Sunburst

I “discovered” the Stingray bass many years ago when I watched Jethro Tull’s Heavy Horses music video. The bass player was a man named John Glascock and he was playing a natural-finish Stingray with a white pickup cover.

Back then, in my mind, there were Fender basses and Everything Else. It wouldn’t be until over a decade later that I learned much more about the instrument that I loved, the Electric Bass Guitar. And the more I learned, the more I wanted a Stingray.

Unfortunately, Stingrays were out of my price range. However, in 2021 Sterling by Music Man (SBMM) had a bass they called the Ray24CA. After receiving the bass, it turned out that I did not get along with it. It was nicely made but the ceramic pickup was far too bright and the two-band EQ did not shape the tone nearly enough for my taste.

Finally, in 2023, I was able to trade away a Fender Player P Bass for this exceptional SBMM Ray34CA. The “CA” means “Classic Active” which refers to the two-band EQ. This older generation of Ray34 has the “slab” body and alnico pickup instead of ceramic.

I loved this Stingray from day one. It is an absolute Tone Monster despite having “only” a two-band EQ. During the flurry of bass swapping and selling I put myself through, this is the bass I have had the longest amount of time. The only bass that I could ever imagine replacing it would be a genuine (very expensive) Music Man.

This was the original “Keeper” for me and continues to be so.

Yamaha TRBX304 (2025) in Mist Green

G.A.S. hit me and it hit me hard! Then I folded like a cheap suit. That’s all there is to it.

Last month, I bought the above-mentioned TRBX174EW in Tobacco Sunburst at my local Guitar Center. I was forced to endure more than half of the 30-day waiting period that they have for used items and was finally able to pick it up on May 6th.

During my wait, I found myself jonesing hard for a “Modern” bass. I investigated the Ibanez SR300 and the Yamaha. From what I could find online and having looked at both in my local GC, it seemed to me to be mainly a matter of aesthetics. Both are quality builds given their price range with, in my opinion, the Yamaha having a definite edge there.

Years ago (mid-90s if I recall correctly), I had a Yamaha that at the time I thought was “too light” and favored whatever Fender I may have owned. However, given the quality of the used TRBX174EW, I instantly warmed to the Yamaha brand, thus my decision.

The condition of the shipping box that it arrived in was moderately alarming. Fortunately for me, Yamaha knows how to pack an instrument at the factory. I was very impressed that they shipped the bass with additional cardboard padding in strategic places and a nice protective wrapper for the D’Addario XLs that it comes with, keeping the bass safe on its long journey.

The fretwork is very good, no sharp edges and it’s great that Yamaha keeps using Rosewood on their fretboards instead of the Pau Ferro. Overall a solid build with everything working as it should and it has plenty of fiddly knobs and a gimmicky 5-position switch that I can spend time exploring.It plays well out of the box, and I am extremely happy with the ceramic pickups that make it sound more “modern” than anything else I have.
The painted matching headstock and 5-piece Maple and Mahogany neck are nice touches!

And now, my basses officially outnumber my guitars, just as it should be.

Yamaha is making superb basses and I’m glad that I was willing to give them another chance after 30+ years. I look forward to experimenting with the new bass.

Yamaha TRBX174EW Mango Wood (2022) in Tobacco Sunburst

On May 6th, 2025, I was (FINALLY!) be able to pick up a bass that I bought in April. Guitar Center has a 30 day hold policy for the used equipment they purchase. It was a long two-and-a-half weeks.

I haven’t put round-wounds on a bass for several years now, so this particular Yamaha is a bit of a “test bed” for different ideas. It currenly sports RotoSound Swing Bass 66 strings.

The quality of the build is excellent, the Mango Wood top is stellar and the Tobacco Burst paint job with matching headstock is gorgeous. I am a little unsure about the pickups and electronics so I might swap them out.

Overall, a very decent instrument for an entry-level bass.