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.

Squier Classic Vibe Limited Edition ’70s Precision Bass (2024) in Surf Green

Compared to my previous Squier CV ’70s Precision, this bass is superb. The fretwork is excellent without any sharp ends. I have often stated my love for bound and blocked necks so this Squier really does it for me. The Surf Green is beautiful and looks like it belongs on a ’57 Chevy Bel Air. Another draw for me is the ’70s style lettering on the headstock.

Normally I change pickguards to a white or parchment Pearloid style, but I am leaving this one alone. I have wasted far too much time and money over the past five years doing things like that. I did, however, add the ashtray and a thumb rest.

As well, I tried living with the stock Fender roundwound strings but did not like them, so it received Ernie Ball Group III Flatwounds last night. If you’ve never used flats on a Precision or a Jazz bass, I would highly recommend giving them a shot. I put flats on for the first time in August of 2020 and have never been satisfied with anything else. My Ray34CA above came with flats and they have lived on it ever since.

Naturally all of this beauty would be a waste of time if it did not sound like a Fender Precision, and it absolutely does! The pickups are referred to as “Fender-designed” alnico and they produce the tone I love.