Sterling by Music Man Ray34

^# 97

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$879.99 to $1,111.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (25)

1 Critic Review

8 Reviews

Find out who is using Sterling by Music Man Ray34

5 community setups

6 wishlisted

57 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 7, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (1)

$1,049.99

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$1,049.99

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$1,049.99

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4.0 (8)

$879.99 21 available New

$350.00 18 available Used

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5.0 (1)

$1,049.99

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5.0 (3)

$899.99

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$1,111.00

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£1,099.00

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Average Price: $930

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Sterling by Music Man Ray34 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man Ray34". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Experience the legendary sound and striking aesthetics of the Sterling by Music Man Ray34, an electric bass that pays homage to the iconic StingRay lineage. Crafted for the discerning bassist, this instrument merges classic design with modern innovations. Its gorgeous spalted maple top not only captivates the eye but also enhances tonal richness, while the contoured nyatoh body ensures comfort during those marathon jam sessions.

At the heart of the Ray34 is a Music Man-designed alnico humbucking pickup, providing the deep, signature low-end punch that StingRay basses are renowned for. Paired with an active 9-volt preamp and a 3-band EQ, the Ray34 offers versatile tone shaping, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for any genre.

The bass's roasted maple neck is a standout feature, delivering exceptional stability and smooth playability. This neck resists warping and is lightweight, reducing neck dive and providing a comfortable playing experience whether you’re on stage or in the studio. With 21 medium frets and a satin finish, the Ray34's neck invites effortless navigation across its scale.

Designed with both performance and aesthetics in mind, the Sterling by Music Man Ray34 is an exceptional choice for musicians seeking a reliable, visually stunning bass with that classic StingRay sound.

Key Features:

Contoured nyatoh body with a stunning spalted maple top
Music Man-designed alnico humbucker for iconic low-end power
Active 9V preamp with 3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
Roasted maple neck for stability and smooth playability
21 medium frets and a satin finish for fluid navigation

Product specs

Number of Strings	4
Left-/Right-handed	Right-handed
Body Shape	StingRay RAY34
Body Material	Nyatoh (body), Spalted Maple (top)
Body Finish	Gloss
Neck Material	Roasted Maple
Neck Joint	6-way Bolt-on
Radius	9.5"
Fingerboard Inlay	White Dots
Number of Frets	21, Medium
Scale Length	34"
Nut Width	1.69"
Nut Material	Polyphenylene Sulfide
Bridge/Tailpiece	Sterling by Music Man-Designed Bridge
Tuners	Open Gear
Bridge Pickup	Sterling Alnico Humbucker
Controls	1 x volume, 3-band EQ
Strings	Ernie Ball 2834 Super Slinky, .045-.100
Case/Gig Bag	Sold Separately

FAQs

What type of wood is used in the body of the Sterling by Music Man Ray34?: The Sterling by Music Man Ray34 features a body made from Nyatoh with a Spalted Maple top, providing a visually striking appearance and contributing to its distinct tonal characteristics.
How does the Sterling by Music Man Ray34's electronics setup enhance its sound?: The Ray34 is equipped with a Sterling Alnico Humbucker pickup and a 3-band active EQ, allowing players to dial in a wide range of tones suitable for various musical styles.
Is the Sterling by Music Man Ray34 suitable for live performances?: Yes, with its robust construction, 34-inch scale length, and versatile tonal options, the Ray34 is well-suited for live performances, offering both durability and a powerful sound.
What is the neck profile like on the Sterling by Music Man Ray34?: The Ray34 features a roasted maple neck with a 9.5" radius and medium frets, providing a comfortable playing experience suitable for both fast playing and intricate fingerwork.
Does the Sterling by Music Man Ray34 come with a case or gig bag?: The Sterling by Music Man Ray34 does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately.

Videos

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LowEndLobster

Sterling by Music Man Stingray Ray34 - Better than a used EBMM USA Stingray?! - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

The Beauty & Tone BEAST! - Sterling By Music Man Stingray Ray34HH [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

All The Feel For Half The Price? STERLING BY MUSIC MAN StingRay RAY34 Bass Review | GEAR GODS

Trey Xavier

Sterling by Musicman Bass with a Roasted Maple Neck! - The New Ray34 Stingray

Marcelo Feldman - The Bass Wizard

Sterling By Music Man Ray34PB! [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

Music Man Sting Ray Sterling Ray 34 Demo/Review

Paul Annis

Sterling By Music Man Ray 34 Bass Review

stevekonbass

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Ray34 Demo (ft. Marcelo Feldman) - RAY34

Ernie Ball

Ray34 BLACK from Sterling by Music Man - How much more black can it be? None - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

WATCH THIS BEFORE you buy Sterling stingray 34 - The Real Truth

JaY dePool Music

[MusicForce] Sterling by Musicman Ray34QM Bass Demo

Music Force Official

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Ray34 Demo (ft. Marcelo Feldman) - RAY34

Ernie Ball

Sterling Ray34 review

Pherotone Studios

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Ray34 Demo (ft. Nick Campbell)

Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Ray34 Demo (ft. Matt Rubano)

Ernie Ball

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sterling by Music Man Ray34.

Build quality

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Some owners report issues with the tuners, particularly the black ones, breaking or gears shredding. Consider checking or replacing if necessary.
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The Ray34 is noted for its heavy weight, which some users find challenging but typical for its price range and construction origin.
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User experience

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A few users mention the neck being wide and thick with a 43mm nut width, which may not suit those preferring slimmer necks like on a Squier Jaguar.
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Some players find the neck pickup on the Ray34 HH intrusive, affecting playability, especially for those accustomed to single pickup models.
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A 17-year-old Ray34 reportedly still functions well without significant maintenance, highlighting its longevity.
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Some find the neck and string spacing on the Ray34 feel smaller compared to other models.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some Ray 34 owners have experienced truss rod issues, such as it not budging, leading to neck replacements under warranty.
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Features and functionality

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The Ray 34 is noted for its growly tone, which fits well in many mixes, though it may not be the most versatile in escaping the typical StingRay sound.
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The Ray34 HH model offers 5 pickup configuration options, enhancing tonal versatility compared to the single pickup Ray34 H model.
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Owners appreciate the active electronics for their ability to replicate a diverse range of tones.
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Comparisons

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Compared to Fender-style basses, a Jazz or PJ bass is often recommended for greater versatility, offering more tonal options with the addition of a J pickup.
Source
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Although both models share the same bridge pickup, the HH's bridge pickup sound is slightly different, potentially due to additional routing or cavity design.
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The Ray34 is regarded as the best import StingRay, with a neck profile and nut width closely resembling the Ernie Ball Music Man models.
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Value and pricing

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Despite some quality concerns, owners find the Ray 34 comparable in sound and build quality to more expensive American-made StingRays.
Source

Critic Reviews

Sterling By Music Man Ray34 (PSK) bass review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Sterling by Music Man Ray34 is a remarkable blend of modern craftsmanship and classic design, delivering rich tones and excellent sustain. Its active EQ and comfortable neck make it a joy to play, appealing to both professionals and serious amateurs alike. While the review finds no downsides, the standout build quality and versatility are particularly noteworthy. This bass provides a professional sound that rivals higher-end models, proving to be a solid investment without breaking the bank.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 25 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

jason_duerr

over 10 years ago

Happiness

Purchased used for $200, an incredible value.

rfkz

115

over 2 years ago

Great for price.

This is the bass I use for producing when I need live bass, I have owned this for around two years now and I have found it to work but something feels missing. It's great for chunky or lowkey tones but it's missing an in-between in my opinion (or maybe I am missing something.) If you want an affordable bass that feels high quality and can do very cut through the mix chunky high end sounding bass this is your best bet.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Electronica

emuemulator2

3670

over 3 years ago

Poor design flaws on a bass with potential.

The fact the tuners are literally all designed with the same fault is unacceptable. They wear themselves down after 1 or 2 restrings and they are very expensive to replace. This one's going back.

Roles:

Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Metal Hard rock

duarte_briz

109

over 3 years ago

This bass has very nice tone

Despite its awesome tone and playability, this bass is very heavy... at least in it's the natural ash version.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

wbasstrolo

184

over 10 years ago

Main bass going on 4 years

It plays and sounds like a Ray. On the onboard eq I usually have mids maxed, bass set for the boominess of the room, and the treble for how much of a bite I'm looking for. I usually leave the treble between off and 55% depending on how much growl is required. My volume knob usually sits at 30-50% because anything above that makes all of my pedals go nuts. It's a solid bass and a good choice as an intermediate priced instrument.