NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

[dirtdog]

Have been shopping for a 5-string bass casually for the last few weeks. Had my eye on a couple of used EB/MM Stingray 5's but couldn't make a deal happen. Thought I should go and try out a few new ones - a Fender Dimension 5, a Fender Jazz 5, Musicman Sterling Ray35. For shits and giggles, I pulled a Sterling Ray5 (Squier of the Musicman world) off the shelf for a few laps around the track. I liked it so much compared to the others, I brought it home. The fact that it was a fraction of the price compared to the Ray35 and Stingray 5 didn't hurt. And it was 20% everything in the shop yesterday. I didn't get my preferred colour (black on black with maple neck), but hell, this will do the trick just fine. Here she is with her cousin (MIJ '62 RI Fender PJ). Gonna take her out on a few tunes at our gig tonight....

[ch willie]

That's a fine looking bass!

[FrankJohnson]

cool! I just had someone contact me about trading a Yamaha I have on Craigslist for one similar to this. I have never tried one - let me know bout the feel, neck, tones, action - fit finish etc

[CoyotesGator]

Nice!

[OldStrummer]

Very nice!

[FrankJohnson]

I really like the look of that - I love subdued stuff like that. If I had a LP it wouldn't have an AAAA Top, or anything - it would be very warm looking - same with my basses. typically anyway.....

Would love to hear the tone

[Gravity Jim]

Sweet! When you find a solid tool for dirt cheap, grab it.

[chuckocaster]

Congrats! I really liked the one I had, but sold it as I already have a bunch of basses.

[OldStrummer]

Sweet! When you find a solid tool for dirt cheap, grab it.

Consider this the "Like" button.

[dirtdog]

cool! I just had someone contact me about trading a Yamaha I have on Craigslist for one similar to this. I have never tried one - let me know bout the feel, neck, tones, action - fit finish etc

BLUF: Feels, looks and sounds way more expensive than it was.

It's pretty decent action right out of the box. It's got one really good meaty tone as opposed to the palette of tones you could get out of a single or double hum Stingray. Active tone controls, pretty straightforward. Slim neck for a 5-er, but that's what I was looking for. String spacing a bit tight as a result, though. Fret ends are noticeable, may need to have that dealt with. Other than that, fit and finish is of a very decent quality. Weight is average, about the same as my MIJ '62 reissue 4. Hardware seems pretty good. Not EB/MM's highest end stuff, but looks and feels the part. Plays nicely, it's my first 5-er so I'm just getting used to that extra string. As I mentioned, not my preferred colour, but like you said, subdued in a good way.

First thing I'll change is the strings as I have been playing half-wounds for the last few years. The stock strings are overly bright and noisy to my ear.

I'll try to lay down some tracks of it tonight and post them up...