Fender NEW standard jazz bass or Ray34?

staf Wouters · #1 09-10-2011, 08:13 AM

Hello folks

The title says it all: I just can't choose between the fender NEW standard jazz bass/Fender Classic '60s Jazz Bass and the Ray34.

i've been playing for 2 years now, and I really need a new bass.
I play funk, metal, hard rock, indie, alternative, everything with a nice bassline actually. I think my favorite style is funk rock.

I'm looking for that flea-like sound

. I'd also like the bass to be comfortable. I tried them out, but I still can't choose xs.

Also, I think I'm going to buy a hartke VX3500 combo.

I'd love to play in a band, so the bass should be comfortable for live performances too. Although I don't think that would give much of a problem.

Your advices are welcome!

With best regards,
Me

IPA · #2 09-10-2011, 08:18 AM

I like my Ray34 a lot. For the price, for funky stuff, you can't beat it. The 3 band EQ gives you a ton of different tone options. If you want to slap, this thing was built for it!

yellofury · #3 09-10-2011, 09:47 AM

I own both a Stingray and a Jazz Bass and you cant go wrong on either type of bass

I would go back and try each bass again and see which one you can live with for hours playing on stage. I lean more towards the Jazz for comfort. Both type of basses sound unique to each other and both can perform all those style you mentioned.

I also suggest going the used market fir both the bass and the amp
For money you can buy a much better used combo amp.

Why do you need a new bass? What wrong with your old one?

Tajue17 · #4 09-10-2011, 09:56 AM

whats this ray 34??? i would think bassed on what your playign you might like the neck on a fender Jazz better,, I do like rics but my jazz and the ric I used to have are different.

staf Wouters · #5 09-10-2011, 11:26 AM

@yellofury, I just need some new material, I don't like my old bass anymore. It's still pretty good, but it doesn't really give me the funky tones I want, and it doesn't feel that comfortable when slapping. It's an ibanez gsr200. Also, what amp would you suggest? (talking about used ones now, price class: around 700€).

Tupac · #6 09-10-2011, 12:25 PM

I made this same thread a while ago, it got no responses -__-

Anyway, don't ask us, ask yourself. They're both nice basses, just try em out and take whatever you feel. They're both great, just for different purposes.

klejst · #7 09-10-2011, 12:40 PM

Personally (and just laying it out there that I am a Fender Precision bass player) I never really had any love for the Fender Jazz basses. But that is not to say you would not find them to your liking. These types of questions come up all the time on here and although not much help, the best suggestion is to get one or some of each kind you are considering in your hands and choose the one that feels better and sounds better to you. After all it is YOU who will be playing it and....of course paying for it. Honest to God I have never played a Ray of any sorts so I cannot give my two cents on that one.

Rockmusician · #8 09-10-2011, 12:43 PM

I prefer Fender over Musicman. I've owned two Stingrays and both had dead spots. I've never had a problem with any of the Fenders I've owned.

aspersions · #9 09-10-2011, 12:53 PM

I have a Jazz and a Stringray. While I like them both, the Ray always feels and sounds like home to me. That said, play them both and figure out which one gives you the sound you hear in your head.

daemonicus · #10 09-10-2011, 12:56 PM

Yeap , i am interested in that too

Need an all-around 4string that can handle many kinds of music.. So i don't know which one is more versatile ? Fender new american jazz,or some humbucker one??? For example, sandberg vm5, has all i need, but i can't know if it can have a sweet sound for chords or something

CrankenStein · #11 09-10-2011, 01:32 PM

the ray34 has a wider neck and is most likely gonna be heavier, i had a silverburst ray34. sounded pretty good live but i hated the fact that i could never cut the treble quite like a tone knob can, so i eventually sold it. i would never part with my jazz bass.

staf Wouters · #12 09-11-2011, 04:05 AM

I think I will go for the SB14. It has a jazz neck profile, and is lighter than the ray34. I see it a bit as a combo between a jazz bass and a MM. I think it will be perfect for me. If it isn't, I'll send it back.

joelb79 · #13 09-11-2011, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrankenStein

the ray34 has a wider neck and is most likely gonna be heavier, i had a silverburst ray34. sounded pretty good live but i hated the fact that i could never cut the treble quite like a tone knob can, so i eventually sold it. i would never part with my jazz bass.

Pretty much my experience here. When mine was for sale I was accepting trades for a Jazz bass.. even though I have the one.