Fender P Bass Special or Sterling by Music Man Ray 35

[SaggyApollo]

I'm having a debate in my head right now to choose between the Fender P Bass Special, or the Sterling Ray35. Could someone help me to make the decision? I love both basses, both have a great sound. I just would like to hear everyones opinions.

[mmbongo]

For me it would be Ray 35, no brainer.

[MrGotBass]

I've never played the P Bass Special (It's the active one, right?) but I have played a Ray35 in GC once, and if I hadn't have put it down when I did, I probably would have walked out with it! It was a phenominal bass, especially for the price.

[Tunaman]

I own 2 sterlings so I'm biased.
My advice is this. I love the P tone in my bedroom but in the live mix the Sterlings are heard very well. Soundmen at mediocre gigs have a tendency to muffle bass up a bit.

[SaggyApollo]

yeah the p bass is active

[Thunderthumbs73]

Own the Ray35. Have spent some decent time with the P Special (active), but I own a number of Fenders. Like 'em both. Both worth having. They both sound reasonably different from one another. This whole thing may come down to whether you want and will use a 5-string bass (the Ray), or whether you're comfortable, cool with 4-string basses (the P). Provided you're ok with whichever configuration (4-string versus 5-string), you can't loose either way. Do think about what music you like, what music you play, and whether or not a 5-string bass makes sense for you. Again, you decision or clarity on it, may lie in this aspect.

[Rockmusician]

Go with the Fender. I've owned a couple of Musicman basses and both had dead spots in the fretboard.

[nato101010]

I've played maaaaany P's with dead spots. That goes both ways.