Choosing my forever bass: Stingray vs Precision

[neo 7]

I'm at a point in my life where I want to stop buying and selling basses and own only one bass that I will take to the grave. I've had a P-Bass tone in my head since I started playing so I wondered into the local music store today looking for a new P-Bass. I tried a MIM, a Nate Mendel sig, an American Standard, American Special, and a MIJ E series. I liked the MIJ but it had some dings on the back of the neck so I passed. The American Special seemed like it fit the bill and I almost bought it. Then I asked if I could try the lone Stingray hanging on the wall. I was blown away. It had such a cool tone and the neck felt great, played like a dream. It was an ugly pea soup puke green color, but ugly in a cool way. Definitely more personable than ho-hum black or blue or something. This bass really spoke to me, but I still left empty handed.

Since I'm looking for a forever bass I figured it would be best to think it over. Will a Stingray be a good bass for what I want to do in 20 years. I'm sure a P-Bass would serve me well for any music I'd ever play, but I really fell in love with this Ray. I play in a punk band at the moment, but I also like classic rock, and smooth down-tempo acid jazz. Who knows what I'll be into in 20 years. Is this even a legitimate concern, or will a Stingray work for any style of music?

Also, this is the first time I ever played a Stingray. Was the tone so cool because it was new? Will I grow bored of the tone and long for a P-Bass, the tone that I've always had in my head?

What would you do in this situation? Stay with the tried and true P-Bass, or throw caution into the wind and buy the Ray?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Play them both again, and whichever makes you giggle more, and feels the best. It would be P for me, but that's part of the fun of it.

 

[StayLow]

I've owned, gigged and recorded both. Fretted and fretless. The answer is Stingray. No doubt, no contest.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Go with the Stingray, you seem to enjoy it more. Or just buy both (what I would do )

 

[waynobass]

I was blown away. It had such a cool tone and the neck felt great, played like a dream.... This bass really spoke to me...

Get the Ray; you obviously love it. While it's a little more aggressive than a P-bass, it can be mellowed out if necessary with flatwound strings, playing near the neck, EQ, etc.

 

[punkjazzben]

Famous last words!

Just kidding. The Stingray probably appealed to you because it was a new sound and feeling. I thinks that's probably why most of us end up stuck in the GAS cycle - we get sucked in by novelty.

Personally, nothing says 'forever bass' like a sunburst or natural finish Precision. Classic and conservative. It sounds as if you like the feel and tone, and you're right on the money when you say it will cover the majority of musical situations down the road. It's just a matter of finding the one that fits you best.

 

[StyleOverShow]

The Stingray offers more versatility and the comfort of EB necks are legendary. The P has its place and if that's what you hear then your comfortable with your Fender. I have both because of their strengths and expect they will be around for awhile.

 

[drummer5359]

The pea soup Stingray sounds fun. I'm a "P-guy" for the most part, as that has always been THE sound in my head as well. I a couple of P basses, but I also own an EBMM Ray, so I understand the draw.

I'd likely pick up the "Pea soup Ray" if I were you.


Then again I'd also likely pick up a Precision down the road when I found THE ONE.

Who's to say that you can't own two "forever" basses?

 

[crucislancer]

The MIJ P-bass could be fixed, and you might get a nice discount on it. However, even being a diehard Fender guy, the Stingray sounds like the one to get.

 

[anavar]

I've owned, gigged and recorded both. Fretted and fretless. The answer is Stingray. No doubt, no contest.

no contest indeed.

the stingray will serve you well. people often refer to it as a one trick pony, ignor them, the stingray is an awesome piece of kit.

 

[inate_hex]

Two very different instruments. I personally would go with the Stingray. I love the tone and the versatility of the on board eq. More subtle tones can be had from the instrument too by using different right hand technique etc. I would not be able to get by with just one bass though. I just enjoy the different feel of different instruments. Each one inspires me to play a little differently. Good luck!


Musicman Bongo club #175

 

[mikeswals]

StingRay for me too. I've owned alot of both. I love my 78 Ray, have had it almost 10 years now.
P Basses have always just sat in the closet for me.

 

[punchdrunk]

If I was gonna just do one, I would look at a P bass Select.. It's an amazing bass.

 

[devinp17]

Or just buy both (what I would do )

+1 if I liked the stingray as much as you did... I'm a fender p bass guy

 

[nashman]

I had the same dilemma. I have one of each. Now I want a Thunderbird.

 

[Landy67]

I did the same thing as you. I went in to buy an American Standard P, but walked out the door with a Stingray. I really like the ray, but this spring I was playing at a wedding. I was playing Pachabel's Cannon, some James Taylor, and Jason Miraz. I couldn't mellow the ray out, so I had to switch to the fretless Godin A4.

The Ray is my Go-To bass, but it doesn't fit for folk or bluegrass. I really like having the two basses, and I keep thinking I need a P J, but I haven't gotten around to picking up a P.

 

[wvbass]

Stingray's are great. But, I think you are only confused here because none of the P basses were the right one for you. I would be concerned that the novelty of something new and different might wear off. If I were moving to one bass, it would be a P bass. Not because it is better than anything else. Because it sounds right to me. And because a P bass always feels like home - it is where I started.

To each his own, but if I could have only one friend, I would have to go with my oldest friend.

 

[JimmyM]

Easy decision for me...Precision. But I've never been big on Stingrays, and a Precision was my first good bass and it's what I use 95% of the time nowadays. OTOH, it's never a good idea to buy a bass based on Talkbass consensus...get what you want.

 

[telecopy]

I'm at a point in my life where I want to stop buying and selling basses and own only one bass that I will take to the grave. I've had a P-Bass tone in my head since I started playing so I wondered into the local music store today looking for a new P-Bass. I tried a MIM, a Nate Mendel sig, an American Standard, American Special, and a MIJ E series. I liked the MIJ but it had some dings on the back of the neck so I passed. The American Special seemed like it fit the bill and I almost bought it. Then I asked if I could try the lone Stingray hanging on the wall. I was blown away. It had such a cool tone and the neck felt great, played like a dream. It was an ugly pea soup puke green color, but ugly in a cool way. Definitely more personable than ho-hum black or blue or something. This bass really spoke to me, but I still left empty handed.

Since I'm looking for a forever bass I figured it would be best to think it over. Will a Stingray be a good bass for what I want to do in 20 years. I'm sure a P-Bass would serve me well for any music I'd ever play, but I really fell in love with this Ray. I play in a punk band at the moment, but I also like classic rock, and smooth down-tempo acid jazz. Who knows what I'll be into in 20 years. Is this even a legitimate concern, or will a Stingray work for any style of music?

Also, this is the first time I ever played a Stingray. Was the tone so cool because it was new? Will I grow bored of the tone and long for a P-Bass, the tone that I've always had in my head?

What would you do in this situation? Stay with the tried and true P-Bass, or throw caution into the wind and buy the Ray?

I've had both, and I now own a Precision. A MIM one at that! It's just fine and dandy. I don't think I'll ever buy another EBMM again. But, that Sabre sure is nice! No! Stop it!

 

[punchdrunk]

Never dug the overly synthetic/nasaly sound of the MM.... Plus you can always add a j pickup in the bridge position to the P for the best of all worlds.