Choosing my forever bass: Stingray vs Precision

[lakefx]

There is a wide variation in P basses and their relatives. I've had quite a few of them over the years (P-Bass Lyte, American Standard, MIM, Bass Collection, Godin Freeway, Gamma, and G&L SB-1). Each one was a bit different and other than the Gamma, which was fretless, I really found it hard to bond with any of the traditional style P-Basses. Then I got my SB-1. This thing is a definite keeper and the G&L MFD is so powerful and aggressive that it opens up a whole extra range of tonal options.

I recently picked up an EBMM SUB and I really like it too, but it is downright tame compared to my SB-1 and I find it slightly less versatile. Not what I expected at all, but it's still a keeper for those bar gigs where I don't want to worry about what happens to my bass and it sounds good, just not as good as my SB-1.

 

[spaz21387]

I couldn't get past the glossy neck. That is why I bought a three band model. That Neck is absolutely phenomenal.

I actually like the gloss neck but I was a big fan of satin finished necks before this. That's actually why I bought the 3 band first. fender glossy necks feel sticky the musicman isn't as bad as the fender neck.

 

[hsech]

I've never seen a "Forever Bass". Keep at this game long enough and you will learn there is no such thing. You will learn there are "I Wish I Had It Back Basses".

 

[spaz21387]

lakefx I have a sub ray4 and find it very sterile sounding compared to the musicmans. its good to have one for the sketchy shows or to leave at your bands practice spot and not worry about your bandmates dropping it or something...

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Desert island bass? Stingray - easy. Pbass has one tone, good though it may be. Stingray has several.

 

[neo 7]

I actually like the gloss neck but I was a big fan of satin finished necks before this. That's actually why I bought the 3 band first. fender glossy necks feel sticky the musicman isn't as bad as the fender neck.

My experience has been the opposite, the Music Man neck feels just slightly stickier than my MIJ's.


To me the Stingray neck feels like a really nice Fender neck

 

[spaz21387]

I have never played an mij so I wouldn't know there. the USA and Mexican fenders seemed stickier than my classic. I always took steel wool to fenders although I can't do that to the classic neck the roasted birdseye maple is just too beautiful to scuff up...

 

[lakefx]

lakefx I have a sub ray4 and find it very sterile sounding compared to the musicmans. its good to have one for the sketchy shows or to leave at your bands practice spot and not worry about your bandmates dropping it or something...

My understanding is that the EBMM SUB was made in the same factory as the higher end Musicmans with the same pickup and preamp. Mine is not the foreign SBMM SUB.

 

[Geri O]

^ It's called "discipline". Focusing on the work instead of the tools. Saving money rather than wasting it. Good things like that. Might even lead to less time on this forum. More rock, less talk.

All significant improvements the vast majority here would benefit from. I congratulate and admire the OP for seriously considering it.

This is a reasonable conclusion if one is discussing the ownership of many basses (and who's defining "Discipline"?).

It is not a reasonable conclusion if you are considering 2 or 3 basses. I have BOTH an AM STD Precision and a Stingray. So far, the requests on which bass I play for what situation is running 50/50. And yesterday, I took the Ray to the church gig rehearsal because I didn't have time to change the strings on the Precision (which they have preferred so far). The MD and the audio guys lit up when they heard the Ray and loved it. A year ago, they preferred the Precision.

Really, it shouldn't wreck anyone's day for him/her or anyone else to own more than one bass, especially if you are in more than one playing situation. If you can work with one instrument, by all means, do so.

As long as this thread is, I sincerely hope the OP has resolved this situation. And I think I suggested getting both basses earlier, but that's certainly what I'd recommend.

 

[stonewall]

good luck....Fender Jazz beats all other basses for me.

 

[f.c.geil]

My understanding is that the EBMM SUB was made in the same factory as the higher end Musicmans with the same pickup and preamp. Mine is not the foreign SBMM SUB.

Correct. EBMM SUB is a wonderfully well made bass, made in the USA. The SBMM is a nicely made bass, made elsewhere. I really wish they'd used more discernible names, as it is quite confusing this way.

 

[spaz21387]

oh you were talking about the USA sub. Its very easy to get them confused. I assumed it was an Indonesian sub. The USA ones are good. I'm not a fan of the bodies that look like truck Bedliner was sprayed on them, but they are very solid basses...

 

[neo 7]

OK. Two months in and I'm still loving the 'Ray. It got a fresh set of GHS flats and I'm working on breaking them in. The E string still has a very tubby/thumpy/boomy response that I hope will liven up soon. I love the tone I get playing fingerstyle half way between the neck and pup, so alive and articulate. It sounds like an more dignified and sophisticated P-Bass with some thick J bark added to it.

As far as the EQ I keep it pretty flat for bedroom practice, maybe turn the lows down a tad. I've only taken it out of the house once for rehearsal, and it was best to have both bass and treble completely off. We practice in a tiny little room with barely room to move, I can't wait to take this out into a bigger room with drums and guitar.

I knew for the get-go that I would want a thumbrest, soI did this about a month ago. I got an ebony piano key from ebay and a black pickguard here in the classifieds.

The piano key is glued on because I cringed at the thought of drilling holes. Now I can just put the original pickguard back on with no harm done.

Sticker Police take note: I added a cross to the back of the headstock

..............and the hypnotizing power of the 3D birdseye maple.

Every time I pick up this bass I'm reminded of the craftsmanship that went into producing this instrument. It really is a joy to just hold in your hands. I could stare at the neck for hours. I just recently acquired an appreciation for thick, chunky necks, and this one is great. Best neck I've ever played. What else can I say? I love the bass, but I don't think I can go down to just one bass right now. After lots of playing and milling it over I'm going down to three basses: Stingray (of course), MIM P-Bass, and my CIJ Mustang. Maybe after a while I can sell another (or not). I owned nine basses when I started this thread, now I'm down to five, and I have decided which two I want to get rid of next. Maybe I just can't quit multi-bass owning cold turkey, but I feel like I have it more in control. Anyhoo, here's a pic of the three finalists.

 

[blindrabbit]

Those are some nice basses, man. Can't blame you for keeping the Mustang, it's s very cool and unique bass. I'm not a fan of Precisions, so I'm pretty meh about them, but that's still a decent looking one and if you like it that's what matters. The Ray still clearly stands out tho, IMO.

Here's me telling you again to start playing that Ray all the time, everywhere! A bass that good looking, good playing, and good sounding deserves to be out of the bedroom!

OK. Two months in and I'm still loving the 'Ray. It got a fresh set of GHS flats and I'm working on breaking them in. The E string still has a very tubby/thumpy/boomy response that I hope will liven up soon. I love the tone I get playing fingerstyle half way between the neck and pup, so alive and articulate. It sounds like an more dignified and sophisticated P-Bass with some thick J bark added to it.

As far as the EQ I keep it pretty flat for bedroom practice, maybe turn the lows down a tad. I've only taken it out of the house once for rehearsal, and it was best to have both bass and treble completely off. We practice in a tiny little room with barely room to move, I can't wait to take this out into a bigger room with drums and guitar.

I knew for the get-go that I would want a thumbrest, soI did this about a month ago. I got an ebony piano key from ebay and a black pickguard here in the classifieds.

The piano key is glued on because I cringed at the thought of drilling holes. Now I can just put the original pickguard back on with no harm done.

Sticker Police take note: I added a cross to the back of the headstock

..............and the hypnotizing power of the 3D birdseye maple.

Every time I pick up this bass I'm reminded of the craftsmanship that went into producing this instrument. It really is a joy to just hold in your hands. I could stare at the neck for hours. I just recently acquired an appreciation for thick, chunky necks, and this one is great. Best neck I've ever played. What else can I say? I love the bass, but I don't think I can go down to just one bass right now. After lots of playing and milling it over I'm going down to three basses: Stingray (of course), MIM P-Bass, and my CIJ Mustang. Maybe after a while I can sell another (or not). I owned nine basses when I started this thread, now I'm down to five, and I have decided which two I want to get rid of next. Maybe I just can't quit multi-bass owning cold turkey, but I feel like I have it more in control. Anyhoo, here's a pic of the three finalists.

se

 

[neo 7]

Here's me telling you again to start playing that Ray all the time, everywhere! A bass that good looking, good playing, and good sounding deserves to be out of the bedroom!


se

I'm hoping to get it out soon, but my drummer just bought a house so he called off all band activities for October.

 

[neo 7]

I'm not a fan of Precisions, so I'm pretty meh about them, but that's still a decent looking one and if you like it that's what matters.

I'm pretty indifferent about the P. I don't love it, I don't hate it, it sounds decent and does the job, but I never really bonded with it. I'll probably drop new pups in it and add a Drop D tuner. My MIJ Squier is a much better player, but it's medium scale and I don't like going back and forth with the necks. The Mustang is a sweet bass, my main player for awhile, feels like an old friend. I like the Mustang for acoustic stuff and jamming with old, blues guys, and the John Cash army. I've tried to sell it twice before, and pulled the ad both times. I'm just not ready to get rid of it yet.

 

[west al]

I'd go with an Am. Std. Precision.

 

[Ric5]

I cannot imagine going down to one bass ...

 

[f.c.geil]

I'm thinking about it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

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?

Forever bass...I like that one. I remember when I thought my late 80s Charvel bass was my forever bass. Trust me, there is no such thing as a 'forever bass'. Unless it's something that has lots of sentimental value or maybe you've used it on some big records or gigs or something like that.