I agree with there being no such thing as a forever bass. I prefer finished necks which I believe are less climate sensitive than unfinished necks. Two pickup basses will always be more versatile than one pickup basses. A bass not played because one is afraid it might get damaged is, to me, worth 0 dollars.
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Choosing my forever bass: Stingray vs Precision
- Thread starter neo 7
- Start date
My guitar player calls my Classic Stingray a "forever bass". He just explains it as a bass that looks, sounds, and plays great. Mine fits the bill, and I couldn't agree more! It doesn't mean that I can't have any others, but I should think long and hard before letting it go. I'm not worried about getting it dinged up, either (not that I plan on going out of my way to ding it!), as it's meant to be played.
I'm glad you are going to play the hell out of your bass and yes, you can own others. Having owned 2 original Stingrays ( though I only played 1 and sold the other quick) I can tell you that sooner or later, you're going to want to hear the sound of a neck pickup, and by then, you may be in a band with a guitar player with different ideas as to what a bass should sound like.
It sort of bugs me that my guitar player likes my ernie ball sub sound better than my much pricier elite basses. Damn good things usa subs, which leads me to the Stingray as forever bass answer.
You could be right, and GAS is a horrible thing, but if it comes down to it, I'll most likely supplement what I have instead of trading stuff away. And for me, single pup basses seem to be where I'm at sonically. I prefer the P sound to the Jazz sound, and the MM covers everything I need sonically. It splits the difference, and the 1 pup in no way limits me. But, I could always pick up a 5-string 'Ray HH or HS down the road if things change (again)!
Any "child of Leo" bass needs to get its frets bloody in the arena. It was made to be used in battle.
Get that puppy out into the open! The dings are going to happen regardless, and it isn't a sign of misuse, just honest wear. From what I've seen on TB, it seems like MM finishes are very durable, anyways, so you should be ok, short of dropping it on a concrete floor! I'll be bringing my Classic to it's first gig (open mic nite) this week, if it makes you feel any better. Yours is a beauty, be proud and show it off!
If you like these two models of bass to have narrowed down your forever-bass choice to one model or the other, then consider the G&L L-1500 bass.
I've been playing my L-1500 for 17 years. It does Stingray rather well. It also does Precision quite nicely.
My prior three basses had J and P-J and P pickup configurations. I've also sampled a few Precisions and a couple of Stingrays.
Having played bass for now 30 years, I assure you: before you choose a P or a Stingray as your desert-island instrument, you ought to consider a G&L L-1500.
I've been playing my L-1500 for 17 years. It does Stingray rather well. It also does Precision quite nicely.
My prior three basses had J and P-J and P pickup configurations. I've also sampled a few Precisions and a couple of Stingrays.
Having played bass for now 30 years, I assure you: before you choose a P or a Stingray as your desert-island instrument, you ought to consider a G&L L-1500.
If your going to be playing with other people and want the audience to hear you and you to hear your G string properly, make sure you don't scoop your mid too much and get a Stingray - everyone will love it.
If you're going to be playing with other people and want to hear your individual notes properly get a Stingray and don't scoop your mids too much.
If you're going to be playing authentic 60s music with thin sounding jangly guitars and largely inaudible bass you'll be fine with a Precision.
If you want to hear yourself and the audience to hear your note choice get a Stingray.
Seriously - either are a good choice. Even for authentic late 50s/early 60s work.
If you're going to be playing with other people and want to hear your individual notes properly get a Stingray and don't scoop your mids too much.
If you're going to be playing authentic 60s music with thin sounding jangly guitars and largely inaudible bass you'll be fine with a Precision.
If you want to hear yourself and the audience to hear your note choice get a Stingray.
Seriously - either are a good choice. Even for authentic late 50s/early 60s work.
Agreed! The Classic Series finishes are seriously thick and tough - I've gigged my Classic Sabre professionally for the last few months and it still looks perfect. (Stick out your belly to avoid buckle rash, though
)Monster Truck, I would like to thank you for starting this thread. I have a comparatively small number of basses(between 4 and 6 depending on what you count...). I recently built a franken-ray(5 string OLP body, generic 4 string neck and bridge, wired with the pickup in series & passive) and found it to be the best sounding bass I had for music I am doing with a jazz band here at college. So I took it, and loved it with the group. I realize it`s a totally different beast from the fine looking classic you brought home, but the same concept applies. I think I will give some serious consideration to thinning down my basses some.
Thanks,
Jake
Thanks,
Jake
I played some very nice basses today at NAMM. A classic stingray, and a neck through SR5. Great instruments!
