Choosing my forever bass: Stingray vs Precision

[LUCE]

I have lots of basses, including P's, J's, G&L, Rics and Rays. I always go back to the P. Always.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Don't listen to a single opinion on this page except for this:

Sit down in a music store or whatever, spend some time playing both, and buy the one that you feel calls to you.

It's like asking whether you should date blondes or brunettes. You'll get reasons for both from everyone here, but it's ultimately your choice. I own one of the basses you've talked about, but I won't tell you which one, because it's the bass that works best for ME.

You'll notice that most people here have a dog in the fight, and often times will tell you which of the two they have and then justify their reasoning, which is THEIR reasoning. It's your choice, pick the one YOU want to spend your time with, and do that by running both of them through the motions.

I always like to hear feedback and opinions especially from more experienced people than I. But as you say, bottom line is the choice must be based on what works best for the player either it be tone or simply how the instrument feels in hand.

 

[dukeandrews]

Just curious. What did the op end up getting? The Ray or the P?

 

[Dbassmon]

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?

You are asking all the wrong questions...IMHO

Music is about expressing yourself and I don't know about you, but what I want to say and how I want to say it, can change on a minute to minute basis. I don't recommend thinking in terms of finding a tool, a color, a way of expression that suffices for always. So self limiting.... In fact is is the openness to new possibilities that keeps the creative process alive.

You are missing the boat, the artist defines the expression, not the medium. I like steak, wouldn't want to eat it every night. I like a P bass, but my double bass does something different, so does my Warrior and my Roscoe Fretless. I love them all at different times for different reasons.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Between those two, it would be a Stingray for me.

 

[Alexander]

Just curious. What did the op end up getting? The Ray or the P?

His profile shows both - but lists the Ray as one of the items he owns but doesn't use. So, I guess it was a PBass for the win!

 

[dukeandrews]

Both. Of course.

 

[Dragan]

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.

Get over that point,dude....

 

[Smoothmove]

LOL!!!! Get Both:-> you'll have 2 LOVES.

 

[Home-Bass]

Here's a video that compares the two:
Also includes a Jazz bass. Hope it helps

 

[*Tempest*]

For what it's worth. I have both as my only two basses. My stingray is my #1 Leave the EQ flat, roll off the top, turn down the volume and you got a P-bass sound on a ray. You can't get the ray sound on a P.

And FWIW if I'm on a gig playing guitar, and a bassist shows up with either a P, or ray. I know it's going to sound good.

 

[JimmyM]

For what it's worth. I have both as my only two basses. My stingray is my #1 Leave the EQ flat, roll off the top, turn down the volume and you got a P-bass sound on a ray. You can't get the ray sound on a P.

Come on, now! That close to the bridge? Nah, not happening.

 

[*Tempest*]

If you're plucking above the pickup perhaps..

 

[Stranger Danger]

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?

The new Stingray Special HH will do both sounds in a lightweight, superbly well made package. Check them out. I've owned many p basses and they are great but I don't miss them. My SRS HH is a stone cold killer.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I owned both but the tone of the PBass is more versatile especially with different techniques and strings. The PBass records great whereas the Stingrays requires more efforts. I liked my Stingray in the context of an aggressive style of music but I felt it sounded a little too 1980's in many situations. I sold the Stingray because I could not stand the "weak G" issue. (Just google Stingray weak G and you'll know what I am talking about)
Also, pre-EB's and Classic Stingrays are waaaayyyy better but more expensive too.

The new Specials take all that and throw it directly out of the window.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I think he's way smarter than those of us who have a lot of basses. Why not have just one forever bass? I know a lot of folks who have been quite happy to do so, and they don't waste time or money. I keep threatening to scale back to one my own self. I never do but I often think I was happier when I only had one decent bass.

I am finally down to one and I have to admit that its a great feeling. Extremely liberating

 

[JimmyM]

If you're plucking above the pickup perhaps..

LOL! Well actually I meant the pickup being closer to the bridge than the P pickup. I just don't hear anything P-like out of it.

 

[Geri O]

LOL! Well actually I meant the pickup being closer to the bridge than the P pickup. I just don't hear anything P-like out of it.

Agreed. I've had a few (and will have another one before long).

There's nothing P-bass-like about a Stingray or SR5.

I've owned P-basses, too, and I have a P-bass-style Mike Lull.

Psst....you really do need both, IMNSHO......

Psst Psst...Oh, yeah, and a Jazz bass, too!..

 

[*Tempest*]

No, I understood what you meant. I also understand the mechanics of pickup placement and how it affects the sound. I also know that the sound can also be thinner or boomier depending on where and how you pluck. Which is what I was referring to by saying it won't sound like a P if you're plucking above the pickup perhaps.

I still stand by my original comment, but I guess I'll rephrase it to keep the talk bass know-it-alls from getting me to engage in debate that makes zero difference.

You get more sounds with a Ray than the 2 you get with a P.

Carry on, gentlemen.

 

[JimmyM]

I am finally down to one and I have to admit that its a great feeling. Extremely liberating

Yeah, that's what people who cut back to one always say but I still can't do it. Haven't sold a single bass since this thread started. But on the bright side I haven't bought one, either.