Choosing my forever bass: Stingray vs Precision

[radioface]

First of all, congratulations on your purchase of a beautiful well crafted bass. I think comparing an H Stingray to a P bass is and unfair comparison. Comparing an H Ray to an H Fender Dimension, or, an H/S Stingray to an American Deluxe P bass, or an H/S Sterling or Bongo is a more fair comparison. While a P bass with one pickup may not be the most flexible sounding bass around, neither is a single H Stingray. Just compare an H Stingray to an H/S or an H/H Stingray, and you will see that this is true. For those who think the pre E.B. Music Man basses were so great, I owned 3 of them and the quality control was terrible. Your new Stingray Classic is a much better bass. I wish the new Classic was around when I purchased my E.B. Stingray 5 because, I would have chosen the classic instead. I have made a head to head comparison between my Stingray 5 and my Fender American standard P 5 and, while both are good sounding basses, I have to vote for the P bass for the following reasons; 1, The Stingray is a much heavier bass, 2, If I want an active sound for the P bass, I can just add an outboard pre amp and not worry about a dead battery, 3, I like the string spacing on the P and the first string doesn't sometimes fall of the board, and lastly, the P, has a deep tone that my H Ray can't match and I prefer the P's finished neck though, this is not an issue with the Classic Ray.

 

[boristhespider9]

In my view, finished necks are one of the worst things about Fenders and the oil/wax finish on a (non-classic) EBMM is the best. I own a number of EBMM and American Fenders and the Fender necks feel like they were dipped in plastic while the EBMM necks feel like real wood!

 

[neo 7]

This pea soup colour is most likely trans yellow, which is quite rare and has somewhat a cult following. They didn't make it for long.

The sales guy said it was El Dorado Gold. Looked green to me. I'm digging the trans white, but I would rather have black or natural. Maybe down the road when the bass becomes an old friend I'll have it stripped and maybe refinished.

 

[Frozen J]

Wait, what? Trans white? I thought it was opaque. I need a better body shot! Please?


Le female is a complex species. I've learned about their behaviours from Game of Thrones and My Little Pony, so I'm kinda an expert. - Kohntarkosz

Fender jazz club #1323, EBMM Stingray club #561

 

[wmhill]

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 would grab the stingray so fast your head would spin........

 

[Revolver]

You chose wisely . . .

 

[neo 7]

Wait, what? Trans white? I thought it was opaque. I need a better body shot! Please?

Can't seem to get a good shot of the wood grain on the front with the camera flash, but this pic of the back turned out OK. I'll take some outdoor pics tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

 

[neo 7]

Here's an outside pic, but you still have to look closely to see the wood grain.

 

[bassfart]

P bass Forever!

 

[Freddels]

Both are good, but . . . http://www.talkbass.com/threads/new...ust-bought-a-p-bass-and-stopped-club.1085796/

 

[blindrabbit]

What an incredible looking bass. I passed up a deal on a Stingray Classic this past spring, now I'm starting to regret that...

Here's an outside pic, but you still have to look closely to see the wood grain.

 

[Amplified]

You chose wisely . . .

+1.

 

[JimB52]

Over the course of Forever, you would have saved an infinite amount of money on 9V batteries of you went with a Precision.

 

[chris_b]

What would you do in this situation?

"Forever" basses choose you.

I'd keep buying and selling until I found a bass I didn't want to sell.

That one might be it.

 

[Stingraymund]

But remember, if you get a Stingray, get the Stingray Classic. 2-band EQ is better than 3. Trust me on this!

 

[ronlitz]

Also you will need a backup so get one of each or a P and a P/J big range of tones there

I agree with this. I would never go to a gig without a backup. I would get a P and a Stingray.

 

[cnltb]

I don't like active bases so would go P.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I don't like active bases so would go P.

I am the same, I am a passive guy when I go P, I never touch my Ray anymore.

 

[cnltb]

Mice if Musicman came out with a passive stingray.
I might buy that...

 

[Guinness20]

Congrats, that bass is B-E A-utiful! I love maple/tortoise/white on a p bass, never seen in on a stingray before though. It's stunning! I've got a 3eq 4hh, but those 2eq beasties are as aggressive as hell lol