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Considering downsizing to a P

I tried many times to get along with a Stingray. They sound and work great for other players but not for me.

I downsized to an active/passive Jazz 5 string with rounds and a Pbass with flats. I can do everything I need with these 2 basses.

If you decide to go strictly Pbass, I’d suggest one with flats and one with rounds and maybe different fretboards. Good Pbasses can be had for very little money.
 
I tried many times to get along with a Stingray. They sound and work great for other players but not for me.

I downsized to an active/passive Jazz 5 string with rounds and a Pbass with flats. I can do everything I need with these 2 basses.

If you decide to go strictly Pbass, I’d suggest one with flats and one with rounds and maybe different fretboards. Good Pbasses can be had for very little money.
Or just be prepared to change strings depending on context. Most band situations figure to call for either flats or rounds but not both.
 
I played passive Fender Js with flats for decades; always both pickups full on. Pick or pluck over the bridge pup really did well for me. I liked the 1.5" nut width and the balance of the neck/body.

In the 90s I picked up a really nice 1983 Ibanez Musician PJ; active/passive, 3 band eq, 1.6" nut, 24 fret, dead ground wounds(either flats type tone or some spank when needed). With my Broughton always-on HPF, I can beat any rig into submission and sit well in any mix. I use a 4" padded strap for comfort.

It's my only bass now.:bassist:
 
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Fender P-51 CIJ Reissue 2006 w/ Seymour Duncan single coil, maple neck & fingerboard, string through body, flatwounds. Always my favorite bass to play. Did not have quite enough thunder for a heavy blues/rock band I was in (used a 2 humbucker Thunderbird for that).

Still now the P51 gives me great range and is a joy to play, I don't miss the Thunderbird or any other bass.
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...new Tortoiseshell pickguard & new pots, jack & wiring.
 
Took a flyer on this Epiphone because I love my Epi 335 so much.

1998 Epiphone Rivoli….. Have to say she plays and sounds pretty damn good.

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"Sales pitch when I bought it, $660..."

This is a 1990's Epiphone Rivoli VC Bass made in the famed Peerless Plant in Korea...Excellent Condition! SN#98MOxxx
Selling my very nice rare 3TS burst Epiphone reissue of the RIVOLI BASS (MODEL EBR1) from 1993 to 1999. It was a Korean made model which looked identical to the original Rivoli but had a short scale maple neck, instead of mahogany. This has the factory Sidewinder pickup. set-neck, three-point bridge, with the baritone switch.
This has that "tube/tub" 60's semi-hollow body that was THE bass sound of bands like The Animals......
This looks to be a complete and a original..no-mods 1990's Epi Ravoli VC. This is a beautiful bass that is almost mint..."
 

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I've had many basses from cheap knockoffs to custom and boutique basses.... active, passive, short, medium and long scale basses. I've finally settled on just one bass....a passive Carvin PB4. I just replaced the flats with SIT powerwounds and it's everything I need. It sits perfectly in the mix and I absolutely love the simplicity of the electronics.
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I’m on my second MM Sting. I’ve alternated between Stings and Js for most of the past 30 years. I go long stretches where I don’t really play bass much at all (I switch hit with guitar).

This time around I haven’t fully bonded with my Sting. Part of it is ascetics and ergonomics. I really don’t care for the bare wood gun oil thing on the neck. I prefer gloss poly. Also, flats don’t seem to work too well. Stings just seem to want rounds. I also think I’m much more of a passive rather than active guy.

I’m thinking about selling the Sting and getting a P bass.

Bear with me...

I have four fretted basses:
  1. '82 Yamaha BB2000
  2. 2013 CS '59 Precision
  3. 2012 American Standard Jazz
  4. 2004 MM 3 Band SR
Tonally, the BB is a revelation. It's a beast, and the ONLY bass that can hang with it is the '59 CS Precision.

IMO both are untouchable in their respective niches: The BB for pop, funk, R&B...anything from the mid seventies on; the precision for soul, blues, rock, reggae, ballads - any singer songwriter stuff, ESPECIALLY when played with a pick.

For the most part these days, the Jazz and the Stingray just sit in their cases, unplayed - especially the Stingray.

It kind of hurts me to say this because I've owned it from new and keep it for sentimental reasons, but the stingray is unquestionably the least versatile of the four. Genre wise, it competes for the same sort of territory as the BB and the Jazz, but sonically there's no contest. The BB blows both it and the jazz clean out of the water. Take the BB out of the equation and the Jazz defaults as the most gig-worthy bass.

That's a round about way of saying sell the Stingray and get a Precision. You won't regret it.

Better still, if you enjoy the P bass sound, but in a much better constructed bass - see if you can get your hands on a Yamaha BB 3000.
 
It worked for me! I had an 80s US made Peavey with neck through body, 3 band EQ, and loved the versatility. Played that for 13 years. Bought a P bass and fell in love with that. Sold the Peavey and have played the P for the last 3 years.
 

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