Considering moving to a Stingray

[Munroe]

I'd like some advice.

I've been playing bass for about 15 years, and have for the most part been a Fender guy. I have a P-Bass and Fender 5-String Jazz Deluxe. Stylistically, my greatest strength is in R&B playing (Motown/Stax), but most of my gigs these days are in Rock music (Hendrix/RHCP/Top40/etc).

I'm at a stage in my playing now where I want to move to a slightly more modern bass tone, but one which is still maintains a relatively vintage sound compared to most boutique basses. Not a big fan of most boutiques.

To me, it sounds like the logical conclusion would be to get a Stingray; possibly a Stingray Classic. Does this sound right?

Are there any other instruments I'm forgetting about and should seriously consider?

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I'd say just borrow a Stingray and try it on a gig

 

[sonic assassin]

id say a 5 string active jazz is pretty modern. buuuut if you want a new bass, theres no sense in anyone trying to talk you out of it

 

[Dave W]

A Stingray or a G&L L2K would be my suggestion. The Stingray, IMO, still has a relatively vintage sort of tone, yet modern at the same time. If that makes any sense. The L2K's do everything the Stingray does and more. They have a lot of tonal variety with all of the switching options.

I own both and slightly prefer the L2K. The Stingray does have an understated simplicity to it, in my mind it's similar to a P bass.

 

[sawzalot]

I own three different flavors of stingrays and I like them because nothing else sounds like them. I also like them because they're simple--one pickup, plus one switch on the stingray 5's. And nothing beats their truss rod wheel.

Having said that, an active preamp would be a good addition to that Jazz of yours. Or maybe a bass with a p-j pickup combination. Or...maybe a stingray. But play a bunch of basses before you decide. It's worth a trip to the nearest dealer to play all the different varieties.

Happy hunting,

Tom

 

[murphy]

I say get stingray HS model if a stingray is what you want.
That way you can use the S pickup for old school sound, P type

 

[spector_boogie]

IME they sound great live, but for recording are a little too scooped compared to other stuff like say a Spector or Wal, etc. for me and others.

 

[garmenteros]

Get a stingray with dual humbuckers and call it a day. They can do old school tones as well if you dial down the treble. They're tough to beat for mass produced instruments in terms of quality.

 

[Soverntear]

Get the 'ray, they accomplish the tone you are after. Plus if you boild it down they are still a "fender"

 

[dave64o]

Personally, I love Stingrays. I have a few nice basses right now and like them all a lot, but for several years my SR5HH has been the one I go to most often. Unless you're playing for a band leader that places emphasis, for whatever reason, on the look of the band and their instruments then you can use any bass that feels and sounds good to you and it will do well.

Plus, since you already have a Precision and a Jazz, a Stingray is a good next step if you want to cover the "classic" sonic territories. Add a Rickebacker to your collection and you'd be able to get a great bass tone that matches almost any cover song you could play.

It would also be a good idea to go to as many music stores as you can and play literally everything in your price range. Even if you don't plan to buy any of the basses you play, it will help you figure out what you might want in terms of looks, sound, feel, flexibility, etc. Then look for the features that really grabbed you once you know what you want in a new bass.