Fender AVI '66 J, '60s P or 5-string Stingray HH?

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

HH Sting Ray, it can be convincing enough for the other 2. And it has the inner coils setting which I think is the best tone in them!
If you really wanted to capture the essence of all 3, G&L L2500 with a K Mod (single coil) setting, where that has the advantage over a stingray is the pickup selector switch. So you can get a single coil P tone or a back pickup J tone.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Given that you do cover band stuff, I voted StingRay 5.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

For your needs, I’d go SR5 followed by the Jazz. Both are more flexible and helpful for the kind of work you’re doing, but I do feel like modern Top 40 requires a B (or at least helps a good deal).

 

[mr80htz]

I've owned various Jazzes, Precisions and Stringrays in the past, and I know you can't go wrong with any of them, but here we are...

I can only afford to have one bass right now, and I've narrowed it down to these three:

• Fender American Vintage '66 Jazz
• Fender American Vintage '60s Precision
• 5-string Stringray Special HH

I play in a cover band that's honestly a bit all over the place, leaning on top-40 music: Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, Muse, etc. At home I mostly play from jazz books (Berklee Jazz Bass, Hal Leonard Jazz Bass Method, The Evolving Bassist, etc.)

I've always liked Jazzes, but I sometimes have a hard time hearing myself in a band setting with a Jazz.

Precisions aren't always the best option for the job, but they're rarely a bad one. I just find them kinda "meh" when playing at home, especially following jazz books. And right now, I play at home way more than I do with the band.

I like that the Stingray is active and a 5-string might come in handy with the band (although it hasn't been required in the 3 years I've been playing with them). But I find that they can sometimes be too... aggressive? Especially in the context of a cover band.

If you were in my position, which one would you choose if you could only pick one?

Thanks!

As much as I love versatility, and my Stingray 5, you will eventually change your mind in what you want because your a musician. 99% of us that aren't old school players are addicted to gear. You will eventually sway from your bass love only to find another sitting in your lap one day. I have all three styles of basses you've mentioned and the Stingray 5 is something that works well enough almost all the time.

 

[Mike Vee]

I am not a 5 string fan BUT if you MUST only have one of those, I think the Stingray would probably be the most versatile. Me personally, I have an American Original Jazz, Precision AND a Stingray. If I had to go with just one it would be SO hard but the Jazz would go first. I wouldn't be able to not have a P and a Stingray. They are both so different but I guess a Stingray HH can do a weak impression of a P bass if needed, but absolutely nothing replaces the good old P.

However, why not just get a Ray35 (they are amazing) and a Vintera II 60s Precision, hell AND a Vinterra II 60s Jazz??

 

[logdrum]

I am working with a cover band now and my workhorse is MIJ Fender Jazz Special which is a passive PJ and I put Geezers and a D-Tuner. I cover most of the songs with that method. I am used to it because I have a small upright and my oldest bass tuned in 5ths. If you are open to a D-Tuner, you might not need the 5. I do have an SR5 special also. But I am not too crazy about the narrower string spacing. I am using my Squier VM Jazz 5 more but that has also active EQ and Alnico PUPs from EMG. I have to say the even if it's the key of E - E on the B string is better than an open E.

The fanbois may be bent out of shape here but I like the B string more on my lowly Squier compared to the one on the SR5. The trick is to slightly favor the bridge pickup on Jazz, a good nut (I upgraded to Tusq and filed correctly ) and a string retainer (for all the strings). I also have a better bridge (Hipshot) with stainless saddle for the B. Fenders are not that bad but they are an easy target in the internet and yeah I have no illusions they are a corporation driven by the bottom line. I will go against the tide and say you should get the Jazz if possible in 5 string version. Get the Ultra or something with actives or get a J-tone jazz plate and drop it in on any passive Fender.

 

[ellenripley]

Stingray 5hh special...
All of you need

 

[ellenripley]

I've always thought that jazz sounds great at home or playing alone, but, I share what the author of the thread says... It's hard for me to listen to myself in a band context, it's not like that with a precision and of course with a Stingray, which are perhaps less friendly playing solo, but, in a band context it rarely disappoints.

 

[DirkP]

My fav would definitely be the 66 Jazz. I own two of the AVS 64 Jazz basses.
But no one can tell you what to buy, besides, well, advise you to buy their fav.
I couldn’t live with a MM as my only bass, I own a Stingray classic. I like to play melodic stuff besides the low stuff, and I don’t like the characteristic MM sound for this. On the other hand there is Paul Denman…
For me the Jazz is the ultimative bass, from subbass Dub to the higher regions to old school fingered bass to plektrum attack to slap. Everything sounds good on a Jazz with the right strings and tone/volume settings. And it looks far better than every other bass ever made.

 

[BigBluez]

How about Charvel Pro Mod IV ?

Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV - Mystic Blue

FWIW I have one of these and love it...