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Fender Deluxe P bas vs EBMM Stingray
- Thread starter HMZ
- Start date
Sorry, that was poorly worded on my part. I mean't to say "One person may say one (or the other) is better for . . ." I probably should proof-read before hitting enter. Either bass can be eq'ed to play any of these genre's (except the purist will simply scoff at anything other than a p-bass for surf music or country), so picking a bass that best suits you as an instrument is a purely subjective decision. WHich of the two is "better" is nonsensical if we are seeking a consensus of bass players.
I voted StingRay as well. I recently traded a MIA P toward a StingRay HH and couldn't be happier. The dual humbucker configuration yields a ton of different tones and while I have been mainly playing it on the bridge pup, it's nice to know I've got even more options. I played that P for a couple of years and enjoyed the tones that I could get out of it but I could never get it play as nicely as I would like it to and I've found that I'm really just an Active guy. Since you've already got a Sterling, you know the killer action you can get on an EBMM. I haven't played the Deluxe P but I have played the Deluxe J and I wasn't blown away buy their pre-amp. Not sure if they're using the same one in both basses though.
Absolutely! And we're not even touching on the individual nuances of the instrument... I've played some Fenders that were real dogs. I haven't yet encountered that with EBMMs, but I'm sure some people have. Just the nature of playing with wood instruments.
Stingray. All the way.
You could go for:
HH - 3 band
HS - 3 band
H - 3 Band
H - 2 Band (or a Classic 2 band)
For a LOT of versatility, I would recommend the Singray HH or HS, as both give you exactly the same tones as the H, plus 4 more, for not a lot more money!
I wouldn't touch a Fender Deluxe. I had the previous model, the Humbucker plus Precision pickup, and it was pretty awful.
You have the good passive Fenders covered; get the Ray. Or go crazy and get a Bongo.
You could go for:
HH - 3 band
HS - 3 band
H - 3 Band
H - 2 Band (or a Classic 2 band)
For a LOT of versatility, I would recommend the Singray HH or HS, as both give you exactly the same tones as the H, plus 4 more, for not a lot more money!
I wouldn't touch a Fender Deluxe. I had the previous model, the Humbucker plus Precision pickup, and it was pretty awful.
You have the good passive Fenders covered; get the Ray. Or go crazy and get a Bongo.
If you want an active bass the Stingray is hard to beat. If you want a passive bass the Precision is hard to beat. So the real question for the OP might be, do you want an active or passive bass?
From a sound standpoint, either bass will fit into whatever music type you play. From a looks standpoint one may be more expected than the other (i.e. Pbass in a Country & Western band or Stingray in a Queen tribute band).
From a sound standpoint, either bass will fit into whatever music type you play. From a looks standpoint one may be more expected than the other (i.e. Pbass in a Country & Western band or Stingray in a Queen tribute band).
Nothin' crazy about getting a Bongo... in fact, my personal opinion is that it's the only option really
Maybe more flexable than a regular P Bass, but IMO they don't do the P Bass thing as well as a passive - and a Stingray is pretty flexable in it's own right, IMO...
Want the best of both? Get a MM Big Al, IMHO the most versatile electronics on a bass available today, and it is lighter than both a P or Stingray.
My point exactly. You're looking at active basses, therefore you should be looking very hard at the Ray. The active P bass really doesn't sound much like a P to me and you already have a passive precision. Don't get me wrong, I like the sound of the active P but based on the types of music you play and the types of basses you have the Ray looks like a better option to me.
Just for the record I went thru the same mental exercise a few years back and ended up building my own bass - A P/MM - best of both worlds all in one package...
My point exactly. You're looking at active basses, therefore you should be looking very hard at the Ray. The active P bass really doesn't sound much like a P to me and you already have a passive precision. Don't get me wrong, I like the sound of the active P but based on the types of music you play and the types of basses you have the Ray looks like a better option to me.
Just for the record I went thru the same mental exercise a few years back and ended up building my own bass - A P/MM - best of both worlds all in one package...
Nice bass!
If you are looking for a versitile bass with an active pickup that can give you both decent P Bass and Stingray sounds, try out an Ibanez ATK 300 bass. It has 1 active triple coil humbucker pup with bass, mids, and treble knobs to give you a little more or less of the tones you are looking for! The necks on these basses are a little less chunky than a P Bass. Also, an ATK is much less than an American P Bass or Stingray, but they are a little on the heavier side (Just like P Basses though, there are some that are heavier and some that are lighter depending on the wood selection for the body.) I love mine and feel like I stole it for the price I paid for it. Worth every penny! I strongly feel that with the right set of strings you will achieve the tones you desire with an ATK bass.
I had one and it was very heavy. Nice bass but to
Heavy to play night after night.
Stingray, but by the thinnest of margins.
That means I have a Stingray and while it's the go-to instrument, there WILL be a Precision in my stash before long.
Geri O
That means I have a Stingray and while it's the go-to instrument, there WILL be a Precision in my stash before long.
Geri O
Love a P Bass, but if you only can have one, I'd go with the StingRay. Better balance, build quality, and versatility. Plus they sound friggin' terrific!
I play in a cover band that does everything noted plus some. I have 2 P basses, and P/J, a Ray35 and a Stingray 5. The P's and P/J hang on the wall at home when I go to gigs if that helps your decision. The P's are great, but the Stingray sound just works better for me when covering different styles of music.
I have a P bass, jazz and a EBMM Sterling
love them all but the P bas and Sterling are my go to
basses. I'm looking to sell/trade the Sterling for a
Stingray. The neck on the Sterling is too thin for me
but it looks sounds and plays great. It sets up really nice too
love them all but the P bas and Sterling are my go to
basses. I'm looking to sell/trade the Sterling for a
Stingray. The neck on the Sterling is too thin for me
but it looks sounds and plays great. It sets up really nice too
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