Fender J vs stingray...conundrum

[blakelock]

i love both basses (standard J and stingray)...but

the J covers 90% of what i'm playing (funk rock). I love the tone and it feels pretty good under my fingers. However, for one song, i use an MXR envelope filter and switch between slap and fingerstyle during that song. The stingray triggers the envelope filter much more consistently between slapping and fingeringstyling and i like the filtered sound coming from the stingray better than the J. so....

- what can i do to get more consistent filtering with the J as a switch between slap and fingerstyle?

- can i get something slightly resembling a J tone from the stingray so i could use the ray on everything?

- should i face the fact that 90% of the audience doesn't care either way?

- other?

 

[Edmang]

- what can i do to get more consistent filtering with the J as a switch between slap and fingerstyle?

You might want to try a boost pedal before the filter. Will give a hotter signal to the filter which is probably what the stingray is doing with the active pre-amp. Set things on the filter so the signal is good for slap on the J. Turn the boost on for fingerstyle. Will have to play with the boost to find the level that works for you.

- should i face the fact that 90% of the audience doesn't care either way?

I'd say it is more like 99%. But you will know the difference still.

 

[mouthmw]

I'd play with the envelope filter settings so that your J triggers it the way you like it. I have that envelope filter, it's pretty versatile settings wise. A boost pedal isn't a bad idea either. Are you using a compressor? You could bump up your J bass volume with your compressor pedal, then you won't need a boost pedal.

 

[DoctorZee]

Option C. Don't drive yourself nuts for one song. It will sound the same to everyone except you.

 

[Soonerbldr]

Stingray all the way.... I may be biased but.....

 

[blakelock]

thanks everyone!

Are you using a compressor? You could bump up your J bass volume with your compressor pedal, then you won't need a boost pedal.

a compressor is a great idea. I thought I could use the compressor to make everything coming put of it the same level. it would compress my slapping a bit but that's fine. however, when I played with the compressor (MXR) I didn't hear much of a difference. I am a noob with compressors though

 

[Geri O]

You can process the sounds an infinite number of ways, but you'll never make a bassist think "hmm, is that a Jazz or a Stingray?".

And based on my travels and locale, I'm gonna give it 80% would not care. I've met some surprisingly astute listeners lately, to the point of being amazing.

I solve that conundrum easily. I keep both (between Stingrays at the moment).

 

[Rib 13]

if you arent doing it already, try favoring the bridge pickup on the J slightly and see what that does

 

[blakelock]

if you arent doing it already, try favoring the bridge pickup on the J slightly and see what that does

excellent idea. i typically play both full and occasionally go full bridge PU for Jaco tone. i'll cheat just a bit to the bridge and see what's up.

 

[blakelock]

Are you using a compressor? You could bump up your J bass volume with your compressor pedal, then you won't need a boost pedal.

yes! this did it wonderfully. i use the MXR M87 compressor at minimum ratio (4), all other dials centered at 12 o'clock then just boost the output a touch until it triggers the envelope filter consistently. only downside is i have to keep the compressor on the whole set...or suffer a volume drop when i turn it off.