fender jazz vs mm stingray

[king_biscuit]

I think you're misquoting Sterling Ball for starters

The bottomline is if you don't like the bass then move to something else. \

I posted a link to Sterling Ball's quote, which was in the context of new EBMM basses. Sterling discussed the issue with regard to the new basses. I suggest you take this up with him in the EB forum. As far as not liking Stingrays, check my profile!

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

This is the stupidest thread. They're different, not better or worse.

(I own both, for the record).

I agree, I used to own both too. If you can afford it have one of each. Let's just say the Jazz is more versatile so if you can own only one of them it's a better choice

 

[drTSTingray]

I posted a link to Sterling Ball's quote, which was in the context of new EBMM basses. Sterling discussed the issue with regard to the new basses

Indeed, but in it he refers directly to a conversation with Leo Fender when he was at Musicman, which suggests mid 70s. He also says that the output is not reduced, just that some people perceive the sound as thinner. My point is the design has moved on significantly since then - even the 2 band EQ is based on the 79 version apparently, which is different from the first ones. And then there's the 3 band EQ which gives more control, six bolt neck attachment etc etc - so I don't think he was saying it is a general characteristic of all Stingrays per se, maybe of the 2 band perhaps.

As others have said, overboosting the bass pot (which is very tempting as it makes a v nice sound) can over accentuate the lower strings, especially on a 2 band Stingray - and this can be achieved on other makes of bass by overemhasising bass, including Fender Jazz.

I have no intention of taking it up with Sterling Ball as I couldn't be happier with my EBMM basses, and don't have the issue described. I've been using MM basses exclusively for 32 years so maybe my playing technique/EQ choices avoid it - for me it is an academic point.

 

[king_biscuit]

Indeed, but in it he refers directly to a conversation with Leo Fender when he was at Musicman, which suggests mid 70s.

He goes on to say that the op (and others with current issue EBMM basses) will either get used to it or not and that a thicker string or flats can help -- present tense, current basses. Hey I don't want to argue with you, anybody who is curious can read the thread over at the EB forum and make up their own mind. Personally, I had (and currently have) lots of Stingrays, and the G string is simply not as fat or present as say a passive Fender P or J. It never stopped me from playing them, and the thinner sounding G does sound good popped.

Interestingly, my old epoxy coated pre 77 Ray has a fatter louder G string than any of my more current (3 band) EBMM Rays. I actually think the 3 band pre makes the G string characteristic more pronounced (worse) than the older 2 band.

At any rate, Rays are cool and so are Jazz basses -- I play both styles regularly.

 

[BullHorn]

This trait has been around since the first day of the stingray. Its is NOT a byproduct of wood. It is due to the active preamp used on the bass. The output isnt actually lower the response is thinner sounding or not as fat. IT is one of the things you get used to with a Sting Ray or not. Believe it or not it was a complaint of mine in the beginning when I worked with Leo. The emerging slap and the old school country click players loved it. That thin snappin G sound helped the Sr taked off. You can try flats and it will help, but chances are that you will bet used to it by playing ...

.

It IS a real problem. I like EBMM basses and I like my new StingRay but you're obviously a fanboi and biased towards liking it no matter the flaws. Makes me think you're getting paid to post on forums. Luckily, this is not the EBMM forum and I can speak up my mind without getting banned.

 

[Musicman20]

I have five Musicman basses, previously had another two. Never had a weak g string.

 

[kurosawa]

Had 2 MMSR and 1 Sabre, no G string issues.

 

[drTSTingray]

.

I like my new StingRay but you're obviously a fanboi and biased towards liking it no matter the flaws. Makes me think you're getting paid to post on forums

Definitely a Stingray fan, but definitely not getting paid to use them or talk about them. I bought my first Stingray in 1980 - and I've been sold on them ever since. In my view the new ones are improved instruments. I've borrowed other basses over the years including a 1959 P bass - I was not impressed enough to spend several thousand pounds sterling to buy one.

I just prefer Stingrays - and like Musicman20, Caca de Kick and several other people posting, I've never had a problem with a weak sounding G string on them - sorry but that's a fact from my experience. They sound extremely even when recorded as well, in my experience.

Obviously there are people who have a different view, which is their perogative - I have no problem with that.

 

[king_biscuit]

Obviously there are people who have a different view

Sterling Ball!

 

[tonymcbony]

Jazz

Pro's:

• Easy to play because of thinner neck.
• Heaps of mods out there to get it to sound how you like.
• Versatile, great to bring when you don't know what's needed tonally.
• Deep tone with both pups up.

Con's:

• Disappears in the mix at times, particularly rock.
• Mods abound because they usually need help to get where you want them.
• Really hard to get more mids out of it without cutting bass

Stingray

Pro's:

• Fit and Finish are excellent
• Sounds good out of the box
• Neck seems to find the sweet spot in size between a P and a J
• Active electronics
• Great for aggressive music

Con's:

• Stingray clack is hard to tame
• No mods and no help from fan boys to fix problems; solution to tone problems is usually to buy another bass
• Can be hard to slip into the back of the mix as it's a very forward sounding bass
• PreEB Stingrays sound very different to new ones. Sometimes this makes it hard to be on the same page when talking SR tone.

I own both
Had to add an Audere to get the Jazz to work for me, and have swapped out the Pre-amp and Pup for a John East/Nordstrand combo in the Ray (best decision I've made). My P holds the throne though, no need to tweak anything on that.

 

[Tupac]

I would have to go with Stingray, miles better. Not sure why anyone would remotely touch a J bass. I mean, how are you supposed to hit a ball with that thin neck?

Wait, you mean to tell me we weren't talking about the best bass to use as an improvised baseball bat?

 

[Hopkins]

pros on Lakland:
Better woods, better bridges, better tuners, better craftsmanship, lighter weight, consistancy in quality like Music Man co. FACTS, not preferance, facts!
And I said that Skyline is better than Fender American Standard and Special, not Vintage and Deluxe. And I wasn't looking for an argument, Wallace did. Thanks, over and out.

Fact, ash is ash, maple is maple, and rosewood is rosewood. So the fact is the woods are not better

Fact, the tuners are probably comparable, and the bridges are arguable. There are plenty of people that love the stock Fender bridges.

Fact there have been more than a couple threads lately about Skylines bridges being installed crooked, and strings not lining up with the neck right.

Fact, everything you stated as fact is anything but.

 

[JacobWhaler]

Both are Great basses, I have both! The J Bass records better, and the MM is great live!Link Removed

 

[birminghambass]

I've been gigging both exclusively for the past 11 years, usually rotate based on how old the strings are. In this time I've played rock, metal, jazz, blues, and now country. Both continue to amaze me for different reasons. The jazz for its simple versatility, comfort, and classic tone. The stingray for its ability to cut through any mix without sounding too abrasive. I greatly prefer the double humbucker 'Ray to the single pickup. 95% of the time I only use the bridge pickup but its nice to have those extra tones available.
The weak g string is real. I've owned 10+ Stingrays and only 3 did not have this issue or it was not very noticeable. Adjusting the pickup helps, mine slant way up towards the treble side. Amp eq and amp brand make a difference too. My guess is it has to do with how the lows and mids are voiced. Thru my GK or GB rigs its much less noticeable than thru my Ampeg rig.
If I had to pick one I'd go Jazz if I wasn't gigging regularly, Ray if I was.

 

[electracoyote]

Funny, I'm always trying to make my Jazz basses sound more aggressive like an active 'Ray, and I'm always trying to tame my active 'Rays to sound more like a Jazz.

 

[ghunter]

These are obviously both great basses in order to bring out such passion in the others here. I also lucky enough to have both of them and see them as different tools for different purposes.

One thing that does seem to be overlooked is the double-humbucker StingRay, which takes this bass way beyond the Jazz in terms of versatility. With the switch selecting the outer coils you even get a pretty good Jazz bass tone. I've never heard the HS configuration in the StingRay but have read that a lot of people like the ultra-aggressive tones they give.

As for the G String issue, I've always found my StingRays to accentuate the differences between strings. Hitting the A on the fifth fret of the E string is wildly different than an open A, so when I hear a "thinner" G string (using Sterling Ball's words) it all makes sense in the context of the other strings. The more you play a StingRay the more you'll appreciate its nuances and realize that they're not problems in reality.

My Jazz Bass is far more linear and tracks beautifully across the whole range. That's either good or bad depending on your perspective.

At the risk of throwing too much confusion out there, I'd recommend adding Lakland and Precision options into your decision as well.

 

[chuck3]

Jazz-
pros-

• it's a Fender so it's the standard bass most people are used to hearing.
• Like they say, nobody ever lost a gig for playing a Fender.
• Neck and body shape are very comfortable.
• Narrow neck feels faster for some folks.
• Single coil pickups have a more forward tone.
• There are a lot of aftermarket upgrades. Preamps, Pickups, Pickguards etc.
• Classic vintage tone meshes well with classic amps like Ampeg, Sunn etc.

Cons-

• Larger body than a lot of basses. Can be heavy.
• Quite often has dead spots on D and G strings.
• Single coil hum, if you like the solo bridge pickup tone.
• Have to play several to find a good one.
• The bridge on certain models (especially the older ones) is pretty dinky compared to other modern basses.
• Fender "threaded barrel" bridges are the only bridges I have ever drawn blood on.
• The active models are actually looked down on by some folks.

Stingray-

Pros-

• active EQ, dont have to walk over to the amp to change the eq profile.
• Fit and finish are excellent.
• Consistency from bass to bass is excellent.
• Wider range of finishes.
• Many limited edition versions each year. (BFR, PDN, GC specials).
• Great rock tone.
• Great funk tone.
• The bridge is solid as heck.
• 6 bolt neck attachment.
• easy access truss rod.
• Hold resale value well.
• Well shielded electronics, humbucker pickup. No hum ever.

Cons-

• Changing out pickup/preamp will lower the resale value of the bass in almost all cases.
• Tend toward 9-10lbs. Heavy for some folks.
• Active basses need to change batteries and carry spares.
• More of a bass for playing hard, not for revealing fine nuances of technique.
• Hard to dial out the Musicman "ping" if you don't like it.
• Once you buy one you will surely buy more. (addictive).
• There is no EBMM custom shop available to us mere mortals. Though you can order a bass with standard options and finishes to your specifications. You can not specify different body, neck or fingerboard woods than what a standard EBMM has.

I own both and I think the above is a pretty good list of the pros and cons.

 

[elshunko]

There he's been plenty of discussion on the pros and cons of both basses, so I won't add any further.

I will say this, I own a EBMM. I played it for years, but I probably haven't played it in several years now. I have switched to J basses. I have a few (Different brands) and I find them to be more comfortable (Lighter, versatile, and I like how it feels/sounds).

BTW I don't understand the Fender hate by some on the thread. They produce a solid product.

 

[king_biscuit]

The more you play a StingRay the more you'll appreciate its nuances and realize that they're not problems in reality.

100% agree!

 

[HeadacheVillain]

Personally I love the Fender Jazz bass.