I'm in the market for a new bass. I'm looking at a fender american series jazz bass and a music man stingray.I really love both basses, but can only afford one right now. The one thing about the jazz is it's about $300 dollars cheaper that the ray, and that's a big plus right now. Does anyone own a stingray or american series jazz bass? Which is the favorite of the board?
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fender jazz vs stingray
- Thread starter funkybass
- Start date
you should've put a survey on this one
honestly, they're both probably going to be great instruments.
a good ray will definately be worth the extra $300 though
you could always pick up a decent mid price range jazz down the road for cheap, used geddy lees pop up all the time.
so even though I'm a jazz bass guy by nature (i had a sterling and only kept it for 3 months before i turned it around)
thats just my thoughts on it from an investment point of view.
in terms of playability, i'd say take an hour and play the crap out of both. which ever feels better/sounds better to you should be the winner.
honestly, they're both probably going to be great instruments.
a good ray will definately be worth the extra $300 though
you could always pick up a decent mid price range jazz down the road for cheap, used geddy lees pop up all the time.
so even though I'm a jazz bass guy by nature (i had a sterling and only kept it for 3 months before i turned it around)
thats just my thoughts on it from an investment point of view.
in terms of playability, i'd say take an hour and play the crap out of both. which ever feels better/sounds better to you should be the winner.
These basses are totally different animals. I agree with playing the crap out of them and then making up your mind.
Another thing you could do if you are willing to wait/take the time is find a used 'Ray and a used MIM jazz for a little more than you would pay for a new 'Ray.
Another thing you could do if you are willing to wait/take the time is find a used 'Ray and a used MIM jazz for a little more than you would pay for a new 'Ray.
I own both....1966 Jazz and a new Stingray HS. I absolutely love my 66, but the stingray is a pretty tough act to beat. I would save your money and get a Stingray with either two humbuckers, HH, or a single and a hum, HS. Stingrays are one of the best non-boutique basses when it comes to fit, finish, and consistency. I think they are better than the US j-basses right now...IMHO.
Good luck!!!
Another thought...with an HS stingray, you could come "close" to a j-bass tone, not that one is a sub for the other but you might be happier in the long run with the Stingray.....
Good luck!!!
Another thought...with an HS stingray, you could come "close" to a j-bass tone, not that one is a sub for the other but you might be happier in the long run with the Stingray.....
I was enjoying switching between my Ibanez SR1006 and Geddy Jazz until I bought my SR5 and substituted this for the Ibanez.
The Geddy came out for the sound check and stayed in its stand the rest of the night. You couldn't get the grin off my face the whole night with the Stingray.
That's the Musicman experience for you. Growl from here to ya ya.
The Jazz was in a differrent league, ballpark, hell different game. bye bye Jazz bass.
The Geddy came out for the sound check and stayed in its stand the rest of the night. You couldn't get the grin off my face the whole night with the Stingray.
That's the Musicman experience for you. Growl from here to ya ya.
The Jazz was in a differrent league, ballpark, hell different game. bye bye Jazz bass.
I had the same choice a few months ago between getting the two. I played both and was leaning towards the stingray until I came across a Geddy lee and fell in love with it. It worked to my advantage since the geddy was cheaper than the mia and from me saving the money I soon will be getting a stingray 5 most likely since the geddy will be my main 4 string
I'm not trying to hijack this thread but I was wondering what the differences are between the EB Stingray and the EB Sterling as for as the the nut width. Also what are the tonal differences? My main bass is a G&L L-2000 Tribute Premium. In the tone department it's an absolute beast. The neck width at the nut is 1 5/8, which is a smidgeon to wide for my comfort level. I was thinking of upgrading to the "ray" or the Sterling, but I need a little more info please. Thanks. 
Howdy fellow Hoosier
You truly can't go wrong with either, IMHO.
Seeing as though you already use a P bass, you may like to add a Jazz to your arsenal, then save for a Ray down the road. However, being a Pbass player, the 'Ray will probably feel more like home.
I love 'em both. Only you can decide, though.
You truly can't go wrong with either, IMHO.
Seeing as though you already use a P bass, you may like to add a Jazz to your arsenal, then save for a Ray down the road. However, being a Pbass player, the 'Ray will probably feel more like home.
I love 'em both. Only you can decide, though.
the sterling has a jazz nut width and a stingray is a p bass nut width. The sterling is 1.5" and the stingray, i think, is 1 5/8". Tone wise, the sterling has a slightly hotter output and has a stronger mid presense. I find that it is much more musical than a stingray, only because with a stingray, it has a naturally scooped tone, and the sterling, with eq flat, has a more middy tone.I'm not trying to hijack this thread but I was wondering what the differences are between the EB Stingray and the EB Sterling as for as the the nut width. Also what are the tonal differences? My main bass is a G&L L-2000 Tribute Premium. In the tone department it's an absolute beast. The neck width at the nut is 1 5/8, which is a smidgeon to wide for my comfort level. I was thinking of upgrading to the "ray" or the Sterling, but I need a little more info please. Thanks.
the stingray neck at the nut is the same as a precision, the sterling is the same as a jazz.
The sterling is based on the SR5, not the SR4. the Stingray has more bottom end
The sterling is based on the SR5, not the SR4. the Stingray has more bottom end
What kind of music are you playing?
If you play a wider variety of music, the Jazz cannot be beat. If you find yourself needing to blow away 1-2 loud guitarists the stingray might be a better choice.
I find that you cannot go wrong with a Jazz. Especially if it is $300 cheaper than the other option.
If you play a wider variety of music, the Jazz cannot be beat. If you find yourself needing to blow away 1-2 loud guitarists the stingray might be a better choice.
I find that you cannot go wrong with a Jazz. Especially if it is $300 cheaper than the other option.
Try em out first.
You could buy a good used Stingray and then get a inexpensive Jazz bass or a copy. You can always upgrade the electronics in the Jazz bass down the road.
You could buy a good used Stingray and then get a inexpensive Jazz bass or a copy. You can always upgrade the electronics in the Jazz bass down the road.
I would vote Sterling 4 or SR5 if it works. IMO these can not be beat in a live situation. If you are recording it's different, but man the SR5 kills live. I try to get my MIA jazz into the act. It comes close with DiMarzio Model J's and the Audere preamp, but the EB delivers every time.
i agree with lots of the guys that its apples n oranges.
try an 2 PUP MusicMan. The 2 PUP versions have a J like configuration via the pup selector switch.
personally id go for a 2 PUP MM due to their build quality and versatility
try an 2 PUP MusicMan. The 2 PUP versions have a J like configuration via the pup selector switch.
personally id go for a 2 PUP MM due to their build quality and versatility
Scott in Dallas
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- Aug 16, 2005
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Both are excellent. Play them both and get the one you like better, or buy both used and then you don't have to choose.
Too true, ive used that quite alot, more than i expected to be honest! Very very versatile basses! And they sound and play amazingly well!!!
It is all down to personal preference tho, so go and try a few of each!
Another vote for the 'Ray, especially a multi-p/u version. Even the single p/u versions are quite versatile, more than most give them credit for. Build quality is far more consistent than Fender. Tone that can not be buried for anything. Worth the extra dough IMO.
FWIW, I have had 2 Fenders, a P Deluxe and a Geddy J. The Bongo I sport these days is far better IMO.
FWIW, I have had 2 Fenders, a P Deluxe and a Geddy J. The Bongo I sport these days is far better IMO.
