• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender p bass or Ernie ball stingray

#21
Funny when I first picked up my Fender Jazz after playing my MM Bongo for years, the first thing I noticed was that the Fender didn't have the "balls" of the MM. Then when I took the Jazz to band practice I fell in love with how much better the thinner sound fits in my band's mix.

However you say your Ray cuts better. For that reason I'd stick with the Ray.

If the choice is between playability and sound. I usually always choose the one that sounds better - provided the playability difference is minimal. YMMV
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tuna Can Dan
#24
Tuna Can Dan said:
Two fingers- I'm not too worried what the majority would rather play because I know each instrument is very different. Yea I find myself always going back to the stingray. With the fender I was doing way too much research on how to make it sound more like the stingray. I guess that should be a sign right?
Click to expand...

Unless the stingray feels very uncomfortable for you too play, this should be more than enough reason too keep the ray.

Alternatively get a mm pickup and preamp installed in your p bass
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tuna Can Dan
#25
This is a timely thread for me. I've been a Fender guy for all of my bass-playing days. I've owned a ton of them, and still own way more than I should. I've owned lots of other great basses over the years (Gibson Les Paul bass; a couple Rics; a couple 'Rays; a Sadowsky UV 70s; etc.), but always "come home" to Fenders.

But I just picked up a StingRay HH the other day, and I am absolutely loving it. The two 'Rays I had before were the traditional single H versions. But I've fallen in love with this HH. It would be great if you could keep both. But if you absolutely cannot, IMO you should keep the 'Ray that you really like. When your financial situation improves, it'll be much easier to find an affordable Precision than it would be a 'Ray. So I say keep the 'Ray...
 
  • Like
Reactions: lazycat93, Caloiski, lowdownthump and 3 others
#26
Like @two fingers said, go with the Ray. I keep a very limited stable of basses. At one time I was torn between getting an American Standard P bass or a EBMM Stingray. I got the Precision on a good deal for about 2/3 what the Ray was going to run me, so I went with that. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not at all disappointed by the Precision... but if I had the extra expendable change laying around, I would have probably gone with the Stingray. I don't have much GAS these days, but that's one bass that I do want to add at some point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump and Tuna Can Dan
#27
Those are my two basses. An AVRI 63 and a Stingray Classic. I have Chromes on both. They are both incredible. If I had to choose one, I would go with the P simply because I think this one I got is magic, has a grail tone and feels great in the hand.

But then last night I put Chromes on my Stingray and it immediately sounded more versatile and amazing than with rounds. So personally, I am keeping both. They are a perfect compliment to each other IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3, lowdownthump and Tuna Can Dan
#28
Tuna Can Dan said:
As far as feel I think the fretboard has a slight stickiness to it that the stingray does t. The stingray feels very dull like sanded down which isn't a bad thing but just like the fender neck barely better.
Click to expand...

Can't you put something on the Stingray fretboard? I know you don't use lemon oil on maple, but I remember reading something on the Ernie Ball site that you can use Gunstock oil and wax on the maple fretboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3 and Tuna Can Dan
#29
This is a tough call, because they are both awesome basses, but also different. I've got a Squier P and a SBMM Ray and I play the Ray more than everything else. But, there are times where I just love the simplicity of a passive bass. Don't know. Either one would be a good choice for a punk band, but I think I'd keep the Ray, and maybe grab a cheap P as a backup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: detroitbasscity and Tuna Can Dan
#30
Tuna Can Dan said:
As far as feel I think the fretboard has a slight stickiness to it that the stingray does t. The stingray feels very dull like sanded down which isn't a bad thing but just like the fender neck barely better.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that. The american pro has a satin finish on the neck that is supposed to be quite flat. Over time, the more you play it the more glossy it becomes. The same thing should happen to the Musicman but probably because of the difference of the finishing it can probably feel differently while getting there.

But guess what, the classic series stingrays have glossy necks, maybe that would be an option to consider as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tuna Can Dan
#37
Tuna Can Dan said:
Man that looks pretty clean and cheap! Yea man it's really a toss up for me they both play amazing. I say the fender feels better but honestly for the music I play I can't really tell the difference.
Click to expand...
Man, this is a tossup. The SR sounds better. That alone would do it for me, but you said "the fender feels better but honestly for the music I play I can't really tell the difference." Conundrum. You also like "the way the fender looks and feels", but you never mentioned anyone complimenting you on it... Hardly anyone would compliment a Fender P bass because almost everyone knows what it is.

I would keep the P bass. Note, I have never owned a SR, but based on what I think I hear you saying, I'd keep the P bass. The popularity of the P bass adds value to it as well. What year are those basses?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tuna Can Dan
#39
I had a USA MM SUB and a P. Great pairing. Got a bit tired of the ray tone though and got a jazz. Now I'm down to P and J (passive) and feel I got the ray out of my system (gassed for it a long time). Passive J and P just sound smoother, fuller and more organic to me.
I can't imagine I'd even like a 3 band ray like you have, IMO 2 band are much better sounding. But if that's what you dig, then go for it.
Also, huge +1 to replacing quarter pounders (had em, hate em). I have EMG GZR and those are simply grand. But I'm into vintage sounding Ps and Js and by the looks of it, you prefer a more modern tone.
Keep the one that makes you smile more when you play it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJan3, lowdownthump and Tuna Can Dan
#40
Since your ray has the wax/oil neck finish, be sure to maintain it to get a better and smoother feel. I don't like those EBMM bare necks either though, so I get you when you say you prefer the feel of the Fender.
Sell both and get a Stingray Classic? xD
Those have finished necks and a 2 band eq. But they have a slab body and you still might prefer a 3 band ray.. (heresy! Lol)
Grab a 90s 3 band ray with finished neck then!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowdownthump and Tuna Can Dan

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back