Fender P or Stingray??

[Valerus]

PRECISION! I've been in the same boat as you. I am gassing for that Precision fat thump.

 

[rhopper]

This is the polar opposite to what almost everyone who plays a P Bass experiences. You must have had one serious dud of a P Bass.

+1

 

[steamthief]

Currently play a MIA Jazz that suits 95% of the stuff I do. However, have been gassin for something new for a while now. Want to add the stereotypical "P" sound and was wondering for those who have had experience with these 2 animals, which is the better choice. I know these 2 are different in several ways (body wood, active/passive etc..) but both seem to have their following for roughly the same use. Ideas/opinions? Thanks to all and Merry Christmas!

I think you already know the answer!

 

[mikeswals]

I own J's, P's, and Ray's.
I'd say it's going to boil down to the tone you're after.
While I love my P's, they get played last. I really have to be in the mood to play them.
My typical tone is gritty-growly and add in some shimmer. The Rays and the J's have it in spades. For maximum punch and cut, nothing like a good 'ol 2-band StingRay.

As far as weight goes, most of the Rays I've owned have been great feeling mid-weight ones. Rarely do I get them in the heavy 10+ range. Since I prefer buying 2 band'ers, most seem to be around 9 lb range. They exist, just ask your dealer to give you weights of the bass you're interested in buying.

 

[mellowgerman]

You got it right...very different.

Depends on the application really, but I myself like the P bass. In fact, my personal favorite P-type of pickup is the Dark Star. It's got a full, chewy, almost rubber-band kind of sound that I find awesome.

Just generalizing, but I find the Stingray to be much more aggressive, with a tone that sits very nicely at the bottom of the mix (don't misunderstand, it stays apparent though). P basses tend to be more within a mix. Sometimes my ear loses them here and there, but it is a great team player with a wonderful sound.

All in all, my suggestion: A Lakland with a Dark Star.

I couldn't agree more with your all in all suggestion, since dark stars are hands down the best pickups ever in the universe
However, other than the fact that they are single coils, they really couldn't be more different than a p bass pickup. Granted, if they're in the same position, they'll still have some of the characteristics of a p pickup, but overally they sound very very different. Both lovely sounds though.

 

[Billy3000]

They're both very different. Since you've been playing a J you might like to stay passive and go for a P. But Stingrays and J basses cover some of the same tonal areas, so you might like a stingray too. I say go to your closest Guitar Center and play each. Every guitar center I've ever been in has had at least one stingray and at least one american p bass. That should give you a good idea of what you'd like most.


My personal preference though is a P bass. I just sold a stingray so I have experience with both. I loved the stingray as far as feel and looks. But I just grew out of the sound.

 

[Jeff K]

I have P's, J's, and a Stingray Classic. All outstanding basses. But like everybody says, they are very different. My personal preference is for the Precision. While the 'Ray sounds fantastic, I feel that the P is a much more comfortable bass to play (for me personally). What I don't like about the 'Ray is the pickup placement (on the single pickup 'Rays) and the wider body near the bridge. The P just feels more comfortable. But others feel exactly opposite. You have to decide by playing both.

 

[scowboy]

Feel wise I think the Stingray and P-bass feel very similar. That is why I have settled down on buying basses and kept those two. My particular P-bass is very comfy to play but the output is weak, another story for another thread. My Stingray see's 80% of the action these days. Odd thing is that it's taken me buying about 5 of them to get to this particular one (trans orange, matching headstock, rosewood fingerboard) and it is 10 pounder! But there is something about it that I love. I'd say it's just a tad more mellow sounding than the average Stingray. I'd play it in just about any setting.

I'm blessed enough to have both. If I had to have one though it would be a 3 EQ Stingray. The preamp has enough adjustability to it that you can tame the beast when required. I've played more times in recent months than I can count with just a couple guys singing and them playing acoustic guitar. Though the Stingray has a lot of aggressive attributes they can really be used for nearly anything. On the other hand so can a P-bass and that's been proven over and over for 60 years. It's up to you. For what it's worth my P-bass is a 2010 model that I bought new last June and save for the weak pickup output I love it. I like it so much I'm just going to replace the pickup with something else. I don't want it messed with.

 

[Morning Beer]

I've owned both. I still have all my rays and not one p. SR's are the sound for me. Construction is well above the MIA fenders i've had. If fender ever did release a P5 for leftys I'd still pick one up. All in all there quite different.

 

[Tunaman]

I played P-basses exclusively from the late 60s to the early 90s. Then I started experimenting (kids leave home, I get to keep gig money, etc.); I bought an 09 SR4, single H, 3-band, and was knocked out by its wild-horse, in-your-face tone. I tamed her with flats and some judicious use of EQ, but the articulation and sheer expressiveness shine through in all situations. I find it hard to go back to the Ps now, though the Js do share some similarities. To me, the Ray is extraordinarily built, not heavy (mine anyway) and is capable of anything. It always sounds better in a live band situation (and subsequent recordings) than in the practice room, where it tends to be clanky and in need of other horses to run with. Being in a ten-piece band with four horns, I am happy to turn her loose.

PERFECT description. P sounds great in the bedroom, lost in the mix, Stingray like crap in the bedroom & awesome live.

 

[ChiliTikka]

Get them both!!
Anyway, I have a custom kind of P bass and Good old Stingray. I have also played many P basses from Fender and I have to say they are good basses and I will have to buy one someday. But I have always loved Stingray and its sound. Especially when played live. I almost cried last summer when we were playing in Germany. 2 shows. With Jazz bass and I couldn't hear a ***** of my playing. I was happy when we get back home and I got my Stingray again for action. Ofcourse J is different than P. And I personally prefer P over J.

But anyway. P or Stingray?
I would say Stingray.

 

[TripleDouble]

Go to a store, try both, buy the one you like more, and if in time it doesn't fit your applied needs, get something else. Keep them all if you can afford it, variety is the spice of life. It comes down to what YOU think of each when actually playing the instrument. Get off the internet and do it now.

 

[Snarf]

Currently play a MIA Jazz that suits 95% of the stuff I do. However, have been gassin for something new for a while now. Want to add the stereotypical "P" sound and was wondering for those who have had experience with these 2 animals, which is the better choice. I know these 2 are different in several ways (body wood, active/passive etc..) but both seem to have their following for roughly the same use. Ideas/opinions? Thanks to all and Merry Christmas!

If you want to add the stereotypical P sound, then get a P, not a sray.

 

[DwaynieAD]

no one has mentioned the best option:

get both!

my first bass was a cort p... still have her ten years later although she has seymour duncan quarter pounders in her. (and a slight bow in the neck) sounds and plays great so smooth to play, but my MM has been my main player since i got it.. it just shoves low end down everyone's throat and doesn't even take them out for breakfast the next morning. I've had to move to a jazz because of the need for a five string, but man do I miss strapping on the MM. I never felt that way about the P, I love noodling on it for some songs here or there but the MM has been my go to girl for quite some time now

 

[jnewton]

For what it's worth, I'd go for the P. I was a jazz guy for years, as soon as I bought a P I never looked back.

The 'ray is far too scooped for my liking.

 

[Tunaman]

I have a P a Sterling H & a Sterling HH, I did a review a recently so you can check that out
But yes a P & a Jazz\Sterling is your best bet, not just one. If just one a Stingray\Sterling HH will get you close enough to each

 

[Nightvision]

I think the best option is to find a good old Musicman Sabre
You can get a P sound, with a MM flavor.