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Fender VS Music Man

ObeyGiant

ObeyGiant

Feb 26, 2012
126
15
38
Cookeville, TN
#1
So I'm in the market for a "mid priced" 5 string(somewhere around 700ish) and I've narrowed my choices down to the MIM Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V and the Indonesian SBMM Ray 35.

I live way out in the sticks and will be buying this instrument sight unseen online.

Lately I have been playing in a folky type acoustic band. We do a couple of Iron and Wine and Bright Eyes covers. Was wondering which of the two would have a nice mellow sound for this type of music(don't need that super trebly slap sound for this band).

On the flip side... I'm a metal bassist at heart and have played the local scene and corresponding areas/states since '06. There is a pretty high chance that I will get back into this scene and use the same bass. I would want a punchier tone with more attack for this type of playing.

My question really is which of these two basses would really fit the bill for the range of Acoustic-Death Metal?
 
#5
I can only speak to the Ray 35 which i have, but I think it can cover what you want to do. I don't slap and have no problem getting mellow tones out of it. The Ray has a great 3 band pre amp Also the 3 way switch starting from the bridge is parallel, than the middle is series with a resistor to make it a deeper tone and the neck position is series. So between the switching and the 3 band I think you have a lot of versatility.
Also the build quality is outstanding, just remember to inquire about the weight, I've seen some that were chunky, mine is ten lbs, right in line with my US MM's. I got mine from The Perfect Bass, who I highly recommend.
 
#6
IMO, Fender does alot of things very well - making 5ers is not one of them... This is coming from a longtime Fender fan who has 5 Fender basses, but (3) 5ers - two by Music Man, one by Ibanez...


- georgestrings
 
#7
@georgestrings I've heard that Fender 5 strings are weak several times before. But I've heard that they are great as well. Hell Marcus Miller uses a Fender 5er and I personally LOVE his tone.

I've played both of these bass's in music stores over the years (4 string versions) and they are both awesome... Was just hoping people would chime in with one overwhelming answer but I'm in the same boat as I was in before :)

Oh well I'm sure I could flip a coin and wind up with a good bass here. Have to make my mind up by tomorrow to take advantage of musician's friends 15% off sale >.>
 
#8
MM>Fender.
/thread
(.)


+ if you're playing death metal, Music Man is the way to go. John Myung (how dare I speak his name!) sports Bongos, and they sound magnificent. I wouldn't call dream theater death, but still have a pretty heavy sound. Humbuckers are amazing, and when used correctly, they definitely can be used for that. What I would be kind of worried about is strings... if you use Elixers, which are really twangy & punchy, they will not sound good unless played soft.
Nevermind my rambling... get the music man!!
 
#10
Okay apparently Fender isn't part of that promotion so adding 15% off the Ray35 made it like 200 dollars cheaper than the Fender so... I ordered the Ray35 in Natural with Maple fretboard :) Hopefully I like it *fingers crossed*

Thanks for all the input guys.
 
#11
Dude, go for the MM. I just bought a Stingray 5 with dual Humbuckers. I play in a church praise band. a Heavy Metal tone just wouldnt get it. My original bass is a Fender Aerodyne with DiMarzio P/J config.

I have been playing the Stingray 5 for about a month now in church, and have had nothign but compliments about the tone. Even from some of the older laides who really don't like some of the rockin' praise band contemporary stuff, have complimented me on the tone I can lend to some of the hymns that I play it on. For a hymm I leave the 5 way swithch in the middle so I get both pups and if you don't overdrive the preamp, and have a mild gain setting, its a very warm natural tone. Of course if you want more grind and grunt, the Stingray is more than up to the task. its all in how you dial it in, and to a large degree how you run your amp.

The MM is one of the most versitile basses out there. The Ray35 may not have the dual humbuckers (maybe it does? - I don't know), but pickup upgrades are always a possibility later on.
I didn't look at the Ray35 line, I wanted an American Made bass for personal reasons.

enjoy.
 
#14
oniman7 said:
I will say, however, that I played what I believe to be a Fender Deluxe Active 5 jazz bass (or however the name is) through a GK stack and it was one of the dirtiest, growliest basses I've ever played.
Click to expand...

Play a Big Al and you'll change your mind. I guarantee it.

A fellow talkbasser saw me with my Big Al at a gig a while back and described it's sound as a Jazz bass with a rocket engine up it's butt. I love that it can do that, plus all the sweet organic and mellow tones you could possibly want in passive mode.

I now own 2 Fenders (have owned around 8), and 4 Musicmans. Quality control on Fenders is absolutely horrible. I could go into lots of detail but I'm tired of it. From a MIA P deluxe, to my new Tele bass - it would take quite a while to write about all the issues I've had. I've posted regarding all that a bunch of times. Musicman I can't remember a single issue. And I've owned more than the 4 I still have. As I always say, I believe with all my heart and soul that the peeps at Musicman are concerned with creating great instruments that musicians will love, and Fender is concerned with selling as many basses as possible. I take MM over Fender any day, and always have.
 
#15
I have both the Stingray 5H and the Fender MIA Deluxe 5 Jazz. You made the RIGHT choice! Off the rack the Stingray will do exactly what you're looking for, throw some DR Black Beauty strings on it and the sound is unbelievable. Of all my basses I find the Stingray to be one of the most reactive to different string types.
The DR Black Beauties really tame the upper end of the Stingray and emphasize the low mids and lows and the coating cleans up fret hand sound and allows smooth fast quiet slides, should be the perfect string for your Acoustic ventures. La Bella tape wounds will also play nice on the Stingray for an ultra smooth nearly flatwound (almost upright) tone using your right hand up near the fretboard. When you get the urge to jump back into the Metal scene you can try your favorite Stainless strings or some High Beams to get the zing and growl front and center.
Enjoy your new bass and be sure to post some pics.
 
#16
"As I always say, I believe with all my heart and soul that the peeps at Musicman are concerned with creating great instruments that musicians will love, and Fender is concerned with selling as many basses as possible."


Even though I'm a longtime Fender fan, I cannot argue with the above assessment... Fender still puts out alot of great instruments, but they could definitely do better...


- georgestrings
 
#19
ObeyGiant said:
@georgestrings I've heard that Fender 5 strings are weak several times before. But I've heard that they are great as well. Hell Marcus Miller uses a Fender 5er and I personally LOVE his tone.
Click to expand...

Of course Marcus Miller's Fender 5er is not the typical Fender 5. I'm sure the one he actually uses was made by the custom shop, and is probably way different than the stock standard Fender 5 strings, even his signature model. I have a highly modified 4 string Fender Jazz, but my next bass, after careful consideration, might very well me a Stingray 5. I think they can do good soft, subdued tones when needed, but can go up from where the Fender Jazz levels off for edge and powerful tone. IMO:D
 

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