Fender vs. Stingray

The only true answer to this is what ever you prefer. or whatever you feel like at the time. I love my Musicman it' been my main squeeze for 21 years now. But that is not to say someone else would not prefer there Jazz. Kick back and try to experence both of them.

 

If you're comparing a bass with a preamp, and one without.... And speaking in terms of versatility, there's not much of a comparison, the active will almost always have more options... However, as far as tone goes? I think they're two different animals.

 

I like the L-2000 best.

Out of your choices, it's tough.

StingRay:
I love everything about this bass. I love the feel of the Satin finished neck, the body is very comfortable, it plays awesome. I sit @ any store w/one & I wanna bring it home. I've had 2 of them. I could never get a sound I like in a band situation. I tried & tried, but I couldn't do it.

Jazz bass:
I have a few J copies. 70's Ibanez (I love this bass), 2 Warmoth's (a 4 & a 5), Sadowsky 24 fret 5, Essex J bass. The J bass has this GROWL that no other bass seems to really get. Personally I like a 4 string w/a wider neck (L-2000, P-bass, StingRay) but there is something in a Jazz bass that almost no other bass has. You throw the neck p/u on alone & it's nasal & nasty, the bridge alone gets a kinda P bass sound, both together are like a tiger in heat.

I'll say it again, go try an L-2000. Out of your 2 choices, I'dgo w/a J bass.

 

I think I would be safe to say that the Jazz bass is the most recorded tone of the two (probably the most recorded bass of them all), and possibly also the most played bass model there is. That's not saying because it's the BEST bass there is (majority's not always right, you know ), because that's entirely a matter of personal taste - however, it's a sound that everyone's familiar with and should therefore be the better all around bass, IMO.

Although they are two different animals, it doesn't really matter which one is used - the common man can't hear the difference unless you point it out to him... if he hears the bass at all . So really, it's all up to one's personal preference. And I - by FAR - prefer the Jazz bass.

 

Both basses are good, and would sound fine in most situations, but it is up to you. Be like me, have one of both.

P.S. You might as well get a P while you are at it and then you will have just about any sound at your fingertips.

My basses:
Stingray
MIM Jazz 5 Deluxe
MIA P-bass

 

they're both awesome basses, but given the choice i'd take a stingray, because it has tons of presence and balls and sizzle, and it cuts through really well. i'm into that.

 

L 2000, really you get both in one bass!

 

I would pick nearly ANYTHING over a Jazz because I am not a fan of Fender basses. I have owned several and could never get a thing out of them other than a tone I was NEVER satisfied with. In short, go for the MM.

Just one man's ultimately useless opinion.

 

I'd say get a Fendere type bass. Jazz, P delux with jazz bridge, something like that. Install a J Retro preamp if you want active tone. I love MM's for all the right reasons but there are certain tones that are harder to chase out of a MM. Of course its almost impossible to get MM tone from most any fender on the other side.

Its like asking if you want your top of the line luxury car or your top of the line SUV. It depends on what you need/want more at the moment.

If you are buying new MM's seem to hold their value better on resale if you end up changing your mind

 

Both are nice instruments, but I'll take my Jazz over any MM that I've had experience with, as far as sound and playability.

 

musicmans play better, no matter who you are. but the thing you really need to decide on is which one's tone you prefer. musicmans are very in-your-face and have a cool sound when you dig in; j basses are smoother and more mellow.

 

lo-end, that's a very subjective thing. I wouldn't say that Musicmans play better no matter who you are.

I can't stand the Stingray neck. A Jazz plays much better to me.

 

Uh-oh...

Someone's forgetting about the Sterling, with it's more J-like neck.

Anyhow, I agree with Embellisher, on it being subjective.

I'd also like to add, that a J with the bridge pup soloed gets a VERY articulate sound, which in a lot of cases won't be "smooth" at all.

I reinstate, they're two different animals... Both incredible... However, different.