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First bass: P Bass or Stingray?

Persona87

Persona87

Dec 4, 2012
918
596
DFW, Texas
#1
First of all, I know that you guys are probably tired of reading these threads, and secondly, I know these two basses are pretty different. And yes, I plan to go spend some more time with both of them before I decide. Thirdly, I really don't care to go used. Please don't suggest it.

In my last thread, I asked for advice on how to get into the bass for someone who listens to everything from funk to jazz to hip-hop to metal, and while the most common suggestion was a jazz bass, I didn't enjoy the j basses I tried in the store. I much preferred the P bass and the stingray style basses.

I want something that retails for less than $800 (I already have a 100 watt bass amp that I got on clearance for $170). I was looking at either getting a Mexican P bass and upgrading it with some Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders or a Sterling Ray35.

Neither bass is versatile in the sense that it produces a lot of different tones, but they are in the sense that they fit in lots of different kinds of music. I do prefer a more modern sound, which is why I was looking at changing out the pickups in the P.

Also, I have to admit that looks are a big deal for me. I really want something in white with a tortoiseshell pickguard to go along with my black/tort guitar. If that means installing another pickguard, then so be it.

For the tones I'm going for, think Tool (Stingray and Wal), Black Sabbath (P and Lakland), and modern funk/soul. As I said, though, I listen to everything and wouldn't mind playing hop-hop, blues, jazz, or indie rock. Basically, if its not straight up country, I'll listen to it and consider playing it.
 
#2
P's and Stingrays are my 2 favorite kinds of basses for the way they sound in a band mix.

Of the 2 you mentioned, I would go for the Ray for 2 reasons. One, I think you can get a new one for less than a new MIM P. And two, it's a 5 - string, which gives you a little bit more options.

You said used is not an option. Otherwise, I'd say to get a used Made in America Peavey Fury (which is a P bass) for around $200, instead of either of those other options.

Or, if it must be new, but could be a different brand, I'd say to check out the Yamaha RBX170 for $180. It's a P/J bass that I think are comparable in quality to the 2 you mentioned, at a much lower price.
 
#5
My first bass was a mexi-p. Loved it. Good sound and great starter bass. I would go there because its a solid start up that won't teach you the wrong way to play.

The stingray is also solid but I've always found low tier ones get lost with the high end. even open D and G on a standard tuned bass sounds quieter then the other strings which is subtle but annoying over time once you start to play more seriously.

Both will have a great picking sound, Personally I think you can get a better mid-cut sound from the P-bass and a better low end thump from the stingray. The stingray will win in the slap department by a slight margin though, if you're into that.

Final note. When I started playing bass on my Mexi-P I played almost exclusively Tool and Rage riffs with ease, but you will never get that authentic Justin tone without effects. (flanger, fuzz, distortion etc.)

Hope this helps!!
 
#8
a MIM fender is a great first bass. i guess if it was me, that's what i'd go with. in my opinion MIM and MIA fenders are closer to each other in quality than Sterling by MM and real MM, if that makes sense. so a mexican P bass is pretty much a real P bass, whereas a Ray 34 doesn't really sound or feel like a real stingray. that's how i feel about it anyway.
 
#12
Play both if you can, figure out which feels more natural in your hands. With the switch and EQ, the ray35 can be pretty versatile. On a side note the MiM P is the one that comes in the color you want with a pg change as the ray's trans white is not a solid white. Personally I love both sounds but the ray might narrowly beat out the p based on what you're describing. That said, they are two very different sounds and eventually, stick around here and you might find yourself owning both. For a 4 string ray option, I'd highly recommend the ray34ca since the neck is a little narrower I believe.
 
#13
Half of me is saying "start with the P, it's a blank pallet," where you can really get a feel for what you want and then you can figure out your likes and dislikes from there. The other half is giving into my whole play both and whichever one you like go for it.
 
#14
Since you really like both basses. If you buy the P; you waill always wonder about the MM..and vice-versa.

Frankly, after you get a good case of G.A.S. You won't have these anxieties as you will know that one bass may not do it all...so you have to buy another..and another.. and..
 
#16
I agree with start with a P. Rays are cool, but if you're starting out, it's good to make an investment in a P. Besides, it's all I play nowadays.

More importantly, start with a P that suits your sonic tastes. Some Ps are more bright, some are warmer.
 
#17
My opinion is the Ray is just a hot rodded P bass. I love both but currently own only a P bass, a 08 MIM and it is NOT FOR SALE! I bought it with intentions to mod it with a new bridge, tuners and an aftermarket pickup but after playing it for a while, I haven't touched it. Really the only thing I'm still thinking of doing is upgrading to a set of Hipshot tuners. The stock pickup sounds good and the bridge does what it is supposed to do. I say go with the P bass as I'm basically a low tech guy but check back in about another year, I'm sure there will be a Ray in rotation by then!
 
#18
Go for the P as it's much more forgiving to a novice, very easy to dial in a sound. Rays are notoriously tricky to EQ even for experienced players and you might find yourself being endlessly frustrated.

I'm talking LIVE SOUND here. Real world stuff and all that...
 
#19
Why not get the best of both worlds?

I know you don't really want to go used, but the old Fender P deluxe five strings had a standard P pickup at the neck and a double-jazz pickup (essentially a MM pickup) at the bridge. If you could find one under $800 (shouldn't be too hard to get that price if you can actually find the bass on the market), it might make your decision a little easier.
 
#20
BrandonBass said:
dude, only you will know yourself. You have to play both of them to know which 1 is for you.
Click to expand...

+1

There's no right or wrong here. But IMHO, you did pick two winners right out of the gate ;)

The one that inspires you to play for whatever totally subjective reason you use, is the right choice. Whichever one you end up with, play the hell out of it, every day, as long as you can, every chance you get. Before long, it will be THE MUSIC that matters more than what bass you chose. And isn't that how it should be?

Good luck!
 

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