Hate to confess this.

[bigdaddybass12]

Hate to confess this, but I prefer the sound of my $299 Sterling Ray 4 over my Fender P. The Fender P has had EMG active pickups, just swapped the pickups / wiring with Seymour Duncan Quarter pounders..it sounds best as it ever had since I have owned it. But i still prefer the sound of the Ray4. Maybe I won't get kicked off talkbass for saying that...

 

[Swerve]

Shoot I’ll one up you. I prefer the Ray4 over an actual MM Stingray. I like the slimmer neck and 2-band EQ.

 

[ebo]

I had an old Honda Civic 5 speed that was nothing to look at but super fun to drive. Dollar value isn’t everything. If it feels good, drive it.

 

[Old Blastard]

Sound and feel Are personal things. I'm pushing 15 basses and all Sound different. I dig the variety while some seek a particular tone. It's all up to you to do you

 

[Bass Man Dan]

I agree with the others. Money spent does not always equal playability/tone.

 

[nmiller]

Even taking the price out of consideration, those are two very different basses. It's not surprising that some folks will have a strong preference here.

 

[alack]

I like my Squiers more than my Fenders.

 

[JRA]

Hate to confess this, but I prefer the sound of my $299 Sterling Ray 4 over my Fender P.

i'm glad you came out to those of us who don't actually care what anyone else plays or prefers. but the other group will punish you --- so be careful!

 

[Al Rivera]

I fall in and out of love with all of my basses,consider yourself lucky that you have a few to choose from!
My favorite quote is "love many basses but only one woman "

 

[Geri O]

Hate to confess this, but I prefer the sound of my $299 Sterling Ray 4 over my Fender P. The Fender P has had EMG active pickups, just swapped the pickups / wiring with Seymour Duncan Quarter pounders..it sounds best as it ever had since I have owned it. But i still prefer the sound of the Ray4. Maybe I won't get kicked off talkbass for saying that...
View attachment 4486902

Of course, you won’t. I’ve never seen a confessional around here for such feelings, not yet, anyway.

Since we’re confessing here, I’ll happily profess that I’ve played Sterlings and while they are worthy basses, I’d never consider replacing a Stingray for a Sterling, but that’s just me. And I don’t necessarily prefer one basses’ tone over another (Js, Ps, Stingrays), but sometimes, one of the 3 will strike me as desirable for a certain situation. That’s what I keep all 3 (and a fretless) around.

Some days, you need a regular socket, some days, you need a deepwall…

 

[WoodyJ]

My favorite of the nine I have is "The Mongrel", a '65 Precision body & hardware with a Warmoth Jazz neck, all new electronics and a Lollar pickup.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Yeah, I like one bass over another at any given moment.

 

[el murdoque]

A Precision can be an acquired taste. Took me nearly 30 years.

A 'ray is a different beast. Nothing wrong with preferring that.

 

[31HZ]

I have a small collection of somewhat more "expensive" basses that has been carefully curated over time, but the tone that Julia gets out of this $300 SUB Ray is really calling to me.

 

[Artman]

Those Ray 4s are very, very punchy. It’s a great bass for rock n roll gigs. I had the treble half of a pickup fail on my Precision one night, grabbed the Ray 4 and played it for the rest of the night. It sounds just fine and plays great. Mine does have a SD 70’mm pickup and a MojoTone 70’s preamp in it now though. I kind of liked the stock pickup. I just like experimenting on inexpensive basses.
One of our guitarists likes the sound of that bass so much, he asks about it if I don’t bring it to a gig.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I’m loving my SBMM Ray5. Sound and feel are excellent.

 

[ElectricBass72]

Blasphemy! Just kidding. I also prefer the tone of my Stingray over a P.

 

[Element Zero]

I had an old Honda Civic 5 speed that was nothing to look at but super fun to drive. Dollar value isn’t everything. If it feels good, drive it.

I really miss my old ‘95 Civic coupe. Didn’t even have VTEC but did QUITE a lot of upgrades to the suspension. AC was crap but was a ton of fun to drive.

 

[Killing Floor]

Red basses are hotter?

Kidding. Play what you like.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I like my Squiers more than my Fenders.

Man, you will really get thrown off talkbass for saying that!!