I have yet to play a good Fender...

High action? Ask them to lower it. Just because it has a bad setup hanging on the wall doesn't mean a better setup isn't possible.

Any US made Fender is similar quality to a StingRay.

 

It is all about the setup and strings. I know some people like them, but I think Fender strings are awful. Out of the box most setups on any mass produced are usually very bad. These things are easily remedied.
If you are serious about a bass, have them set it up before you buy it. If they won't, leave.
Two of my favorite basses I have are a 99 Am Std jazz and a 62 RI jazz. I like them better than my stingray.

 

Hi lo-end,
Don't judge a book by the cover, man. Like stated above, play some Fenders with good set-ups and strings. If you still don't like 'em, then you at least gave them a fair shake. I go to a shop in Phoenix that takes great pride in the fact that every bass on the wall has been meticulously set up and even intonated. I play Stingrays and Fenders (J and P), and they are two different animals, but I like them all for different reasons. Good luck in your search.
Doc

 

you are invited to italy. i have a MIA p bass, come here, try it and then we'll spek again. i seriously doubt you are really sure of what you wrote. there could be better, but fender basses kick a55!

 

Hey Lo-end, one P-bass you might like is the new Steve Harris limited edition that just came out. I went to SamAsh a few days ago, and played the Steve Harris and the Sting '53 Copy. The Harris P-bass has Seymour Duncan's in it right off the bat, and also a maple fingerboard, so this thing has a ton of punch. It's made in Japan, but, the quality of workmanship is through the roof! Really good. It's about $600.00 new, so if you like it, you'd save a couple hundred or so off a new MIA. I don't think you get a case though. It is worth checking out if you come across one.

Good luck,
Mike J.

 

Like brianrost says, if the problem is the setup/action, that can be changed quite easily.

If you don't like the sound, come on in and join the pre-CBS club, the "real Fenders." ;D

 

Ease up guys fenders are not for everybody. I have been thumpin for over 15 years and I own a few basses and none of them are fenders. I never really have liked the necks and or balance of them. I dont own them by choice but more power to those that do and love them. To me most of them sound dead or flat and contrary to popular belief just because it says fender dont make good and that does go with any brand though (except spector just kidding) . But you must give it an honest shot and find one that is setup and has good strings. Actually guitar shops are usually the worst places to play basses as it seem most of them have forgotten the lost art of setup but thats another thread. my .02

 

None of my 5 basses have the same brand strings that came stock on them. It makes a HUGE difference to have the setup and strings that are for you. I am not a fan of most roundwound strings, and how many basses at the shops DON'T have rounds on them? Not many.

That's the nice thing about getting a long trial period, put on your fav strings and setup the bass the way you like and play it for awhile. If after that you still no like, you take it back.

 

I didn't like Fenders for the longest time. Then I was at a GC, and piked up a P that was set up just right, and I was finally impressed by Fender. Now I just consider them to not be my cup of tea.
OTOH, those Fretless J's they make aren't something to sneeze at. I like those.

 

I almost never trust a store to have a bass setup right. And if it isn't the setup, the strings are horrible. The stores around here are too cheap to spend money on things like that. Most setup stuff you can do by yourself, and just about any mid quality bass will sound 100% better with new strings and a good setup job.

Maybe I am just parcial to fenders!!

jtbp

 

I wasn't very impressed w/ any fenders either til i played one of the p-basses w/ the humbucker in the bridge position. but other than that, nope

 

I used to be a total Fenderphobe. Then one day I sat down with a Roscoe Beck V and really bonded with it. Go figure; now it's my only bass. Fit and finish are comparable to a Stingray.

 

You don't have to "find one" that is setup... as mentioned, setup is not a permanent thing and can be changed.

 

So... why "did" you want a Fender?

 

Good luck

 

I want one... I'm a good boy .

 

It sometimes boils down to a matter of taste. Maybe you just don't like the warm growly sound of Fenders - maybe you prefer the metallic cutting tones of Stingrays. If that's the case, you may never find a Fender that you like.