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I recommend spending time with both. Their neck profiles will either speak to you or turn you off.
The Ray will feel familiar since you have a P. The J may be too cramped if you like finger room by nut.
The Ray will feel familiar since you have a P. The J may be too cramped if you like finger room by nut.
Technically hot dogs and hamburgers would be a "cook out", you need chicken or pork to have a "BBQ". I learned that the first week I moved to the South.
I voted Jazz because I can get three tones that I like out of it. I like the Stingray but to me a Jazz bass is more versatile.
It's pretty much the Swiss Army knife of basses.
Don't overlook a PJ set up either.
It's pretty much the Swiss Army knife of basses.
Don't overlook a PJ set up either.
What bass should you get?
Firstly - keep the P bass. Secondly - go out and play as many basses as you can find before you make any buying or selling decisions.
I owned a Sting Ray and sold it. Owned several Jazz basses and am in the process of selling them.
I've settled on a Lull PJ5 and a Lakland 55-94. Those configurations cover all requirements for me.
Firstly - keep the P bass. Secondly - go out and play as many basses as you can find before you make any buying or selling decisions.
I owned a Sting Ray and sold it. Owned several Jazz basses and am in the process of selling them.
I've settled on a Lull PJ5 and a Lakland 55-94. Those configurations cover all requirements for me.
I owned a Stringray for a while and eventually sold it. It just wasn't my cup of tea. It is 100% a tone preference thing, though.
I lusted for a Stingray, always having liked the sound people got from them. But now that I have one, I just don't know. It's not that I actively dislike it. I just haven't been able to fall in love with it.
AngelsBassBall--- yes pulzerized pork pieces is synonymous with BBQ it seems. I am from the midwest but have lived in Georgia and North Carolina
for years and do not understand the terminology. When I go to the South Carolina lowcountry they speak another language altogether---gullah ?
for years and do not understand the terminology. When I go to the South Carolina lowcountry they speak another language altogether---gullah ?
It's only a matter of time and you'll own both.
Like many here, I've got several Basses and find them all to have something unique in their sound. So depending on the music, I might bring the Jazz or the Ray. Always bring one of my Ps too, sometimes the one with flats, sometimes rounds. Again, it's all about the music and how one inspires me on that day for that gig.
For feel, certainly my Jazz has that neck that makes me feel faster than I am. The Ray, while still thin by P standards, is only a bit chunkier.
I also like where my right thumb lands on the Ray pickup. On the Jazz, I'm sitting on the neck pickup, and it just feels a bit more spongy that the Ray. You can certainly move your position as you desire, but I'm a creature of habit, and not a "floater", so I use the pickups as my thumb rest.
In the mix, I definitely have to be more aware of what's happening with the Jazz, and adapt quickly if I'm getting buried. The Ray is usually just plug and play.
Someone mentioned dead spots. I've got one on my Ray at the first D on the G string, but it seems not so apparent when my strings are fresh. The Jazz has none, but IMO this is just luck of the draw with any bass. Of all of mine, only two don't have some note on the G that decays noticeably faster to some degree.
Enjoy the journey!
Like many here, I've got several Basses and find them all to have something unique in their sound. So depending on the music, I might bring the Jazz or the Ray. Always bring one of my Ps too, sometimes the one with flats, sometimes rounds. Again, it's all about the music and how one inspires me on that day for that gig.
For feel, certainly my Jazz has that neck that makes me feel faster than I am. The Ray, while still thin by P standards, is only a bit chunkier.
I also like where my right thumb lands on the Ray pickup. On the Jazz, I'm sitting on the neck pickup, and it just feels a bit more spongy that the Ray. You can certainly move your position as you desire, but I'm a creature of habit, and not a "floater", so I use the pickups as my thumb rest.
In the mix, I definitely have to be more aware of what's happening with the Jazz, and adapt quickly if I'm getting buried. The Ray is usually just plug and play.
Someone mentioned dead spots. I've got one on my Ray at the first D on the G string, but it seems not so apparent when my strings are fresh. The Jazz has none, but IMO this is just luck of the draw with any bass. Of all of mine, only two don't have some note on the G that decays noticeably faster to some degree.
Enjoy the journey!
I had a Stingray and I still own a few PBasses and Jazz. I first loved Stingrays big growly tone then I got tired of it, especially in the mix. I prefer using a Jazz to get the addictive roaaaaaaaarrrr!!! I think it's a bit more musical to my ears.
I'll be the naysayer but I'm sure I'm very much in the minority. I have never gotten along with the 3 band Stingray H. In my hands it sounds bad. I've owned a number of them so there has been no lack of want on my end. My advice is to really try both and judge for yourself. I like Jazz pattern basses so that is my primary choice. I also own a number of other HH and SSH MusicMan basses which I really enjoy. But never again for 3 band Stingray H.
Two different basses. Both equally good in different ways. I'd have no issues with playing either.
If I had to choose between the two…I wouldn't.
(Minor note: the necks on the Rays I've played all had an unusually nice but different "feel" compared to anything else I've played. Kind of a signature thing about them that's easily felt but hard to describe. If that's your thing, then that's your bass. FWIW I really - as in really -liked it.)
If I had to choose between the two…I wouldn't.
(Minor note: the necks on the Rays I've played all had an unusually nice but different "feel" compared to anything else I've played. Kind of a signature thing about them that's easily felt but hard to describe. If that's your thing, then that's your bass. FWIW I really - as in really -liked it.)
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madbass6
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I would keep the P and get a jazz ! have the best of both worlds!!
I have 2 Jazzes, 3 Precisions, and a Stingray. They're all good at what they do. It's really all about which one YOU like to play. I used to gig solely with 2 Stingrays (one tuned standard, one tuned Eb). Now, I gig with two Jazzes set up the same way. I'm much happier with the Jazzes as I'm in a cover band that plays many genres of music.
Get the one that speaks to you more. Try em out.
I played a jazz bass for years, and liked it, but I figured out that I was more into a precision bass.
Got a P bass and it just worked for me better.
Then I had a huge GAS for a Stingray. So I got one (a 2 band USA S.U.B.), and I love it. Even did some comparisons with a friend's jazz bass, just to see which one fits me better. No brainer, for me, a Stingray. I play it live, and do studio recording with it (nickel roundwounds on it). It's awesome. My P wears flats and it's my vintage tone. I love it.
I like jazz basses, I really do, a lot. But I love Ps and Rays.
If you can get all 3, heck yes.
I played a jazz bass for years, and liked it, but I figured out that I was more into a precision bass.
Got a P bass and it just worked for me better.
Then I had a huge GAS for a Stingray. So I got one (a 2 band USA S.U.B.), and I love it. Even did some comparisons with a friend's jazz bass, just to see which one fits me better. No brainer, for me, a Stingray. I play it live, and do studio recording with it (nickel roundwounds on it). It's awesome. My P wears flats and it's my vintage tone. I love it.
I like jazz basses, I really do, a lot. But I love Ps and Rays.
If you can get all 3, heck yes.
I currently own both a Stingray and a parts bass Jazz. I've also owned, though no longer have, another Stingray as well as a MIM Jazz Deluxe and a MIA Jazz Deluxe fretless. I love both and can recommend both! 
But, put a gun to my head, and I pick Stingray without hesitation. Besides loving the hefty, beefy tone and the high degree of versatility (mine's a 5 string HH), the way it hangs on the strap, the neck, and the neck and bridge spacing make it fit like it was custom made for me.
But my reasons for suggesting a Stingray could also be perfectly valid reasons for you to hate them, which is also perfectly valid. But you asked so ..... I say try Stingray first. and of course then try a Jazz. Then decide to sell one, sell both, or keep one.
Also, I'd suggest keeping the Precision. I have one of those, too. Nice to have choices/options - especially when they all work well in any situation.
But, put a gun to my head, and I pick Stingray without hesitation. Besides loving the hefty, beefy tone and the high degree of versatility (mine's a 5 string HH), the way it hangs on the strap, the neck, and the neck and bridge spacing make it fit like it was custom made for me.
But my reasons for suggesting a Stingray could also be perfectly valid reasons for you to hate them, which is also perfectly valid. But you asked so ..... I say try Stingray first. and of course then try a Jazz. Then decide to sell one, sell both, or keep one.
Also, I'd suggest keeping the Precision. I have one of those, too. Nice to have choices/options - especially when they all work well in any situation.
I have a four (don't play anymore) and five-string Stingray and then got a 5 string MIM Jazz for a backup. They are both great basses. the Jazz is better for playing high up on the neck (fatter tone and louder) the Stingray 5 is versatile with the 3-band EQ and sounds great on 95% of the neck (except those up the neck spots.) I roll back my volume on the Stingray a bit and then run it up and the midrange up on tunes with high fills .
It's only a matter of time and you'll own both.
Well said!
I have about a dozen basses but if my building was on fire and I could only grab two while running out the door, it would for sure be one of my Jazz's and without a doubt, my Stingray classic.
Buy one now (doesn't matter which) then start saving for the other.
I wanted a stingray for years, (been playing jazzes my whole life) and when I finally got one. I played it for 3 months, sold it and got another Jazz. The reason being the playability of the jazz and the fact my right hand can be right in between the 2 pups. Morale of the story, stick with what you are comfortable on.
I didn't vote. I have a USA Jazz, and a USA Sterling. Both amazing. The Jazz is in the closet right now while I play the sterling every gig, but I know that will change down the road.
