Maybe sell, but get what now?

[Dincrest]

Just love and play the hell out of that Ibanez. That's the bass you pick up the most. That's the bass you most want to play. That's the bass that effortlessly lets your hands play what's in your head. When you find a bass like that, that's your Excalibur or your Harry Potter "wand chooses the wizard" or whatever.

Personally, I'd say keep the Ibanez as your main bass and keep that Fender as a backup for whenever the Ibby's in the shop or whatever.

Despite what TalkBass may tell you, a P-Bass with tort and flats is not the holy grail bass everyone should have. Play what makes you happy. Play what gives you joy. My Excalibur would probably not get the TalkBass seal of approval, but it's the bass that allows me to sound like and express my best self.

More PlayBass. Less TalkBass.

 

[dustinymichaels]

Used Stingray, or one of it's Sterling cousins.

 

[NYgiant]

Used Stingray, or one of it's Sterling cousins.

Always been interested in one of those. Don’t they have a punchy almost bright tone due to the one pickup closer to the bridge?

 

[dustinymichaels]

I went to Guitar Center for the first time in ages this weekend. They had a Sterling Ray there. For $280 I was shocked by how well it played and sounded.

 

[NYgiant]

I went to Guitar Center for the first time in ages this weekend. They had a Sterling Ray there. For $280 I was shocked by how well it played and sounded.

Interesting….Those type of prices always make me run the other way. I know, probably not a good instinct but, I’m a believer in you get what you pay for. I could be wrong here but why are the Ernie ball musicians so much more?

 

[dustinymichaels]

It is bright and punchy for most people coming to the Stingray from another type of bass. I feel that most people have to learn how to play it or change their attack.
My first “real” bass was a Stingray and I use it primarily and for almost all recordings. But it’s been 30+

Always been interested in one of those. Don’t they have a punchy almost bright tone due to the one pickup closer to the bridge?

years and I can very much understand why many never jive with it.

 

[dustinymichaels]

Interesting….Those type of prices always make me run the other way. I know, probably not a good instinct but, I’m a believer in you get what you pay for. I could be wrong here but why are the Ernie ball musicians so much more?

I don’t know how their basses play anymore. I have a slew of Stingrays 90-95. They’re all built like tanks. Quality is close to boutique. No details missing. I also really like the gunstock oil finish on the neck, smoother than what other companies call satin. But it’s been thirty years and theirs sentimentality that may cloud my perspective. I think it was late 90s or 2000 ish where I thought the quality tanked and I hadn’t picked a new one up until the classic came out. Got 2, need to off 1). From what I hear the stingray specials are very good, but I’m content.

 

[JRA]

I know it’s all personal preference but I figured I’d post here for craps and giggles just to see what recommendations I get. I don’t care if it’s used, it doesn’t have to be new and I would say somewhere in the $800-$1200 range is what I’d be willing to spend.

if your money is burning a hole in your pocket = the world is your oyster!

since you're asking for advice, here's a piece: get out there and play a bunch --- you're in the perfect situation since you already have an ax that impresses you, and that you like to play!

 

[Ostie]

Ibanez makes a whole bunch of similar but different models, so you might find one you like even better than yours. You just have to get out there and play them. Also listen to them in YT demos.

 

[Artman]

Those Model J are much darker sounding for sure.
If you are trying to keep that Jazz passive but get a phatter sound out of it, Those will help. Also consider listening to some samples of the Robert Trujillo Riptide pickups, and the Billy Sheehan Relentless J set.

 

[Polfuste]

Sell the Fender and buy a cousin from your Ibanez to have a backup you like for gigs.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So just got back into playing after a long hiatus. Bought a fender, jazz MIM player series and got a good price on it new as it was on sale. Been playing it for about three months or so. Came across an Ibanez with EMG pick ups, active, neck through design about a month ago and bought it. Absolutely love the bass and the sound of it.

Been playing it exclusively for the past month. Earlier this evening, I thought to myself, break out that fender, as it’s been sitting. It still feels good, might even be set up a little better than the Ibanez, honestly. However, I think I’ve learned I’m really not a huge fan of its sound after playing that Ibanez. Had tweaked a lot of the EQ on my GK head and messed around with the settings of the pick ups and the tone control, and it was meh. The Ibanez sounds so much more powerful and clear, and deep.

So I just got to thinking… Maybe I should just sell that fender and get something else. It’s a shame because it’s a real nice looking bass and it feels good. I guess it’s just the jazz pick ups and the sound of it. In general, I’m not in love with after experiencing something else.

I know it’s all personal preference but I figured I’d post here for craps and giggles just to see what recommendations I get. I don’t care if it’s used, it doesn’t have to be new and I would say somewhere in the $800-$1200 range is what I’d be willing to spend.

I mean, based off how much I love the sound of that Ibanez, I’m wondering if I should just stick with a bass that has active pick ups? I’ve had my eye on another used Ibanez. It is a little different than the model I have. I do like to have some different types of bases rather than a lot of the same thing and just looking different. I actually have that now with the fender jazz. However, I think I could find something with a better sound, at least to my ears. What do you think is out there that would fall within those parameters I listed? Just curious as to what ideas I get here. Really looking maybe for some things. I haven’t even thought of.

Oh, so you know, since I listed what Fender I have, the Ibanez I have is a Soundgear SRT800DX.

‘Having modded A MIM JB with replacement 62 PUs which made a huge improvement, there is a pretty good market for these if you decide to sell.

In regard to the Ibenez, a bass you already have tried, vetted, and in your price range I’d pull the trigger on it as well..

There are bassists who are on an endless very expensive life long search for what you’ve already discovered. I’d give it a rest for a while focus in on the Ibenez hanging on to your JB before starting your search.

 

[MCF]

Interesting….Those type of prices always make me run the other way. I know, probably not a good instinct but, I’m a believer in you get what you pay for. I could be wrong here but why are the Ernie ball musicians so much more?

I got one of those pre-pandemic for $200 to use as a knock around and see if I liked the Stingray ergonomics. The fretwork is horrible. I still have it, just haven't gotten around to do a level and crown and a fret end dress. The tuners are chintzy and not at all precise. The pre-amp is meh. So yeah, you get what you pay for.

On the other hand, the Earnie Balls I have played are superb instruments. FWIW, Earnie Ball generally pays a living wage, the components are top notch and the build quality is impeccable. San Luis Obispo is not an inexpensive place to live or run a business. But it sure is a nice town.

 

[groovaholic]

Lots of people, including some of the greatest bassists ever, love Jazz Basses.
I'm not one of them (greatest bassists or Jazz Bass lovers)

Sounds like the Ibanez is just more your style.
I'd never heard of that model, but I like what I saw when I looked it up!

My recommendation: sell the Jazz bass and figure out if there's other gear you need more.
Rather than purchase anything immediately, hold onto the cash and see if your needs evolve - like if you join a band and need to upgrade your amp, or start doing a bunch of recording and need a killer DI, or join a band with a silent stage and need a good IEM setup.

Regardless - get what works for you.
If the Jazz bass isn't it, don't weigh anyone else's opinion heavier than your own.

 

[dustinymichaels]

‘Having modded A MIM JB with replacement 62 PUs which made a huge improvement, there is a pretty good market for these if you decide to sell.

In regard to the Ibenez, a bass you already have tried, vetted, and in your price range I’d pull the trigger on it as well..

There are bassists who are on an endless very expensive life long search for what you’ve already discovered. I’d give it a rest for a while focus in on the Ibenez hanging on to your JB before starting your search.

Those 62 pickups are a godsend.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I did that over 20 years ago after my son was done with it, as he bought a MIA JB working in high school. When he was in Iraq in 2004 he bought a series of instruments with his combat pay. One of which was a MIA Fender PBj he used to swap for that modified MIM JB. He still has it, amd it still rocks!

 

[gln1955]

Why ask here? Get yourself to all of the stores you can get to and try everything. When you find a bass you just gotta have, you'll know it.

 

[Gervais Cote]

A very cheap test you should perform is to change the strings on the Fender jazz and see how it goes.
I replaced the original strings on my Squier Afinity jazz bass with some Dunlop Marcus Miller stainless steel rounds super bright and oh my god, they woke up totally this humble little jazz bass. It’s now very funky on slapping BUT also growling and rumbling a lot on finger style playing.

 

[mambo4]

So I just got to thinking… Maybe I should just sell that fender and get something else. It’s a shame because it’s a real nice looking bass and it feels good. I guess it’s just the jazz pick ups and the sound of it. In general, I’m not in love with after experiencing something else.

The one thing I'd want to know before suggesting to keep or replace that Jazz is: Have you played the Ibanez with a band? Because I my experience has been that a passive Jazz is not my favorite 'bedroom tone' but it is my favorite in an ensemble. A full band playing will occupy plenty of EQ real estate that a bedroom tone relies on.

 

[YourGuitarist]

Have you considered new pickups for the jazz or trying to wire it with a series/parallel switch? You say it is a good bass but the sound just isn't doing it for you.

This. If you watch LowEndLobster, you'll see there's a lot of power in rewiring the pups. Especially in series often gives a really punchy sound. Personally, I find there to be a lot of definition in my jazz when I solo the pups.