MM Stingray vs Fender Jazz???

[Goldmember]

that's like apples and oranges...

A fellow Dutchman! I, too, am from Holland. Isn't dat vierd?

On the topic: It is more like comparing Braeburn apples to Jazz apples, yesh?

 

[NeonVomit]

Neon - it's impossible for us to tell you which to get. You sound like you took your time with both and have what you feel are pros and cons for each. Only you know you band(s) and gig(s) that you play in, and how each would work in those situations. Some quick observations I can give you though:
1) "Flat" on a markbass is not all knobs pointing to noon. I'm not sure how you set the amp, but especially with the VLE and VPF noon is definitely not parity . Since both were played with the same setting though, this could be largely ignored, even though it certainly may have had tonal influence.
2) Which EBMM did you play? Stingray 5 H I presume? I would definitely suggest that you try out a Stingray 5 HS and HH, as well as a Sterling 5 HH and 5 HS.

I also note that you feel you couldn't take out the aggressiveness of the 'Ray, which IMO is fairly easy to do with the onboard EQ, IMO.

Just some thoughts to put into your head . Still can't tell you which way to go. For me, I'd go EBMM; I was in your exact same boat about 6 years ago and that was the route I went, and I'm more than happy I did.

The Stingray was the 5H. That's the one I'd get as the other two are just out of my budget. My main issue wasn't that I couldn't take the aggressiveness out of the 'ray - I play mostly heavy metal after all, so that's a good thing What made me think was more that I couldn't quite get the Jazz to replicate the high-end 'zingyness'. The strings didn't feel all too fresh however, so I'm not sure if it was the bass or the strings.

The 'ray was definitely less versatile, but I'm aware that it's seen mostly as a 'single sound' bass. It's a good sound, don't get me wrong. The Jazz I could imagine using it in more situations.

So basically, playing-wise, looks-wise and finish-wise I think I preferred the Jazz, sound-wise I think I preferred the 'ray. I think the Jazz had a nicer neck, but a setup would sort that out I think.

I'd love to rock both and totally could, but financial realities limit me to one I'm just unsure which would be the best overall investment. My other 'main' bass is a Warwick Thumb, so that's got a very distinct signature sound which isn't super-versatile. So it's basically versatility and aesthetics vs. rock solidity... decisions decisions!

 

[Selta]

I've never viewed a Stingray as a "single sound" instrument at all. Technique, EQ, finger/pick/slap, strings, mutes all have such a drastic effect. I can pull so many various tones from a Stingray or Sterling single-H it's awesome. Add on a 2nd H or single coil and there's really not much they can't do. I still prefer my Bongos though

 

[sninja]

StingRay is definitely better choice! Better suit different styles and cut throung just perfectly.

 

[radioface]

Wouldn't a Stingray H or HH vs. a Sterling H or HH vs. a Bongo H or HH vs. a Fender Dimension H or HH be, a more fair comparison?

 

[Eublet]

Yet the Jazz bass is featured on countless more recordings and stages around the world.

 

[Cairobill]

As an update, I've been in the studio lately with a well known producer who is very ill disposed towards J basses for tracking in the studio. He laid down the law and insisted on the Ray (or his precision) as my instrument. We got an incredible sound in the studio - huge thump out of my classic 2 band Ray with the oldest strings I could find, again on his insistence. Since I wrote in this thread, I have been through 5 jazz basses, none of which I could make work for me, especially since I started using the classic Ray. However, I'm just speccing out a '62 MJT jazz so back in I go

 

[Eublet]

I love Stingrays, and some folks will always have their preferences for one bass over an other. I'll never argue otherwise with anyone. All I'm saying in this thread is that the Jazz bass is used much more frequently than the Stingray is, regardless of the Rays pickup configuration. The Precision bass is used more than the Jazz is. There has to be a reason for all this, and we can argue what that is or isn't as well. Still, it's very difficult to claim that any bass is more versatile than another. The truth is that any 3 of these basses are fantastic and can get the job done usually, but there are definitely some particularly tones that you can't get on each of these basses without selecting one of them specifically.

I had a black, single pup Ray 5 that is still one of my favorite instruments of all time. Wish I still had it. I've got a P bass I'll never part with, along with 2 jazz basses. They all have their place tonally, and I'd never suggest that one is better than another. I probably shouldn't get so peeved when other folks start saying one bass is better than another, expecially when it's an instrument that is less popular.

Oh, I had a G&L that probably killed everything in terms of being on the stage. Always sounded killer in any musical context. It was difficult to get to sound good in the studio though. That's just me.

 

[Briton]

I voted for the 2 band Stingray. I also own a Fender Jazz Bass which I love but the variations of tone you can get out of a 2 band Stingray is far superior. Remember we are talking about a 2 band not a 3 band which is a totally different beast altogether and I have owned a 3 band but sold it on due to its excessive zing which can be hard to eliminate. I would put a Jazz Bass over a 3 band Stingray but not a 2 band plainly down to low end tonal variations of a Ray. As for the Stingray not being good for recording that is a load of piffle, I only record and dont do live playing and my 2 band Stingray cuts through the mix better than my Jazz and Precision.

 

[Selta]

I voted for the 2 band Stingray. I also own a Fender Jazz Bass which I love but the variations of tone you can get out of a 2 band Stingray is far superior. Remember we are talking about a 2 band not a 3 band which is a totally different beast altogether and I have owned a 3 band but sold it on due to its excessive zing which can be hard to eliminate. I would put a Jazz Bass over a 3 band Stingray but not a 2 band plainly down to low end tonal variations of a Ray. As for the Stingray not being good for recording that is a load of piffle, I only record and dont do live playing and my 2 band Stingray cuts through the mix better than my Jazz and Precision.

You also voted in a 9 year old thread, and a thread where OP hasn't been around for over 8 years.

 

[Briton]

So what!........The thread is still live and any comments can help members who are now looking to buy a Jazz Deluxe or a 2 band Stingray. This is regardless of what the threadstarter is now doing!