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New Stingray Special or New Flea Bass?
- Thread starter Mantis Tobaggan
- Start date
I have found this to be the complete opposite of what you are stating.
More of the notes and positions I use the most sit right in my wheelhouse with this design because the fretboard essentially shifted to the left. It means that my fretting hand is naturally positioned more to the middle of the fretboard instead of further left (which is your main complaint), because the bridge is positioned significantly further up the body. The frets further up the fretboard are easier to access and the balance and arm position are improved.
It's a similar design to Spector basses which are some of the most comfortable basses to play hands down.
Here’s what my thoughts are without laying a hand on either instrument: on paper the stingray hits the mark in all areas, way more than the jazz. With the new lighter body it’s challenging the jazz more than it ever has.
I love Aguilar products but I am not a fan of boost only 2 band preamps. So the EBMM has my vote, plus that charging green has me gassing real hard.
I love Aguilar products but I am not a fan of boost only 2 band preamps. So the EBMM has my vote, plus that charging green has me gassing real hard.
Stingray.
I can't take the Flea bass seriously: The promo videos are more about skateboarding, bees, and drawing on your face with markers than what the actual bass sounds like.
I can't take the Flea bass seriously: The promo videos are more about skateboarding, bees, and drawing on your face with markers than what the actual bass sounds like.
Seriously?
An iconic bass vs. a bass with absolutely no track history?
No contest.
No need to even say why.
(I'd buy a Ray 34 before I'd buy the Flea bass, even if Fender sent me free tickets to the Flea circus and all the popcorn I could eat!)
An iconic bass vs. a bass with absolutely no track history?
No contest.
No need to even say why.
(I'd buy a Ray 34 before I'd buy the Flea bass, even if Fender sent me free tickets to the Flea circus and all the popcorn I could eat!)
If ever a poll need the carrot option, it is this one. Just not feeling either of these choices.
Stingray. The new models are insane and extremely lightweight. Better overall quality and QC.
Yeah no.
The SRS retails for $2099. If you pay full retail then you’re not a very savvy shopper. GC constantly has 15% off sales.
Then it comes down to a value proposition.
I voted for the Flea, despite the fact that it is indeed a loose interpretation of the real deal. I played one at a local shop and was rather impressed. The neck felt great, the tone was monstrous. Overall I just had a great vibe playing the thing. Not a thing wrong with it from a QC or fit & finish perspective.
If you'd had an option for both, I would have voted for that. I haven't had the opportunity to play one of the new Stingray Specials but from what I can see, they have really turned it up a notch.
If you'd had an option for both, I would have voted for that. I haven't had the opportunity to play one of the new Stingray Specials but from what I can see, they have really turned it up a notch.
Nether!
Buy a Jazz Bass or a Stingray or both but not the new "super duper" Stingray which is not really a Stingray. It has a different pre-amp and a different pickup and it is not going to sound exactly the way a real Stingray should sound.
You can find a used Stingray for under $1,000. And you can probably find a used J on your local Craigs List for much less.
"Save your money don't go to the show. Don't be a naughty Eskimo." (Frank Zappa quote.)
Buy a Jazz Bass or a Stingray or both but not the new "super duper" Stingray which is not really a Stingray. It has a different pre-amp and a different pickup and it is not going to sound exactly the way a real Stingray should sound.
You can find a used Stingray for under $1,000. And you can probably find a used J on your local Craigs List for much less.
"Save your money don't go to the show. Don't be a naughty Eskimo." (Frank Zappa quote.)
The OP never said that the classic Stingray tone was a pre-requisite. Both of these are great basses in their own right. Maybe it's not a matter of which one is closer to the real thing.
I'll elaborate... I saw the new stingray and thought "that looks cool" because of my musicman fetish. Then i saw the flea bass being marketed and thought "that looks cool too (in silver)" because of my weird fender jazz and humbucker fetish.
Then...I drove two hours to try them out. I laid hands on the stingray and bought it, spending more than I could afford, and never even touched the flea.
Then...I drove two hours to try them out. I laid hands on the stingray and bought it, spending more than I could afford, and never even touched the flea.
I've checked the prices before writing. Thomann, i.e. the European Amazon of Musical instrument and the de-facto price standard sells the Stingray for 2290€ to 2600€, i.e. from 2600$ to 2980$ (Invalid Link Removed) while the Fender Flea goes for 1690€ aka 1935$ (Invalid Link Removed).
We are talking about a difference of 650$ bucks at least or tu put it in perspective almost a 30% price increase with respect to the Flea. I'm not sure if the two are really comparable but still the Flea looks to be a really nice bass.
I'm unsure if in the US the price difference is not so big but 600$ are, at least to me, quite a lot of money.
By the way if you'd like to be super savy wait one year and buy one of the two used.
Good thing you didn't touch the Flea... with your low resistance to impulse, you may have left with both! I am not being snarky, the Flea I played was that good. It just had "it".
Unfortunately I was not in a position to buy... but the one I tried was silver.
