Selling the Stingray, Keeping the Jazz - thoughts?

[Mike Vee]

I have been struggling with which of these basses to keep for quite some time, months in fact, and today I have made a decision - keep the Jazz bass. I am not keeping both, so please do not suggest that. It's not possible for space reasons in my apartment, and financial reasons - just bought a $3500 puppy, amongst other reasons. I do not want too many basses. Just a P-bass and one other.

2006 Stingray: (8.6 lbs)

2011 American Special Jazz Bass: (8.5 lbs)

2023 Mini Aussiedoodle: (9.2 lbs as of today)

Throughout my decision making process, I kept telling myself "keep the Stingray." It looks cooler, it's mint condition, it's a very rare lightweight 8.6 lbs. example, it's a natural finish, it's made better than the Fender, it's worth more money, etc. But, man, it just doesn't play or sound as good as the jazz!! The Stingray is harder to setup, it's just finicky. It has a sweet spot but it's small. Too low, fret buzz, too high, very hard to play. the tone is also somewhat hard to get right, and I only love it on certain days.

The jazz bass just plays like butter no matter what and it sooooo easy to adjust. It sets-up way lower without buzz. It's more versatile. The neck width feels better. Everything just feels and sounds better. Yea, we all wish we could pickup a Stingray and sound like Bernard Edwards, but I just simply don't. But when I pickup that Jazz, that organic Fender sound INSPIRES me to play, and I really do play at my best on this Jazz!

Am I crazy to sell the SR???

 

[jd56hawk]

The Stingray looks great, but if it doesn't feel and play as good as it looks...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

You made your decision; you don’t need us to confirm it for you.

 

[Mike Vee]

The Stingray looks great, but if it doesn't feel and play as good as it looks...

I’m not saying it’s bad. But the jazz is just much easier to get along with.

 

[RSmith]

Plus 1 for the J
I had a really sweet USA Sterling that I loved at the house, but I took both to a gig and the Jazz just sounds way better to me (inspiring me to play!), and all the same things ran through my head, better bass, easier to play ect.. but for me the J stayed and the MM got re-homed! Cute pup by the way!

 

[Mike Vee]

Plus 1 for the J
I had a really sweet USA Sterling that I loved at the house, but I took both to a gig and the Jazz just sounds way better to me (inspiring me to play!), and all the same things ran through my head, better bass, easier to play ect.. but for me the J stayed and the MM got re-homed! Cute pup by the way!

Yea man, the Jazz just sounds so good - and it has at the least about 3 or 4 amazing tones that are easy to dial in. I run it with TI flats and it can go from warm and saturated, to grindy and bright, to burpy and mid-heavy. Love it.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I hope that Ray finds a good home. It’s someone’s huckleberry.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I played a Stingray for 18 years, and it sort of stopped “doing it for me” after a while.
It’s funny to see a lot of my posts from around 2008-2010 complaining about how I started hating its tone. It has this midrange that I couldn’t dial out, and it grew on me like a fungus.
But I absolutely LOVE my Jazz basses.

 

[Pilgrim]

BEAUTIFUL puppy! Congratulations.

But the $3500 price tag also makes the case for rescue dogs. That's all I've ever owned.

 

[FRoss6788]

You've found your bass, don't feel guilty about it.

You're lucky to have found an instrument which clearly speaks to you and inspires you to play.

Rock that J and sell the 'Ray

 

[Clark Westfield]

I have an 11’ American Special.

One of the best necks I have played.

You know my answer.

 

[FRoss6788]

FWIW, I have had several 'Rays and a Sterling, I really didn't like the tone of me playing them. I love the sound of others playing 'rays, but not me.

Great basses, just not for me, P' & J's for me.

 

[FRoss6788]

...and that puppy could NOT be any cuter...

 

[chris_b]

Burst and tort. . . . decision made easy.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

get the setup done by a pro on the stingray id say, just cause they shouldnt be that finnicky, the truss wheel definitely makes it tempting to lean heavily on truss rod adjustments for a setup but the bass could need a shim to give it a little more travel in the sweet spot.

 

[Slade N]

I think youre crazy spending $3500 on a puppy, but its your money do with it what you want….keep the bass that you bond with

 

[Corigan]

If I had to choose between my classic ray 5 and my jazz bass, the ray would be gone. I love them both but My J bass is something special. It's what I learned on , cut my teeth on and feels like home everytime I pick it up. Just mho.

 

[CaribooBass]

You have to be careful with an Aussidoodle…..,especially the Mini’s!

They are devout followers of Yo Yo Ma ,Itzhak Perlman and the Sex Pistols.

This means you will have to remove the Frets on your Jazz Bass, memorize all classical music standards and dye your hair purple.

Just thought you should know.

 

[Hot Rats]

I have 2010 Classic Ray that every time I take it out of the closet and open the case to play it, it blows my mind on why I don't use it more. Then I pick up the AVRI '62 Jazz and all is understood. The Ray goes back into storage. I really should sell it. Nice looking dog you got there.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I have been struggling with which of these basses to keep for quite some time, months in fact, and today I have made a decision - keep the Jazz bass. I am not keeping both, so please do not suggest that. It's not possible for space reasons in my apartment, and financial reasons - just bought a $3500 puppy, amongst other reasons. I do not want too many basses. Just a P-bass and one other.

2006 Stingray: (8.6 lbs)
View attachment 5045795

2011 American Special Jazz Bass: (8.5 lbs)
View attachment 5045796

2023 Mini Aussiedoodle: (9.2 lbs as of today)
View attachment 5045797

Throughout my decision making process, I kept telling myself "keep the Stingray." It looks cooler, it's mint condition, it's a very rare lightweight 8.6 lbs. example, it's a natural finish, it's made better than the Fender, it's worth more money, etc. But, man, it just doesn't play or sound as good as the jazz!! The Stingray is harder to setup, it's just finicky. It has a sweet spot but it's small. Too low, fret buzz, too high, very hard to play. the tone is also somewhat hard to get right, and I only love it on certain days.

The jazz bass just plays like butter no matter what and it sooooo easy to adjust. It sets-up way lower without buzz. It's more versatile. The neck width feels better. Everything just feels and sounds better. Yea, we all wish we could pickup a Stingray and sound like Bernard Edwards, but I just simply don't. But when I pickup that Jazz, that organic Fender sound INSPIRES me to play, and I really do play at my best on this Jazz!

Am I crazy to sell the SR???

JB + pedals can get just about anything done.
+1 for keeping the JB!