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Selling the Stingray, Keeping the Jazz - thoughts?

#81
Good choice, IMO. I'd probably do the same thing. Here's our 13 year-old puppy. :) She cost us about $1200 in vet bills last month and that's becoming typical. So I can empathize with your decision to prioritize the needs of your dog over music gear. Congrats on the new puppy.

upload_2023-4-29_8-49-20.png
 
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#87
Back when I was looking for a bass to take me to the next level, I had a couple of Stingrays and some J basses pass through my hands. I wound up with a Peavey Dyna fiver and was mostly happy until I tried a brand new version of a Jazz when Fender came out with a J Plus in 1990. It took almost a year after I first tried one before I finally got one but once I did, it was my only bass for ten busy years. It’s still my number 1, but I can’t really play a long scale anymore so I’m agonizing over getting rid of it. I’m learning to play a Mustang with only three functioning fingers on my left hand and it’s going OK, but for some reason I can’t muster the indifference to off load my old J Plus.
 
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#88
The combo of plays/sounds better for your needs makes it a no-brainer to keep the jazz.

Think of it like a car you need for transportation. Would you keep the one that is maybe less valuable but runs and drives exactly like you want? Or the one that’s rarer, but occasionally underperforms or feels off to you?
 
#90
I'm more of a rescue cat kind of guy.
But I would probably concur to keep the J & lose the Ray.
Depends on the specimens in question of course. I haven't given up hope on eventually getting the right 2-band Ray. (Other MMs have have come & gone. I tried a friend's Classic for a minute and thought this I could totally do.)
But my J is my undisputed #1. It sonically does what I wish every other bass would do. And the offset contour body looks super cool to me.
 
#94
Mike Vee said:
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???
Click to expand...

No. This is not a bass A vs bass B situation. You selling it because you brought another being into your life, and a dang nice one I myself would love to spend some time with.

BTW, What breed is it?
 
#95
Mike Vee said:
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???
Click to expand...
Sounds like you picked the Jazz over the Ray for the right reasons.
And congratulations on your new little friend!
 
#96
It sounds like for your ears, and your specific basses, the decision is made. Personally I've had the exact opposite experience, every Stingray I've played(even the $299 imports) have sounded exactly like the sound I hear in my head. Conversely, I've played about 50 jazz basses in my life and exactly 1 of them sounded decent to me(a stack knob Flea sig.). Obviously it's a me problem, as plenty of folks, including some of my heroes, make a jazz sound great.
 
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#97
I self-identify as a jazz bass guy, so I get it. I've had several very nice Stingrays, but they don't really do it for me the way a jazz does.

If you're really still on the fence about this, try the following thought experiment: The Fire Department is banging on your door telling you that you have 30 seconds to evacuate. You scoop up the puppy in one arm, which leaves your other arm free to carry only one bass. Remember, only 30 seconds to decide.... which bass do you choose?

Bass aside, I'll bet the puppy has a nice, sleek feel, a sweet growl, and a good midrange bark. ;)
 
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#99
Corigan said:
OP said he was keeping his P. I will never let my P go either, magical. I won't let my ray or J go either. I'm keeping the Leo trinity. I could sell all my other basses and be perfectly happy with the P, J, and ray 5.

That puppy is adorable. $3500 makes me weep though. I got my newest pup for free as the credit card machine at the pound was down that day. More power to the OP though, no judgement, and the eyes of that Puppy scream take me home.
Click to expand...
Best dogs in life are free!
 
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