Selling the Stingray, Keeping the Jazz - thoughts?

[58kites]

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???

You should definitely keep the bass that is making you happy.
But you are crazy to buy the $3500 dog when our Austin Animal Shelter has 90 dogs in temporary pop-up crates in addition to the the hundreds that fill their regular kennels.
I know everyone is different, but adopting dogs that are in jail is just the better way to go, in my opinion.

Okay, sorry for being a preachy old man....

 

[bassdude51]

Jazz Basses come pretty close to the sound of a Stingray. With Eqing, even closer yet. So yeah, I can see keeping only the J Bass.

But damn! That's a nice 'Ray and the weight on it is exceptional (you won't have any trouble selling for top dollar, IMHO)! Most of 'em are in the 9 + range. But still, it's a shame to keep a bass just because of how much it weighs. Plus, your J is 8.5 lbs.

Man! Love that dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cute as can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice 'Ray! Real nice 'Ray!

We can't keep 'em all can we? (Or can we?)

 

[Mike Vee]

Thanks for the advice all. I feel very confident about my decision. Maybe in a year or so I will grab a classic Stingray or Stingray Special.

As far as the dog situation and coming from a breeder, well, all dogs need homes. The breeder was extremely reputable and extremely loving and caring. Pine Creek doodles, look it up. My last dog was a rescue so I paid my dues, I have no shame in getting a designer dog this time around!!

 

[shirojiro]

It’s your life and your bass, so picking the one that speaks to you sounds like the right thing.

I have a few Jazz basses and a SR5 and an Ibanez ATK.

I love them all. But if you made me choose, it would be a Jazz bass. It’s been my favorite since the beginning. I love the feel and the tones and the look.

I also prefer passive basses. If I want more tone shaping, I use a preamp pedal or my amplifier controls.

Everyone has their own thing, thank goodness. Your Stingray looks amazing. Someone will call it their #1.

 

[devnulljp]

I love Stingrays but never seem to be able to keep them. They're always first out the door when it comes time to sell something, I don't know why.
The Fenders always win out.

 

[Kahfi92]

I'd sell the stingray and replace a potentiometer in the jazz with push/pull switch for series/parallel

 

[bmusic]

Yeah, I’m about to sell a Ray myself. The jacked tone capabilities are a fun toy, when it comes time to get back to work, I pick up a Fender.

 

[Altitude]

Can’t go wrong with either bass, but if you’re forced to choose one the J is probably the right choice.

In any case neither is a scarcity item and you can buy another stingray later if you want one.

Beautiful dog!

 

[groooooove]

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???

sell the bass and (professional dog trainer speaking): focus the time and energy exposing that puppy to as might sights and sounds as you can.

when the dog grows up to have zero separation anxiety (very common for most doodle types), reward yourself for a job well done with another bass of your choosing

 

[deepestend]

Our doodle has been good for us. My daughter is very allergic and we needed a hypoallergenic dog that was good around little kids. Definitely some rescues in our future, though.

 

[deepestend]

sell the bass and (professional dog trainer speaking): focus the time and energy exposing that puppy to as might sights and sounds as you can.

when the dog grows up to have zero separation anxiety (very common for most doodle types), reward yourself for a job well done with another bass of your choosing

Oh yeah... I started taking mine on the subway right when I got him and he went to work at Sadowsky for years.

 

[waynobass]

just bought a $3500 puppy

Why? They're almost free at the animal shelter.

Am I crazy to sell the SR???

Yes. Unless you prefer the weak twangy Jazz sound over the full gutsy StingRay sound.

 

[Mike Vee]

sell the bass and (professional dog trainer speaking): focus the time and energy exposing that puppy to as might sights and sounds as you can.

when the dog grows up to have zero separation anxiety (very common for most doodle types), reward yourself for a job well done with another bass of your choosing

For sure! Not my first rodeo. My last dog, a rescue, just passed at 17. Happy happy dog the entire time! Dog park every single day. Hiking every weekend. Always spoiled.

 

[Mike Vee]

Oh yeah... I started taking mine on the subway right when I got him and he went to work at Sadowsky for years.

View attachment 5046722 View attachment 5046723

Awesome ! Jeeze we need a doodle club haha.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I'd sell the stingray and replace a potentiometer in the jazz with push/pull switch for series/parallel

Great suggestion. My only passive jazz has this mod & in series gets me closer to p bass territory. Only one volume to contend with too.

 

[Mike Vee]

You should definitely keep the bass that is making you happy.
But you are crazy to buy the $3500 dog when our Austin Animal Shelter has 90 dogs in temporary pop-up crates in addition to the the hundreds that fill their regular kennels.
I know everyone is different, but adopting dogs that are in jail is just the better way to go, in my opinion.

Okay, sorry for being a preachy old man....

It’s ok. Your are definitely right. But when you know you know, this guy was just my dog, period.

 

[Mike Vee]

Yes. Unless you prefer the weak twangy Jazz sound over the full gutsy StingRay sound.

Nah if anything the Stingray sounds weaker. This jazz is warm, full and organic sounding. Sounds ridiculous through UAD B-15/ 1176. Tons of low-mid grind.

 

[FRoss6788]

Nah if anything the Stingray sounds weaker. This jazz is warm, full and organic sounding. Sounds ridiculous through UAD B-15/ 1176. Tons of low-mid grind.

Ya, I never got that either. Jazzes never sound weak to me, quite the opposite in fact

 

[pbassjbass]

Good choices.

 

[Slade N]

$3,500 is a lot for a dog no doubt. But lots of folks on here will spend $3,500 or significantly more for a bass that is essentially a copy of a jazz bass and not bat an eye.

no argument there, its just a question of personal priorities, which is why i said what I said.