Stingray 5 or Fender Jazz Deluxe V

Many people say that the Jazz is a more versatile instrument, and I can't say that I can argue.

A Jazz bass has that crisp sound that many people love. I am not one of them. My Stingray has a tighter B string, and is a hell of a lot lighter. Not only that, I like the sound much more. A SR has growl like few others, and will cut through the rest of the mix to be heard clearly, or not if you prefer. It also has a very good active pre-amp that gives a lot of versatility in itself. I find I can get a fairly good approximation of a P-bass sound or Jazz bass using the correct pre-amp and switching settings, however, that's only really a fair approximation at best. They are different beasts. That's basically why I love the SR, but I strongly suggest checking out a lot of SRs. The MIM won't differ TOO strongly in sound from a MIA, but I would suggest looking for one before your final decision. If you like the MIM Jazz more then a SR already, then it's probably gonna be the same if not more.

 

I'd go with then Fender! I like having 2 pickups!

 

Fender for sure. The Ray is a bit of a one trick pony. I personally think they (Ray 5s) sound and look like crap.

 

Fender does not make a very good 5 string... the b-string is very rubbery. I think that there are many other options out there... I'm a stingray fan, but the overall tone range is more limited. You might just have to play quite a few basses and see what's for you.

 

construction - the MM wins hands down, no questions asked as far as i'm concerned. had a p-bas deluxe. there was play in the machine heads which i was told by more than one technition "that's just the way fender heads are", there were problems with the pots, i had to glue the straplocks in... in comparison to my MM the fender literally felt like a toy.

sound - that's a personal thing. i prefer the MM sound over any.

versatility - the jazz bass will do more, but it'll NEVER sound like a MM .

 

My main bass is a StingRay5 so take these words as you will. I have never played a MIA Jazz 5. The Ray5 isn't a one trick pony. I know this has been said and probably beat to death but the tone is in the hands, especially w/a 1 pickup bass. The construction of the bass feels like a tank. Nothing on it feels cheap. I only have 1 complaint and that's when i have the selector switch towards the neck it's a really drastic drop in volume-yeah, i could get it fixed but it doesn't bug me as i hardly ever play it in that setting. The final thing i will say is If you can play one, with regards to the Ray5, i played one-loved it, came back a few months later and ordered one. That's all

 

i agree with CMs statements...

funnny though, the selector switch in the neck position is the most powerful one on my bass, and the one i use most. maybe ya wanna get that fixed.

ohhh...i'm also not really being fair here. i'm talking about a 4 string sterling, but i believe their REAL similar to the stingray 5s.

one trick pony - i agree, you can actually get TONS of different sounds out it. the sounds somehow however always seem to retain the same character - can't really explain what i mean by this though. maybe someone else can. i can't get my MM to sound anything like my warwick, or the P-bass I sold. But by the same token, those basses will never sound like the MM. i realize too that you can say this about just about any bass, but there's something more characteristic about the MM (IMO) than the others. i hope that made a little sense.

 

Hmmm....Maybe that is something i need to get looked at. Oh well, I use the mid position or bridge position most of the time on mine-i find that those have the most bite where as the neck position is the most round.

I agree that it's the same basic character but with a little bit of a change. There is enough change for me w/the preamp & tap to go from a ballad [uprightish plucking over the neck w/tap in neck position] to a nice Latin-Funk tone [coil tap in bridge position, mids boosted].

To my knowledge the Sterling and Ray5 are very similar if not identical in the electronics department. I know that the SR5/Sterling debate has gone on many times before so i won't start a new one. That's all

 

Congrats on the bass! But replace that ugly pearloid! And if those are in US dollars, that's a great deal. The bass new retails for $1800. Add $100 for headstock, $50 for pickguard, and that's $1950! Are you sure it was new?

PS: Bwa haha! Victory to Stingrayers!

 

congratulations!

i am very jealous.

great buy, too. if you're like me you'll buy the fender also - and then you'll sell it . if you do start jonesing for the fender ask people's opinion here (if you can't check them out for yourself) on the mexican vs the american. i've played them both and for the money difference i'd go for the mexican.... hey, look at me, a MM guy pushing a Fender. I take it back. I don't like Fenders. I think the ONLY reason they sell is because of their history. IMO if they one day decided to change their name to something unknown, they'd never ever sell another bass.

i will own a bongo bass soon! (must continue affirming that)

 

Afroman-Congrats on the Ray5. That is a really great price. I paid $1400 for mine. [cherry sunburst, black pg, maple board, case [and the goodies inside], and a T-shirt] I like the finish you got if i remember it correctly. Really similar to the now discontinued Burnt Apple.

Here's a thread where people have posted their Rays.
StingRay Color
Joe-If they ever make the Bongo in a Fretless, money permitting, i will pick one up.

edit: that link is cued up to where my pictures are, you need to take it back to the first page to see them all.

 

I have them both.....but I prefer the wider spacing on the American Deluxe, and it's tonal range. I also really like the Stingray sound..buy both

 

I recently got a Fender American Jazz Deluxe 5 and have fallen in love with it. It can get all sorts of sounds with the two pickups and pre-amp, the slightly smaller body makes it very comfortable, it is a good complement to my JBass 4. I've had a lot of basses but no MM so I can't compare, can only say I really like the Fender a lot.

 

Didn't we have this exact same thread about a month ago?