My best-sounding bass has two split coil soap bar pickups. My second-best (by a hair) has a P/J config.
Why limit yourself to the old standard P, J or MM pickups and positions? Try it all, see what works best for you.
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Stingray vs. P or J bass... Which and why?
- Thread starter Joe Bennett
- Start date
Why limit yourself to the old standard P, J or MM pickups and positions? Try it all, see what works best for you.
P.
Pickup tone, looks, ergonomics, and neck size.
Has everything I need, and nothing I don't, almost all the time. Sits right on my body. Sounds perfect for nearly everything.
I only play other basses because I like some variety in looks from time to time.
Pickup tone, looks, ergonomics, and neck size.
Has everything I need, and nothing I don't, almost all the time. Sits right on my body. Sounds perfect for nearly everything.
I only play other basses because I like some variety in looks from time to time.
Blond, brunette, redhead?
I like steak too but sometimes chicken is sublime.
PJ gets you the best of both Precision and a Jazz (mostly), so if I had to choose only one, that would be it. All of them are awesome. I am fortunate enough to own at least one of each.
I like steak too but sometimes chicken is sublime.
PJ gets you the best of both Precision and a Jazz (mostly), so if I had to choose only one, that would be it. All of them are awesome. I am fortunate enough to own at least one of each.
Stingray for me.
Why, because it has a tone I love, and its very burpy, articulate tone sits in a mix very well, and cuts through and lets you know it's a Stingray.
Yes, some will say its tone is too forward or dominant, but that's the tone I love.
I can't stop praising this little box, but the Empress Para EQ can tame a Stingray about as much as it can be tamed.
Mike
Why, because it has a tone I love, and its very burpy, articulate tone sits in a mix very well, and cuts through and lets you know it's a Stingray.
Yes, some will say its tone is too forward or dominant, but that's the tone I love.
I can't stop praising this little box, but the Empress Para EQ can tame a Stingray about as much as it can be tamed.
Mike
I'm sure most of you are familiar with the tone of a Stingray, but for people who are not, listen to Smooth Opertor or Mr. Wrong, by Sade.
Or Rise, by Herb Alpert.
Mike.
Or Rise, by Herb Alpert.
Mike.
If you asked me twenty five years ago, I’d have said “I don’t care, play what you what, dude.”
If you asked me twenty years ago, I’d have said “neither, get a Warwick and be done with it!”
If you asked me ten years ago, I’d have said “P bass, flats or rounds, all you need.”
If you asked me two years ago, I’d have said “jazz. I can almost do a P with with a jazz, and more!”
If you asked me today, I’d reply “I don’t care, play what you want, dude.”
All snark aside, I’ve found my home in all of them at various times. Currently, I’m playing mostly Sandberg basses, which offer a compromise between all of these options.
If you asked me twenty years ago, I’d have said “neither, get a Warwick and be done with it!”
If you asked me ten years ago, I’d have said “P bass, flats or rounds, all you need.”
If you asked me two years ago, I’d have said “jazz. I can almost do a P with with a jazz, and more!”
If you asked me today, I’d reply “I don’t care, play what you want, dude.”
All snark aside, I’ve found my home in all of them at various times. Currently, I’m playing mostly Sandberg basses, which offer a compromise between all of these options.
I recently picked up a MusicMan Caprice to solve just this dilemma.
I own all 3. If you must pick one - I believe it should be the jazz. By far the most versatile and I love the faster neck.
I've owned two of each. Well technically my latest P is on its way, arriving Wednesday. My first P was the only one I lamented selling. Hence my new P.
Back in the slap happy 90s, it had to be a Stingray. My latest Stingray didn't do it for me. I gave it 5 years. I guess my tastes have changed.
This thread should've been a poll. I bet P would've come out on top.
Also, personally for me... P/J configurations do neither well.
Back in the slap happy 90s, it had to be a Stingray. My latest Stingray didn't do it for me. I gave it 5 years. I guess my tastes have changed.
This thread should've been a poll. I bet P would've come out on top.
Also, personally for me... P/J configurations do neither well.
P-bass, if I were to pick one of those three.
But then I don't own a P anymore, I own a Rick 4003 & 2 Maton P/J basses.
Once you've had a Rick..... oh man
But then I don't own a P anymore, I own a Rick 4003 & 2 Maton P/J basses.
Once you've had a Rick..... oh man
Smooth Operator for sure but Rise..Nope- It was Abe Laboriel on his Yamaha BB3000I'm sure most of you are familiar with the tone of a Stingray, but for people who are not, listen to Smooth Opertor or Mr. Wrong, by Sade.
Or Rise, by Herb Alpert.
Mike.
I have 4 Ps, a jazz, and a Stingray.
My answer is P-basses but it depends.
I use a P-bass 90% of the time. I have two that I gig with, a 63 /64 that sits in its case, and then one with flats I gig with.
But sometimes a Stingray works better. Longer cable runs, active Preamps, more articulation.
I only run my jazz bass as a backup to my stingray.
My answer is P-basses but it depends.
I use a P-bass 90% of the time. I have two that I gig with, a 63 /64 that sits in its case, and then one with flats I gig with.
But sometimes a Stingray works better. Longer cable runs, active Preamps, more articulation.
I only run my jazz bass as a backup to my stingray.
Have owned a few of each, and always come back to the Stingray 5. You asked why, and for me the neck profile of the Ray 5 is wayyyyy more comfortable than either the "Fender" Jazz or P 5. Why Fender chose a 1.875" nut on their 5 strings is beyond me, just too uncomfortable, feels like I am wrapping my hand around the head of a cricket bat. Weird that many of their 4 string jazz basses have quite a narrow nut width, but not the 5 strings. Also, the tone of the Ray ticks all the right boxes for me.
Both great instruments, just different.
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I'll add something that hasn't been said... I do own all three, but my StingRay is an Old Smoothie, so a bit 'rounder' than a trad SR. The Jazz is a '63, the Pbass a '74.
I have to say this: The StingRay is a better built instrument and easier to play. No contest.
I took my Precision and 'Ray to a gig (funk/R&B, disco), and after the first set on my Pbass I had to put it away. The 'Ray is so much easier to play and slays in those genres. And believe me...I really wanted the Pbass to work out. and that Old Smoothie can easily cop a Pbass sound, but not really the Jbass sound.
I have to say this: The StingRay is a better built instrument and easier to play. No contest.
I took my Precision and 'Ray to a gig (funk/R&B, disco), and after the first set on my Pbass I had to put it away. The 'Ray is so much easier to play and slays in those genres. And believe me...I really wanted the Pbass to work out. and that Old Smoothie can easily cop a Pbass sound, but not really the Jbass sound.
Stingray all the way. I'm a sucker for active on-board EQ. I've had a Jazz before and it was a great bass, but the SRS I own right now plays and sounds like a dream 
