What Would You Do?

Keep the Ray -- it's foolish to downgrade your fretted. Look for a USED Squier, Yamaha or Ibanez fretless -- you should be able to find one for less than $200.

 

If you could sell and get both a Squier CV Jazz and Squier VM fretless Jazz, then I'm not sure that could be considered downgrading.

If it's this Squier Jazz:



then every one I've played at GC was every bit as nice in build quality and sound as any Ray34/35 I've tried. It's a matter of what sound you're looking for. The new Squier's are very nice for the money.

 

That's a tough one. I'm a big fan of the MM 'Ray and ATK type basses but then I also have j and p basses and couldn't think of parting with them either. I'd have to say that you should keep the Ray34 and as you can afford them get a fretless, a fretted j and a fretted p.

IMHO they're all good to have in one's arsenal.

 

*I* would keep the Ray!
I've tried several of the Squier VM and I just didn't like it's tone or it's feel, I just can't get past whatever that fingerboard is they use.
Find some other fretless.

 

Wasn't WWYD a follow up show to Double Dare but with pie instead of gak? Still had Mark Sommers though. I met him once at a function the food network put on for my old unit in 29 Palms.

Sorry, ADD. Go try out some fretless basses, and if they are in your price range, buy one. If not, go try to find a used one. If that doesn't work and you are stuck on fretless, then it may be time to drop the Ray34, but I'd hold off until you know you need to. I hate bass loss remorse syndrome, and I have a lot of experience in that department.

 

I don't see a reason for a fretted backup. What about swapping to to fretless Stingray?

 

Do you have a fretless? How'd you "get into" fretless if you don't have one?

Keep the Ray if you love it. Buy a cheap used fretless. I see them all the time on Craigslist for dirt cheap...

I got my VM Squier fretless for $150 from a guy on CL

 

If you're 100% positive that you're a "fretless guy" from here on out, can you mod the Stingray into a fretless? A neck-swap and the electronics switchout (Audere) you mentioned would allow you to play your favorite bass AND fretless...a "have your cake and eat it too" situation.
I would go with a cheaper fretted bass, as it will be a backup of sorts, and the sound may not be as crucial as that of the fretless.

 

OK, you said "slappy tones" so you WILL want a fretted.

Now I get to sound like your parent:

What's the hurry? Play your Stingray, enjoy your playing, and save up for the bass you really want. It gives you more time to look, listen, and try.

 

I still say try and snag a used Squier VM fretless...with a good setup, it's a real GAS to play (puns intended)

 

if you already have a fretless, get it fixed up.

if you don't have a fretless, don't spend a whole lot of money on one, it may not be what you think.

my suggestion: only sell a bass if you don't like it and never use it. i assume you like your Ray, so don't sell it! save up, and look for USED gear. life and money saver!

 

Does the fingerboard material matter to you? Like wood or ebonol? Lined or not? Body wood?

 

Well, if you're too impatient to save up for a fretless Stingray, you can spend $300 and get a Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz or an Ibanez SR300 fretless. They both have agathis bodies and lined ebonol fingerboards. I haven't heard the Squier but I have the 5 string version of the Ibanez and it sounds great. The Squier has single coil pickups and the Ibanez has humbuckers.

Of coarse, this will put you $300 further away from your Stingray.