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Having Second Thoughts...

K

Koch Sanchez

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Messages
60
I'm a long time guitarist just recently getting into bass. Wanted to get a Fender J-Bass. But when I went to GC to try a few basses out - I came across a graphite pearl Stingray 4 that sounded awesome. I talked the manager down to a VERY reasonable price with no case (I already have a gigbag). Since it seemed like a good deal, and since the bass sounded great I bought it. I'm still kind of thinking about the J though.

Should I keep it or throw it on e-bay - I can't return it because it was on clearance.

Thanks for the input!
 
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three things:

no prices on the forums, house rules buddy.

second: you got an extremely good deal

third: keep it, Do not return it or sell it, keep the bass and enjoy one of the best basses ever made
 
well, I love the Stingray. but everyone's different. "sound" is totally personal

i say you should give the SR a whirl for a bit and see what you think when you've got a week or so of playing it under your belt. IF you have more second thoughts i would sincerely suggest you check out the HH Stingray b/c that thing is pure genious and it has a "j-ish" pup config available thru the 5 way toggle switch, which TO ME, sounds amazing as hell. also ... the fact that there's 5 way switching and an active preamp (that rules) makes the HH SR4 far more versetile than the J.

Now ... the SR4's neck is not like that of a J, more like a P. so, if the neck shape/size is a "thing" for you you may consider checking out a Sterling HH.

I have owned J's and P's before and, this is my option, the MM basses are better ... and the new 2 PUP models are jsut amazing. sooooo much versatility and goodness in there.

so try out the SR4 a bit longer, see what you think. but if the 2nd thoughts persist you should definately try out the 2 pup Rays and/or sterlings.
 
You got it in hand so no use going thru the trouble of selling it off until you're sure. Keep it awhile and get more comfortable with it. While you got it, steal on down to your LMS to try the J every once in awhile. See if that J is really what you want. It's not like it is a wife/mistress situation waiting to blow up in your face. I think you got the better bass currently, but then again, this ain't the F*nd*r forum. :p

There's also the Sterling to consider.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely play it for a bit more this weekend and throughout the next few weeks to get a feel for it. I didn't plan on buying it when I walked in the store but it just sounded so much hotter than the fender basses I tried. Originally wanted a natural or sunburst but for the price, I couldn't pass up the graphite. I tried a few Sterlings and didn't like them as much as the Stingray.
 
Koch Sanchez said:
.......... but it just sounded so much hotter than the fender basses I tried. .......
Click to expand...

Says it all to me!

Give it a while before you decide bud.
 
I'm a long time guitarist just recently getting into bass. Wanted to get a Fender J-Bass. But when I went to GC to try a few basses out - I came across a graphite pearl Stingray 4 that sounded awesome. I talked the manager down to a VERY reasonable price with no case (I already have a gigbag). Since it seemed like a good deal, and since the bass sounded great I bought it. I'm still kind of thinking about the J though.

Should I keep it or throw it on e-bay - I can't return it because it was on clearance.

Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...

Have you had the bass set up for you yet? New strings, action set, etc.?
 
mmm f*nd*r or stingray.... on one hand you have a bass that sounds good, looks good and plays like muddfugga and on the other you have a bass thats sounds alright, is ugly (I hate the look of all f*nde*rs) and sucks to play.... excuse my bias
 
What type of pickguard do you recommend for the graphite pearl color - black looks okay but I may want to change it out? Also what kind of strings sound best? Do flatwounds sound good on a SR?

Thanks again for all of your input!
 
Koch Sanchez said:
What type of pickguard do you recommend for the graphite pearl color - black looks okay but I may want to change it out? Also what kind of strings sound best? Do flatwounds sound good on a SR?

Thanks again for all of your input!
Click to expand...

Flatwounds sound excellent on SR's. Many of the other forumites run flats and can give you further testimonial. They may even teach you the secret handshake (if you are gonna hang on to that SR)
 
Koch Sanchez said:
Also what kind of strings sound best? Do flatwounds sound good on a SR?

Thanks again for all of your input!
Click to expand...

totally up to you. again, its a VERY personal choice. I like rounds ... usually stainless teal to get a zingy bright kinda tone but sometimes i play nickel strings too; but ya, I always use rounds.

currently your bass should have Ernie Ball Super Slinksys on it. I like those strings a lot.

but, its all preference.
 
phatduckk said:
totally up to you. again, its a VERY personal choice. I like rounds ... usually stainless teal to get a zingy bright kinda tone but sometimes i play nickel strings too; but ya, I always use rounds.

currently your bass should have Ernie Ball Super Slinksys on it. I like those strings a lot.

but, its all preference.
Click to expand...


Welcome!

Speaking of flats, I'm going to put a set on my Bongo in just a few.
 
Koch Sanchez said:
it just sounded so much hotter than the fender basses I tried.
Click to expand...

So why exactly are you still thinking about those other basses? I mean, you like the sound of your SR better, of course you should keep it!

Otoh, asking us about advice on EBMM vs non-EBMM isn't going to get you anywhere:D You know, we're here for a reason. Ok, maybe a few reasons, but one BIG reason is we all love and cherish our MusicMan's.
 
I didn't plan on buying it when I walked in the store but it just sounded so much hotter than the fender basses I tried.
Click to expand...

Well, now that statement makes a lot of sense to me. While this IS the EBMM forum, many of us (including the CEO) own other brands of instruments and there is no shame in that.

Okay, okay, a LITTLE shame, but it's really okay.

I myself, Lord Bongo and all that, have a Fender Jazz. A 1962 Reissue in Olympic White, and it's a fine bass.

Only it sits in its case in the closet while the EBMM basses get all the love and attention. There is a reason for that.

But variety is a good thing. Only you know what's right for you, but you got yourself a fine bass at what was apparently a fine price and my advice would be to forget what it was you thought you wanted and go with what you know you like. Make sense?

I just got myself a graphite pearl bass this week; it's been on my list for a while now and I completely love the color. Mine has a black ice pickguard, but I think I'm going to try a moonstone guard. Then a python guard.

I'll show you the results as soon as I get the guards.

Welcome to the forum!

Jack
 
I might consider a python guard for my CAR Bongo, but I'll need to see some pics of it (on any EBMM bass) before I go that route.
 
bovinehost said:
I myself, Lord Bongo and all that, have a Fender Jazz. A 1962 Reissue in Olympic White, and it's a fine bass.

Only it sits in its case in the closet while the EBMM basses get all the love and attention. There is a reason for that.
Click to expand...

In my sig you'll see I have a few Music Man basses (something old and something new), but if you follow the link for my band you'll see I (am forced to) play '62 RI basses in my surf band. My band is going for the traditional, early 60's surf sound.

Have you ever heard what the typical electric bass tone from the early 60's surf bands sounds like? It's very muddy, tubby, and non-distinct. When I want to sound like that I play my '62 RI P, but at all other times I play my Music Man basses.

Nuf said. (IMHO and all that)
 
graphite pearl with moonstone:

hh1.jpg
 
Thanks, Joel. I think I'm going to like my new pickguard, although I will of course hang on to the original black ice guard for historical accuracy.

Have you ever heard what the typical electric bass tone from the early 60's surf bands sounds like? It's very muddy, tubby, and non-distinct. When I want to sound like that I play my '62 RI P, but at all other times I play my Music Man basses.
Click to expand...

What's interesting about that, Todd, is that we play a boatload of early 60s rock and some Hank Williams and even some stuff from the 20s and 30s (we put our own spin on it, mind you). My partner Brian is always hoping that I'll eventually play the Jazz bass or something less, um, 'modern' looking, although he has come to realize that the Bongo sounds better than anything else - ever.

So when I'm going for that 'tuba' tone, I can easily get it from a Bongo strung with flats. With a Jazz, I have to really work the bridge pickup and EQ the living bejeezus out of it to accomplish the same thing.

Sometimes it's about how it looks. That's what drives Brian up the wall, although he refers to the Flaming Biff Bongo as the "Cowpilot Bongo".

So we're making progress, anyway.

And, frankly, if we were going for historical accuracy, I'd have to be jumping all over a doghouse.

Jack
 
bovinehost said:
Well, now that statement makes a lot of sense to me. While this IS the EBMM forum, many of us (including the CEO) own other brands of instruments and there is no shame in that.

Okay, okay, a LITTLE shame, but it's really okay.

I myself, Lord Bongo and all that, have a Fender Jazz. A 1962 Reissue in Olympic White, and it's a fine bass.

Only it sits in its case in the closet while the EBMM basses get all the love and attention. There is a reason for that.

But variety is a good thing. Only you know what's right for you, but you got yourself a fine bass at what was apparently a fine price and my advice would be to forget what it was you thought you wanted and go with what you know you like. Make sense?

I just got myself a graphite pearl bass this week; it's been on my list for a while now and I completely love the color. Mine has a black ice pickguard, but I think I'm going to try a moonstone guard. Then a python guard.

I'll show you the results as soon as I get the guards.

Welcome to the forum!

Jack
Click to expand...

I'm gla that it has so much sentimentalvalue that you are changing it already. It would be like Elvis giving you a car and having Mobay immediately repaint it. BTW I'm not Elvis but can fit in some of his late life jumpsuits.
 
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