Stingray or Jazz. Pros & Cons?

[sandman@midlife]

I've got a really nice '62RI Jazz. It was my main bass. It had a good sound, it sounded like a jazz. I tried a SR4 at a music store and loved it. Had to have one. It can do the rock tone, the blues tone, funk, jazz, you can get it out of a Stingray. But then I got a Bongo, and that was all she wrote. The playability and the versatility is just outstanding. Stingray/Bongo, you can't go wrong.

 

[midopa]

The new two pickup SR, STerling, and SR5 models all have a Jazz pickup config (maybe even two, I think) in the pickup selector. So you get your standard two single coils + awesome ballsy MM preamp.

 

[b-unit]

A few years ago i went to a big music store chain store in Vancouver and asked the sales man to demo a bunch of bases for me. I'm a lefty and couldnt play any of them so I thought it might be cool to have someone else play the basses while I just listened for the sound I wanted.

Well the saleperson was pretty into it an he started with an SR4 into an SWR Redhead 2x10 combo set dead flat. I was on the floor in a heartbeat. Everything I had ever wanted in a bass tone was there. he then moved onto an SR5 and I was ready to cry when he laid into the B string. The tone was just so good. It was killing me that I coulnd't afford to order a lefty at the time.

Then the salesperson moved onto a Fender Precision active 5 string. It was actually more expensive then the EBMM's and had a big double humbucker in the bridge position. It was no contest, the Fender just didn't have the growl and depth that both the Stingray's had. The B string was weak and floppy compared to the SR5.

Next was a deluxe active Jazz, Then a Yamaha TRB 5 string, then a few more I've long since forgotten. I had him go back to the SR5 and I couldn't stop smiling. It was all there, everything I wanted to hear.

The sales guy was really into the Fenders but admitted that the EBMM's had their own sound that was very different from the other basses.

I walked out of the store knowing that there was no point in messing around with any other comparisions. The SR5 was going to be something I owned one day.

That was about 1999 or 2000. It wasnt until last March (2006) that my dream came to fruition. I now am the proud owner of a transparant orange SR5 and it is everything I dreamed it would be.

I don't think it matters if you go for a Stingray, Bongo or Sterling, you will be buying an instument that will retain its value, never need to be upgraded or modified and will put a big smile on your face everytime you pick it up.

Bruce

 

[AnthonyD]

I don't think it matters if you go for a Stingray, Bongo or Sterling, you will be buying an instument that will retain its value, never need to be upgraded or modified and will put a big smile on your face everytime you pick it up.

Well said!

 

[russjm]

Thanks again for the input.

I should have my hands on the cash by next week I hope. It's so frustrating seeing basses come and go on ebay that I'd have otherwise bid for, but I can't untill I've got the money. I could overdraft, but if I do that, I just know my buyer for the Les Paul I'm selling will pull out and I'll be sunk, so I'll wait for the money.

There's a nice black ray in London I like the look of, with a maple fretboard, that'd be just great if I could get my hands on it.

I could be within days of losing my EB cherry, I feel like a teenager on a promise.

 

[russjm]

Do you want to know what I've decided on?

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Do you want to know what I've decided on?

Of course - don't leave us dangling man... curious minds and all that...

Cheers

Andy

 

[ekb16b]

if you say a J-bass ur lieing to urself and you know it

but eitherway its ur own opinion

 

[armybass]

the bass has to cut through the mix live, but be flexible.........Is a Stingray, in your opinion, capable of doing what I want?

Not only is it capable, it is the definition, and you already have a jazz.

 

[russjm]

I'll be picking this up next weekend.................

 

[tkarter]

Get ready to be heard.

Congrats on your new bass.

tk

 

[fresnorich]

I'll be picking this up next weekend.................

Two-band 'ray; wise choice.

 

[saxnbass]

Two-band 'ray; wise choice.

You prefer a 2 band over a 3 band? Why?

 

[russjm]

I went for a 2 band because I'm told it's a purer stingray tone.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Do a lap of honour!

Hi mate,

Nice one! Do a lap of honour!!!

I was bidding on a 2 bander on the weekend, but let it go (which I kinda regret) but at least it went to another forum member.

Let us know what you think of it when you've had a chance to put it through its paces.

Cheers

Andy

 

[russjm]

Well, here it is:

I only got it yesterday, but man, it's a dream come true. I've wanted a ray for years, and now I have one, it's awesome.

It's so easy to play, low action, massive output, and what a sound, just fantastic, I couldn't be happier.

The strings it came with are Dean Markley 45-105s, and I quite like them, but I'm going to replace them. I normally use Warwick Black Label 45-105s on my other basses, but I wondered if maybe steels might be a bit bright, I might try Super Slinkys.

 

[saxnbass]

Nice reflection. Dean Markley? Really? Blue Stells? I'm using SR2000s on my Sterling right now, and I'm kinda diggin' it. Will try some Ernie Ball Steels, and I'm going to put some Slinkys on soon too to try out (have them on a Jazz right now).

 

[bassmancb]

That is one good looking Bass you have there. you will have a ball with it!!!!!!

 

[Rano Bass]

Exelent choice!
It reminds me my old 2 band Ray that i miss so much

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[russjm]

Dean Markley? Really? Blue Stells?

Don't know, they feel ok, but I've just ordered some Super Slinkys, so they'll be coming off tomorrow.

Band rehearsal tonight, so I'll really see what this thing can do, I can't wait.