I'm buying a forever bass this income tax season. I want something reliable sturdy and built to last. With great customer support if needed. I chose the MM Stingray or the Fender Elite Jazz. Which would you chose?
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I narrowed it down to two
- Thread starter matty4string
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Stingray because that is what I have, totally biased response of course. 
All joking aside Rays are extremely well made but try em both to see which "speaks" to you.
All joking aside Rays are extremely well made but try em both to see which "speaks" to you.
I have a stingray 5 and an American Standard and American FSR jazz bass. They all play and sound fantastic and are top quality. Can't find a single fault. For what I do I prefer the jazz bass, and also I prefer passive pickups. I get enough control over bass and treble by balancing the pickups and with the tone knob. The stingray 5 is also brutally heavy. The jazz bass sounds great no matter how you set the knobs. You can easily EQ a bad sound with the musicman. I think a truly great instrument not only looks and feels amazing and is rock solid, but sounds great no matter how you set the knobs.
I've had a Jazz V...although an Squier VMJV. I installed a high-mass bridge and preamp, and I absolutely love it.
However, I just played a Stingray at GC a half hour ago, and I couldn't put it down. This is a very tough choice you're up against....
However, I just played a Stingray at GC a half hour ago, and I couldn't put it down. This is a very tough choice you're up against....
I have owned a MM Ray and a FSR Jazz... Just started playing my JJ Squier Jazz again after getting my SR1800&SRFF806... Gotta say, I am digging the Jazz again. Between a noiseless pup Elite Jazz and MM, I'm voting for Jazz.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
This is your "forever" bass. start going to stores and try them out. When you find the one you want, but THAT specific instrument, even if it costs a few dollars more.
Get the Ray in the HH pickup configuration and the second position on the five way toggle will give you a jazz tone that's better than an actual jazz. I'm a big advocate of the MM HH models with a five way switch. Essentially you get a p, a classic ray, a jazz, a scooped jazz and an incredibly clean double humbucked tone. Very versatile, far moreso than the jazz.
AngelCrusher
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Classic Stingray over Elite Jazz for me. The Stingray is the better active bass IMO. I'd try them both though. The Classic, IMO has a better neck and a really punchy and responsive sound. It sounds like a longer scale bass, even though it is a 34. I absolutely love it.
They're both credible basses, but different. Personally, I really like stingrays, but between the two, it's just a question of taste
it depends....your OP is too vague: What genres do you play? What techniques do you utilize (slap, fingers, tap)? Are you Swiss Army or Set-It-And-Forget-It? Prefer darker or lighter tones? What string types do you prefer?
I'd get a '63 AVRI Precision Bass. But between those two, I'd say the Jazz, though Rays are certainly nice basses. I'd say the Jazz is a bit more versatile, but i have and like both.
Thats why i got the HH myself! Most versatile bass on the planet!
My vote goes towards the Ray. I hate the HH model though. It doesn't sound bad, it sounds great but that second hum bucker makes it very difficult to slap with.
If it were me, I'd be looking at the Sterling or G&L's offerings as well.
If it were me, I'd be looking at the Sterling or G&L's offerings as well.
