US Pbass Deluxe vs Stingray

[gregovertone]

sooo, im finally gonna take the bass plunge.

 

im a guitar player, but its time for me to get a bass rig. i could prolly play out more often.

 

i would like some real bass players opinions on these:

 

fender us P-bass Deluxe

-4 string

 

vs.

 

EB stingray

-4 string

 

==========

*whats the story on maple vs rosewood boards on these.

*how are the pickups?

*anything else to consider?

[Kdogg]

You'll probably hate hearing this cliche, but you won't go wrong with either one. I absolutely love my p-bass deluxe, and I have played the ernie ball, which is a wonderful instrument as well. Play them both yourself, should be pretty easy to a/b these two basses at any guitar center, and then decide which one you prefer.

 

Now you've given me gas to add that ernie ball to my guitar collection:love:

 

Late

[82Daion]

I'd try the new MM Stingray HH before you go for the P Deluxe. It's probably better built and more versatile for around the same price, and it looks cooler too.

[willsellout]

Stingray..period.

 

 

Dan

[Jiggo]

Not to downplay the greatness of a pbass, but Ive always viewed a pbass as boring. Its a great, legendary instrument, but if I had a choice betwen a pbass and a stingray, i'd go for the stingray. Get a MIM pbass later

[sunburstbasser]

Get an SUB and one of the better MIM Ps or some other P bass entirely.

 

Why choose?

[syciprider]

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Get an SUB and one of the better MIM Ps or some other P bass entirely. Why choose?

 

IIRC the SUB does not share the Ray's awesome preamp. The beauty of the Ray is you can make very significant EQ adjustments without going to the amp.

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by syciprider IIRC the SUB does not share the Ray's awesome preamp. The beauty of the Ray is you can make very significant EQ adjustments without going to the amp.

 

 

Same preamp as the 2-band Stingray and the one I played worked VERY well considering.

 

My Cort is actually a knock-off of a Ray, with a 2-band preamp. It sounds good to me, but I can definately see where a mid knob can come in handy. The SUB was just a little better at sounding like a Ray, better preamp I think.

[Jiggo]

I just cant stand how the SUBs look. That black neck and headstock drives me nuts. It looks like its made out of plastic or something. As far as sound goes, i think they sound pretty nice however.

[bville]

I own both, so here's a little insight. The P-bass is mellower but still dishes out plenty of bark and bite. The Stingray is a tone monster. Some claim that the Ray is limited tone-wise, but I've used it in gigs ranging from Jazz, blues, country, pop and even tejano. Of all the basses I own, the Ray is the smoothest, and easiest to play (I have all my basses set up by a pro). The Ray also looks great on stage - other bass players know you are serious about your instruments. By now you've figured out which one is my favorite, but don't discount the P-bass; it is a utilitarian bass with plenty of possibilities. As always, let your ears and hands decide which bass is right for you.

[zenfascist]

 

Originally posted by Jiggo I just cant stand how the SUBs look. That black neck and headstock drives me nuts. It looks like its made out of plastic or something. As far as sound goes, i think they sound pretty nice however.

 

 

It's graphite I think. I don't like it either.

 

As far as choosing the bass.......just try them both and decide. They're both around the same level as far as sound and build quality goes, so it's going to be a matter of personal preference.

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by zenfascist It's graphite I think. I don't like it either. As far as choosing the bass.......just try them both and decide. They're both around the same level as far as sound and build quality goes, so it's going to be a matter of personal preference.

 

 

Black paint. The discontinued graphite-necked Stingray was the Cutlass, I believe.

[zenfascist]

 

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Black paint. The discontinued graphite-necked Stingray was the Cutlass, I believe.

 

 

Blech, even worse. Why the hell wouldn't they just leave the neck alone?

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by zenfascist Blech, even worse. Why the hell wouldn't they just leave the neck alone?

 

 

Ever played a graphite-necked instrument?

 

EDIT: You were talking about the SUB, weren't you?

 

Its still a smooth neck. The SUB isn't about aesthetics, its a value Ray. Paint keeps the price down from the satin Stingray neck.

[zenfascist]

 

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Ever played a graphite-necked instrument? EDIT: You were talking about the SUB, weren't you? Its still a smooth neck. The SUB isn't about aesthetics, its a value Ray. Paint keeps the price down from the satin Stingray neck.

 

 

Yes, I was talking about the SUB. I like instruments with graphite necks.

 

So it costs less to paint the neck than it does to do a satin finish? That's interesting.....

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by zenfascist Yes, I was talking about the SUB. I like instruments with graphite necks. So it costs less to paint the neck than it does to do a satin finish? That's interesting.....

 

 

Basically. The SUB is made of poplar, which is slightly cheaper, and only has the 2-band preamp. But the biggest cost-saving things are:

 

1. Body is a slab body, not sculpted like the Ray.

2. Finish is basically 3 coats of something really hard, instead of lots of very carefully applied coats like the Ray.

3. The painted neck is faster/cheaper than the satin neck and the fretboard can be painted too to make finishing even easier.

 

I find the painted neck may slightly affect the tone. Its still a smooth neck, but not as buttery as the real deal.

[gregovertone]

thanks for the quick responses!

 

i do intend on hitting up a couple stores this week.

i want to AB them.

i just wasnt sure if there were any differences a season bass vet would pick up on that i may not.

 

i used to have a mim pbass-- it was ok. didnt wow me. i picked up a usa jazz deluxe V not long after for $300, but someone offered me $800 a month later, so it was expendable.

 

i will probably be playing rock...not jazz or blues.

i like the pbass neck, and the sound of the humbucker. the EB can cover that, but i fear less tonal control.

 

i also just found a USA dlx 4string pbass, blk, maple board $679 shipped. it seems like some of the finish is wearing off at the 18th fret. i can live with that:) very tempting...

 

new bass amp:

[roger hart]

since you're new to bass just a quick tip: set up is everything. I only mention this since you might find yourself A/B ing a Ray and a P.

 

Now, which one? I would have to agree with what one person posted here already- bass vs. bass, the Ray is a better built instrument. Now Fender fans, don't flame me. I'm not saying you can't find a nice one but I've never seen the consistant quality that MM has on any production built instrument.

 

Neck joints are tight, the fret work rivals many custom built basses and their wood selection is very good too.

[theoriz]

 

Originally posted by willsellout Stingray..period. Dan

 

 

+1. Period.

[bassmanatlarge]

From my experience as soundman doing live mixxes...Stingray:thu:

[J the D]

Fender has the sound that all the others try to emulate. Stick with the original and you'll never go wrong.

 

FENDER RULZ!

[bassmanatlarge]

Originally posted by J the D Fender has the sound that all the others try to emulate.

We do???

[willsellout]

I know a lot of people really try and emulate those gorgeous dead spots on the G strings between the 4-7 frets.

 

 

Dan

[J the D]

Originally posted by willsellout I know a lot of people really try and emulate those gorgeous dead spots on the G strings between the 4-7 frets. Dan

 

Guess I missed that one. My bass sounds quite good all up and down the G string, and the D string and the A string and the E string, too.

[oldivor]

p-bass IMHO.

I love mine.