Fender vs. MusicMan

[Y-roc?]

Soon I will purchase a bass in the $1,000-$2,000 range and I want Fender Jazz type specs and an active EQ. I've pretty much have it narrowed down to two* basses: 1) Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass (FADJ) and 2) MusicMan Sterling HS (MMS). Which one would you choose and why?

Playability is most important to me, but sound is also very important. I will primarily use this in the studio for home recording projects.

So far I really like the quick neck, low action, solid construction, and beefy bridge of the MMS, but am not too keen on the look, don't care for the MusicMan "growl," it's heavy, the bass feels a bit "petite," and the EQ seems a bit noisy (especially the highs).
I prefer the look and punchy sound of the FADJ but it almost sounds synthetic (especially through headphones), the action is not as impressive as the MMS, the neck is not as quick as the MMS, the bridge seems wimpy, overall it feels a bit flimsy, and I'm worried about the longevity of the neck and wonder about the overall construction of the bass (but especially the neck).

Let the great debate begin. Which bass do you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for your input.

(Also: maple vs. rosewood neck. I like maple, but will maple make either one of these basses too bright?)

*G&L was once in the running but their jazz bass is passive and I recently played an L-2000 and I couldn't coax one decent sound out of it (okay, maybe one). Great looking, though, and fantastically constructed. I wish it sounds like it looks.

[tkozal]

heh..I own both...a 05 Am deluxe, and a 98 or so Sterling, but with a single humbucker. I play the Am Deluxe all the time, the Sterling sits in its case. I like the feel of the Fender neck better, and I think I get many more tonal options than the Sterling.

I did look at the HS Sterlings and Rays when the came out (some HH's) also. I found the switching noisy and the EQ poor. I find the sound of the MM bucker to be too raw, give me a Fender P pup any day.

I have no concerns about the Fender necks, and I like their string thru bridges.

Maple can be brighter than rosewood, but a lot of that is also how you play and what type of strings you use.

I also own a bunch of other Fenders, a 65 J, a 64 P, a 62 Jazz reissue, etc etc etc.. The 2005 Am Deluxe is my main player.

(and at talkbass.com you will get 5 pages of responses to your questions, not much here)

[Y-roc?]

Originally Posted by tkozal

I play the Am Deluxe all the time, the Sterling sits in its case.

That's funny, 'cause I recently read the exact opposite! But, about the tonal variety, I think you're right. For example, type "Fender Jazz" into youtube.com and listen to some slections, and then type "MusicMan Sterling" into youtube.com and listen to some selections. Is it just me, or do the Fender clips all sound a little different and the Sterling clips all sound the same? I feel the same way when I play them at Guitar Center. You can't get away from the Sterling "growl," almost like it's a fretless with slight overdrive. Nice for Funk, not so nice for Indie-type or emo music (and I mean early Sunny Day Real Estate emo, not the crap you hear on the radio today), which is what I do. On the Fender, I can get a wide variety of sounds and I don't seem to hear the EQ like I do on the Sterling. Have you noticed this? Also, I can get a nice sound from the Fender with no EQ, but I have to crank up the Sterling EQ to get the sound I like. Hmmmm....

Any noise issues from the Fender single coils?

Also, have you noticed the "synthetic" sound I mentioned when the Fender is plugged into headphones via an amp? Since I'll use this bass primarily for recording, I'm more concerned with its sound going direct into the board via a DI box.

Thanks for your input!

(And about talkbass.com, did you mean that someone already posted on this very subject and that there are numerous replies already waiting for me to read, or just that if I posted this on talkbass.com that I'm likely to get more replies than I've recieved here?)

[tkozal]

you will get a lot more replys on talkbass, but then there are a lot of Fender bashers

the Am Deluxe pups are noiseless...I wouldn't call the headphone sound of an am deluxe synthetic, its just cleaner than a Sterling, and more modern than a jazz passive sound...

[Y-roc?]

What, no one likes this topic? Not too many people at Talkbass are biting either. I guess the "vs." threads are annoying.

Anyway, if you have any experience on this subject, I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

[Bassomatic]

The best of both worlds. Great basses for the dough:

http://www.lakland.com/basses/44-02.htm

[tkozal]

heh! I was going to say: What happened on talkbass...a bunch of guys tell you you were a fool, and should buy a Lakland, a korean made one at that?

bwaahahahahahaha

the Musicman pup is really a P based thing, a Jazz bass pup is a different thing to me...a better comp are P's and Musicman..but as I said, I am not a fan of the MM humbucker..tooo raw....

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by tkozal

heh! I was going to say: What happened on talkbass...a bunch of guys tell you you were a fool, and should buy a Lakland, a korean made one at that?

Heads up - it doesn't mnatter what country the cad cam machine is in.

[Y-roc?]

Originally Posted by Bassomatic

Heads up - it doesn't mnatter what country the cad cam machine is in.

Funny!!!

Lakland isn't shy about telling you the difference between the Skyline series and the American mades: http://www.lakland.com/skyline_vs_us.htm

Some of those things don't matter to me, but some are why I want American quality not overseas corner-cutting. But, for $1,300 how "bad" can they be? I wish the Skyline 44-02 had a 1.5" neck. Then I'd seriously consider going the Lakland route.

Anyone play the Skyline 44-02s? Do they sound too bass-solo-ish? or can they produce some good rock/indie tones? The online audio files (http://www.lakland.com/audio.htm) sound nice, but I tend not to trust internet audio.

[cwdaniel]

Originally Posted by Y-roc?

What, no one likes this topic? Not too many people at Talkbass are biting either. I guess the "vs." threads are annoying.

Anyway, if you have any experience on this subject, I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

Ok my .02, can't be worth much more at this point. For several years I've a MIA Jazz V Deluxe as my main player and a nameless asian origin Jackson as a backup. The Jackson neck is toast and may never be heard from again. So a few weeks ago I went looking for another second, with a better budget this time. I came home with a Music Man SR 5 HH.

Wow!

The Jazz has probably become second fiddle, but never out of the picture.
Maybe I'm just infatuated with the new one right now, but it's very enjoyable to play and hear.

[tkozal]

feh...American vs Korean, Fender MIA vs MM MIA vs Lakland Korea...Either the MM or the Fender...not a fan of those Laklands...wood issues, metal issues, I don't like the sound of any I have played...to ibby for me.


funny guy...not....

Y-Roc, see I told ya so!

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by Y-roc?

Funny!!!

Lakland isn't shy about telling you the difference between the Skyline series and the American mades: http://www.lakland.com/skyline_vs_us.htm

Some of those things don't matter to me, but some are why I want American quality not overseas corner-cutting.

What corner cutting? Flat sawn necks? Heavier woods?

Granted, I prefer their US models, but the Skyline line is damned consistent from bass to bass. Moreso than MM and Fender, imo, and I've played and owned quite a few basses (including the 3 brands being discussed).

Here's an idea - why not get a *used* US Lakland - no issues, there, and will easily trump a Fender or MM in build quality, setup and playability.

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by tkozal

feh...American vs Korean, Fender MIA vs MM MIA vs Lakland Korea...Either the MM or the Fender...not a fan of those Laklands...wood issues, metal issues, I don't like the sound of any I have played...to ibby for me.

What's "ibby"?

[Thor]

FWIIW, I own a few Laklands, as well a a Fender, and am thinking about picking up a 'Ray. It would be for "that sound" that you mentioned - an agressive tone. I don't think that it would be a great option for a single "go-to" bass.

The Lakland is a nice bass for covering a lot of ground.

Happy hunting,

Edward

[JamminJoe]

Don't get the musicman if you don't like its growl - it's darn near impossible to dial out without losing its balls. I've had 2 stingrays, and they were both very good but the MIA Deluxe has a lot more sounds. It only gets synthetic sounding if you use too much of the active eq. Keep it near flat to retain the natural tone.