Change from My Stingray to Something Else?

[CrazyFingers]

A completely frivolous impulse: I have only been playing bass for a couple years (guitar for 15+, though). I have a nice MM Stingray 4 string I use with our band. I really like the bass but lately have been yearning to try something different. No real logic to this desire--chalk it up to GAS.

We play 60's & 70's rock and I like a tight, snappy bass sound that cuts through our three guitars. The SR has worked well for that. My challenge is that I am only 5'4" and have very small hands so I need something with a thin neck. I play through an Ampeg B2R and an Ampeg 4x10 cab.

What should I look to trade for? I value the SR at around $850. Adding another bass to add to my collection isn't an option--that is reserved for my guitars!

[Bryan T]

A Fender Jazz Bass has a 'tight, snappy' sound and a thin neck. Personally, I'd prefer the Stingray over most basses out there.

Bryan

[EunosFD]

In addition to the JB Bryan mentioned you might also want to look into G&L basses. They come with a variety of neck carves & widths, their MFD pickups are unique sounding and punchy (esp. when combined with their active preamps), and on the used market can be had for a song. Not to mention the quality is top notch. An L2000 might be a good start as it's essentially their top of the line model yet can often be found for prices right in your range.

Also the Peavey Cirrus basses are very nice too (the USA ones esp.) as are their G-bass line (with carbon neck & Cirrus electronics). Great bargains too.

Just my $.02

[mindseye]

Hamer 2-TEK Cruise bass!

[Atmospheric]

'Been doubling on bass since HS (35+ years). I go through spells where I play a lot of bass, then years when I don't play at all (like now).

So about 7-8 years ago I was playing a lot of bass and I sell my Fender Mexi Jazz to "trade up" to an early MM Stingray. I played it for more than a year and generally liked it OK.

So I'm thinking my amp was really sucking hard (a low end Eden, I forget the name) and I take my bass around to try out some amps. GC is like the fifth store on my trek and I'm sick of shlepping my MM, so I leave it in the car. I end up playing (yup) a Mexi Jazz. I'm talking to the sales guy and I realize I'm noodling the whole time and it just feels REALLY right. Right in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. The scale, size of the neck, everything. I notice that I'm no longer reaching for notes down by the nut, they are just there.

I ended up playing every Mexi Jazz they had (9 of them). Two were clearly better than the rest, and one of those was just slightly better of the two.... so I bought it, flipped the MM and have been very happy ever since.

I upgraded the electronics with passive Barts and a blend pot. Put a snazzy tortoise guard on it. It's a really nice sounding and playing bass. Nuthin fancy, just perfect for me. Lately, I've been thinking of replacing the Barts with VooDoos, but other than that, it works for me and is about as much bass as I need or deserve.

I also think the G&L L2000s are nice basses. You have to like active PUs though. Personally, I prefer passive bass PUs.

The Hamer Cruise bass I tried was unnaceptably noisy. So noisy it couldn't have been right, but I'm not sure if those PUs are hum cancelling like a J set should be. Otherwise, I a very nice bass.

[GAT]

I sold my 5 string Stingray and had Mike Lull make me a Jazz with passive/active electronics. Not even close, the Lull is just killer, IMO.

[disaster]

Get a better amp before you get a new bass.

[James Hill]

If you are looking to sit in the mix well in a three guitar band the first bass that I thought of was a Sadowsky. There is something about the preamp in those that really stands out in a live setting. Also, the Modulus basses I've owned have been great but you will find mixed reviews because of the graphite necks.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by James Hill

If you are looking to sit in the mix well in a three guitar band the first bass that I thought of was a Sadowsky. There is something about the preamp in those that really stands out in a live setting. Also, the Modulus basses I've owned have been great but you will find mixed reviews because of the graphite necks.

Some great basses, but probably WAY out of the $800 price range in the OP. Check out the Lakland Skyline series - very good basses at very reasonable prices.

For small hands, I would also recommend checking out a Carvin. I loved my old Carvin (but not the old electronics - haven't had a chance to check out their latest versions).

Also, a big +1 on the G&L - some of that snap and bite that you like about your MM. Make sure to play one first though, as a few tend to have a bit of neck dive.

Happy Hunting,

Edward

[tkozal]

The DJ Lakland is thin and small...some Fender Jazzes, like the MIA Deluxe's actually have pretty thick necks, though the narrow 1.5 inch width. The neck on my 62 MIA Jazz reissue is thinner.

Ibanez's seems to have the thinnest necks, as does Carvin. You might want to try...GASP, I cannot believe I am going to say this...A Rickenbacker...thin neck, shorter scale...still punchy for that period rock. (not that I would ever own one, me Fender guy)

[Oldstevarino]

The Sterling is the Music Man model you want. It is a Stingray with a smaller body and thinner neck, much lighter. I play one and definitely prefer it over a Stingray. Sounds the same.

[alanbass1]

Originally Posted by Oldstevarino

The Sterling is the Music Man model you want. It is a Stingray with a smaller body and thinner neck, much lighter. I play one and definitely prefer it over a Stingray. Sounds the same.

That's what I'm thinking. If you like the sound of the Stingray and looking for a slimmer neck then the Sterling is up you street. If you want a total change then go to a store and try a number of things out.

[Atmospheric]

The only thing I would upgrade to is a quality ash/maple blackguard J-clone. Fender doesn't make it.

Originally Posted by GAT

I sold my 5 string Stingray and had Mike Lull make me a Jazz with passive/active electronics. Not even close, the Lull is just killer, IMO.

[Jim S]

Sadowsky outboard preamp. You will not be the same afterwards.

http://www.sadowsky.com/audio/preamp.html

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by EunosFD

you might also want to look into G&L basses. They come with a variety of neck carves & widths, their MFD pickups are unique sounding and punchy (esp. when combined with their active preamps), and on the used market can be had for a song. Not to mention the quality is top notch. An L2000 might be a good start as it's essentially their top of the line model yet can often be found for prices right in your range.

My L-2000 was custom ordered with a #6 neck (Jazz neck) for $840- granted that was 9 years ago- but...

Originally Posted by MLT

I also think the G&L L2000s are nice basses. You have to like active PUs though. Personally, I prefer passive bass PUs.

The Stingray has it's own... characteristic. They're active- I don't even know if they're switchable between active and passive. What I've said is 'through any bass, I sound like me- but no matter what I do, when I'm using a Stingray, I sound like me playing a Stingray.' They ALWAYS add their character to the tone. The neck is a club to my hands.

The L-2000 is switchable between passive/active/active+treble boost. Even though the "passive" mode doesn't exactly sound like the "passive" sound my Jazz gets....







I've had this bass for 9 years, and the only "tweak" I've done to it is to replace the pickup selector switch. I never use the bridge PU solo, so I just replaced the switch to a neck solo or bridge+neck. It was too much trouble to balance the switch when changing on the fly.