Jazz vs. Ray4 comparison

[Vanheusen77]

I wanted to try something different than my usual P bass:

 

 

[4000]

Interesting. I expected the Ray to sound more aggressive, but it’s much more polite, as I measure these things. Love the Ray slap sound though, always have. 

[Vanheusen77]

2 minutes ago, 4000 said:

Interesting. I expected the Ray to sound more aggressive, but it’s much more polite, as I measure these things. Love the Ray slap sound though, always have. 

The Ray has more high end on tap if you boost the treble more though, but yes the jazz sure has a lot of high end going on. And I did not even have the tone all the way up!

[Lozz196]

As a die hard Precision player I find the Jazz easier to switch to, easier to coax the sounds in relation to a Precision as being the same brand they tend to behave similarly. I find that although the Stingrays are amazingly good quality and play fantastic I just can’t “de-Ray” them, even with flats. And after having had a few I’ve had to accept that they’re really not the bass for me. So my 1987 2-band will be up for grabs soon ☹️

[4000]

I’ve found the same with Rays. I really like how they sound, but not really when I play them. Still, I’m the same with Jazzes. 

I might give a Ray one last go at some point, but I’m not optimistic.

[TheGreek]

Not being a fan of the P body shape I've generally avoided them. I've worn out my love affair with the tonal palette from Jazzes and find that I can't play them any more - compromise??? Really getting into PJ in recent months - mainly inspired by my trusty Nanyo. Loving what my Squier Standard PJ and G&L SB2 can do.

Similarly my twin H G&L M2000 is an improvement (IMO) over what I remember from my previously owned Rays.

This is the richness we have in the choice and variety of p/ups in our instrument - something for everybody???

[gjones]

3 hours ago, Vanheusen77 said:

The Ray has more high end on tap if you boost the treble more though, but yes the jazz sure has a lot of high end going on. And I did not even have the tone all the way up!

Can I ask if that's a Sterling Ray 4 you're playing, or a USA Musicman Stingray?

They both sound great.

Edited November 24, 2020 by gjones

[gafbass02]

2 hours ago, 4000 said:

I’ve found the same with Rays. I really like how they sound, but not really when I play them. Still, I’m the same with Jazzes. 

I might give a Ray one last go at some point, but I’m not optimistic.

Same here. Love the sound until I play one. 

[Vanheusen77]

20 minutes ago, gjones said:

Can I ask if that's a Sterling Ray 4 you're playing, or a USA Musicman Stingray?

They both sound great.

It’s the Sterling Ray4!

[merello]

Ray 4 v Jazz 0

[bassbloke]

Definitely the jazz for me.  Unsurprisingly.  The Stingray has that unmistakable Musicman HiFi sound but lacks the natural growl of the Fender. 

[Vanheusen77]

I made another one, this time with the Ray4 preamp boosted just a bit (bass and treble just a tiny bit boosted). Also threw in my P bass because why not? 

 

[chris_b]

I know a few guys who get a good sound out of Musicman basses, but they're not for me. I prefer single coil pickups so I'd suggest a Jazz bass to go with your Precision.

[mcnach]

On 27/11/2020 at 07:03, bassbloke said:

Definitely the jazz for me.  Unsurprisingly.  The Stingray has that unmistakable Musicman HiFi sound but lacks the natural growl of the Fender. 

 

we must be listening to different clips, there's tons of growl! 

 

[fretmeister]

Lovely playing!

[Vanheusen77]

4 hours ago, mcnach said:

 

we must be listening to different clips, there's tons of growl! 

 

You might be since I’ve added another clip!😁