sPiKi Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I bought an American Std Jazz in November and was delighted with it - sounds great, looks great and plays great. Within a month though I had sold my other bass, a SR4 single pickup, having come across a brand new SR4 HH in a local music shop at a very reasonable price. So two excellent basses within a month of each other. Thought I was in bass heaven. However, ever since then I just can't get into playing the 'Ray. I just can't seem to get the sound I like out of it when I am out gigging (using an Ampeg SVT 200T SS amp and 410HLF) plus it just doesn't feel right like the Jazz does (some fret buzz, string tree is noisy, oiled neck isn't as enjoyable to play etc). I like the tonal range an active bass provides and therefore was thinking of selling it and buying an American J or P. What do you guys think? Am I crazy for looking to getting rid of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 If there is fret buzz and a 'noisy string tree' you clearly just need it set up properly. I personally wouldn't dream of selling a Ray HH for a Fender Deluxe. The pre-amps in those things are not good at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 yeah i didn't like the pre in the last active fender i had either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Keep the Ray....Im not a massive fan of the deluxe Fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 More significant voteage for keeping the Stingray. Don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggy Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Keep the Ray, give it a good set up. Set your amp flat and start tweaking the controls on the bass first and go from there, (thats guessing you have not tried that before) I can get so many good tones out of my HH by using the pickup selecter switch, control knobs and most importantly where I pluck or pick the string. Rays really do seem to respond well to where your right hand is positioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I would vote for keeping the Stingray. I'm although I'm a proper Fender fan-boy, it's only really their passive basses that I think are ace, they make pants preamps!. If you fancy an active Jazz, get a standard and put in an East preamp of some description Si p.s. and off topic: Raggy, you get my PM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='sPiKi' post='758288' date='Feb 26 2010, 03:13 PM']Dilemna - sell a SR4 HH for Fender American J or P deluxe - am I wise?[/quote] No - you is bonkers! Don't do it!! Put your location in your profile and a local basschatter might meet you for a set-up in exchange for a pint! - especially if you live near me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sPiKi Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='Hamster' post='759043' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:59 PM']No - you is bonkers! Don't do it!! Put your location in your profile and a local basschatter might meet you for a set-up in exchange for a pint! - especially if you live near me [/quote] Cheers guys. Have decided to leave it into a guitar tech to set up properly for me & hopefully I will feel the love thereafter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='sPiKi' post='759171' date='Feb 27 2010, 03:12 PM']Cheers guys. Have decided to leave it into a guitar tech to set up properly for me & hopefully I will feel the love thereafter![/quote] Definitely the right move, you'd really kick yourself if you let a good bass go due to a few minor, fixable annoyances. At least this way you can judge it properly & make a fully informed decision - hopefully you'll love it when it comes back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Yep, I agree with all the above. I recently bought my first Stingray (HH) and love it. Yes it is completely different to anything I've played before, both in feel and sound but it is amazing and I don't think I'll ever sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I used to have a Fender Jazz deluxe (US) and really liked the tone from it. Each to their own I guess ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 In the words of Bon Jovi...... [size=4][b]KEEP THE RAY![/b][/size] Mother mother tell your children That their time has just begun I have suffered for my anger There are wars that can't be won Father father please believe me I am laying down my guns I am broken like an arrow Forgive me Forgive your wayward son Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, mother) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please believe me) Everybody's bitching 'cause they can't get enough And it's hard to hold on When there's no one to lean on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Lord we got to keep the Ray Tell me baby when I hurt you Do you keep it all inside Do you tell me al's forgiven And just hide behind your pride Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, father) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please don't leave me) Everybody's bleeding 'cause the times are tough Well it's hard to be strong When there's no one to dream on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Now you know is not too late Oh you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Lord we got to keep the Ray Walking in the footsteps Of society's lies I don't like what I see no more Sometimes I wish that I was blind Sometimes I wait forever To stand out in the rain So no one sees me cryin' Trying to wash away the pain Mother father There's things I've done I can't erase Every night we fall from grace It's hard with the world in yours face Trying to hold on, trying to hold on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to keep the Ray Ray: now it's not too late Try to hold on, trying to hold on Keep the Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 [quote name='Duarte' post='758560' date='Feb 26 2010, 09:41 PM']If there is fret buzz and a 'noisy string tree' you clearly just need it set up properly. I personally wouldn't dream of selling a Ray HH for a Fender Deluxe. The pre-amps in those things are not good at all.[/quote] this man speeketh the truth. i had an american deluxe precision & whilst it looked & played nice is sounded absolute site. once you've had your ray set up i'm shure you'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 [quote name='bass5' post='760076' date='Feb 28 2010, 07:39 PM']In the words of Bon Jovi...... [size=4][b]KEEP THE RAY![/b][/size] Mother mother tell your children That their time has just begun I have suffered for my anger There are wars that can't be won Father father please believe me I am laying down my guns I am broken like an arrow Forgive me Forgive your wayward son Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, mother) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please believe me) Everybody's bitching 'cause they can't get enough And it's hard to hold on When there's no one to lean on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Lord we got to keep the Ray Tell me baby when I hurt you Do you keep it all inside Do you tell me al's forgiven And just hide behind your pride Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, father) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please don't leave me) Everybody's bleeding 'cause the times are tough Well it's hard to be strong When there's no one to dream on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Now you know is not too late Oh you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Keep the Ray Lord we got to keep the Ray Walking in the footsteps Of society's lies I don't like what I see no more Sometimes I wish that I was blind Sometimes I wait forever To stand out in the rain So no one sees me cryin' Trying to wash away the pain Mother father There's things I've done I can't erase Every night we fall from grace It's hard with the world in yours face Trying to hold on, trying to hold on Ray: you know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the Ray Ray: don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to keep the Ray Ray: now it's not too late Try to hold on, trying to hold on Keep the Ray[/quote] Haha, you may have too much time on your hands! But I agree with the underlying message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 i love my ray mate is an ace cant bealive you dont like it I had some issues with the action and fret buzzing but after i set it up i just love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 [quote name='Schnozzalee' post='760203' date='Feb 28 2010, 10:01 PM']Haha, you may have too much time on your hands! But I agree with the underlying message.[/quote] Actually not that complicated, I copied the text in word and then use the find / replace feature and set all the Faith words to be replaced with Ray. Simples! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valere24 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Learn to do your own set-ups guys! It's really not rocket science... You'll need: - Screwdrivers/Allen keys for truss rod/bridge adjustment - A ruler to measure the action - A set of feeler gauges to measure neck relief. Cost: less than a tenner. There are plenty of information/tutorials on the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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