Stingray Vs Jazz Bass Guitar [Difference & Which is better]

If you are a bass guitar fan, then I’m telling you how much a Stingray and Jazz Bass are on hype these days. These two models are stealing the hearts of thousands of players. You must be wondering which one you should pick.

Between Stingray Vs Jazz Bass, there is an interesting debate. You cannot easily label one of them as superior to the other. As I had the fortune to play both of these bass models, I found certain differences which are worth your attention.

Primal Differences in Short:

I found Stingray more precise and unmistakable in sound, and its sharper tone is attractive while a Jazz bass has a warmer sound with a more mellow texture. Then coming to the type of pickup, Stingray has one active humbucker or two in some cases. On the other hand, Fender’s Jazz Bass offers passive two single coils. From the appearance, both models have almost the same look but Stingray’s body is more compact and the body material is also different.

There are other differences in versatility, controls, features, and so on. To get the right vision about these two bass models you have to keep up with me till the end. Now, check out the added comparison table and take a glimpse of the whole differences.

Comparison Table:

Stingray Vs Jazz Bass Guitar Comparison:

Both models have significant features to grab the attention of serious players. If you witness their quality firsthand, you will be amazed. From strings to body material to controls, these bass guitars are top-notch in quality.

About Stingray Bass –

Stingray bass guitars are one of the finest of many amazing bass guitars. With a glossy polyester body finish, a Stingray bass guitar has a tremendously modern look. The maple neck assures that you will get enough sturdiness from the guitar.

Besides, you can get different material-based fingerboards including rosewood, ebony, or maple. The guitar carries a total of four or five strings and they vibrate efficiently. With the ash body, this guitar also has comparatively more frets 21 or 22 than other guitars.

This also evokes the lengthiness and flatness of the fingerboard. It makes it the players easier to play the guitar. Moreover, the EQ controls are active in Stingray guitars. You will get 2 or 3-band EQ in each Stingray where bass and treble are common.

Also, the active humbucker provides immense facility. With the advantage of coil splitting the pickups, both single and double humbucker pickups are effective. The cut-through ability of the sound is also praiseworthy about the guitar.

Things We Liked About / Pros:

• Comes with an amazingly sharp and unmistakable tone with a cut-through capability
• Mostly come with ceramic-based one or two humbuckers in the bridge position
• The ash polished body looks sleek and helps to boost the energy of the player
• The amazing 2 or 3-band EQ controls to enhance the quality of the guitar

Things We Didn’t Like About / Cons:

• The high-end Stingray guitar asks for a hefty sum of money

About Jazz Bass –

Jazz bass guitars have this classic aura which most people understand by their warm and mellow sound quality. The amazing alder bodies with gloss polyurethane finish make the guitar look competitive and arguable.

You can get 4 and 5 strings-based Jazz Bass guitars. The maple neck comes with a C-neck shape. In terms of fret, a Jazz Bass offers 20 frets. But the problem is the fretboard is not flat and is slightly narrower which can make trouble for players.

However, the guitar is famous for its pickups. It has two passive single coils. And they are placed in the middle position and in the bridge position of the guitar. Because of these two single-coil pickups, the sound quality gets enhanced with slap bass.

To be honest, the controls of a traditional Jazz bass are not so qualified but still, they are promising enough. Each pickup carries different controls. One carries a tone control and the other carries two volume controls. You can blend the two together to get an amazing tone. However, some ultra-versions of Jazz bass come with 3-band EQ.

Things We Liked About / Pros:

• An amazing warmer and mellower sound
• The pleasure of getting an amazing guitar with a promising finish
• Offers two single coils to strengthen the sound quality
• Gets an alder body-based guitar for a long-lasting effect

Things We Didn’t Like About / Cons:

• Comes with some uptight traditional features in the control

Main Difference Between Stingray Vs Jazz Bass Guitar:

It would be wiser to say that even though Stingray and Jazz Bass are two different models, they are both individually efficient. Some differences only reinforce their own discreteness. Also, you get to choose one from your preferences from these differences.

1) Tonal Differences:

Many serious players cling to the tonal variation while choosing a bass guitar, so it is important. The Stingray bass guitar and Jazz Bass have two slightly different tones. While the former sounds sharp and cut through, the latter sounds warmer and mellower.

2) Construction:

Both Stingray and Jazz Bass come with bolt-on necks and the same height of scale. But they differ in terms of frets and fretboards. A Stingray guitar has 22 frets while a Jazz Bass has 20 frets. Then again, the fretboard of the former is flatter and lengthier.

So, it is easier to play. But the Jazz Bass has a narrower fretboard which is a little uncomfortable to play.

3) Pickups:

These two bass guitars have two different pickups and settings. Stingray guitars come with an active humbucker. It is a bridge pickup. Also, there are some Stingray guitars that come with double humbucker pickups.

Conversely, a Jazz Bass has two passive single coils. Their positions matter to the sound effect too.

4) Controls:

The controls in a Stingray guitar are versatile. A Stingray guitar either comes with 2 or 3-band EQ. The bass and treble are permanent. Otherwise, mids control is not available in all the Stingray guitars. On the other hand, the Jazz Bass has simplistic traditional controls.

With two volumes and one tone, these controls offer great performance. However, some modern versions offer 3-band EQ.

5) Body Finish:

No doubt, both guitars have great finishing on the cover. There is the material difference only. Stingray guitars are alder-made with a gloss polyurethane finish while Jazz Bass guitars are ash-made with a gloss polyester finish.

6) Price and Weight:

The high-end Jazz Bass is comparatively less pricey than the high-end Stingray. But while the former is 9Ibs, the latter is 8Ibs. So, the latter is comparatively lightweight.

So, which one is better?

Both Stingray and Jazz Bass are beyond the mark. Why not buy both and experience a hilarious journey? Still, if you want precision and cut-through in the mix of sound, then go for a Stingray. Also, if you want a warmer tone to bring back a mellower texture, then go for Jazz bass.

FAQs –

Question 1: Is the Stingray a Jazz Bass?

Answer: Stingray and Jazz Bass are two different models of bass guitars. Both are famous and come with different sound quality and pickup types.

Question 2: Are Stingrays good for Jazz?

Answer: Stingrays are totally capable of playing jazz. Besides, any bass guitar seems to have the capability to play Jazz music.

Question 3: Are Music man Stingrays good?

Answer: Music Man Stingray guitars are pretty good. In terms of plucking, slop, and pick playing, Music Man Stingray bass guitars show a pretty competitive and arguable nature. Their pickup and active EQ separate their proficiency.

Question 4: Do Music Man Stingrays have active pickups?

Answer: A Music Man Stingray guitar comes with an active humbucker. Some also carry two active humbuckers. These humbuckers are versatile and carry 3-band EQ.

Last Updated on March 31, 2023 by Perry Garner