This is a "for sale feeler"...I've got my eye on something and I reserve the right to either A) come to my senses or B) pull the add should the object of my fickle attention sell to someone else. You all know how that goes, right?
I'm starting a new thread; the old one with big pictures courtesy of JerryJ (thanks man!) can be found
here.
For your consideration is a 1990 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5 in Honeyburst with a highly figured birdseye maple neck.
Here's a
link to some pics.
I am the first and only owner; she purchased brand new in June of 1991 (the bass was completed on 10/17/1990). It has seen many gigs, and has honest play wear, but she has never been abused. Gigged from 1991 - 2000, when she was retired.
In 2006, she went back to the Ernie Ball factory in San Luis Obispo for a thorough "reconditioning" which included brand new tuning machines (the old ones were completely pitted and rusty), brand new pickup, pickguard, knobs (the originals were white pup, white pickguard, and chrome knobs), and new switch...basically new everything. The frets were leveled and dressed and she was given a factory set up, and basically came back to me as good as new. She has been a case queen since (an updated SKB style MUSICMAN hardsellcase, in great condition, from my 1996 Stingray would be included as the original Tolex case is long gone). She has been taken out and played twice since back from Ernie Ball, for a total of 4 hours of playtime since 2006.
Obviously, since the bass was played, it is not pristine by any stretch of the imagination. Ernie Ball could not replace the bridge, as the serial number is stamped into it. They did however replace the saddles and all associated hardware while leaving the physical bridge intact. Thus, this does show some moderate pitting, as evidenced in the pictures.
She has two small dings on the lower bout, each less than 1/4" but extend through to the wood. The back has moderate buckle rash.
The neck is straight with no issues. Never had to deal with the truss rod, but again, it's been set up at the factory. Medium action so you can dig your fingers into it...
That being said, she is an absolute wonder to play and built like a tank. She has one of the most stunningly figured birdseye maple necks I've ever seen.
I retired from active gigging in 2003 and resumed in 2007. For the style of music I play, I've found that a detuned 4 seems to work best, and thus I've been focusing on playing 4's much more. My Stingray gets no love, but deserves much better...her voice is to die for. I've been contemplating putting her up on TB, but have never really been serious about letting her go (20 years of history between us!!!).
I really don't know what to start the opening price at, but given the recent factory work done (around $400 IIRC), I'm asking $1200 plus shipping for this vintage beaut. I'll only ship to US for this item (sorry international folks).
Again, I'm not sure I want to do this, but I'll let my fellow TB'ers decide what they want to pay for her.
In summary:
1990 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5.
Honeyburst finish with black pickguard/PUP/knobs.
Factory new tuning machines, saddles, pup, pickguard/ hardware etc.
Original bridge with mild chrome pitting.
SKB style molded hardshell case included.
US buyers only.
ASKING $1200 plus actual shipping.
