Pre-EB Stingray B00; 1976/77 with case

Will Kelly · #1 03-11-2013, 07:09 AM

PRICE DROP This is a really killing players bass.

Body dates to December of 1976, neck dates to January of 1977. B00 serial number. Black epoxy preamp. I do not have a scale, but I would guess it to be around 10 pounds and some change, pretty light for an early Ray.

This bass has been professionally restored by Gordon Miller at GM vintage restorations. I have seen other examples of his work, and frankly they are second to none. He prices accordingly. This restoration work was undertaken by the previous owner and fellow talkbasser at tremendous expense (far more than the bass is worth). He told me it was a labor of love, and you can tell when you see and play the bass.

All the parts, pickup, pickguard, preamp etc are original save the bridge mutes and one tuner which was aged to match the others. I can't tell which one it was, but that is what I was told when I got the bass.

This bass was previously owned by Lonnie Chapin of the bands TAIT and Petra.

Somewhere, I also have a pic or two that the previous owner sent me of the bass pre-restoration. It was in very sad shape and GM Vintage really did an amazing job on this bass.

The neck feels fantastic. Truss rod works flawlessly. Arrow straight. The frets are low, but even, and overall the bass plays easily and sounds great. Strung with TI flats.

I was never going to sell this... this is a lifetime bass, but I have a cross country move staring me in the face and a new home purchase at the end of it, so I must let this one go.

I am asking ~~$2300 shipped and insured via paypal~~$1900, and it will ship in a new Fender Tweed G&G case.

I am not interested in taking any kind of trades unless they net me at least a thousand dollars. Example... I might take a new stingray, plus a thousand dollars. Please, no amps, cabs or any pointy basses or those with more than 4 strings.

Thanks!

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

ctufankjian · #2 03-11-2013, 07:13 AM

This is an absolute gem at a terrific price!

Rumblefisher · #3 03-11-2013, 07:22 AM

gah...can't see the pics from my work computer. bet it's a beauty though.

jaywa · #4 03-11-2013, 07:31 AM

So was the "mojo" acquired naturally or was it "pre-weathered" as part of the restoration?

In any event, it's a nice one. Good luck... sorry you have to let her go.

Will Kelly · #5 03-11-2013, 07:36 AM

jaywa- thank you, i forgot to mention about that. yes, the bass was reliced during restoration. It has picked up some more naturally since I've had it. It is totally convincing, and this is coming from an owner of quite a few vintage basses. GM Vintage does unbelievable work. Here is a Fender CS P-bass for sale here on the forums that was also refinished by GM Vintage. I hope Funk7856 doesnt mind me linking his post here, but this is another example of Gordon Millers fine relic work.

**Sleepwalker42** · #6 03-11-2013, 08:04 AM

You mention it was in sad shape, what was wrong with the bass before the restoration and what exactly was done to it to restore it (beside the relic work)?

Will Kelly · #7 03-11-2013, 08:19 AM

The bass was purchased in the mid-1990's from a store in Nashville for Lonnie Chapin. At the time, it had been stripped to bare wood and "coated" in lacquer with a brush. It had then been hung to dry someplace dirty, as the lacquer had dirt and dust in it.

Here are the only pics I have of it pre-restoration. It is also pictured next to its brother, another 76 Ray that the previous owner owned. Can you tell which is which?

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

**Sleepwalker42** · #8 03-11-2013, 08:32 AM

Excellent job indeed!

**FellowBass** · #9 03-11-2013, 08:50 AM

Pardon me while I go sell a kidney. And one of my firstborn son's kidneys.

Not to mention I actually like Petra. Man what a find!!

funk7856 · #10 03-11-2013, 08:53 AM

what a gorgeous 'burst!

trey le parc · #11 03-11-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funk7856

what a gorgeous 'burst!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

So was the "mojo" acquired naturally or was it "pre-weathered" as part of the restoration?

In any event, it's a nice one. Good luck... sorry you have to let her go.

Previous owner here...the neck is exactly as it was when I acquired it, so all the "mojo" has been genuinely acquired, as far as I know. Aside from the refinish, and the replaced tuning gear, it's all original-- even the melted string mutes. Gord also mimicked Leo's habit of only using 3TS on the visible part of the guitar-- beneath the pick guard it's a 2 color burst.

When I first received it back from Gord, the wear of the body didn't really match the wear of the neck so I sent it back to Gord and he nicked it up a little more for me. All in all the project took the better part of a year.

j.kernodle · #12 03-11-2013, 01:57 PM

will is a great guy to deal with. you can expect his stuff to be even better than he gives it credit for in his description.

someparts · #13 03-11-2013, 03:19 PM

Reasonable price if you've been to a guitar show lately!

Will Kelly · #14 03-12-2013, 04:40 AM

thanks J!

Edgar · #15 03-12-2013, 06:50 AM

Wow, I have a mint Mark Levinson 383 to unload, if I manage to do so before this baby gets a new home, It's a done deal.

Gorgeous!

shrigg · #16 03-12-2013, 08:32 AM

That's one nice refin!

bassman28 · #17 03-12-2013, 09:09 AM

bassman28 · #18 03-12-2013, 09:25 AM

Here's body photos.The bird's-eye neck was installed after these pics.I will get you pics with maple neck this afternoon.

Will Kelly · #19 03-12-2013, 11:51 AM

To address several PM's about it: Yes, I will ship internationally, at the purchasers expense. Thank you!

Will Kelly · #20 03-13-2013, 04:31 AM