StingRay 3-band....are there variations?

[Sabu]

A local music shop has an early 90s StingRay for sale. The salesman surprised me when he said the earlier 3-bands are "warmer" (i.e. more like a 2-band) than later ones....does anyone have any experience with this? I've been regretting selling my 1981 2-band StingRay lately and buying this one might ease the pain if it's got some of that vintage vibe I'm looking for. It helps that the 90s one has mutes and looks almost identical to the 1981 I sold

[bovinehost]

Originally Posted by Sabu

The salesman surprised me when he said the earlier 3-bands are "warmer" (i.e. more like a 2-band) than later ones....

It surprises you that he said this about a bass he wants to sell you?

I'm not surprised.

But he's smoking crack, just FTR.

[basstotheface]

No difference. No reason for there to be any difference.

[Sabu]

Thanks for the feedback guys - it helps to hear from those with experience. I don't think there was any evil money-grabbing intent behind the salesman's comment...just an incorrect, misinformed opinion

[king_biscuit]

Some of the early 90s models have alder bodies. Pair the alder body with a rosewood fretboard, and the tone is certainly warmer than an ash/maple combo -- regardless of preamp.

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Some of the early 90s models have alder bodies. Pair the alder body with a rosewood fretboard, and the tone is certainly warmer than an ash/maple combo -- regardless of preamp.

How many were alder? I haven't seen any I can think of.

[Sabu]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Some of the early 90s models have alder bodies. Pair the alder body with a rosewood fretboard, and the tone is certainly warmer than an ash/maple combo -- regardless of preamp.

This early 90s one is the natural finish ash/maple combo.

[Caca de Kick]

Sometimes ya just run across a few 3-banders that have a warmer sound. Wood could make a difference, but sometimes like in the case of a solid color you just don't know why. If you like it, then go for it.

Jerry J has a really nice and warm sounding trans teal early 90's SR4 that really suprised me. His looked like ash.
And one of the last 3 band SR4 I had was a solid black finish, about 9-1/4 lbs, rosewood board, also had a really nice warm sound. It was built around '00/'01. That one could have had a poplar body, being a solid finish.

Back in the 80's and early 90's, most of the trans finishes used alder bodies. PreEB usually used alder for the sunburst and trans finishes too.

[Bobster]

What about pickup changes, say ceramic magnets vs alnico?

Bob

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by Bobster

What about pickup changes, say ceramic magnets vs alnico?

Bob

Stingray 4s have always been alnico.