Early 80 MM Stingrays

[Scooch]

Hey I was thinking about picking up an 81' Stingray, anyone know where I can find out more information about these basses?

This is the model I'm looking at:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[stu FORD]

thats a beauty, i have no complaints about my 82 sabre

 

[Scooch]

Whoa I'm reading up on the MM, who owned them before Ernie Ball acquired them in March 84'?

 

[Ray-man]

Um, it was Leo Fender's company before he sold it and moved on to G&L. Not sure if he sold it to EB or if there was another company in between.

 

[Ray-man]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Leo ever owned the company.

Lots of info over on the Music Man forums...

I don't claim to be an expert on MM history. You could be entirely correct. If someone knows, jump in here....

 

[Scooch]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Leo ever owned the company.

Lots of info over on the Music Man forums...

Link please, thanks.

 

[dlloyd]

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=2398

 

[T. B. Player]

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=2398

Can't wait to get home and see what my fretless MusicMan has for a bolt-plate. If it's a four bolt plate, my day will be ruined...

 

[KJung]

Can't wait to get home and see what my fretless MusicMan has for a bolt-plate. If it's a four bolt plate, my day will be ruined...

I had one of the early MM Stingrays (I believe I bought it in 1977), and a much more recent EB Stingray (purchased around 1996 or so. I was very, very impressed at the quality, playability and sound of the EB Stingray. Even the new ones that I've played are for the most part great... good fretwork, great electronics. I personally don't see any advantage to the older, original ones over the EB or later models, in general. They are just great instruments all the way around.

 

[Ray-man]

I had one of the early MM Stingrays (I believe I bought it in 1977), and a much more recent EB Stingray (purchased around 1996 or so. I was very, very impressed at the quality, playability and sound of the EB Stingray. Even the new ones that I've played are for the most part great... good fretwork, great electronics. I personally don't see any advantage to the older, original ones over the EB or later models, in general. They are just great instruments all the way around.

I'm the same way. I owned a 1980 MM SR4, and while I really liked that instrument, I recently bought a 2004 EBMM SR4, and I like it better than the old one.