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Fender Fullerton Reissue vs. Pre EB Musicman Stingray

Fender Fullerton era Reissue (J/P) vs Pre EB Musicman Stingray

  • Fender Fullerton

    Votes: 59 50.0%

  • Pre EB Stingray

    Votes: 50 42.4%

  • Whatever-Same

    Votes: 9 7.6%
  • Total voters
    118
D

daahoud

May 9, 2008
702
31
Southern California
#1
I just found fender reissue basses made in Fullerton are really nice and kinda hand crafted basses, so people love em, too.
Also beloved musicman stingray before eb owned.
Which's your choice ? which's worth more, you think ?
what if you got a chance to have ONE, between similar condition of 2.
 
#7
daahoud said:
So what is your choice ?
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#10
Well, I've had both...2 Fullerton Precisions (one of which I still have) and a Stingray that I purchased new back in 1978.

Both are great but this is like comparing apples to oranges as they are two different beasts. They both do what they do incredibly well.

I think the Fullerton era Precision and Jazzes are probably the better long term investments but from a player's perspective the early Stingrays are probably a more versatile instrument, sound-wise due to their active-ness.

I'm not a popper/slapper, so the ol' Fullerton is the one that still stirs my bass playin' soul...:)

DSCN0499.jpg
 
#13
You can find Fullerton RIs in very good shape for well under $2k, though some dealers are still asking prices that reflect the market a few years ago.

Custom colours tend to be a few hundred more, a nice S/B P or J shouldn't be too hard to find for around $1500.

I found my mint Oly White P at Elderly's for $1200 (!!) a few years ago, it's been my number one now for almost as long. These are wonderful basses that ooze quality and sound amazing. The neck is wide and thin, incredibly comfortable in its own way.

Be aware of problem necks, especially on some old J's, though most would have been repaired or replaced by now if they had warped.
 
#15
I have both (a 1983 Fullerton P and a 1980 pre-EB Ray) and I must say I couldn't live, as a bass player, without both.

that being said my Stingray was my no.1 in my last band (grunge oriented rock, would probably go the other way around for a blues, classic rock, R&B gig).
 
#16
I own a a Fullerton 57RI P-bass. Its a 1982. Originally white, I refinished it in royal blue metallic. I got it for $400 in a pawnshop 11 years ago and its been my #1 ever since.

Pre-EB basses had a host of issues between Ball and Fender. Faulty necks, finishes, etc etc, et al. That is why Leo left to form G&L. I've played some pre-EB basses and they're very cool, but I don't think they're special. I think they're heavy and chunky as hell compared to the newer ones which aren't exactly lightweight either.
I'd rather have an EBMM to be perfectly honest. Ernie and Sterling Ball did a lot more with that company than Leo ever did, and if anything, the instruments are better. The mid-80s and early-90s are awesome as hell! I love that 2-band preamp!
 

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