Funny looking Musicman Sterling

[capnjim]

So this bass is for sale locally really cheap. Its got funny looking labels on the body, seems maybe a little fishy.
Was there ever a sterling with no pickgaurd and labels?

 

[MisterFabulous]

Sure, he removed the pickguard and added decals. You'd want to make sure that the decals are easy to remove.

Beyond that, make sure the bass is sound. Is it what he's advertising? Does it play and do you like it (minus the decals)?

 

[capnjim]

You don't think its factory? Where would you get Musicman stickers? How come there are no pickguard holes? Could it be a copy?
If you look closely, you can see sparkle paint over the "stickers"

 

[MisterFabulous]

Looking closely at the picture, you're right: no pickuard holes. You want to see "Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling" on the Headstock. You will also want to see "Ernie Ball Musicman" on the neck plate in the back with a serial number.

Run that number here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They can tell you when it was made. It looks like a bass that was displayed at a trade show.

 

[capnjim]

Thanks, it does have the metal neck plate with serial number (I can't see it in his pictures) and has the Sterling and made in USA.
I'm guessing there haven't been any Chinese copies of these?

 

[fenderhutz]

Looks like someone refinished the headstock on a SUB Sterling as other mods.

 

[Kermit1845]

Looking closely at the picture, you're right: no pickuard holes.

If it were refinished filling in the pickguard holes would have been no big deal.

 

[MisterFabulous]

There are SUB Sterlings: USA-made basses with durable, but less labor-intensive finishes which were cheaper to make. The SUBs had black painted headstocks and necks.

 

[logicman69]

What does the sticker say where the pickgueard should be (between the pickup and the neck)? I've seen some promo Musicmans before (aka: Van's Warped Tour), this might be something like that.

 

[fenderhutz]

You they could have won it at a concert or a radio promotion. If it's cheap I would jump on it.

 

[capnjim]

Thanks guys, the headstock looks fine with the proper logo's and made in USA.
I can't imagine anyone would refinish a SUB with all the fake logo's and serial number.
If you were going to fake it, I doubt you would put the ugly promotional stuff on.
I might go look at it tomorrow, although now the seller is having second thoughts on his original price (500$)...not that I blame him.

 

[FarkusSWR]

That looks like it says Emergenza on that sticker above the pickup. Ernie Ball has been sponsoring that for a while. It was probably a prize or something for whatever band or bass player won at a certain level.

 

[parsons]

That looks like it says Emergenza on that sticker above the pickup. Ernie Ball has been sponsoring that for a while. It was probably a prize or something for whatever band or bass player won at a certain level.

All I got when I won the EB Battle of the Bands was a dumb Tshirt that was more of a billboard than a shirt so this bass fits their bill of prizes.

If I won that, I think I would've asked if I could've traded it in for a standard issue black and maple version.


If you can get that for $500, a quality refinish will run about $350.

 

[joeyl]

cannot be a SUB because it has contours, unless body was carved...

 

[rayzak]

That looks like it says Emergenza on that sticker above the pickup. Ernie Ball has been sponsoring that for a while. It was probably a prize or something for whatever band or bass player won at a certain level.

This is correct, more than likely. Someone was recently asking about a Stingray that was "different". Big Poppa (Sterling Ball) said that they raffled some off and most of the winners ended up selling them.

 

[Muzoid]

Stickers are probably vinyl, and will peel off easy...any residue can easily be removed with GooGone.

Hopefully the visible color hasn't faded, or you will still notice the design.