Is There Something Special About Old Stingray 5s?

[jasper383]

A 1991 SR5 just sold on ebay for about $400 more than I thought it might.

I know they have different pickups than the more recent SR5s.

But is there something special about the early SR5s, apart from different pickups? Were they made better/differently/with more mojo?

 

[ajb]

I think that the old ones are definitely better. I have a '93 SR 5 and IMHO it blows away the modern ones in terms of resonance and sustain. Plus there is a warmth to the sound that the new ones just don't have. I'm not sure if they switched pickups before '93, but to my mind it's a question of the quality of woods used. Just my opinion.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I honestly believe that MM is producing their best basses ever right now. Sure, the older ones have the broken in feel to them but give the new ones a little bit to get settled and you can clearly see that MMs quality and craftsmanship has gone up. Not to say that the old ones aren't amazing. I'm still on the hunt for an '88 blueburst SR5. That'll make SR5 #6 for me.

 

[king_biscuit]

Hmmm, I'm not sure the quality has gone up. In most cases its as good as ever, but the older ones certainly have prettier birdseye necks. I also prefer the glossy necks the were the norm until mid 92.

 

[Dr Stankface]

The glossy necks are nice but the "unfinished" necks seem to have a better feel to me.

The older ones do have better birdseye but the way I look at it, nobody is going to see the birdseye when they're listening to a CD you record on.


This is all just IMO.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

From what I hear (unverified), they are using cheaper wood these days. That might have something to do with it, if it's true.

 

[king_biscuit]

Then why do you care about finding a "blueburst" 88? Also, no one is listening to my CDs

 

[Eric Moesle]

The first few model years not only had a different alnico pickup standard (as opposed to the ceramic), but it also had a completely different preamp.

I've owned FIVE different SR5's over the past few years, and I must tell you that my 1989 model BY FAR is superior than the newer models, one of which I highly preferred because of the rare champaigne green color. My black 1989 model can't be touched by any of them, IMO. Its an entirely different beast.

This is not to say that the newer model SR5's aren't good, in fact they're quite excellent. Its just that there's something different and magical about the sound and playability of the early SR5's with the different pre and pickup.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Then why do you care about finding a "blueburst" 88? Also, no one is listening to my CDs

Just because I like blueburst.

I'd buy any finish of an 88 though. Blueburst would be my preference but i'm not that picky. I already have 5 StingRay 5s so I really don't need anymore. I didn't need anymore after I got my first one but hey, it's nice to have them if you love them.

 

[conehc]

From what I hear (unverified), they are using cheaper wood these days. That might have something to do with it, if it's true.

They're using cheaper wood in sr models too? I know that sub is made of polpar and bongo have a basswood body, but i don't know too much about the SR woods. Some of them seem to be made of alder, other of ash.

 

[alfredpunkjazz]

From what I hear (unverified), they are using cheaper wood these days. That might have something to do with it, if it's true.

I think that goes for almost everything related to wood, I have seen large wood deposits where maple it's just not what you would expect, and I mean, you pay really high prices for the best woods... We need to give the natre a rest.

 

[king_biscuit]

Just because I like blueburst.

Well that's why I like birdseye necks

 

[Dr Stankface]

They're using cheaper wood in sr models too? I know that sub is made of polpar and bongo have a basswood body, but i don't know too much about the SR woods. Some of them seem to be made of alder, other of ash.

SRs (with the exception of the 30th), Sterlings, and SR5s are all made of ash.

 

[jasper383]

They're using cheaper wood in sr models too? I know that sub is made of polpar and bongo have a basswood body, but i don't know too much about the SR woods. Some of them seem to be made of alder, other of ash.

He said that it was what he heard and it was unverified.

Please don't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Well that's why I like birdseye necks

.....and that's why I never said there was anything wrong with that?

 

[king_biscuit]

.....and that's why I never said there was anything wrong with that?

You made a comment that no one could see a birdseye neck while listening to your CD. I asked why, then, do you care what color your bass is, when no one will be able to see that either while listening to your CD... Just following your train of "logic." Go back through the thread, I guess

 

[conehc]

He said that it was what he heard and it was unverified.

Please don't believe everything you read on the internet.

You're right - not all available information is reliable, but I know how to filter these information.

I'm asking this because according EB website the sr and sterling models is made of "Selected Hardwoods" but they don't tell what wood is hardwood.

 

[king_biscuit]

You're right - not all available information is reliable, but I know how to filter these information.

I'm asking this because according EB website the sr and sterling models is made of "Selected Hardwoods" but they don't tell what wood is hardwood.

All of the trans finishes are ash, and always have been. The solids could be pine for all I know.

 

[conehc]

SRs (with the exception of the 30th), Sterlings, and SR5s are all made of ash.

Some of these bassses don't seems to have a ash body
Link Removed

 

[pablomigraine]

I honestly believe that MM is producing their best basses ever right now. Sure, the older ones have the broken in feel to them but give the new ones a little bit to get settled and you can clearly see that MMs quality and craftsmanship has gone up. Not to say that the old ones aren't amazing. I'm still on the hunt for an '88 blueburst SR5. That'll make SR5 #6 for me.

+1

From what I hear (unverified), they are using cheaper wood these days. That might have something to do with it, if it's true.

That may be, but the natural finish ones I see coming out now are beautiful slabs of wood. Just beautiful.