Description & History
This might be the most difficult decision I have ever made to put this bass up for sale.
I am the second owner of this bass, and have owned it since purchasing it from a music store in Sacramento CA around 1980. It's serial number is registered on the MusicMan Global site (musicmanbass.global/serials-pre-eb-sting-ray/).
I have set the selling price based on considerable research. Please do not waste your time or mine with ridiculous lowball offers. I am not desperate to sell this bass.
This happened so long ago, I have no recollection of the details, but at some point after EB took over MusicMan, they came out with a three-band active preamp and allowed original owners to trade-in (plus a slight fee) the older sealed 2-band preamp for a brand-new 3 band preamp.
Being an electronics tech with years of experience working on basses and amps, I didn't find it at all difficult to remove the original preamp, send it to EB, and install the new three-band.
Since the new preamp required three controls, the jack had to be moved to the side of the bass, where it is still located.
For over 20 years, probably closer to 30, this was my only bass. Unfortunately, over the years, mainly as a result of hauling around heavy equipment, and playing a heavy bass, I started developing serious back problems. So, I bought lighter basses, and the Stingray started to gather dust.
The bass weighs just under 10.5 pounds, just a bit over 3 pounds MORE than my Stingray Special Ball Family Reserve 5 string!
A bit over 10 years ago, I started playing mostly five string basses, most of which weigh less than this Stingray. Every so often I would pick up the 'Ray just to remind myself why I didn't play it much.
Since 2013, I have had five back surgeries, and was told not to lift heavy objects. So, since then I have divested myself of the heavy amps and cabinets in favor of smaller, lighter cabs. My main rig now is a Trickfish Bullhead 1K into two PJB C4 cabinets.
Early in 2023, one of the controls became noisy and another one actually fell apart. I contacted EB and much to my surprise, the original two-band preamp was still available. They allowed me to trade in the defective 3-band preamp (plus another small fee) for the original two-band one.
The consensus of opinion is that the two-band produces more of the authentic Stingray sound, and after fitting the two-band back in the bass, I have to agree.
The knobs and control plate are original, as is everything else on the bass, other than the side-jack which was part of the three-band kit, the Straploks, the mutes, and the strings of course.
I debated whether to wire the side-jack for a direct-from-the-pickup passive output, but decided to leave that to the new owner. So, right now, all the jack does is fill the hole.
I haven't used the Stingray on a gig since 1984, so the case is in really good condition. It's the case that came with the bass. Based on feedback from another owner, this appears to be the original MM case. Anyway, the case is included.
In case anyone has any doubts, I have included a few pictures of the EB-provided two-band preamp prior to installation.
The original mutes dried out a long time ago. As you can see from the pictures, I replaced the mutes (in December 2023) with an official set I got directly from EB. See the picture in one of the posts below.
I have taken close-up pictures of the various nicks and scratches, mostly on the bottom rear of the bass where no one can see when you are playing.
Other than the side-jack, the preamp, Straplok buttons, the mutes and the strings, everything else is original.
I usually ship Signature Required, so please make sure someone is home when the bass arrives.
I am estimating the shipping at $150 maximum, including insurance for the full value. If the actual shipping cost is less, I will refund the difference. I do NOT attempt to make money by charging excessive shipping or "handling" fees.
I will consider all reasonable offers.
Please ask questions or request more pictures prior to buying, bidding, or making offers.
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This might be the most difficult decision I have ever made to put this bass up for sale.
I am the second owner of this bass, and have owned it since purchasing it from a music store in Sacramento CA around 1980. It's serial number is registered on the MusicMan Global site (musicmanbass.global/serials-pre-eb-sting-ray/).
I have set the selling price based on considerable research. Please do not waste your time or mine with ridiculous lowball offers. I am not desperate to sell this bass.
This happened so long ago, I have no recollection of the details, but at some point after EB took over MusicMan, they came out with a three-band active preamp and allowed original owners to trade-in (plus a slight fee) the older sealed 2-band preamp for a brand-new 3 band preamp.
Being an electronics tech with years of experience working on basses and amps, I didn't find it at all difficult to remove the original preamp, send it to EB, and install the new three-band.
Since the new preamp required three controls, the jack had to be moved to the side of the bass, where it is still located.
For over 20 years, probably closer to 30, this was my only bass. Unfortunately, over the years, mainly as a result of hauling around heavy equipment, and playing a heavy bass, I started developing serious back problems. So, I bought lighter basses, and the Stingray started to gather dust.
The bass weighs just under 10.5 pounds, just a bit over 3 pounds MORE than my Stingray Special Ball Family Reserve 5 string!
A bit over 10 years ago, I started playing mostly five string basses, most of which weigh less than this Stingray. Every so often I would pick up the 'Ray just to remind myself why I didn't play it much.
Since 2013, I have had five back surgeries, and was told not to lift heavy objects. So, since then I have divested myself of the heavy amps and cabinets in favor of smaller, lighter cabs. My main rig now is a Trickfish Bullhead 1K into two PJB C4 cabinets.
Early in 2023, one of the controls became noisy and another one actually fell apart. I contacted EB and much to my surprise, the original two-band preamp was still available. They allowed me to trade in the defective 3-band preamp (plus another small fee) for the original two-band one.
The consensus of opinion is that the two-band produces more of the authentic Stingray sound, and after fitting the two-band back in the bass, I have to agree.
The knobs and control plate are original, as is everything else on the bass, other than the side-jack which was part of the three-band kit, the Straploks, the mutes, and the strings of course.
I debated whether to wire the side-jack for a direct-from-the-pickup passive output, but decided to leave that to the new owner. So, right now, all the jack does is fill the hole.
I haven't used the Stingray on a gig since 1984, so the case is in really good condition. It's the case that came with the bass. Based on feedback from another owner, this appears to be the original MM case. Anyway, the case is included.
In case anyone has any doubts, I have included a few pictures of the EB-provided two-band preamp prior to installation.
The original mutes dried out a long time ago. As you can see from the pictures, I replaced the mutes (in December 2023) with an official set I got directly from EB. See the picture in one of the posts below.
I have taken close-up pictures of the various nicks and scratches, mostly on the bottom rear of the bass where no one can see when you are playing.
Other than the side-jack, the preamp, Straplok buttons, the mutes and the strings, everything else is original.
I usually ship Signature Required, so please make sure someone is home when the bass arrives.
I am estimating the shipping at $150 maximum, including insurance for the full value. If the actual shipping cost is less, I will refund the difference. I do NOT attempt to make money by charging excessive shipping or "handling" fees.
I will consider all reasonable offers.
Please ask questions or request more pictures prior to buying, bidding, or making offers.
