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NBD (Again?!?): 88/89 Stingray 5

rojo412

rojo412

Sit down, Danny...
Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2000
10,908
15,042
46
Cleveland, OH.
#1
So I bought a bass, THEN this came up. Oh well, right? :hyper:

Just drove down to Columbus (from Cleveland, 140 mi each way) to acquire a bass that I've dreamed about since I was a young lad...

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This is the early SR5 that I've wanted for years! Talkbass's bassdude51 (Chuck) responded to my wanted thread, describing this exact example of a Stingray 5 that has been on my GAS list for ages.

This particular one was made in late 88 / early 89, so it's a first year production run of the bass, essentially. It's light... it's got beautiful wood... it's the slim neck that I love with the gloss finish... I'm floored by it's presence in my own home.

The pickguard was black at one point, but is long gone. I don't really mind, I like the white one. Point is, it's sounds phenomenal, plays like buttah, and I can't wait for an opportunity to use it with a band.

If I can manage to keep both, I will, but I have a feeling this will be a treasured item in my collection for a LONG time.
 
#3
The drive was nothing compared to the joy I've been feeling over this purchase. Being an early model as it is, I feel like it's a piece of history. I don't know if that's taking it too far, but the bass is definitely rare, especially in as good condition.

What did Ferris Bueller say about the Ferrari...?

"If you have the means... I highly recommend you pick one up."

This thing is super light (9 ish lbs), finish is very thin (and checked from age, but still a beauty), the neck is just stellar.
 
#4
Not again! I don't have a sibling just like that.

Is it the photograph or is the burst that yellow?

280 miles is a long way to drive, but its with a smile on your face all the way, so its worth it.

9lbs would be awesome for a 5er, I reckon.
 
#6
It's super light, that's for sure.
The yellow may be enhanced due to the sunlight on it, but it's got a yellowy middle:

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Bummer is, I have to sell the '95 4 string I just got (or return it within 30 days). I'd love to keep it, too, but it's redundant at this point.

As for the drive, it provided an opportunity to test the reliability of my new (used) car... which passed with flying colors.
 
#12
I'm not in any rush to trade it out, I think it looks fine. The hardware may be more useful to swap out, it's easy and quickly reversed if needed.

Thanks, Petch! As you know my track record with basses (52 so far), flipping them is a hobby. This one, however, is going to be exempt from that process. I know how special this bass is and won't give it up without some very good reason.
(And I have to remember to bring the scale home to weigh all of my beasts!)
 
#17
I had a Natural model of that same bass, maybe a year or two newer. Best B-string I've felt/heard on a MM.
If it were mine I would throw a black PG back on there and leave everything the same. IMO, a white PG just doesn't look "right" without a white pick-up cover on that bass.
 
#20
I love the spacing! I will say, the 19mm spaced basses I've played are very easy to slap, but for fast playing, narrow frickin' rocks!

My 5 string experience began with a Warwick Fortress MM (17mm spacing), went to a Modulus (18mm), Status (???), then Fender (18mm).
19mm almost feels TOO wide. But everyone seems to love it here, so who am I to judge? My Squierdowsky covers the 19mm spaced needs.

Off topic, when is the Cleveland TB get-together?
 

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