NBD: Stripped 1998 EBMM SR5 OHSC $500!

[selowitch]

A guy is offering to sell me this bass for $600—a very good price if it is all original and in good shape. Serial indicates it's a 1998 EBMM StingRay5H "Black Maple"—which I assume means black body finish and a maple fingerboard. This one is clearly a blonde/butterscotch finish on the body. So does that mean this is likely to be a stripped/refinished bass? If so, unless it turn out to unusually lightweight I will probably pass.

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[Geri O]

It kinda looks refinned from here.

But you can check the serial number in MM's database. You should be able to find what year it was made and what the original finish was.

Serial Number Database | Ernie Ball Music Man

Good luck.

 

[selowitch]

But you can check the serial number in MM's database.

Already done. It says "Black Maple." That could mean the body finish was originally black or it could mean the body is maple and the pickguard is black. See what I mean?

 

[mikeswals]

Then yes is your answer.
They wouldnt have done that blotchy wood as a natural from the factory.

No maple bodies. It would have been ash if it were natural. In 98 they were still on the tail end of using poplar under solid colors, which this sort of looks like.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Even if refinished, that's a pretty awesome price. I wouldn't be worried about resale value... that could quickly and easily be sold again at the same price.

 

[selowitch]

Then yes is your answer.
They wouldnt have done that blotchy wood as a natural from the factory.

I concur with that assessment.
I will negotiate accordingly if and only the bass is unusually light.

 

[Geri O]

Already done. It says "Black Maple." That could mean the body finish was originally black or it could mean the body is maple and the pickguard is black. See what I mean?

I doubt that seriously.

My experience with several Stingray SR5s tells me that the body was originally painted black.

 

[selowitch]

Even if refinished, that's a pretty awesome price. I wouldn't be worried about resale value... that could quickly and easily be sold again at the same price.

True, but since the seller is not disclosing that fact upfront in his listing, it potentially grants me a bit of leverage.

 

[selowitch]

I doubt that seriously.

I doubt it too but I thought I would at least raise the possibility.

 

[Geri O]

I doubt it too but I thought I would at least raise the possibility.

And like the others, I'd jump on that bass for that price, everything else being in good shape (and IF you can manage the weight, I certainly get that). I had a 98 SR5, it was awesome. As was the 99, the 00, the 04, the 11, and very most likely, whatever older SR5 I wind up with in a couple of months....

 

[selowitch]

And like the others, I'd jump on that bass for that price, everything else being in good shape (and IF you can manage the weight, I certainly get that). I had a 98 SR5, it was awesome. As was the 99, the 00, the 04, the 11, and very most likely, whatever older SR5 I wind up with in a couple of months....

Yes indeed. I own a 2001 in Honeyburst with a white pickguard and maple fingerboard and while I have other basses it's my clear #1 despite weighing north of 10 lbs. I paid about $1,050 for that one used a year ago.

 

[selowitch]

Probably no case included but sometimes with these things the seller simply forgets to mention that has a gig bag or OHSC.
Also, it's conceivable that someone would refinish an, um, bass borrowed without permission to make it harder to identify.
I'm meeting the seller later today (Tuesday Dec 31).

 

[crankypants]

For $600, you can refin it to whatever color you want. Do it!

 

[Relsom]

You can negotiate the price if you want, but if everything else about it is good I'd be prepared to fork over the 600 beans without too much trouble. Subbed and waiting to see how it turns out for you. Let us know.

 

[two fingers]

Yeah they never would have sent that grain out the door finished natural.

 

[JRA]

I'm meeting the seller later today (Tuesday Dec 31).

good luck! and happy new year!

 

[Eric Swaim]

Hard to tell from the quality of the pictures. However, at $600 who cares, that's a great price for a Stingray 5.

 

[mcnach]

A guy is offering to sell me this bass for $600—a very good price if it is all original and in good shape. Serial indicates it's a 1998 EBMM StingRay5H "Black Maple"—which I assume means black body finish and a maple fingerboard. This one is clearly a blonde/butterscotch finish on the body. So does that mean this is likely to be a stripped/refinished bass? If so, unless it turn out to unusually lightweight I will probably pass.

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If it feels and plays nicely I'd take it. That's a great price.

So what if it is refinished (it does look like it is). We're not talking about depreciating a 1962 Jazz. We're talking $600!
If you decide to sell it, you'll make your $600 back, and maybe a bit more.

Or were you only attracted by the low price thinking of flipping it?

 

[BobKos]

True, but since the seller is not disclosing that fact upfront in his listing, it potentially grants me a bit of leverage.

Maybe he bought it that way and doesn't know or care that it used to be black or any other color. With all due respect, it's a fire sale price. For $600 you want it or you don't. You need to worry about how it plays. It will weigh 11 lbs.

 

[mcnach]

True, but since the seller is not disclosing that fact upfront in his listing, it potentially grants me a bit of leverage.

The seller may not even know it, if he is not the first owner.

I admire your serenity: negotiating on a $600 SR5!
If it was near me, I'd be racing you to get to it first and I'd be prepared to offer more

Even if the grain is not the most beautiful for a natural finish, I really like it. And for that price, you could afford to refinish it later in any colour you like.