NBD "Vintage" 1991 EBMM Stingray 5

[JMarkD]

LOL. So....'91 StingRay 5 strings are vintage now? Glad I held on to mine. A lovely bass that I used extensively in my Florida Roadhouse days, thankfully long over.

 

[sawzalot]

I had a 91 SR5 back in 1991 and I foolishly sold it back then because it didn’t sound like EMG’s. IIRC it had single coil mode but I don’t think it had the dummy coil yet, but my memory is hazy on that. Nice bass!

 

[bassdude51]

Man!!!!!!..........That's really nice! Congrats!

 

[HeavyJazz]

Here are some fun "Stingray 5 Facts" for those interested:

1987 - Alnico 5 magnet, no dummy coil (for reducing hum in the middle "split" position), 9 volt 3 EQ preamp.
1990 - Changed to ceramic magnet, still no dummy coil.
1991 - Dummy coil added
2006 - Slight change to pickguard layout (switch is now parallel physically to the pickup)
2008 - After the 20th anniversary SR5 released in 2007, and in conjunction with the Sterling5 that was released that year, all StingRay5 models are alnico with no dummy coil. The middle position on the H model went to a series wiring with a filter to emulate a single coil, and without there being a true single coil setting the dummy coil was removed. The Sterling model had always had ceramic magnets so the Sterling5 took over as the ceramic pickup 5 string offering.
2018 - StingRay5 Special introduced with neodymium pickups and 18 volt 3 EQ preamp.

 

[HeavyJazz]

For the MM cognoscenti, is this one back when they were still running the dummy coil in the electronics to 86 hum in the single coil position? When did they stop using them?

1991 was the first year of the dummy coil, which remained standard until 2008.

 

[mindwell]

Superb. That era was the pinnacle of EBMM Stingray 5 production.

 

[logdrum]

I am not a SR5 expert but the one I owned I got it in 2004 new so could be a 2003 model was too boomy and overwhelming . I also played another ceramic (late 90's) and did not do it for me. I really think that the SR5 Special single H is one of the most versatile basses they made with the simplicity of one pickup

 

[FunkMeister57]

Here are some fun "Stingray 5 Facts" for those interested:

1987 - Alnico 5 magnet, no dummy coil (for reducing hum in the middle "split" position), 9 volt 3 EQ preamp.
1990 - Changed to ceramic magnet, still no dummy coil.
1991 - Dummy coil added
2006 - Slight change to pickguard layout (switch is now parallel physically to the pickup)
2008 - After the 20th anniversary SR5 released in 2007, and in conjunction with the Sterling5 that was released that year, all StingRay5 models are alnico with no dummy coil. The middle position on the H model went to a series wiring with a filter to emulate a single coil, and without there being a true single coil setting the dummy coil was removed. The Sterling model had always had ceramic magnets so the Sterling5 took over as the ceramic pickup 5 string offering.
2018 - StingRay5 Special introduced with neodymium pickups and 18 volt 3 EQ preamp.

I have had black SR5 from February '1992 and it got alnico pickup without phantom coil and figured green mask preamp board. Nowadays I have translucent teal SR5 from '1990 with similar pickup but with early rectangular preamp board, grey without mask.
Ceramic pickups with phantom coil and updated preamp were installed from march of 1992 to 2008.

 

[DonaldR]

Nice bass.
I tried a used black SR5, black pickguard and maple fretboard when I was shopping for my first 5-strings 10 years ago. Was outstanding but wanted to try other 5-strings searching for what will be the best one for me. Came back to get it the week after and it was already gone.

Anyway, always wanted a Stingray 5 but never liked the pickguard, even stopping me from buying one. So I'm waiting for 5-string Stingray with the pickguard and control plate of the 4-string (I know the Classic has them but I also want a contoured body).

 

[mikeswals]

Anyway, always wanted a Stingray 5 but never liked the pickguard, even stopping me from buying one. So I'm waiting for 5-string Stingray with the pickguard and control plate of the 4-string (I know the Classic has them but I also want a contoured body).

Not going to happen on a contour body bass.
Why not get one of the used LE's that didn't have a pickguard at all?

 

[spufman]

Sweet 'Ray! I have a pair of '95 Sterlings. EBMM has always made impeccable instruments, but their early-mid nineties wood stock was tops imo.

 

[Marc A Valero]

I commend your fine taste! This is my '92. The neck is part of what makes this era special.

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Right I am gigging it tonight and tomorrow. Got the Roto swing bass on it.

 

[HeavyJazz]

Now it's back to original spec. Cleaned thoroughly and set up with a set of Fodera X DR nickels. Just epic.

 

[ModuMan]

Yes! That's the stuff right there.

Nice birdseye on the headstock, can we see the back of the neck?

 

[HeavyJazz]

Yes! That's the stuff right there.

Nice birdseye on the headstock, can we see the back of the neck?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Now it's back to original spec. Cleaned thoroughly and set up with a set of Fodera X DR nickels. Just epic.

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Perfect!!!

 

[mikeswals]

For a period of mass availability of figured wood, mine is plain maple and is such an ugly duckling, but "she's got it where it counts, kid".

 

[TonyP-]

I guess technically, instruments are considered "vintage" once they pass the 30-year mark? That's what I hear. Anyhow, this is a sweet piece from the past - build in the 5th year of production and the 1st year I took up the bass as a young teenager. Has some nice discoloring from days gone by, masterfully built, birdseye neck, and with a weight (10.06 lbs) to match. I think I prefer the original pickgaurd so will likely reinstall it during the whole setup process when I get the chance.

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Stoked for you…That is killer