Pre-EB Stingray

[schaechtele]

Hey guys,

I’m currently looking for a Pre-EB Stingray and found one which looks interesting to me. I would be great to have some of your opinions on it.

It seems to be a late 78 since the serial number is already located on the bridge (which also has the MusicMan stamp).

The things which are not original (I know) are:
- Control plate and knobs
- Additional string tree

Can you see any other parts which are not original? It comes with the original control plate (but not knobs). It’s priced at about the value of a new Retro 70s Stingray.

Thanks!

 

[Drifter8230]

Wow, that bass is in incredible shape for its age! I don't know much about MM or EBMM Stingrays, but that is a nice looking bass

 

[high mileage]

A black control plate and those knobs are definitely newer. I’m surprised at the condition, it’s really a nearly 50 year old bass? Yes, it pains me to say that…

 

[Drifter8230]

A black control plate and those knobs are definitely newer. I’m surprised at the condition, it’s really a nearly 50 year old bass? Yes, it pains me to say that…

Yea, I was thinking that. For schaechtele's sake, I want it to be true .

 

[jeff62]

I’d certainly wonder about whether the original preamp/pots are intact. If they weren’t, I’d pass.

 

[EdO.]

Link to a website with loads of info on finding the age and features of pre-EB Stingrays - Music Man Bass Global - Serials Pre-EB Sting Ray

I question whether the black control plate and knobs are original (and thus perhaps the control pots and electronics...) but you should hopefully be able to determine that from the info on the website. Best of luck.

 

[schaechtele]

Thanks for all the input!

As written in the initial post, I know that control plate and knobs are not original. The plate is included.

I have to ask about the pots and preamp. But I’ll also think that I’m gonna pass if they weren’t original.

 

[mikeswals]

This bass looks very incredible!
I still have my early 78, and I used to collect/sell preEB's.

Yes the serials & script logo moved to the bridge in late 78. But also the bridge holes for the string thru originally started out directly underneath the intonation screws, as revisions came the string thru holes moved outward. The holes on this bridge are the last revision, so this bass *to me* seems more a 1979 or even an early 1980.

The OP mentions the original banana plate comes with the bass, but yea a total bummer the knobs are gone. I would ask about the preamp and get pics of everything.

There was a seller either here on tb classifieds or the facebook preEB/Leo era page I saw selling a bunch of parts, might dig around and find what's needed.

 

[EdO.]

Depends on the asking price and how much you really want it. The attraction to paying premium $$$ for a pre-EB model Stingray, or to any "vintage" instrument for that matter, is that it's in as nearly original condition as possible. Non all original parts drops the resale value considerably which I'm sure you're quite aware of. A replaced input jack i.e. isn't a big deal IMO. If someone stole out/replaced the preamp, pots etc THAT is a big deal. Personally I'd want all of those items confirmed in detail before discussing prices.

 

[mikeswals]

Leo always did fantastic sunbursts. PreEB bursts are awesome similar as Leo did on early Fenders. Both EB and FMIC can never nail that pattern and coloration even decades later.
This bass looks fabulous, and knobs wouldn't stop a deal, especially if this is being priced at around $3300.
Extra nice that the original case appears to be there too.

With EB doing the 70s Ray, maybe they'll sell some knobs. At least it will look right.
I had some spare knobs but sold them to a Brit who was missing his on a 78.

 

[sawzalot]

The bridge and neck plate and most of the hardware looks consistent with a late 1978 Stingray, except of course for the control plate, knobs, and extra string tree. But....I have to say something feels off about this bass. It just looks too good. There's some wear on the back of the neck, but the body and the rest of the hardware don't match that. It almost looks like a refinish job, and the tuners and bridge just look too shiny. Maybe it lived most of its life in a case, which certainly is a possibility. I'd also definitely make sure you've got an original preamp in there.

 

[schaechtele]

If only the knobs and the second string tree are the non-original parts, I‘m in.

But I also get the vibe that the body looks a bit too „perfect“. I was also asking about the wear on the back of the neck. I‘m not sure if it‘s just the quality of the photo.

Problem is, that I can‘t see the bass in person, since the store is about 1500km away here in Europe.

 

[schaechtele]

Just received a picture of the preamp. I‘m not 100% sure but I think it looks original. The pots I‘m not sure.

Also got a picture of the back of the neck. It seems like it got played a lot.

 

[Drifter8230]

Just received a picture of the preamp. I‘m not 100% sure but I think it looks original. The pots I‘m not sure.

Also got a picture of the back of the neck. It seems like it got played a lot.

Ahh that looks more "like it."

 

[EdO.]

But....I have to say something feels off about this bass. It just looks too good. There's some wear on the back of the neck, but the body and the rest of the hardware don't match that. It almost looks like a refinish job, and the tuners and bridge just look too shiny.

My pre-EB Stingray is a later production year '82 purchased slightly used in '84 or '85, can't recall exactly. Despite it being the only bass I owned and regularly playing the crap out of it for better part of 20+ years straight before being able to afford a second instrument, still looks pretty damn good for it's age and amount of useage. Minor scuffing/play wear and some minor wear on the treble side/bottom edge of the neck but from a few feet away unnoticeable. Had it in the shop recently to replace the input jack and the tech that worked on it was pretty surprised that it was the age it was for it's condition. I AM fairly anal about how I care for my instruments so there's that, but really these basses are quite durably built so no surprise to me that many Stingrays of that vintage can still be found that are in very good cosmetic condition. Here's mine, not the best photo but you get the idea.

 

[schaechtele]

My pre-EB Stingray is a later production year '82 purchased slightly used in '84 or '85, can't recall exactly. Despite it being the only bass I owned and regularly playing the crap out of it for better part of 20+ years straight before being able to afford a second instrument, still looks pretty damn good for it's age and amount of useage. Minor scuffing/play wear and some minor wear on the treble side/bottom edge of the neck but from a few feet away unnoticeable. Had it in the shop recently to replace the input jack and the tech that worked on it was pretty surprised that it was the age it was for it's condition. I AM fairly anal about how I care for my instruments so there's that, but really these basses are quite durably built so no surprise to me that many Stingrays of that vintage can still be found that are in very good cosmetic condition. Here's mine, not the best photo but you get the idea.

View attachment 7311603

That’s a really nice Stingray!

I think the concern for the bass I posted was more of that the body looks awesome but the neck has wear which is bit too much for fitting the body.

 

[EdO.]

That’s a really nice Stingray!

I think the concern for the bass I posted was more of that the body looks awesome but the neck has wear which is bit too much for fitting the body.

Thank you. Yeah that's my baby.

Yeah my neck still has the shiny finish on it so I wonder if that one had the finish sanded down by the previous owner, as some find that type finish sticky. That or maybe they played more crap outta theirs than I did mine.

 

[schaechtele]

Just a quick update:
I ended up buying the bass and it's a really good one! Switched the control plate back to the original one. I want to get (hopefully original) knobs and change the strap buttons and get rid of the black screws of the pickguard and control plate.