Something fishy with the StingRay?

[JSandbloom]

I'm looking at buying this bass online and it looks like its 99% legit. One thing that I've noticed missing is the "Made in San Louis" marking on the back of the head stock which this seems to be missing. It doesn't seem to have any signs of sanding of anything. Did they not always have that marking?

 

[Sanchan]

Are you trying to import this from Japan?

 

[JSandbloom]

Its about 125 to import, but yes.

 

[Sanchan]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There website shows the one has a marking......I am confused.....

 

[JSandbloom]

That's a different one. I'm looking at the used area and its the one for like 78000 JPY

 

[PortlandBass77]

Why import from Japan? You must be getting too good of a deal to pass up on, which is why it's likely a scam. If anything in another country is that much cheaper than 1 bought in the US that it is worth the trouble importing, then it is likely a fake or a scam.

 

[Sanchan]

Thanks! I found it! It's description says.....it is made in Japan......discontinued EX series(?)serial no. E 19380.... I did not know someone in Japan has/had a licese to produce "Stingray"..... it seems they give a very honest description(wear and tear etc...)of this "Stingray".

 

[Obese Chess]

Yup, there was indeed an EX series made in Japan. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Fresh Eddie]

String through body is super cool.

 

[The Ryantist]

I had never heard of the EX series. That's interesting. I'm no expert, but from those photos it looks legit. The body shape, headstock shape, and hardware all look authentic to me.

 

[loveandbass]

looks cool

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Call EBMM's customer service line with the serial number. They will be more than happy to confirm if its legit or not.

 

[Bass_Thumper]

yeah, I don't know about any Japanese StingRays but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. Aside from the "Made in San Luis Obispo California USA" stamp on the back of the headstock (which I guess wouldn't be there if it were made in Japan), the nut is not the compensated nut either. Do like BIGEJ2 said and call EBMM, they'll set it straight.

 

[mikeswals]

Yes, this looks like an EX model. Several people have imported them back to the US. The topic had popped up several times over the years, they are US made raw parts shipped over and they were assembled in Japan as needed.

 

[mikeswals]

the nut is not the compensated nut either.

The compensated nut didn't exist until 2005. The date on the EBMM post linked said the EX discontinued before 2003

 

[steveinohio]

The EX series always interested me. Really its just a run of the mill Ray that is string through. Still there is a coolness factor. If the price is right and you dont mind waiting I would go for it!

 

[Slpbass81]

Unless it is less than $750 I would hold off and keep an eye on Craigslist. In my area they pop up all the time and sell for that price.

 

[bobalu]

Yup, there was indeed an EX series made in Japan. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wow, never knew that.

 

[BioWeapon]

It's fishy because a Stingray is a fish!

 

[BAG]

It's probably just the lighting or the finish but that headstock looks like it is a repair job. Almost like the headstock was snapped off and replaced.