This Stingray needs help! But how much?

[Excelite]

I am considering buying this bass off of Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320007390061

Although I do hate ebay, this is very tempting, but this discourages me a little. Here is a picture that the seller himself sent me...

He said he did not fix the chip in the clear coat because he did not want to "mess with the originality" of the bass. If I do buy it, and decide that I want to fix it, does anybody know approximately how much a job like that would cost? I know it depends on the luthier, but give me an estimate. Do you think that if I win it for under 600 (yes, I know the bids will go up in the last few minutes), that it will be worth the trouble to fix? Thanks in advance!

 

[Nick Ioannucci]

wait thats a chip? thats really crazy looking. id say youd need either a partial or complete refin for that bad boy. thats suck a wierd spot too... idk, i wouldnt buy something broken that i couldnt do myself, just because when youre not just paying for parts, you never know exactly how much labor will be needed.

 

[Excelite]

Yeah, its a beautiful bass, at a so far good price, but that "chip" makes me hestitant. Anybody else have any idea?

 

[blipndub]

Unless you were willing to pay a few hundred dollars for a refin I would back away. I wouldn't say that if not for the matching headstock, which would be hard to replicate at home. I wouldn't pay any more than 500 for a ray in that condition. you can find one for seven that is in perfect condition.

 

[tZer]

I just looked at the eBay ad and it really looks like something spilled on it and removed the finish - same sort of finish damage on the back too...

hmmm....

 

[christobass 416]

If it was cheaper, I'd buy it and keep the finish that way.

 

[Excelite]

I'm not someone that goes soley based on looks, but, this makes me worry about other things. Fretboard condition? Electronics? The guy said he bought it in 2003 or 2004, but the serial is e23666. Anybody want to confirm/send me a link to where I can confirm that?

 

[Bass for Beef]

if the thing sounds good and works just fine who cares what it looks like...I've got a 74 fender jazz that looks like it came from hell but it sounds awesome...

 

[Bass for Beef]

then again its old and passed the test of time(the j bass), you can always sell it (MM)

 

[Excelite]

Well, now I kind of hope someone outbids me. Either way, if I win, I will have gotten a Stingray for $560, I guess thats not bad, considering the sound is what matters most.

 

[Excelite]

Well, I got the seller to cancel my bid, after telling me that paint "chip" was actually a defect and his sweat had caused it. Then he proceeded to tell me "the bass is flawless, but I'll cancel your bid anyways". I learned my lesson, no ebay for me, I want to play and see any instrument before I even think about buying it!

 

[Bass for Beef]

i was thinking about asking you for it

 

[ihixulu]

... and his sweat had caused it. QUOTE]

His SWEAT caused THAT to happen to a polyester finish?

No wonder his wife couldn't stand to be with him.

 

[DennyOnBass]

The finish on my Stingray actually cracked in a very similar fashion. It started cracking where the pickguard screws meet the body, where the screws join the neck and body, and on the back near the battery holder.

It eventually spread to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore and I had it refinished clear. A local guy did it for $200.00, but I'd guess that's on the low side.

I'm pretty sure it had little to nothing to do with my sweat. My tech guy says that polyester finishes aren't necessarily the best option for climates with serious temperature changes, like here in Northern Michigan.

 

[Techmonkey]

The finish on my 88 ray has aged much much worse than most finishes on stingrays... but its a different sort of wear... the red of the transparent red has been dissolved from sweat and constant rubbing (it's all where the hand rests on the contour) but the clear coat underneath is intact.

I dig it... it suits the whole worn look of the bass, which suits me (I'm a worn looking guy ) so I'm not worrying about a refinish or anything like that. But that bass is a whole different kettle of fish!

I'd eat my cojones (see what TB has done for my vocab ) if that was caused by sweat.

 

[Turock]

Who sweats on that part of a bass?

 

[Nick Ioannucci]

yep thats what i was thinking.

 

[WesC]

Looks more like he spilled something on it... like thinnner or something.

 

[rodl2005]

I thort It looked like some failed attempt at a mural of some sorts-maybe pre mural??? or thinners of some kind?? I sweat a lot playin & NEVER have I seen anything close to this. & there too??????
Rod.

 

[DennyOnBass]

My 'Ray, prior to refinishing. Ignore the crazy eyes.

The bass in my profile pic is the same one, post refinishing.