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Thoughts on 20th anniv Stingray?

Pet Sounds

Pet Sounds

Mar 8, 2009
5,433
6,642
#1
Hey, guys. I have a chance to acquire a 1996 Stingray, a 20th anniversary model with a quilted maple top and birdseye neck. Anybody have experience with these? Are the differences purely cosmetic, or do these have special features that make a tonal difference? It's a gorgeous bass. Thoughts on 'em?
 
#2
Nice basses. I had one for 10+ years, used it intermittently for gigs with great results. IIRC I bought it silly cheap in '99 & my prime reason for doing so was because it was the first Stingray (that I was aware of) with an interesting top. Not quite as user-friendly as my current 'Rays though, as the top meant that there were none of the various bevels for forearm etc. Soundwise, well, nothing strikingly different.
I'd be interested to know your seller's asking price; not in the market for another SR, simply curious.
 
#3
He's asking $1,200. It's really in pretty good shape, with just a little normal wear.
Here's another question: Would you do a direct swap of a Ric 4003 for the 20th MM SR if you had another 4003?
 
#4
Darn, you know me too well! You're asking about all my favorite basses ~ just mention Spectors for good measure & I'll know you're spying on me!
Seriously though....that'd depend on the year & condition of the Rick. Unless it was really special, I'd take the 20th in a heartbeat; Ricks aren't uncommon at good prices from time to time but the Anniversaries are rare birds.
Regarding rarity, if I remember correctly there were supposed to have been 1996 basses made but I believe the real total was quite a few shy of that number.
I'd love to see a pic of the one you're thinking of grabbing. Is it still cased too?
 
#6
I've had one for about 10 years, with a flame top. There is a forearm bevel and belly cut. It has a great tone in my opinion, warmer than a typical Stingray from the 90s.
I paid around 1100 for mine, but have seen them go as high as 1600. I have the exact numbers made somewhere. Rosewood boards are rarer than maple.

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#7
Good points from Jim; rosewood or maple, flame or quilt top? In retrospect I'm inclined to agree with his 'warmer tone' comment too (although my judgement's colored by the fact that I've retro'd Status Graphite necks on to my current SRs).
All things said & done, the more I think about this one, the more I'm thinking "Go for it PS!" .....and possibly regretting that I let mine go.
 
#8
From information i read on the internets;

1246 20th Anniversary SRs were produced

713 w/ maple boards
477 rosewood boards
21 lined fretless
35 unlined fretless

no records on quilted vs flamed tops or flame vs birdseye necks.

They sure do have fuzzy case interiors.

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#9
Thanks for the input, guys. I bit the bullet and made a direct swap. No regrets so far and don't think I'll have any. It's quilted with a birdseye neck and maple board. VERY comfortable neck to play. Mine has a black rectangular case, though, with no orange fuzz.
 
#11
Hey PS. I'm in with Jim ~ we need pics to start the week off right!
Anyways, whenever you can, no rush ~ after all I reckon you'll be a bit too busy playing to be messing around with photography, right?
If I may be so bold, don't be treating her with any of that flatwound nonsense:spit:. Oh,and hey, pics? Whenever, but at least let us know what you think of the new beastie eh?
Finally, of course; good call my friend, congratulations!
 
#13
dutchwife said:
Hey PS. I'm in with Jim ~ we need pics to start the week off right!
Anyways, whenever you can, no rush ~ after all I reckon you'll be a bit too busy playing to be messing around with photography, right?
If I may be so bold, don't be treating her with any of that flatwound nonsense:spit:. Oh,and hey, pics? Whenever, but at least let us know what you think of the new beastie eh?
Finally, of course; good call my friend, congratulations!
Click to expand...

What do you mean? Depending on the sound he wants, flats work just fine. I have them on my SR5, and I love the thump.
 
#14
I cannot express how much I miss mine- sold her 8 yrs ago or so and have regretted it ever since. Had a quilted top-birdseye neck and soooo much figure in the wood. I popped a bartolini p/u in there and she really sang. Decided to quit playing forever (doh!) and sold her with all my gear. DOH! 4 yrs later-Bought a 2006 30th-love it!- still looking for another 20th. Glad to hear they can still be found.Good luck with her- enjoy!
 
#15
Thanks. And thanks to everyone who gave his input (like I need encouragement to get another bass!). It's a great bass and probably the best Stingray I've ever laid my hands on. Found it in a local pawn shop.
 

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