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Vintage stingrays

F

fenderbassabuse

Mar 26, 2004
597
0
37
Bishop's Stortford, Herts, U.K
#1
How much would I be looking at to pick up a good playing pre-ernie ball model for in the UK? If I can get hold of a 70's model, what should I look out for? Are they as robust as a brand new one? Do they hold their value?

Also, how many people around here use them or any 70's or earlier basses? are there any reliability issues with a 30ish year old instrument?

Many thanks
 
#2
Old musicman sales seem to have slowed for the past couple months, but check ebay. I think that's the best source for what people are willing to pay.
Basically the pre ernie Ray's seem break up into 3 categories;
76-77 seem to go for a certain price, the 78-80 another price, and the 81-83 4-bolt necks go for another price (these being the least price pre-EB's).
 
#3
Cool. I guess I have about $3000 or £1500 to play with, and I want a real good playing one. I dont really care about how good the condition is, (like paint chips or a dirty fingerboard) just so long as it plays and sounds fantastic. If anything, I want one WITH imperfections like scrachtes and dirt.

Are there any other places to buy one/get an idea of price for a vintage 'ray?
 
#4
fenderbassabuse said:
Also, how many people around here use them or any 70's or earlier basses? are there any reliability issues with a 30ish year old instrument?
Click to expand...

I my self gig alot and frequently use from my collection which includes: a '69 Jazz, '72 Precision, '79 Ibanez Musician, '80 Musicman Sabre, and an '84 Jazz 62RI.

Never any reliability issues, the only "issue" is old basses can be hard to replace if they are ever stolen.
 
#6
My '79 Ray is bulletproof, no reliability issues whatsoever. I did have to have it refretted, but then again, it's 26 years old. The electronics are still intact and functional, and it plays beautifully.

These things are going for about $2K usually, so it seems you have the scratch to afford one. I bought mine for about $1300 on Ebay two years ago. I love it, and I'll never sell it. The newer ones are .. well .. more sterile sounding to me.

Alan
 

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