which pre ernie ball stingray?

[olddog]

Am interested in adding a vintage stingray to the collection, any info on a good year model would be helpful....

 

[XBASSX]

'76 - '78 would be the best. B00 model (serial number on neck plate B00XXXX). Epoxy pre-amp. I have an all natural one. I would love to get an Inca Silver one.

 

[olddog]

I found a 76 with radio knobs, and a 77 black ray, I was just curious if there was any physical differences.

 

[Roscoe East]

To be honest, I thought when Ernie Ball took over they improved the Stingray immensely, especially wrt the feel & construction quality of the necks. The only pre-ErnieBall Stingray that would float my boat is one of the graphite-necked models.

 

[AMJBASS]

I had a '77 that was a stellar bass. One of the best sounding basses I have owned(it weighed a TON though). I really do think that the new Classic series from Musicman combine the best aspects of the old models and new(6 bolt neck, 2 band pre with bridge mutes). I can understand wanting a vintage bass though. If you are dead set on one I agree with the above. Look for a '76-78 BOO serial number.

 

[mikeswals]

I love all the preEB era's. The necks on the 81-83 Grover Jackson finished era are killer, most comfortable slim feeling. But the 76-78 with the early long-pole pickup seem fatter on the bottom.

In a collector sense, the BOO serials seem to gain the most collector attention. If you can find those in custom colors you're golden.
But I consider them all good. You just have to watch out, during '83 a batch of bum necks were shipped with non-functioning truss rods.

Lots of great info:
Link Removed

 

[scottbass]

I haven't played very many pre-EB Rays, but I own a '78 and I LOVE it.