Music Man Serial Number Database

[about_time]

Hi Guys, I'm new here. I own a MMStingray4 which as per claimed by the previous owner a 1983 product. The serial no is 28072 if I'm correct as the one that I saw at the bridge. Tried to locate the actual DOB but couldn't find it. Hope you guys can help me out me out in this area... Thanks a lot

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi.

Welcome to the Forum.

All Pre-EB Basses have serial numbers prefixed with a "B".

The serials for Pre-EB Basses and Ernie Ball Basses will be on the bridge for that era.

If you've recorded the serial correctly, my reckoning is that your Bass dates to first half of 1989 (it could be a 1988 though).

When Derek and Beth get back, they'll be able to do a positive confirmation for you.

If it turns out to be an early EB Bass, then, IMO, you have a very desirable instrument.

Good luck.

[Beth]

Hi Rod,

Thank you for being so patient with me over the holidays with the serial #'s. Here's the DOB's of the ones you asked about on the last page:

E22882 - This StingRay in Natural finish with a rosewood neck and black pickguard was born on 5 June 2001 in the factory in San Luis Obispo, CA and was originally sold to Washington Music Center/Chuck Levin's in Wheaton, MD.

40281 - This StingRay in Translucent Red with a maple neck was born on 1 April 1994 in the factory in San Luis Obispo, CA and was originally sold to Musik Meyer GmbH, our distributor for Germany.

Enjoy!
-Beth

[about_time]

Hi Rod,

appreciate the info you gave thanks alot. I have checked and confirmed the serial no is 28072 without any perfix. By the way, here's a brief description of my MM; A buttercream body with a bird's eye maple neck and fret. Will post you the photo once I have it for better verification... Thanks again

[about_time]

Hi Rod,

appreciate the info you gave thanks alot. I have checked and confirmed the serial no is 28072 without any perfix. By the way, here's a brief description of my MM; A buttercream body with a bird's eye maple neck and fret. Will post you the photo once I have it for better verification... Thanks again

Life without music is like without a Life

[Beth]

Hi About Time,

When I check this serial number in our database, it relates to a StingRay in Blueburst built in 1989 and originally sold to Swee Lee, an old distributor of ours in Singapore. I have a feeling that either someone altered the body finish after-market or the neckplate is not original. If you post pics, we could tell better what is going on with it.

-Beth

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Hey Beth,

E30776 - I think it's somewhere 5/02, but if you've got more on it, i.e., day, and who it was sold to originally, that would be keen!

I get no love from Beth

[Beth]

Hi Fuzzy!

I'm sorry, I didn't see your post. Must be all the turkey on my brain, hahahah!

Your StingRay in Black Sparkle with a matching rosewood neck and black pickguard was born on 9 May, 2002 in the factory in San Luis Obispo and was originally sold to The Bass Place in Tempe, AZ. Enjoy!!

-Beth

[Rod Trussbroken]

Thanks again Beth

[Dr Stankface]

a matching rosewood neck

-Beth

I want a matching rosewood neck!!!

[Alvabass]

Hey! I've just noticed that one of my pictures is in Rod site's gallery. Thanks for that! I feel very proud of being a part of EBMM owners' roster.

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>Hey! I've just noticed that one of my pictures is in Rod site's gallery. Thanks for that! I feel very proud of being a part of EBMM owners' roster.

[about_time]

Hi Rod,

I have attached the pic of my MM's body for your reference. Hope this can help.

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>I have attached the pic of my MM's body for your reference.

It has to be an EB bridge because of the serial number.

If it has a contoured body (as opposed to slab...a Pre-EB feature) then it will be an EB body. If "Ernie Ball" appears on the headstock logo then obviously the neck is also EB.

Unscrew the control plate (the plate which holds the Vol, Bass and Treble controls). Look for signs of blue paint. While you're at it, check the date sticker on the rear of the Bass control pot.

A better way is to remove the neck and check for blue paint in the body cavity. A date will be recorded there and on the neck heel aswell. But don't do that unless you know what you're doing.

It's hard to tell from the pic. Unless the Bass is made from different Music Man parts, then it has to be a refin paint job.

[about_time]

Hi Rod,

thanks. Will get a gd friend of mine to do the dismantling as I'm a blooper when it comes to technical works ahahahahah. But the main thing is that I' happy to own this machine because the tone has attracted lots of attention from bass players in my country due ite rareness here. By far I've only seen a peice of the MM, that is the blueburst Sterling which has not been bought since it came to the shop a few years back as players here prefer the Stingray more. Long Live EB...