Music Man Serial Number Database

**NCorder** · 04-28-2005, 04:18 PM

Hey guys, I'm a newbie here and I'm a brand new MM owner (as of yesterday!). I acquired an SR5, but don't know much about it. Serial # on the bridge is: 51048. Shes a trans red with flat black pickguard and birdseye maple neck/fretboard. Can anyone tell me what year/month she's from? How about what pickup she has? My best guess is 1990 or 1991, which should put her in with the Alnico pickup group (please correct me if I'm guessing wrong)??
Also, any idea why the Mids cut/boost knob does nothing? If its a bad pot, I can replace it, but are there common preamp failures from this era that might be the more likely culprit?
Thanks greatly for any info anone could dig up for me!

**Rod Trussbroken** · 04-29-2005, 12:56 AM

Hi and welcome. Unfortunately I don't have enough serials for comparison but it would be an 89 or 90 Bass. You will be able to get the exact date of birth by emailing EB's customer service. The early SR5's had alnico pickups up to circa 1992 before changing to ceramic.

Re the pre-amp:

*Have you tried a fresh battery?

*Do the Bass and Treble controls work correctly?

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**lachtron** · 05-05-2005, 05:02 AM

Hey guys, first time poster here !
I've checked the website with the S\Ns on it and have had no luck finding mine, if anyone can help that would be great ! The number is B009459.
Thanks very much in advance.

Bass: Musicman Stingray
Finish: Natural gloss
Neck: Maple
EQ: 3EQ
Pickguard: Black
Location: England
Notes: Has been re-fretted

**Rod Trussbroken** · 05-05-2005, 05:16 AM

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum

The Pre-EB serial list is not comprehensive. It consists of serials from owners who have submitted the info concerning their own Basses.

Ernie Ball doesn't have a Pre-EB serial data base.

Consequently, the list is a guide to assist in age identification.

Can you give more info about your Bass....colour etc. Did you by it new. Do you have an idea of its age.

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**lachtron** · 05-05-2005, 05:30 AM

Thanks for the welcome, sorry for my ignorance

I was given my 'ray as a present about 3 years ago, second hand, it has a natural/blonde finish and a maple neck and headstock, the body has taken a fare few knocks in its time by the looks of it. The rubber parts on the dampeners have coroded away almost completly. The guy who sold it didn't know much about its history except that it once belonged to the bassist from Mot the Hoople ( which i dont think is something to be proud of ! ). Hope that helps.

**peabody** · 05-05-2005, 08:42 AM

I apologize in advance for my ignorance, but I have a question. I have recently joined the ranks of MM owners...I just picked up a used Sterling (I'm wondering why I waited so long...it's awesome). Anyway, I checked the serial # list and found mine on the No Date Information list (46145 - honeyburst, black PG, rosewood neck). Does this mean that one of the previous owners submitted the serial # and there was no way to confirm the date or does it mean when it was sent in they didn't include the dates. I haven't had the bass long enough to take it apart and look at the neck, body cavity, etc., but I'm assuming there should be dates there...right? It looks like from the surrounding serial numbers it should be a mid to late '95.

**Rod Trussbroken** · 05-06-2005, 01:14 AM

peabody, I can't remember where it came from...either Ebay or a forum member. The date would be availabe. I just haven't got around to doing it. The date of birth will be available through EB Customer Service.

Also there should be a date on the neck heel and body pocket.

P.S. welcome!

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**Rod Trussbroken** · 05-06-2005, 01:25 AM

lachtron,

If the serial is on the neck plate it should be a 1978. However, from around Dec 1978 the serial moved to the bridge along with "Music Man" stamped on the bridge tail.

The mutes pads are easy enough to make and can look original. If you want details, let me know.

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**lachtron** · 05-06-2005, 01:42 AM

Thanks very much Rod, the number is on the neck plate so it looks like its a 1978. I'm not to worried about the rubber parts at the moment, but when i feel like showing it off in its former glory, I'll be sure to ask you about it ! Thanks once again for your help

**peabody** · 05-06-2005, 08:17 AM

Gav:

I checked the body pocket and there is a little sticker on one of the pots that says "May 8, 1995". It appears Sunday will be my new bass' 10th birthday! I'd have a little party, but since it's Mother's Day here in the US, my wife would probably get a little torqued. It looks like you can take it off of the No Date Information list. Again it's a Sterling, honeyburst, black pickguard, with a rosewood neck. Let me know if you need anything else and thanks for all of the information!

**Rod Trussbroken** · 05-06-2005, 08:49 AM

>>>I checked the body pocket and there is a little sticker on one of the pots that says "May 8, 1995".

The sticker on the pot is only the date that the pre-amp was made. When I refer to body pocket, I mean the join on the body where the neck fits. To view it, the neck has to be removed. But, unless you're confident, I suggest you don't remove the neck.

My experience is that the pre-amp date preceeds the date of birth by about 2 or 3 months.

I'll update your Bass.

Mothers Day here too!!!...Yep, wifey is getting a new soldering gun. I've already bought her a new Bass, and a set of strings to boot.
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JOKING

I would't dare press my luck!!! Have a good day with the family.

Cheers.

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**Rod Trussbroken** · 05-06-2005, 09:42 AM

But what the heck....happy birthday to your Bass aswell my friend. The pre-amp still may have been fitted on the DOB

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**peabody** · 05-06-2005, 08:49 PM

Gav:

I checked the "real" dates on my Sterling...the body is dated 8/9/1995 and the neck is dated 8/23/1995. I'll have to postpose the birthday party. If I had a birthday party for the pot, it would be a pot party and I'd probably get in trouble. Thanks for your help.