Is it true ?!?

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 12:37 PM

Just saw this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Man_Stingray

Quote: "...Designed by Fender, Walker and Sterling Ball..."

Is that true?
I didn't realize that Sterling took part in the SR design.
WOW!!!

**bovinehost** · 10-26-2006, 01:28 PM

Sterling, along with a couple of other guys whose names would seem mighty familiar to most of you, was a beta-tester for the Stingray.

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 01:30 PM

Did he actually take part in the bass design though?

**bovinehost** · 10-26-2006, 01:31 PM

I remember him talking about testing the Stingray (Tommy Walker was his godfather) but you'll have to wait for him to come around to get a more detailed answer.

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 01:34 PM

I think I heard that Tommy was the one who designed the first SR preamp but I'm not sure.

**Big Poppa** · 10-26-2006, 01:59 PM

I didnt design the stingray bass. I was a 17 year old beta tester.... I made suggestions that ended up on the bass but a few of us bassists did back then. This is the problem with Wikipedia.

Tom Walker did design the preamp for the sting ray bass and sabre he also was the guy who designed the music man amps not Leo........The Jretro guy has a thread on the pit where he credits leo for the design of the preamps but it was Tommy even though Leo patented it. They are both no longer with us but I was there.

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 02:07 PM

Which of your suggestions ended up on the bass BP?

**Big Poppa** · 10-26-2006, 02:10 PM

the biggest was the pre amp was so hot that it would overdrive the input of most amps

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 02:20 PM

So you were actually there when it all started.
Have you ever considered posting some nice stories from back then?
I'd love to read about the history of the Instrument and the people that were involved in making it. Most of them are gone by now and this could be a beautiful thing to do for present and future reference. What say you?

**maddog** · 10-26-2006, 02:39 PM

I recall some stories getting posted around here somewhere straight from Sterling. If he doesn't reply soon enough, a go at the ol' search function may sate your curiosity.

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 02:43 PM

What am I searching for?
BP has thousands of posts.
I'll give it a try and see what comes up.

**mbgreene** · 10-26-2006, 02:44 PM

Plato check out this thread - lots of history and stories

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/show...t=tommy+Walker

**maddog** · 10-26-2006, 03:06 PM

I think that was the exact one I was thinking of.

**plato** · 10-26-2006, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by mbgreene

Plato check out this thread - lots of history and stories

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/show...t=tommy+Walker

More debates than solid information in that thread ... but it sure is interesting. There always seem to be gray areas and contradictions with the history.
It looks like the gang splited with some high tensions back in 1979. Who knows what the truth is when it comes to those kind of situations huh?

I still wish BP to come forward with a nice pack of true stories. I do believe it's important (and fun too).