Question: Vintage fretless StingRay... this or that, and what about the woods?

[oli@bass]

I'm looking to get a vintage fretless StingRay, but am not sure whether to get a pre-EB '79 or a EB '84 I found on eBay. Both seem to be in great condition, but I'm not sure which one will be the better bass for real use.

Vintage 79´ Music Man Stingray original fretless bei eBay.de: E-Bässe (endet 10.11.08 19:28:51 MEZ)

MusicMan Rare Music Man Fretless USA Stingray Bass NR! on eBay, also Right-Handed, Bass, Guitar, Musical Instruments (end time 08-Nov-08 01:59:12 GMT)

The '79 is said to have an ebony fretboard while '84 is said to have a rosewood fretboard, which I cannot imagine to be a good wood for a fretless. Does anyone know exactly what woods were used, and how rosewood withstands use with roundwound strings?

Any help and opinions would be appreciated.

[Big Poppa]

Ours is not rosewood it is Pau Ferro which has really proven to be a fabulous fretless board. Having said that without seeing it it could be rosewood becaus if it really is an 84 it is one of the first ones we made.

Both of those are really special. You wouldnt be making a mistake with either........Are you going to play it? then if so do you prefer the two band or three band.......that ebony on black is really cool but that birdseye is motherlode.....decisions decisions decisions!

[oli@bass]

Thank you, Sir, for taking the time to look at this! I'll try to get serial number of the '84, so maybe Dan can figure out when it was made and whether it's really rosewood.

Yes, I want to play it. Not that I have any fretless capabilities but I like the sound... so I'm willing to practice

[your idol]

see what the price runs up and buy both! theyre both going fairly cheap at the moment . you could probably snag 2 for the price of one fretted. take the time play em both and if you like one more than the other. sell the other and recoup the cash.

with that being said..if i had to choose.. 84' all the way. To quote BP that birdseye is MOTHERLODE. it just looks like a pure class act

[Musicman Nut]

Ours is not rosewood it is Pau Ferro which has really proven to be a fabulous fretless board. Having said that without seeing it it could be rosewood becaus if it really is an 84 it is one of the first ones we made.

Both of those are really special. You wouldnt be making a mistake with either........Are you going to play it? then if so do you prefer the two band or three band.......that ebony on black is really cool but that birdseye is motherlode.....decisions decisions decisions!

That Black Ernie Ball Fretless 3 Band looks to me like a 1987, the very first EB Basses Had the vintage music man logo, then the Vintage logo with Ernie Ball Just on top, but that Bass will Rock man, 4 bolts we're and are Great basses. ENJOY.
Buy The Ernie Ball though, Trust me, it'll be a Million times better then the Leo one.

[oli@bass]

That Black Ernie Ball Fretless 3 Band looks to me like a 1987, the very first EB Basses Had the vintage music man logo, then the Vintage logo with Ernie Ball Just on top, but that Bass will Rock man, 4 bolts we're and are Great basses. ENJOY.
Buy The Ernie Ball though, Trust me, it'll be a Million times better then the Leo one.

Thank you very much for that observation! The logo indeed hints it to be a 1987 or later. And that would mean, that according to BP it should have a Peau Ferro fretboard. Would be cool. And yes, I prefer the 3 band to the 2 band EQ, there are just more options in it.

[Rod Trussbroken]

I don't think Ebony was introduced untill 1980.

The second Bass has a 3EQ and a "Made In San Luis..." decal on the rear of the headstock. Both features didn't appear untill 1987.

[Aussie Mark]

Rosewood will wear with roundwounds. My fretless has worn flats most of it's life, so has hardly any marking on the board, so if you go for a rosewood board on a fretless, that's an option.

[MrMusashi]

fretless/pao ferro/roundwounds... the way to go

MrM

[kylierider]

Rosewood will wear with roundwounds. My fretless has worn flats most of it's life, so has hardly any marking on the board, so if you go for a rosewood board on a fretless, that's an option.

I second this. My 30th fretless has TI flats and has no wear. So I would look into the ebony fingerboard if you plan on running rounds.

Both are beautiful basses though. I'm really like the Birdseye necks. My 92 has one and it looks incredible. The other thing I really like about the EB bass is the truss rod wheel. Probably the best invention on a bass ever.

[chilix]

I would go with the EBMM if it were me. The ebony is tempting but with the EBMM who says you cannot get the fingerboard epoxied if it becomes a regular player...My 89 fretless has an epoxied fingerboard and it holds up great to round wounds that I use...if you have the funds, get both and see which you like better