Mistake in selling my 90s stingray classic for a Rick 4003! looking to rebuy help!

[oli@bass]

I used to have an '81 exactly like this. Oli@bass has it now. Spectacular bass for sure! That 81-83 era had the most slender feeling necks, you'll be grinning ear to ear.

Indeed. Lovely bass. Will most probably never part with it. I also have a '83 Sabre that's in the same "leage": Great playing neck, phantastic growl with a solid low end. Interesting thing is that both of these basses have an alder body, which was available for certain finishes through to the mid 90's, but is replaced by ash bodys for all finishes on current models.

If you're a bit adventurous, you could try a Sabre. There's currently a nice example at TalkBass for sale:
Pre-EB 1979 Musicman Sabre, black/maple - TalkBass Forums


As Mike said, I also think that quite a bit of the sound is due to the poly finished neck with maple board. So a new Classic series will get you close.

However, you have to keep in mind that those instruments are made of wood, and no piece is identical like the other, so each instrument will have its own personality -- some more to your liking, some less. If you can, try before buy. If not, do it like some of us: Buy a couple, keep the one(s) you like, sell the others (which does not mean they're bad instruments, just not to that person's taste -- for example, I know someone who prefers ash over alder, which is exactly the opposite to me)

[NURZE]

I did the EXACT same thing. I had a black stingray and a white one. I sold my white one to buy a vintage rickenbacker.
I almost cried after two days. I missed the ray REALLY bad... and sold that ric and bought another white ray.

[wahjesus]

@NURZE...we live and learn...Still going to try out rico sound for recording....might help...

Thanks to everyones great advice!

Ive just bought a second hand Black Stingray classic with maple neck from Mackenzie river music...arrives Wednesday! Cant wait.........heard a lot good thngs about the EB classics...sure it will do fine for recording! thanks everyone...

[wahjesus]

ps nearly got this one...great condition...it was reserved at the time but sale fell through....its now available....

1986 Musicman Stingray Bass

[oli@bass]

@NURZE...we live and learn...Still going to try out rico sound for recording....might help...

Thanks to everyones great advice!

Ive just bought a second hand Black Stingray classic with maple neck from Mackenzie river music...arrives Wednesday! Cant wait.........heard a lot good thngs about the EB classics...sure it will do fine for recording! thanks everyone...

Way cool! Looking forward to reading your opinion on the Classic.

[wahjesus]

The classic ray has arrived ! Looks and sounds great! Much lighter and thineer neck compared to my 90s ray (still wish i had it! grrrrrr) but its beautifully made...and it was a great deal (half price and not a mark!)

a/ bd it on a previous project.....more low end......but the 3 eq 90s ray had a warm mellow vibe....just different i guess......!

I have an album being mastered with both basses for a tv/sync company in London next month...so will post and see what you guys think? (if u have the time)

I guess it would be cool to have a 90s 3 eq and a pre earnie one day!.....but this felt more ROCK....and just a case of using it now

the eq when on full is V BRIGHT! really need to make the eq work/tweak well...ok stating the obvious!

Im tracking through a Brent Averille DMP (killer bass mic pre /di....highly recommended... baeds on the Neve design)......

Why were the 90s bass so HEAVY? neck was FAT! gives u an illusion of vintage tone but i guess its not really the case....only the pre earnies had a different pickup? but miss the fat neck ......

Oh man ...ok gotta get a life and get this record finished.....

Thanks to everyone!!!!! and ollie thanx again for your ray clips......so cool.....

Huw