Hi,
it looks like my Stingray has a landmark birthday coming up : it's been a good 25 years since I last took the neck off, but I can remember that the date written there was a little different to the date written on the control plate (6-29-87).
I have a few questions about this bass, if you could answer them for me, that would be greatly appreciated :
1. What is the official D.O.B. of Sting Ray Bass # 25792 (serial on bridge)?
2. The control plate is dated, and signed by "MB", or possibly "JB" (see attached photo's). Who might that be, and are they still working at Ernie Ball?
View attachment 32011
View attachment 32012
3. The maple neck and fret board are a really nice mixture of flame, and birds eye. What is it officially listed / described as?
4. What is the neck radius for Stingrays of this early E.B. period?
5. The frets are still in very good condition, all things considered. Should I want to replace any, like for like, in the next 30 years - what material, and size, was used here?
6. The nut has a hairline fracture in the "D" slot - it's never caused a problem, but :
a) Could this be due to using medium gauge Stainless Steel strings (lower tension, but narrower, and more abrasive), rather than standard gauge Nickle coated strings?
b) Where can I get a replacement original (non-compensated) nut?
7. How did this bass come to be in The U.K.?
Many thanks for the great service you guys provide, and for any information you can give me.
This bass has been my workhorse for most of it's 30 years, and it's never let me down - I think the only adjustment I've ever needed to make was to the truss rod, when I switched to medium gauge strings in about 1994, and some minor tweaks to lower the action.
There's no reason to believe that wont continue for the next 30 years... although am I correct in understanding that owning a 1987 Stingray entitles me to a free 30th anniversary Stingray5?
Cheers!
