Stingrays from 1989

[Aharon]

So I'm trying to trade my SR5 for an Sr4 and two people who have approached me thus far have 1989 'Rays.

This may seem like a silly question, but is there anything I should know about this batch of production? Eg. did one too many lemons get past Quality Control?

One is beaten up pretty badly, lots of chips and scratches but the owner is willing to testify it plays and sounds like a dream. Naturally I am going to test this out for myself.

Do the older Stingrays sound any different? As far as I am aware the materials are the same. It has a varnished neck with skunk stripe, headstock truss rod adjustment, bridge mutes and chrome battery cover on the back.

Are these things built like tanks, or should I expect some non-aesthetic damage to have taken place. The owner seems extremely genuine and good natured so far. There is a rather large chip on the underside of the tone knobs where it might be possible somebody re-enacted The Who and tried to hammer smash it into a stage floor. The owner says he bought it in this condition from a guitar store after playing it, and is still in two minds about getting rid of it (even for a 2002 SR5).

What do you guys think? What especially should I look for when I get my hands on it to examine prior to a trade?

 

[bovinehost]

...is there anything I should know about this batch of production?

Nothing I can think of. A 1989 Stingray is much like a current model Stingray, except maybe the neck finish was glossy versus the current gunstock finish.

One is beaten up pretty badly, lots of chips and scratches....

Make him cough up some cash!

Do the older Stingrays sound any different?

Every bass sounds a little different. Wood density, wear and tear, etcetera, but no, there's not going to be any big difference between an 89 and a current model.

It has a varnished neck with skunk stripe, headstock truss rod adjustment, bridge mutes and chrome battery cover on the back.

You might want to check where that truss rod adjustment is.

Jack

 

[eric B]

the only thing i can think of is that some finishes from those mid or late 80's basses might be wear much much easier. it has nothing to do with EB's paint shop, it turns out that the fumes from certain type of glue used in some cases made the finish more susceptible to chipping and wearing off from sweat or humidity.

other than that, they really do sound the same. the QC has always been excellent.

 

[Duarte]

Personally, I absolutely love stingrays from that era. Classic looks and sweet tone (especially if it's a 2EQ model), and they always age well in my opinion. I also love how the necks feel, they are just wonderful. Maybe it's because they are worn in...

I'd say go for it, but as Jack said, make him cough up some cash. Your SR5 is a fine bass.

 

[LowDownDave]

You might want to check where that truss rod adjustment is.

Jack

According to Gav's website an '89 with a four bolt neckplate would have the truss rod adjustment at the headstock end of the neck, so not sure what you're saying Jack. I only guestimated the bass was an '89 by from the info on that site.

NO CASH!

 

[bdgotoh]

My favorite 2 band Stingray was made in 1989, the 4 bolt basses are great!

I ended up selling it last year after I found a light HH Stingray.

 

[rhythmCity944]

I have one '88 stingray and 2 '89 stingrays...love them all...my '88 is pretty beat up but sounds and plays great...both my '89s are of typical wear and tear and don't ever give me any problems. Those basses don't feel like they have aged any. Besides the glossy neck finishes, they play just like the new stingrays in my opinion.

 

[mathewsanchez]

I love my '89 ray. I prefer the neck to more recent models.