1982 music man

[Carpetman65]

Hi everyone. I was a bass player years ago and hand problems have caused me to stop. I have a bass i am going to sell but for this moment I’m gathering information. I have a 1982 music man stingray bass. On the neck it has 3 handwritten set of initials and a stamp of Dec 23 1982. The body has 1 set of initials with a stamp and hand written date of Dec 23 1982. My question for now is did all of these bases come with sets of initials from who assembled them on the instrument? It is a tobacco sunburst. I will post pics by the end of the week. I am getting a new pick guard in the mail in a few days. I will explain why when i post them. Even though i have owned this bass since about 1984 ish. I don’t know a-lot about them. If you remember the 80’s you didn’t live the 80’s.

 

[mynan]

I don't know about the initials, but Gav has a lot of information on his site while you're waiting for answers to your question.

Music Man Bass Global - Serials Pre-EB Sting Ray

New page

www.musicmanbass.global

 

[xjbebop]

Wow! Very cool.... but why does it look like someone used a screwdriver (or claw hammer!) to chisel out the body??

 

[Carpetman65]

Wow! Very cool.... but why does it look like someone used a screwdriver (or claw hammer!) to chisel out the body??

In 1984 and you are 16 years old you don’t know any better. I know, I cost myself a thousand or more in value.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

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Hi everyone. I was a bass player years ago and hand problems have caused me to stop. I have a bass i am going to sell but for this moment I’m gathering information. I have a 1982 music man stingray bass. On the neck it has 3 handwritten set of initials and a stamp of Dec 23 1982. The body has 1 set of initials with a stamp and hand written date of Dec 23 1982. My question for now is did all of these bases come with sets of initials from who assembled them on the instrument? It is a tobacco sunburst. I will post pics by the end of the week. I am getting a new pick guard in the mail in a few days. I will explain why when i post them. Even though i have owned this bass since about 1984 ish. I don’t know a-lot about them. If you remember the 80’s you didn’t live the 80’s.

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Welcome to the Forum.

Markings on Pre-EB Instruments vary. Initials mainly appear on the body (in the neck pocket) along with a date stamp or a hand-written date (or both). Sometimes a dated body may not have initials. Necks may or may not be dated but usually are. If dated, they may not have initials which is usually the case. As with your Bass, some have the same neck and body dates but these appear to be rare.

I don't think the initials/dates are related to the assembly of the instrument. As well as the above, some dates can also be up to a month or more apart from each other. Perhaps the initials are those of the craftsmen/women who worked on the neck or body or by someone who inspected the work.