1989 stingray vs classic

pacop · Dec 28, 2014

Hi,

I have a chance to buy an used 2 band eq natural 1989 stingray, mint condition, wonderful glossy birdseye maple neck and fretboard, the action is low with no fret buzz. Do you think should I go with this one better than a new classic?

Thanks

bdgotoh · Dec 28, 2014

I had a really wonderful 1989 2 band Stingray, never should have sold it. Classics are slab bodies, no contouring front or back, and they have the truss rod wheel adjuster at the heel of the neck. That 89 Ray has a contoured body and the truss rod adjusts at the headstock. They should sound very similar. The pickup polepieces on the 89 will likely have sharper edges than on the Classic but I've never played a Classic so I can't say for sure.

I personally love the body contouring, makes the bass much more comfortable to play.

sanderhermans · Dec 28, 2014

That is a hard choice. I would propably go for the 89 one. But both are great....

Golem · Dec 28, 2014

sanderhermans said:
That is a hard choice. I would propably go for
the 89 one. But both are great....

Hard choice ? OK, it's a hard choice to find in
the real world, and when you do it's often at
a fiscally inconvenient time. OTOH, if you got
the sheckels on hand, and you got the choice
offered to you ... I know I wouldn't lose any
sleep pondering about it, nor spend too much
time checking with forum members. I'd jump
it. I mean, sure, it's good to check briefly with
forum members, in case there's some kinda
widespread well known plague of '89 Rays
spontaneously combusting. But after an hour
or two with no dire warnings, it's jump time.

Post pix. No pix, no NOBD

pacop · Dec 28, 2014

Golem said:
Post pix. No pix, no NOBD

Can´t you see the pix? I posted two.

njhammer · Dec 28, 2014

Can't go wrong with that '89. Beautiful instrument.

68Goldfish · Dec 28, 2014

I have a 90 ray just like this one. I say go for it. Figured gloss neck, two band, bridge with mutes all with a contoured body. Best of all worlds. I say it's a no brainer especially considering you can get a classic anytime but a bass like this is not so easy to find.

Bert · Dec 29, 2014

Are you sure the body of this 89 was not sanded? it looks very dull (like the 1996 special run dull one's).

pacop · Dec 29, 2014

Bert said:
Are you sure the body of this 89 was not sanded? it looks very dull (like the 1996 special run dull one's).

Originally was red (REDBT code) but first owner ordered a refinish in natural and was coated with a thin layer of matte lacquer, very nice and smooth finish.

pacop · Dec 29, 2014

Thanks to all members for your contribution, the 89 is now coming home.

KevinM · Dec 29, 2014

God choice. You can always get a new classic but not too many chances for an 89

Golem · Dec 30, 2014

pacop said:
Can´t you see the pix? I posted two.

Oh yeah, I can see what I understand to currently
be the seller's bass. Reeeeally nice, but I meant we
need to see pix of YOUR bass, same bass, but YOUR
New-Old-Bass-Day transforms it, makes it 'family',
so then we see new pix ... NOBD family pix !!

IOW, when you buy it, shoot us some bass porn

MattOfSweden · Dec 30, 2014

Œ

Golem said:
Oh yeah, I can see what I understand to currently
be the seller's bass. Reeeeally nice, but I meant we
need to see pix of YOUR bass, same bass, but YOUR
New-Old-Bass-Day transforms it, makes it 'family',
so then we see new pix ... NOBD family pix !!

IOW, when you buy it, shoot us some bass porn

Well said, NBD pics are very important - and NOBD pics doubly so.
Congratulations in advance OP, looks like an amazing catch!
Looking fwd to seeing that '89 blonde beauty in more detail.