2001 Stingray 3 EQ in Burnt Apple

[scottplaysbass]

Hi there!

I've been an EBMM player since I got my Sterling bass in 2003 when I was in high school, and it's been my number 1 ever since. I was inspired in my love for Music Man by some of my favorite players growing up, but also by my friend Mike.

Mike passed away recently, and after his memorial service today, his parents gifted me his Stingray. I cried a lot. It's a 2001 Stingray 3 EQ in Burnt Apple with a rosewood fretboard. Serial number E24828. I hadn't seen the bass in years (he didn't play too much as an adult, but kept it in the case. The strings have got to be like a decade old, at least), and I forgot how beautiful the sparkle finish looks in person.

I've been looking up this specific model/finish, and there don't seem to be too many out there. Does anyone know for how long they were making this model with this finish? Any other info would be much appreciated.

I'm very much looking forward to setting it up, throwing some new strings on it, and taking it on a gig to play it in Mike's honor.

Thanks so much,

Scott

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hey Scott.

Please accept my condolences for the passing of your friend Mike.

Burnt Apple is a great finish and a favorite of mine, especially with Rosewood and Black pickguard. It was offered for 2 years, from 2000 to 2002. I don't recall it's been offered again since then. Feel free to post a pic.

As to setup, there's a collective wealth of info on this Forum.

 

[nebadon]

I bought a GC exclusive Stingray Special Burnt Apple summer 2023

When I almost bought a Special back in 2019[discontinued] it was [and still is] my preferred Finish

Didn't know they had one's back in 2000-2002

 

[scottplaysbass]

Thanks for your messages! I've attached some photos of the bass after I cleaned it up, set it up, and put some new strings on it. The fingerboard was really dry, and just soaked up 3 rounds of F-One oil. It sounds and plays perfectly. In some photos, the finish makes it look scratched, but it's in perfect condition.

My next electric gig is on October 5th, I can't wait to take this beauty out and give it a new life, and to pay homage to my friend of 27 years and his family.

Thanks guys!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Thanks for your messages! I've attached some photos of the bass after I cleaned it up, set it up, and put some new strings on it. The fingerboard was really dry, and just soaked up 3 rounds of F-One oil. It sounds and plays perfectly. In some photos, the finish makes it look scratched, but it's in perfect condition.

My next electric gig is on October 5th, I can't wait to take this beauty out and give it a new life, and to pay homage to my friend of 27 years and his family.

Thanks guys!

.
Nice

 

[bovinehost]

I had one of these - just like yours - back in the early 2000s. Great finish. And so sorry to hear about your friend.

Jack

 

[Hudsobass]

I have a StingRay in the burnt apple red finish, rosewood fretboard. I just found out by reading the Rod Brokentruss comment on this thread that mine was likely made between 2000 and 2002. I heard previously that when it was made it was distributed exclusively through GC. I wonder if that's correct? Looks like GC definitely distributed this same color StingRay in 2023.

 

[DrKev]

Here ya go!

Serial Number Database

www.music-man.com

Also, try entering the serial number into the forum search tool. Before the public serial number database was a thing, we had a thread where people posted and Customer Service replied (frequently Beth, Aziah, or Daniel). They often gave info about who the customer was. If you are not the first owner of that bass, it's possible a previous owner posted there.

Music Man Serial Number Database

Below is a resource you can now use to find the production date of your bass: SERIAL NUMBER DATABASE **Please note: We do not have any serial numbers for the Pre-Ernie Ball Music Man instruments in our database. You can check this site for more info on the early Music Man instruments (This...

forums.ernieball.com

 

[Hudsobass]

Thanks for the tip nebadon! I'm new to the forum and have never looked up MM serial #'s before. This simple look-up process shows mine was made Aug 16, 2001. Mine does not have the matching headstock. It does have a distinct sparkle in the finish in the light. Any thoughts on if the 2000-2002 instruments were exclusively GC distributed?

 

[Hudsobass]

.....and thanks DrKev for the link!

 

[lowendrachel]

Sorry about your loss.

That an awesome gift. Congratulatins!

 

[DrKev]

Thanks for the tip nebadon! I'm new to the forum and have never looked up MM serial #'s before. This simple look-up process shows mine was made Aug 16, 2001. Mine does not have the matching headstock. It does have a distinct sparkle in the finish in the light. Any thoughts on if the 2000-2002 instruments were exclusively GC distributed?

Only EBMM Customer Service can say, assuming the records still exist in an easily accessible fashion. Some dealers order a special run in a color that's not available to anyone else. But Burnt Apple Sparkle was a standard color in those days and matching headstock was an option for an upcharge, so seems to me your guitar was was one of those.