Benjamin Orr's MM bass, anyone?

[morrisonhendrix]

Does anyone know the specs. for Ben Orr's (former bassist for the Cars-passed away in 2000) silver w/black pickguard MM bass? It can be seen in several of their TV appearances in the late 70s and early 80s.

I assume it's a Stingray but I don't know much about EB/MM basses, so that's why I'm asking here.

I've just joined a Cars cover band and would like to get that tone, although I've always wanted a MM anyway.

I'd like to find one like his or one similar (at least in color, the 3 band eq on ones newer than his is also a plus) in a 4 or 5 string. Can someone point me in the right direction?

I've seen one new 5 string Sterling that is that color on Ebay, but obviously the body/pickguard is a different shape.

Thanks for your help.

Glenn

 

[bdgotoh]

Ben had an early MusicMan Stingray 2 band in silver with a maple neck.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Yeah, that's about as much as I know too. I've just got to find one, or a new one.

I see that the sterling silver color is still made, but can you get it with a maple neck?

Thanks.

Glenn

 

[bovinehost]

Absolutely, yes, you can.

 

[phatduckk]

Yeah, that's about as much as I know too. I've just got to find one, or a new one.

I see that the sterling silver color is still made, but can you get it with a maple neck?

Thanks.

Glenn

yup. You can get a Stringray with:
maple or rosewood board
2 band or 3 band eq or 3 band eq + piezo
single humbucker, 2 humbuckers or humbucker + single coil
matching or natural headstock
and all the colors and pickguards listed at: Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Bass Guitar

 

[bdgotoh]

Here's one, check about halfway down the page: MusicMan Basses - 4 String Fretted Basses

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yup, the one bdgotoh showed is the new version of what Ben had.
I saw that listed on BC's site and just about fell over because I was thinking of ordering the same exact thing. It's great price too, you should get it for your tribute band, that would be soooo cool.

 

[five7]

Go for it!

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Thanks guys. I also found one in New York with single humbucker/black pearloid pick guard/maple neck.

It'd be great to find a used one in nice shape.

Caca, you're right, that's a good price.

Is the 2 band v. 3 band Eq diffference just a matter of not having a mid-range adjustment knob?

I can get a 86-87 MM that's red with 2 eq and maple neck for about $500. Has anyone ever repainted their's? Bovine, do you know of anyone around D/FW that could do a good paint job?

This site has been an excellent resource for me. Thanks again guys.

Glenn

 

[bovinehost]

I don't know of anyone around here, although there must BE someone. If I had to choose a refin guy, I'd send it to Mike Dolan in CA:

Michael Dolan Custom Guitars

 

[phatduckk]

$500 for a Stingray? Id try that sucker out. if you like it but it! that's a great price assuming the bass is in decent shape.

2 band and 3 band... Gav (or rex) would know better but I believe the preamps are voiced a bit different so I think (not sure) that the bass will have a slightly different character to it. however, I dont have first hand experience and in a band setting tiny differences may be 100% negligible anyways

as far as used Silver stingrays... Sterling Silver was just introduced this year so those will be kindof hard to fine used. Other, older, silvers may be found used but I really dont see em all to often on ebay and other places.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I've got a line on a 2nd one here locally that the guy says was made in Japan. I've searched and can't find any info about such an animal. He says it's a pre-EB MM, 2 EQ. Can anyone comment on that?

I did a search for the 2eq 3eq difference and didn't find anything explaining it.

Those of you who have the HH configuration, do you like it significantly better than just a single humbucker? Obviously it gives you more sounds to choose from, but I'm afraid of being limited with a 2eq/single humbucker configuration.

Glenn

 

[Aussie Mark]

Is the 2 band v. 3 band Eq diffference just a matter of not having a mid-range adjustment knob?

The two band preamp controls are cut only (similar to the way the tone knob works on a Precision), and the three band knobs have a center position with boost and cut.

 

[silverburst]

What Mark said. Plus I am a luddite, and like having less knobs to mess with.

 

[oli@bass]

I've got a line on a 2nd one here locally that the guy says was made in Japan. I've searched and can't find any info about such an animal. He says it's a pre-EB MM, 2 EQ. Can anyone comment on that?

That sounds fishy. There was the EX series, which was US parts assemled in Japan for the Japanese market only. But AFAIK that happened way after EB took over MM.

I did a search for the 2eq 3eq difference and didn't find anything explaining it.

There's plenty of info on it on the forum, but unfortunately the search forum engine won't find short words/character combos like "2eq" or "2 or 3 band".

Those of you who have the HH configuration, do you like it significantly better than just a single humbucker?

Yes. To me, it's the ultimate StingRay. Get the classic sound plus four other great ones.

The two band preamp controls are cut only (similar to the way the tone knob works on a Precision), and the three band knobs have a center position with boost and cut.

AFAIK, that's not entirely correct. I've read that 2 band eq preamp is designed as cut/boost for the treble and boost only for the bass, both controls without center detent. However, although the bass control is technically a boost only, the preamp itself attenuates the bass frequences a bit, so that the effect of the bass control is effectively a cut/boost as well though more boost than cut.

Playing my 2 band, I'd say the above is plausible.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Thanks Oli for your valuable info. I think the local bass I referred to is indeed an EX, and the guy is not clear on when EB took over. I haven't seen it yet or talked to him again, so I don't know. He was certain that it was Japanese.

Good to know about the HH configuration. After some more digging, I did find some info on the EQ after posting that.

Regards,

Glenn

 

[HornetAMX]

I know it is an older thread but I just came across this cool performance featuring the Inca Silver Stingray Bass. I read that it was lost in a fire at Ben's home that took a few of his other instruments as well. Ben Orr had the look for sure.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmK8ea-K6JE]YouTube - The Cars Just What I Needed 1978 Midnight Special[/ame]

 

[fly]

here's another........man that SR sounds nice


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpA3NVafsdo&feature=related]YouTube - The Cars - Let's Go (Midnight Special)[/ame]

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Yeah, those are the performances I was referring to. You're correct, he did lose that SR in an apartment fire around 1981. He also lost a VOX Constellation IV in that fire. The VOX can be seen in the Rock Goes To College video from 1979.

I ended up buying a 2008 Pacific Blueburst Sterling HH5. I still want one like his though. I coudln't resist the Sterling.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Yeah, those are the performances I was referring to. You're correct, he did lose that SR in an apartment fire around 1981. He also lost a VOX Constellation IV in that fire. The VOX can be seen in the Rock Goes To College video from 1979.

I ended up buying a 2008 Pacific Blueburst Sterling HH5. I still want one like his though. I coudln't resist the Sterling.

*************************************************


Check that, I meant to say Musikladen (Germany), not RGTCollege.

Glenn