considering a 1990 SR5

[dedmouse]

Hey all...been forever since I've posted here. I have a 2010 SR4 that I love but really need a five stringer...a few weeks ago I put it up on Craigslist to sell and got an email from a guy that lives about 30 miles from me wondering if I would trade the SR4 for his SR5...he is supposed to be emailing pics tonight. It is cream colored (not my first or even my second choice but hey, beggars can't be choosers) and he said it has "some wear" but feels and plays great.

I'm not real familiar with this vintage of EBMM basses...anything to look for and ask him before I take the plunge?

 

[Mr.funkyfingers]

Check the neck radius . It may be different but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Make sure the truss rid still works too.

 

[drTStingray]

SR5s of this era often have highly figured maple necks with birds eye.

Cream colour is likely white which has gone cream with age. If it's trans white or trans butterscotch they are pretty rare.

It should have alnico magnets so is the same spec as the latest SR5.

EBMM basses of this era are very cool instruments. If you get the serial number you could check it out in the serial number sticky thread - they'll give you the original specs of colour, body wood, fretboard wood etc, plus the birth date if you request it.

Other than that, the standard checks that everything works OK. The SR5 has a three way selector switch, series and parallel humbucker at the two outer settings, and single coil on the middle. These earlier SR5s may have a little noise on the single coil setting, which was dealt with by having a phantom ciol under the pick up when they changed from alnico to ceramic around 1992.

Up to you if you fancy an older instrument in exchange for your pretty new one - be sure to post some pics if you get it.

 

[Golem]

`

Just be aware that since it's a 1st generation SR5
it has no hum canceling in single coil mode. Since
the SC in play is the bridge side, and it's insanely
bright, you'll need to substantially cut the middle
and high EQ bands [if you want it to sound like a
bass], a tactic that also tends to cut most of the
hum. But, fluorescent lights and neons can still be
a problem.

 

[dedmouse]

Thanks for the info guys...while I do like a nice shiny bass, I'd rather have one that I want to play...I love the SR4 but alot of music that I play in my band almost requires me to have a 5 stringer.

It might seem like blasphemy to some but if the SR5 turns out to be a great playing bass but ugly as all get out, I do have a friend that paints classic cars...I could get him to shoot a new paint job on it...it would have to be pretty darned ugly for me to be at that point though

 

[tbonesullivan]

Hmm. the specs that MM has posted on the website show a 1987 SR5 having the phantom coil. Though there were more revisions out there than are shown in the specs. The only way to really find out if it's hum free is to play it, or pull the pickup.

 

[Golem]

.......... The only way to really find out if it's hum free is
to play it, or pull the pickup.

Whether just a test is valid depends on where you are
when testng. Any bass will sound hum free if played in
a modern building with proper wiring and no neons etc.

IOW, you gotta try it in an "unfriendly" environment.

 

[dedmouse]

Here are a few pictures of the bass I'm considering...I'm thinking of going for it. I have a question into him about fret condition...It's a bit beat up but heck, there are other brands that charge a premium for this look...

Does anyone know what the frets are made of on this bass...nickel, stainless, other?

and another question...what were these painted with, polyester, polyurethane or nitro...I'm guessing polyurethane.

 

[Holdsg]

I would just wonder why he's selling this gem now, since he's obviously loved it and used/abused it for a while, what's wrong with it that he would not want to keep forever. Ones own mojo is more valuable than fake mojo.

 

[dedmouse]

I would just wonder why he's selling this gem now, since he's obviously loved it and used/abused it for a while, what's wrong with it that he would not want to keep forever. Ones own mojo is more valuable than fake mojo.

According to him, he just wants to try something new...that's kinda why I got into MM basses in the first place...played others for years and always heard great things about MM basses...had a chance to get my SR4 for a straight trade for a Gibson Faded Series SG that I had given to me (I didn't like the SG and I'm not really a guitarist)...I understand the "trying something new" thing.

 

[five7]

I would be interested in it if you pass on it.

 

[liverbird]

Definitely don't refinish!

 

[jlepre]

I kinda like it. If I'm not mistaken aren't the frets Stainless? How much is he asking?

 

[dedmouse]

I kinda like it. If I'm not mistaken aren't the frets Stainless? How much is he asking?

It would be a straight across trade for my 2010 SR4

 

[tbonesullivan]

Hmm... It is kinda old and worn. Also the only Stingrays that have stainless from the factory are some PDN basses. The current honey roasted ones have them.

Your really gonna have to go see how it plays and what the real condition is. It's not a deal if you trade a bass in really nice shape for one that has been around, especially if it's got alot of fret wear.

 

[davidjbass]

Hmm... It is kinda old and worn. Also the only Stingrays that have stainless from the factory are some PDN basses. The current honey roasted ones have them.

Your really gonna have to go see how it plays and what the real condition is. It's not a deal if you trade a bass in really nice shape for one that has been around, especially if it's got alot of fret wear.

I saw this bass at Guitar Center in Danvers MA a couple of years ago. I almost bought it. But it was very heavy.
I fiquired around 11lbs. Way to heavy for me. And the action on the neck was way high. That combined with the rash on the back that is how I recognized it made me back off on buying it.
The older Stingray 5's can be awesome basses if they are in good shape and taken care of. I would check the neck
real well before you make the trade. Make sure the truss rod works. Make sure the neck isn't warped. Make sure all the switch positions for the pickup work. If all works and you can live with the road scares then by all means make the trade. Good luck.

 

[dedmouse]

Hmm... It is kinda old and worn. Also the only Stingrays that have stainless from the factory are some PDN basses. The current honey roasted ones have them.

Your really gonna have to go see how it plays and what the real condition is. It's not a deal if you trade a bass in really nice shape for one that has been around, especially if it's got alot of fret wear.

You're right on all accounts...I have an email into the guy to see if we can get together this weekend and see the bass up close and personal. The biggest gamechangers will be the fret wear and/or truss rod issues. I don't mind a bass that has paint wear so much...several of my other non-EBMM basses look like this bass as far as paint wear goes.

I know that EB will do a fret job for a decent price ($240 I think) but if I have to get that done, on top of the value of my bass traded towards this bass, it's really not worth it. I can buy a brand new one for several hundred dollars more that the value of the 4 string + the cost of a refret.

I also know the early 90's EB basses have a great reputation but if I have to sink alot of money into it to get it into great playing shape, I will most likely pass.

 

[dedmouse]

I saw this bass at Guitar Center in Danvers MA a couple of years ago. I almost bought it. But it was very heavy.
I fiquired around 11lbs. Way to heavy for me. And the action on the neck was way high. That combined with the rash on the back that is how I recognized it made me back off on buying it.
The older Stingray 5's can be awesome basses if they are in good shape and taken care of. I would check the neck
real well before you make the trade. Make sure the truss rod works. Make sure the neck isn't warped. Make sure all the switch positions for the pickup work. If all works and you can live with the road scares then by all means make the trade. Good luck.

Interesting and thanks for this info...I was always under the impression that the owner was in Middleton NH (not so far away) but there is a Middleton Mass too right outside of Danvers (about 3X the distance from me)...I wonder if Guitar center still owns it and is trying to trade it for another bass...I know they have contacted other Craigslist listings before. I may check that out. Again, thanks for the heads up...

BTW, do you remember what GC was asking for the bass?

 

[Freddels]

Interesting and thanks for this info...I was always under the impression that the owner was in Middleton NH (not so far away) but there is a Middleton Mass too right outside of Danvers (about 3X the distance from me)...I wonder if Guitar center still owns it and is trying to trade it for another bass...I know they have contacted other Craigslist listings before. I may check that out. Again, thanks for the heads up...

BTW, do you remember what GC was asking for the bass?

The owner could very well be in NH, people have been known to cross the border and purchase items.

 

[dedmouse]

The owner could very well be in NH, people have been known to cross the border and purchase items.

True, but there is a Middleton right next to Danvers. The odds are stacked against me..

Coincidentally, I noticed you are from Sutton, Ma...I work in Sutton, NH.