Decisions, decisions

[SundanceChile]

So with any luck, my J@$z will sell this weekend, which leaves me with a very interesting dilemma. I have on one hand, a chance to buy an '88 Musicman Stingray(2-band), in what seems to be pristine condition over Craigslist. On the other hand, I could very well buy a brand new MM Stingray for more/less the same price. Any opinions as to which one I should pick? I know the whole "play them both" thing, but the '88 is about a 2 hour drive away. Suggestions?

 

[Freddels]

You can always buy a new one next month or the next but the '88 may not be available. If it's really in pristine condition, I would seriously consider it.

 

[bdgotoh]

A used '88 should be priced much lower than a brand new Stingray.

 

[silverburst]

Does anybody else cringe when seeing the title of this thread?

 

[SundanceChile]

A used '88 should be priced much lower than a brand new Stingray.

Really? I thought about the 20 year mark was when "vintage" pricing started to take effect.

Does anybody else cringe when seeing the title of this thread?

Sorry! Fixed it, but it doesn't seem to effect the title when scanning threads. English was never my favorite language to begin with.

 

[bovinehost]

I'll fix the title spelling in a sec, but Brad's right. An 88 would sell here for around 850 or 900 dollars.

Where are you?

Jack

 

[SundanceChile]

I'll fix the title spelling in a sec, but Brad's right. An 88 would sell here for around 850 or 900 dollars.

Where are you?

Jack

Up in Northern California, just updated my profile. Thanks Jack!

 

[mrpackerguy]

I have both.

2 band = good
3 band = good

 

[DTG]

get a new one,you get your choice in colour,neck,pick ups .....plus it will keep EBMM in business

 

[oli@bass]

Get a new one as start of your future collection. And then buy some used ones, until an LE comes along that makes you order another new one...

Seriously: I'd go for a new one. It has a couple of tiny improvements which to me are important in everyday playing situations. Topmost issue for me are the rounded pole pieces on the new pickups, versus the sharp edged ones on SRs before 2003 (?).

You'll find an in depth resource about the many prodcution differences here.

 

[strummer]

I vote new!
An '88 is just an old bass, a good bass but an old one. If you pay what jack suggested for the 1988 then maybe, but to pay the same as for a new bass, no way!

 

[Caca de Kick]

It's up to you.

You can buy a new one with a 2 band eq (my personal favorite).

The one thing that would gravitate me toward the 88 would be the gloss finished neck, because I really do like gloss. But if they're asking the same price as a new StingRay, it's too much...used EBMM's only fetch the same as any other used 'standard' models, exceptions being rare limited and the first year EB stuff.

 

[sloshep]

I would go with the new one. Unless there are some special features that the 88 has that you want.

 

[jaylegroove]

I'd also go for a new one, since I definitely prefer the 3-band over the 2-band. More tonal capabilities are always better, IMO.

 

[Beth]

Simple. Get 'em both!

 

[SundanceChile]

Simple. Get 'em both!

Finally, a word of wisdom in a world gone mad.

Thanks for all your input guys! I'm pretty sure that I'm going to spring for a brand spanking new Stingray though. Looking forward to joining the craze!

 

[bdgotoh]

Good decision, now you have to figure out how many pickups you want! H, HS, HH...

 

[Kristopher]

It says a lot for an instrument company when its customers vote more than 2 to 1 to buy new instead of buying vintage.

 

[Sonnyonbass]

Get a new one first. Has a lot of improvements over the 88 model.

 

[oli@bass]

Looking forward to joining the craze!

Keep us posted!