Difference between a SR5 from 1989 and a SR5 from mid 2000

[Basswave]

What would be the difference between a SR5 from 1989 and a SR5 from mid 2000's?

Where all the necks in 89 glossed?

Thanks in advance

 

[davidjbass]

From what I know, seen and owned, Musicman basses had gloss necks in 89. I think they stopped making them that way in the early 90's when the gloss finish stopped at the bottom of the headstock where it met the nut. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[mynan]

1989 will have an alnico pickup. Mid-2000s will have a ceramic pickup. Because of the different pickups, I think the preamp is a little different also.

 

[Nasty_Hitman]

My SR5 is from 1991 and the neck is glossed. I would love to have the same neck feeling like I have on my SR4.....sometimes I think about sanding the gloss off. Do you think it`s a good idea ?

 

[drTStingray]

My SR5 is from 1991 and the neck is glossed. I would love to have the same neck feeling like I have on my SR4.....sometimes I think about sanding the gloss off. Do you think it`s a good idea ?

Up to you - it's your bass - but as the SR5 is THE classic 5 string, I wouldn't alter an early one but keep it as stock.

@Basswave - other differences will be serial number position on the bridge as opposed to neck plate, chrome covered battery box compared to the plastic flip up type, and the 2000s one is likely to be ash bodied whereas, dependent on body colour, the 1991 may possibly be poplar (solid colour) or (if a trans red) alder??? - this applies to some SR4 not sure about SR5

 

[Basswave]

Up to you - it's your bass - but as the SR5 is THE classic 5 string, I wouldn't alter an early one but keep it as stock.

@Basswave - other differences will be serial number position on the bridge as opposed to neck plate, chrome covered battery box compared to the plastic flip up type, and the 2000s one is likely to be ash bodied whereas, dependent on body colour, the 1991 may possibly be poplar (solid colour) or (if a trans red) alder??? - this applies to some SR4 not sure about SR5

Thanks drT

Yesterday I decided to trade a non-MM bass with another fellow for his 89 SR5. I had the option of either going for his 89 or one in the mid 2K time range. I did see that the there was the older has the chrome covered battery plate. I thought about doing the whole dye job that Hellboy did to his SR5 with the red maple neck, but since this neck is glossed already I do not feel right about it. Pics coming

 

[Basswave]

Pics of the 89 SR5

This does not bother me but I refinish the whole thing it does not matter much.

Its getting a black pickgaurd

I think it would look killer with a trans red neck as well.

 

[Basswave]

I'm guessing the body is alder, however I'm not a %100

 

[drTStingray]

Looks like may be a refin? Best bet is to run it through the serial database to see I guess.

The neck's quite nicely figured though. I bet it sounds good.

 

[Basswave]

Looks like may be a refin? Best bet is to run it through the serial database to see I guess.

The neck's quite nicely figured though. I bet it sounds good.

Good idea on the database....I'm on the fence about getting the whole bass refinished.
However this just looks cool...and its not that I don't already have several other basses.

drT what your thoughts on doing this to it?

If I was going this route I would have Marty Bell do it (He is fantastic).

 

[Hellboy]

Good idea on the database....I'm on the fence about getting the whole bass refinished.
However this just looks cool...and its not that I don't already have several other basses.

drT what your thoughts on doing this to it?

If I was going this route I would have Marty Bell do it (He is fantastic).

Ooooo.... That is a GREAT looking bass.....

//J

 

[Basswave]

Ooooo.... That is a GREAT looking bass.....

//J

It sure is...You did great job with it.

I'm thinking about doing something similar to mine with a full black pickgaurd and a white pickup cover.

 

[Basswave]

1989 will have an alnico pickup. Mid-2000s will have a ceramic pickup. Because of the different pickups, I think the preamp is a little different also.

Thanks Bryan
Thats good I prefer the Alnico's in the rays for some reason.
I like ceramic as well, but prefer to keep them in my Sterlings...

Cheers

 

[Hellboy]

It sure is...You did great job with it.

I'm thinking about doing something similar to mine with a full black pickgaurd and a white pickup cover.

Thanks. Very kind.

//J

 

[Basswave]

My Ray arrived today and the gloss on the neck is nicer then I thought...I'm having second thoughts on this process...Checking with the finisher to see if I should or not.

 

[Chuck B]

Do you think it`s a good idea ?

Better idea: Send it to me.

 

[Nasty_Hitman]

.... and you`ll sand the gloss off for me ?! Hey I did not know that you are into woodworks.
Thank you ,buddy. I`ll think about that.

 

[Basswave]

I actually like the gloss.

That beat up Ray turned out to be one of the best sounding and playing rays ever...I was going to refinish it but I'm all doing is changing the pickgaurd to black (He sent an extra guard as well).