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Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience

Ebay Sterling offering

Chris C

Chris C

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I've been watching this...

I've been watching this... but, aren't Onyx Sterlings supposed to have ebony boards and black-painted necks? :confused: What's the story with the neck change?
 
maddog

maddog

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Interesting. He states that it is #52 of 150 in the text of the add where as the white numbering near the neckplate is 54 of 150.

S/N is F13678. Can Beth or another wonderful CS rep chime in on the details?

"I ordered this custom from the factory a few months ago."

When did the last one come out of the factory?

"actually, this was the last onyx bass body they had."

True?

According to Bass Central, the neck should be painted high gloss black and the board should be ebony.
 
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bovinehost

bovinehost

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The last onyx body in the factory was numbered 50-something of 150?

Not saying it's impossible, but I'm saying it's improbable.

Beth? Dargin? Derek?

Smells a little funny to me.

Jack
 
maddog

maddog

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... but i'm kind-of giving it away at this price."

Uh no. Ok, maybe if you equate "kind-of giving it away" with "selling it".

I hate spin (except in Quantum physics but then, that isn't really spin now is it? ;) )

I thought this was a rare bass at a nice price and the more I read the add, the more irritated I get.

I feel icky.
 
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maddog

maddog

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After checking Gav's website, I am even more curious. All the S/N's for the Onyx's shown start F08xxx. No. 105 was built in Nov. 2002. Ordering "this custom from the factory a few months ago" seems even more suspect. I guess two possibilities:

1.) This was a body that was finished and was lost in the factory until 2005. (doesn't seem very likely)

2.) The neck was swapped for some reason. (But why use the newer neckplate?)
 
maddog

maddog

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Figgy, the auction is closed. Keep an eye out if the person reposts. Still waiting to hear from the factory on this particular bass.
 
Derek

Derek

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Feb 18, 2003
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Hey Guys,

Not to worry this bass is a factory original, however it is not a true Onyx Sterling.

A touring Artist on Wind-Up records called and expressed interest in buying a Sterling and asked about black hardware. We checked and had one Sterling body from the onyx run back in 2001. We explained that the body was in fine shape, but did not have any ebony necks left. We agreed that a rosewood neck with matching stock would suffice, since he was only interested in black hardware.

As normal with artists we sometimes make available non-standard production instruments. Since we already had the body this request was easy to pull off.

Unfortunately he is selling this bass for reasons unknown, but it is his bass to sell. From the Item description and price it does not appear that he is misleading anyone in to believing this is something it's not.

If the auction resurfaces or anyone has any other questions please let us know.
 
barkatozz

barkatozz

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Derek said:
Hey Guys,

Not to worry this bass is a factory original, however it is not a true Onyx Sterling.

A touring Artist on Wind-Up records called and expressed interest in buying a Sterling and asked about black hardware. We checked and had one Sterling body from the onyx run back in 2001. We explained that the body was in fine shape, but did not have any ebony necks left. We agreed that a rosewood neck with matching stock would suffice, since he was only interested in black hardware.

As normal with artists we sometimes make available non-standard production instruments. Since we already had the body this request was easy to pull off.

Unfortunately he is selling this bass for reasons unknown, but it is his bass to sell. From the Item description and price it does not appear that he is misleading anyone in to believing this is something it's not.

If the auction resurfaces or anyone has any other questions please let us know.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that......sure clears up quite a bit of speculation. :cool:
 
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