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Short Scale StingRay

laquered neck?

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nationalmanslo

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Apr 17, 2007
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30
Just picked up this bass in the classifieds, thanks Jonas! The neck is laquered, which I prefer, but I dont know if it came from the factory that way. The neck is dated jan. 1992, the body dec. 1991. I used to have a 2 band 1993 that was oil and wax finish. What year did EB make the switch?
 
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nationalmanslo

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Apr 17, 2007
Messages
30
thanks for the info folks! This color has to be my fav. This picture just doesn't do it justice imo. I will have to take a better one and post it.
 
Musicman Nut

Musicman Nut

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Rod Trussbroken said:
Not sure what you mean by conversion varnish but I bleeb the finished necks were a full gloss finish and then a velvet (semi-gloss) finish before they went to oil and wax. But I think the velvet was for a short time only.
Click to expand...

In the mid 80's Music Man Used a finish Style like a Varnish on their necks, like around 86 til as late as 88 or 89 i think.

I think Full Gloss Came in around 90 or 91 time frame.
 
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Thunderthumbs

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Nov 8, 2007
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re: laquered neck

Hi. I'm new. Bassist of 13 years now. Yikes, how time flies. Anyhow, looking into Music Man basses after all these years. So... ...wondering if anyone has purchased a new Music Man bass with a laquered neck, or was able to custom order a new one that way? I mention it as I went into a store which had a used bass section and I noticed a Stingray with a dirty neck. The bass body was spotless and pristine, but the neck was dirty- an ugly contrast, in my opinion. I'm considering an Stingray finally, but what I saw in the store makes me hesitate.

I've enjoyed the Fender necks that are highly laquered, and would like a new Stingray like that. I don't think such a beast exists, new, but I thought I'd ask anyways.

I saw something about cleaning the neck of a Stingray with steel wool and/or fine grade sandpaper in conjunction with other cleaning agents. That scares me.

I played a SR4 with piezo, and thought it was fantastic- tone options and versatility without the dual humbucker or dual pickup look. I like the SR5s as well. Wish there was an SR6...

Pino Palladino is great (to me he is STILL Mr. Music Man, based on his Paul Young recordings, work with Manu Katche, and his Tears for Fears work)

Gail Ann Dorsey is great (TFF as well...)

Thanks so much.
 
mynan

mynan

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Feb 25, 2007
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Spring Lake, MI
I would buy a Stingray with a clean neck and then not let it get dirty (clean it once in a while with Wonder Wipes).

You can't order a new MusicMan bass with a laquered neck.

This is from the EB FAQ section:

Q: How do I maintain the neck on my new Music Man bass?

A: For everyday cleaning, use a small dose of high-grade lemon oil. For the fretboard, use Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes Fretboard Conditioner. If the neck is very dirty, give us a call or email us at [email protected].

Since the neck is finished only with gunstock oil and wax blend, it is more susceptible to humidity changes. An occasional truss rod adjustment will halp keep your bass playing factory-new. If you are getting fret buzz (plugged in only, of course) raise the action by turning the trussrod wheel counter-clockwise, to lower the action turn it clockwise.

An infrequent dose of gunstock oil will help to keep the neck maintained; we recommend and use Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, but any good quality gunstock oil will work. Clean neck first. Use a small amount of Tru-oil, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wipe it off with a paper towel. Then apply Birchwood-Casey Gunstock Wax. Be sure to douse the paper towel with water before disposing of it! Read the wax and oil manufacturer's instructions regarding disposal of these used paper towels.

Birchwood-Casey products are available at most sporting goods or gun stores, or direct. Their web address is Birchwood Casey.

Rosewood fingerboards should not be treated with gunstock oil; instead they should be treated with a high grade of lemon oil.

For cleaning, try using the same high grade of lemon oil to clean the entire neck, both maple and rosewood fretboards. Keep in mind that if the dirt or grease has been worked into the wood, it cannot be removed except by sanding it down, which we do not recommend unless exercised with extremely fine sandpaper (1200-1600 grit), and even then very sparingly. It is better to keep it clean in the first place. Washing your hands first helps!

Some discoloration after many hours of playing is normal on unfinished necks. Be sure to follow all of the manufacturers recommended safety precautions when using any of these oils or waxes.
 
T-bone

T-bone

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Apr 12, 2005
Messages
1,274
Look for a 30th SR4. Not only are they the most beautiful and best sounding instruments made by Musicman, they also have a laquered neck.

tbone

and if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section - Steely Dan
 
Caca de Kick

Caca de Kick

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Sep 29, 2006
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Location
South Seattle
Thunderthumbs said:
...wondering if anyone has purchased a new Music Man bass with a laquered neck, or was able to custom order a new one that way? I mention it as I went into a store which had a used bass section and I noticed a Stingray with a dirty neck. The bass body was spotless and pristine, but the neck was dirty- an ugly contrast, in my opinion. I'm considering an Stingray finally, but what I saw in the store makes me hesitate..
Click to expand...

No unfortunately, new MM's don't come with gloss necks and it's been that way for years now, and cannot be ordered either. That is the one thing I sure wish I could have or at least be a factory option. I work on diesels, and after work go to practice or a gig, and the grit from my hands from my profession is hell on unfinished necks.
The only recent bass that had a gloss neck was the 30th Anniv StingRay and the BFR SR5's.
 
bovinehost

bovinehost

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Jan 16, 2003
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Dall-Ass, TX
You can apply then buff the gunstock oil a number of times, which will basically give you the benefits (if you see it that way) of a laquered neck.

Nor is it terribly hard to apply the Minwax stuff to the back of the neck. It's wipe-on, so all you have to do is mask what you don't want wiped, then buff it out a bit.

Jack
 
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Thunderthumbs

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Nov 8, 2007
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2
Thanks

Thanks for the thoughts/info- guess I will have to actually wash my hands before playing and after barehanding that chocolate cake!

I'll keep on checking out the forum. Thanks again.
 
high mileage

high mileage

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Oct 28, 2005
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198
Location
Rockford IL
Musicman Nut said:
In the mid 80's Music Man Used a finish Style like a Varnish on their necks, like around 86 til as late as 88 or 89 i think.
Click to expand...

My '86 has a lacquered neck - pretty sure it's nitro due to a little checking on it and the way the color has aged (gotten a little darker).
 
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