Music Man Serial Number Database

[5Stringer]

Hello I have a musicman stingray 1 guitar natural with serialnumber g002503 on a neckplate , do you know which yearmodel that is ? wishes Jarkki from Finland ([email protected])

A StingRay 1 Guitar - wow - that tests the knowledge. Unfortunately, when Ernie Ball acquired Music Man there were no records available to be able to date instruments, so exact dates for individual instruments do not exist.

As Rod T has mentioned on the basses, the pots are code dated. Since the StingRay guitars were introduced at the same time as the StingRay bass (1976), your best answer to determining the date may be there. While they will not tell you the exact date of production, they will at least indicate a not-before date for your guitar. The StingRay guitar was out of production by 1979 due to low sales.

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

Dan,

I would be very grateful if you could provide any information available on my Stingray. I picked this up in a shop in London a couple of years ago looking like it had had a horrible refinish applied. It's now down to it's birthday suit and looking much better for it!.

The neck heel stamp and body pocket both indicate 1986 or 1987 ( hmm can't recall which year lol, it was a while ago that I looked )

I think it's been defretted however so it would be nice to confirm the original details as I might consider restoring it to that setup - no idea where I could obtain a replacement neck mind you...

Serial Number: 26608

Cheers

J

J, your bass was completed on 11/04/87 and was originally shippped to the UK. The original finish was Sunburst (now called Honeyburst) and had a solid maple neck.

Hope that helps.

Dan

 

[Sabu]

Hi Sabu.

Records for Pre-EB Basses don't exist. Comparing your serial with the serials on the list will give a rough idea but serials are not necessarily chronological.

The top-load bridge and 4 bolt neck were introduced in late 1979 but were common place by 1980. Some top-loads also came with a 3 bolt neck up to, and including 1981. I mention that to perhaps help in dating your Bass as you don't say what neck you have.

The pots are code dated. Although it was common for pots to pre-date the Bass by a couple of years, they will atleast indicate a not-before date for your instrument.

The white wire running from the pre-amp board to the jack had a protection resistor added in line with it in 1982. The resistor is covered in a black protective sleeve. The white wire goes to one end and the other goes to the input jack.

The neck heel and body pocket are both dated but the neck has to be removed to view them.

Thanks Rod...more useful info! Mine has a 4-bolt neck. I'm not brave enough to fiddle with the electronics or remove the neck yet...so I'll just say I have an '81 'Ray (with the possibility of it being an '82). Thanks again for your help!

 

[legion]

Thanks for the info Dan, nice to know how it used to be. Really rather gutted about that as Honeyburst/maple is my favourite look - wonder why someone saw fit to mutilate it by fitting a rosewood fretless fingerboard

Oh well, guess I'll just have to buy another 'ray

J, your bass was completed on 11/04/87 and was originally shippped to the UK. The original finish was Sunburst (now called Honeyburst) and had a solid maple neck.

Hope that helps.

Dan

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hello I have a musicman stingray 1 guitar natural with serialnumber g002503 on a neckplate , do you know which yearmodel that is ? wishes Jarkki from Finland ([email protected])

Hi Jarkki.

I have some "Sting Ray 1" Guitar serials which I think will help:

G002024. Neck 7 Oct 1976. Body 30 Aug 1976. Plastic "Radio" knobs.

G002611. Owner says 1977. Plastic "Radio" knobs.

G002684. Owner says 1977. Metal knurled knobs.

My guess is either late 1976 or 1977.

 

[People_Hater]

hi!!!

Can you tell me the info on this stingray e32965.

thanks!

 

[5Stringer]

hi!!!

Can you tell me the info on this stingray e32965.

thanks!

Hey Hater, hope you will love this info - your bass was completed on 8/08/02 and was shipped to Shomaker Guitars in Burlington, North Carolina. The finish is Black and it should have a rosewood fretboard.

Good day -

Dan

 

[fireyshadow08]

I just picked up a SUB 4 string active bass from guitar center. it is a black body with black pickguard. Serial number is X15852 When was this bass made? Is the pickguard original?

 

[5Stringer]

firey, this bass was completed on 11/14/06 and yes, the pickguard is original.

Dan

 

[bgavin]

My brand new SR5/HH is Serial #E61131

If you wouldn't mind, post his birthday so I have it correct.

 

[DaphneBlue]

My S.U.B. 4 is Rolls Burgandy, active 2 band EQ, serial # X03160. Does that mean 2003? January?

That's the info I got from the seller. It hasn't arrived yet!

Thanks.

 

[Boy Oldigs]

Dan,

SR5 BLACK SPARKLE
ser.# E 13003


Thanks in advance....

Boy

 

[oli@bass]

Date my Dargie

Hi Dan,

Can you please date my Dargie #E58536.

TIA

 

[jaylegroove]

My S.U.B. 4 is Rolls Burgandy, active 2 band EQ, serial # X03160. Does that mean 2003? January?

That's the info I got from the seller. It hasn't arrived yet!

Thanks.

I'd say textured red instead of Rolls burgundy, no ?

 

[5Stringer]

My brand new SR5/HH is Serial #E61131

If you wouldn't mind, post his birthday so I have it correct.

bgavin, your new StingRay 5 was completed on 8/14/07. Guess the candles can wait a while

Nice bass!

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

My S.U.B. 4 is Rolls Burgandy, active 2 band EQ, serial # X03160. Does that mean 2003? January?

That's the info I got from the seller. It hasn't arrived yet!

Thanks.

Daphne, as I stated in the http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...ie-ball-music-man-bass-finishes-guide-15.html thread, the SUBs were never available in the Rolls Burgundy finish. All of the SUB finishes are textured. This one is a textured red.

Although the serial number does not and is not designed to tell you, you are correct in your guess! The completion date for this bass is 8/15/03. It was originally sent to Music Barn in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Very nice!

Dan

 

[DaphneBlue]

Thanks Dan for the info. My S.U.B. should arrive this week!

 

[5Stringer]

Dan,

SR5 BLACK SPARKLE
ser.# E 13003


Thanks in advance....

Boy

Boy, the Black Sparkle Beauty pictured has a build date of April 12 2000. It was originally shipped to an unidentified artist. Hmmm ...

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

Hi Dan,

Can you please date my Dargie #E58536.

TIA

Oli, your Dargie was completed on 03/13/07.

Dan

 

[bgavin]

bgavin, your new StingRay 5 was completed on 8/14/07. Guess the candles can wait a while

Nice bass!

Dan

Thanks!. It's a real sweet one, for sure. Fit and finish is absolutely perfect. I got it from Bass Northwest on August 28, two weeks after completion. BNW did a full setup on it, and made sure everything was dialed in.