Music Man Serial Number Database

[Horsefeather]

I just bought a Sterling and need some info please. Serial number is 40580 and it is cobalt blue. The original black pickguard is still in the case and has been replaced with a pearl white one that I like a lot better.

I have owned several Peavy basses and a couple of Fenders, but this bass gives me sooooo much control over the sound quality and the neck is just a dream to play on! Best bass I've ever owned and may just be the last one I'll ever buy!

I'm sorry, I meant carbon blue. And I have reason to believe it was bought in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

[5Stringer]

Horsefeather, welcome to the Forum. Your Sterling bass was built on 4/24/94. Actually back then we called the finish Pearl Blue. The finish that we called Carbon Blue Pearl didn't come out until later (1999 or so) and that finish necessitated us to change the name of Pearl Blue to what we now call Blue Pearl to sort of make the names match.

Oh, and you are correct ... your bass was originally shipped to a store in Little Rock, AR, called Music Makers. That store has gotten out of the retail MI business.

Dan

 

[RicRay]

Cool! I remember us doing some of those .... it was sort of a contrast to the Silhouette Special that came out the year before, same S-Spec finish, called Pearl Purple, and a white pearloid pickguard as we only offered on the S-Specials back then, other than this of course.

Another interesting note: of the 70 or so of these built, all in 1996, only 8 stayed in the U.S. - the rest were shipped to our distributor in Germany.

Dan

Hi Dan!
Thanks so much for the additional information.
It's cool to have a "Special" 1 of 8 in the entire US!!!
Rest assured, I will take real good care of it!

Thanks again for all the information on my "family"

 

[Johnny StingRay]

StingRay 5

E16316

Black Pearloid pickguard

Body and head paint is a discontinued black metallic flake (don't know the exact name of the paint finish).

Was bought used for $600.

I'm the third owner.

As far as I can narrow it down, it was made in June, 2000.

The finish is bubbling and chipping around the pickguard. When I contacted EB about getting it fixed, I was told they don't do the repairs but would replace the body for $700.

At that price, the few bubbled up areas are not large enough or noticable enough to worry about it.

Have had people ask to take pictures of it during shows.

Sorry, no pictures. I don't have a digital camera.

Peace,
Johnny StingRay

 

[oli@bass]

Hi Dan

Can you please give me the data for

F26097

It's a little venetian red something...

 

[Autolyze]

I have a Musicman Stingray that I purchased, used, in 1998 and I wanted to pick your brain on what year you would guess it to be.
First off here is the serial number (located on the bridge):
B025823

Here’s what I know about the bass:
It’s all original.
Sunburst with a maple neck and black pick guard.
Active circuitry with medal cover plate for the 9-volt battery.

When I purchased the Stingray, I was told it was from 1976 but after reading ecomPlanet Web Hosting - the #1 Free hosting solution worldwide, I’m mighty sure that it’s not.
My Stingray seems to fall into the 1977 – 1984 range but I would like to get a more accurate as I plan to sell soon.

Here are some pictures of my Stingray:
Flickr: a55cat's Photostream

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Welcome to the Forum.

Your B025823 will be 1981-83. Dates are usually located on the neck heel and in the neck pocket on the body. The neck has to be removed to view them. If you're uncomfortable in doing that, a luthier will do it for you at a nominal fee.

 

[Valle]

Hi Dan,

what can you tell me about this Stingray, serial 34863

regards.

Valle

 

[bassmonk]

Dan,
could you give information on this SR5?

E26685

Thanks much,

Bassmonk

 

[Horsefeather]

Sterling

Thanks for the info! I knew the original owner and he passed away from leukemia in 2000. The next owner was his brother, who sold it to a drummer I know in order to put the money into a foundation they started. I went to a party at the drummer's house this past spring and we ended up jamming. I didn't bring an instrument so he dug out this old bass he had. I bought it that night for a $1000!

The profile pic is of me playing it that night and falling in love!

 

[5Stringer]

StingRay 5

E16316

Black Pearloid pickguard

Body and head paint is a discontinued black metallic flake (don't know the exact name of the paint finish).

Was bought used for $600.

I'm the third owner.

As far as I can narrow it down, it was made in June, 2000.

The finish is bubbling and chipping around the pickguard. When I contacted EB about getting it fixed, I was told they don't do the repairs but would replace the body for $700.

At that price, the few bubbled up areas are not large enough or noticable enough to worry about it.

Have had people ask to take pictures of it during shows.

Sorry, no pictures. I don't have a digital camera.

Peace,
Johnny StingRay

Johnny StingRay, welcome to the Forum. Congrats on your new StingRay 5, what a bargain! The Finish on your bass is called Black Sparkle and was completed on 7/17/00. Bubbles or no, nice bass!

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

Hi Dan

Can you please give me the data for

F26097

It's a little venetian red something...

Aha, oli, that it is, that it is .... this beautiful 25th flame / rosewood was completed on 7/10/09 and was shipped to Germany .. is it yours yet?

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

Hi Dan,

what can you tell me about this Stingray, serial 34863

regards.

Valle

Valle, this Natural rosewood StingRay was completed on 4/22/92 and shipped to Holland.

Dan,
could you give information on this SR5?

E26685

Thanks much,

Bassmonk

Sure, this Gold Sparkle StingRay 5 with an unlined fretless board was completed on 12/04/01 and was shipped to Sam Ash.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[5Stringer]

Thanks for the info! I knew the original owner and he passed away from leukemia in 2000. The next owner was his brother, who sold it to a drummer I know in order to put the money into a foundation they started. I went to a party at the drummer's house this past spring and we ended up jamming. I didn't bring an instrument so he dug out this old bass he had. I bought it that night for a $1000!

The profile pic is of me playing it that night and falling in love!

Sounds to me like you were meant to have it. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

 

[oli@bass]

Aha, oli, that it is, that it is .... this beautiful 25th flame / rosewood was completed on 7/10/09 and was shipped to Germany ...

Hey Dan, thanks!

But: Shipped to Germany? It came from the Swiss distributor to the shop. Shipping box label also says "Musik Meyer AG Switzerland". Are you sure we're talking about the same bass: F26097, 25th HH 4 string, flame/rosewood.

is it yours yet?

couldn't resist that beauty of sight and sound, and took it home right away.... read here: http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/39883-resistance-futile.html

 

[5Stringer]

Hey Dan, thanks!

But: Shipped to Germany? It came from the Swiss distributor to the shop. Shipping box label also says "Musik Meyer AG Switzerland". Are you sure we're talking about the same bass: F26097, 25th HH 4 string, flame/rosewood.

[/url]

Sorry, my bad. I forgot that we have the same distributor to Switzerland as we do Germany. Yes, this was shipped to Musik Meyer Switzerland. Sorry about that!

Dan

 

[oli@bass]

No problem! Thanks for the great service!

 

[guiguite]

Hello dan

i am about to purchase a 4 strings Stingray with the serial 31048

fingerboard: rosewood

could you tell me a bit more about it s fabrication date ?

cheers
guillaume

 

[msausagefingers]

Could anyone give me some information on this serial number

E51120

Im based in the UK but am looking into importing this one from the USA

Cheers

 

[5Stringer]

Hello dan

i am about to purchase a 4 strings Stingray with the serial 31048

fingerboard: rosewood

could you tell me a bit more about it s fabrication date ?

cheers
guillaume

guillaume. welcome to the Forum. The 2-band EQ Sunburst StingRay you are buying has a build date of May 30 1990. It was originally shipped to France. Hope all goes well!

Dan