Help! NBD: What kind of music man stingray is this ?

[mykelbass]

I'm probably going to purchase this bass, but there seems to be something wrong, like it is put together from different parts. First the pickup, dont look like the usual humbucker, second the bridge got mutes, like a classic stingray series, but they are usually string trough ? is the bass prefectly legit and original, or is there something fishy here ?
thanks in advance for any reply.

 

[sanderhermans]

Looks like a legit one from the 90's its normal that these do not have string through. However the pickup is not original. And the neck seems to be lacquered wich is also not original.
I would say do not buy unless its a bargain.

 

[mykelbass]

No, it is not a bargain. Thanks for the advice.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Also looks like the preamp has been messed with. No doubt someone intended to "improve" it, but there really isn't a way to improve it. Also gloss neck? BLECH.

 

[sanderhermans]

Also looks like the preamp has been messed with. No doubt someone intended to "improve" it, but there really isn't a way to improve it. Also gloss neck? BLECH.

How can you tell the preamp has been changed?

 

[liverbird]

How can you tell the preamp has been changed?

I was wondering about that too... Surely you can't see it unless you have X-ray vision?

A lacquered neck would be correct for an early 90s bass.

 

[tbonesullivan]

How can you tell the preamp has been changed?

i'm pretty sure there is a black toggle switch in the middle of the control plate between the treble and middle EQ knobs. so something has been done, unless EBMM was making active/passive stingrays that far back.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Looks like a circa 1990 to 1992 vintage. All seems ok except for the pickup and what appears to be a black toggle switch on control plate.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Not very good idea to buy it as for me.

 

[liverbird]

i'm pretty sure there is a black toggle switch in the middle of the control plate between the treble and middle EQ knobs. so something has been done, unless EBMM was making active/passive stingrays that far back.

Apologies, I didn't see that - well spotted!

 

[Golem]

`

As a non-purist, IOW *just* a player type, I can
say from my typical encounters and ownership of
such mixed breed basses .... that it's very likely
that the EQ-pre is original, and that the switch is
the coil splitter, or par/ser switch, for the new PU.

I seem to have a sketchy memory of seeing this
particular SR4 for sale online, and IIRC the EBMM
PU was also included. If my memory is correct it
seems that someone bought it, is keeping the MM
PU and selling off the mixed breed ax. Aftroll, how
else are does one buy a real MM PU ?

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

The metal hardware all looks Classic Series, or very early EB - Metal battery cover, Classic neck plate, cast muted bridge & the pickup looks like my Sabre pickups, maybe a little smaller in the casing department. Didn't John East make a replacement MM control plate/preamp with a toggle switch?

You could go to the dating/registration thread and put in the serial number, assuming that you can find it. Looks like a really nice bass, though. The glossed neck looks like a great job, too. I love them and can't bear the unfinished lazy luthier rough ones.