Please Help Me

[sbribidi]

Hi, I'm John from Sicily and got a big problem: I'm going to buy a Stingray4 but unfortunatley here in my country it's impossible to find something different a new black ernieball stingray4 ...standard....and too exensive too!! about 2017.95 dollars...


So I decided to buy an old ( or vintage) second hand musicman outside Italy ( and so Sicily) and I've found something on ebay but....

my problem is that I cannot try it....I'm afraid about buying an istrument without trying it....but I think you could help me ...

Actually i'm watching this items

eBay.co.uk: MUSICMAN Stingray BASS 1978 Vintage Sunburst 100% Orig (item 280122435441 end time 13-Jun-07 02:35:08 BST)


and

eBay.co.uk: 1999 Musicman Stingray 4 Bass (item 140126017379 end time 13-Jun-07 02:22:26 BST)


I've just checked about the serial numbers of both basses and everything's ok.


So.....could you please give me some advertise....opinion about this basses.....what do you think....everything you want



thanks alot everybody

John

 

[SLUGGO]

It all depends on what you are looking for. If want a collector's piece, the '78 is very cool. However, as a "player" bass, I would stay away from it if you can only coose one. The bass has been re-fretted. Refrets by an amatuer can be less than desirable! Without being able to see and play the '78 you have more risk here. The bass is beautiful and has that great vintage vibe though.

I would go for the '99. The 99's were built after Ernie Ball took over. The quality controls by that time were top notch. This bass would be comparable to today's EBMM basses. You stand a better chance at gettting a playable instrument by purchasing this one. In my opinion....

Either way, what a nice problem to have!! Good Luck and let know what happens!!

 

[sbribidi]

thanks alot sluggo....yeees 'what a nice problem to have!'

but not so nice 'couse I'm going crazy
that's really difficult...


I'm looking for the musicman stingray bass sound and a good bass of course...for that reason I'm not confident about buying a new one...a 2006/07 stingray....

and I love vintage instruments...of course to play.

However thanks alot for your opinion and I hope to read others...

I hope to let know what 'happened' (good news of course) as soon as possible..

 

[sbribidi]

and I've just found also this one

eBay Italia: 1992 Music Man Sting Ray Bass Guitar - No Reserve! (oggetto 120128603234 scade il 12-Giu-07 20:45:00 CEST)

 

[Spectre]

Regarding your original choices '78 or '99 Stingray,

+1 with Sluggo

I have a '79 Stingray. Truly love it, feather light and has punch that you would not believe. BUT, I would never pay $2000 USD for it, today. (Though not bad investment if I sold it, as it coast me 1/4 of that, brand new.)

Plus, as Sluggo said, the '78 you are considering is a refret. Too risky without inspecting.

 

[Spectre]

Additional, know the '78 is 2 EQ, while the '99, and the '92 Ray you subsequently posted are 3 EQ.

That does make some difference in shaping of your tone. (a whole other thread of discussion)
So said, I still stand with investing your hard earned cash in a newer bass, than the '78. Overall, I believe you will get more for your dollar.
My humble opinion.

 

[sbribidi]

thanks alot....you both talked about two things I was thinking about : the EQ and the fret....


Now i'm going to try a 1998 or 1999 ( the serial is E03238) wich, fortunately, is selling a guy from my same city....but unfportunately here stingray are too expensive...

 

[Dr Stankface]

Whatever you may do, you must show pics. Just so we go ahead and get that out in the air.



Welcome to the forum.