Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
Below is a list of Pre EB Basses as at 15 Apl 2003.
I also have a collection of EB serials....not enough space to list here.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=564
Brian and Derek are the experts with EB Serials.
Two Sting Rays have come to light (one finished in Inca Silver) with serial#s beginning with the digit "8" (not letter 'B') and followed by 5 more digits...See below. Anybody seen or have one of these?............800789
PRE EB BASSES
STINGRAY (1976-84)
Neck Date/Body Date
'...WARNING...WARNING...WARNING...Wil Robinson!...' The pre EB STINGRAY list contains numerous Serial#s that are not chronological.
X00205..1976. "X" denotes a prototype. See pics at page 9 of 1976 MM Catalogue. Black with maple. White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs'.
B001000..First production model MM serial number.
Reference "Fender The Inside Story" by
Forrest White.
B001013..Neck 16 June 1976. Natural with Maple. White PUP. Black Plastic "radio" Knobs. Was originally used by an Australian supplier as a "demonstrator". One of the very first!
B001057..Aug/Sep 1976. Red with Maple neck. White
pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001133..Dec/Oct 1976. Natural with Maple neck.
Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001429..Sep/Sep 1976. Sunburst with Maple neck.
White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001846..Neck 2 Oct 1976. Body 16 Oct 1976. Sunburst.
B002000..Sept/Oct 1976. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B002076..Neck 3 Nov 1976 (signed 'Joey'). Body 8 Dec 1976 (signed 'JPQ'). Sunburst with Maple. White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs. Owner found in storage room at back of shop in 96. Sold to him as N.O.S. Still in original shipping box.
B002085..Both neck and body dated 3 Nov 1976. Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B002186..Feb 28th/Feb 24th 1977. Natural with
Maple. Black pg. White pickup cover.
B002342..Neck Date...4 March 1977. Natural.
B002348..Late Feb/Early March 1977.
B002420..Year 1976 or 77. Sunburst with Flamed Maple. White pg.
B002551..1 Oct/19 Oct 1976. Sunburst with Maple.
White pg.
B002685..Sep/Oct 1976. Sunburst with Maple.
White pg. Plastic knobs.
B002723..Owner believes 1976. Sunburst with Plastic knobs
B002852..Neck 22 Dec 1976. Body 6 Jan 1977.
B002913..2 Feb 1977.
B002916..Feb/Jan 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
Black pg.
B002994..1977. Natural refin with Maple. Black pg.
B003019..Neck 24 Mar 1977. Body 7 Mar 1977. Natural with Maple.
B003899..Mar/Apl 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
B004011..Both neck and body dated 29 Nov 1977. Owner got hold of this Bass in very bad condition. Painted with silver metalic. Thinks the original finish is sunburst. Now in Fire Engine Red.
B004041..Purchased new in July 1977. Comparison
with other Serial#s tends to confirm
1977 manufacture. Owner reluctant
to remove neck for confirmation.
B004137..Neck 8 Aug 77...Body 8 Aug 77. Natural
Body, Maple neck.
(Note that neck & body have SAME date!).
B004238..Neck 30 Dec 1977. Body 3 June 1977. Inca Silver with Birdseye Maple. White pg.
B004313..1977. Red. Black pg. Maple.
(All hardware gold plated!!!???).
Owner says body refinished in non-
original colour and can't confirm gold
plating originality.
B004463..Neck 16 June 1977. Body 18 Apl 1977. Refin in Gold over Silver (perhaps Inca). Maple neck with brass nut. Black pg.
B004504..Jun/May 1977. Inca Silver with Maple.
B004585..Neck 21 Aug 1978!!! Body 15 Aug 1977.
Natural with Maple.
B004676..Neck 2 Dec 1977. Body 15 Dec 1977. Natural with maple.
B004887..Neck Date...15 Dec 1977. Tabacco burst.
B005130..Neck Date...21 Jan 1977. White.
B005942..12 Sep 1978/22 Feb 1978. Brown with Maple. Black pg. Affectionately known as "Brownie".
B006392..Jul/Jul 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
B0063xx..1977. Owner describes Burst as a brown to gold. Maple neck. Black pg.
B006607..Owner advises probably not a 76. Natural Refin with Maple. White pg.
B006717..1977. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
B007074..Neck and Body both dated 11 Jan 1978. Body refinished with Brown stain. Maple Neck. black pg.
B007380..1978. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B007779..Neck Jan 1978. Body Feb 1978. Sunburst.
B007799..Jan/Feb 1978. Sunburst with Maple.
B008003..Neck date...11 Aug 1978. Natural.
B008186..Neck 24 Oct 1978. Body 27 Sep 1978. Natural with Maple.
B008407..neck date...3 dec 1979. Natural/Maple.
black pg.
B008868..Nov/Nov 1978. Sunburst with maple.
B010612..Jan 79. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B010851..Neck date 9th Jan 1979...body has no date,
only the initials "SJ" (?) written in pencil.
Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B012025..Feb/Jan 1979. White with Maple.
B012026..Neck Feb 79...Body Jan79. White with Maple. Black pg.
B012669..Neck 10 Jan 1979. Body late 1978. Black Body. Black pg.
B012734..Neck 1 Feb 1979. Body 27 Feb 1979. Inca Silver with Maple. Black pg.
B012760..Neck 21 Feb 1979. Body 1 Feb 1979. Inca Silver with Maple. Black pg.
B014050..Apl/Mar 1979. White with Maple.
B014512..Mar/Mar 1979. Black with Maple.
B015097..Owner says late 1970's. White. Black pg.
Fretless.
B020604..Neck date...6 Sept 1980. Natural.
B021384..No neck nor body dates...Black body with
Maple. Black pg. 2 Band EQ. Screw-on metal
battery cover. Brass Nut...owner believes
original. At purchase, owner advised it
was a 1981 model. 3 bolt neck.
String-through. Cutlass B022461 owned by same person.
B021457..1980. Black with Maple. Black pg. 3 bolt neck. Mutes. Strings through Body.
B021500..Jan 1980.
B021512..Owner believes 1981. Natural with Maple. String through body bridge. More consistent with it being early 1980 just prior to top load bridges.
B021613..Neck and Body Sep 1980. White with Maple.
B021890..Feb/Mar 1980.Sunburst with Maple.
B023234..Owner says early 80's. Natural with Maple. White pg. Mutes and top loaded strings.
B025462..Dec/Dec 1982. Natural with Maple. 4 bolt
neck plate. No string-through.
B025511..Owner says early 1980's. Sunburst with Maple. black pg. Strings top loaded with mutes. 4 Bolt Neck Plate
B025548..1982. Natural With Maple. Black pg.
B025718..Jan/Jan 1983. Sunburst with Maple. 4 bolt.
No string-through.
B027867..White. Black pg. String Mutes. Strings
top-loaded. 2 Band EQ.
Headstock has Ernie Ball logo!!!.
Serial consistent with 1983 or perhaps
early 1984.
Ernie Ball purchased MM in 1984. MM had
neck truss rod probs just prior this. Neck
possibly replaced by EB after take over.
Owner reluctant to remove neck for dates.
SABRE (1978-84)
C0013xx1979. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C001359..Neck 12 Aug 1980. Body 25 Sept (?) 1980. Natural with Maple.
Black pg. Not Chronological.
C002266..1979. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C003301..Neck and body BOTH dated 22 Aug 1979
C003454..Aug/Aug 1979. Natural with Maple.
Black pg.
C003795..Aug/Aug 1979. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
C004480..8 Jun/22 Oct 1979. Black with Maple.
C004526..1979. Natural. Black pg.
C004714..Neck..17 Jul 1979. Body..2 Jul 1979.
C004xxx..Owner believes 1981. LEFT HANDED. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C005092..Owner says purchased in 1978. Black with Maple. Not Chronological.
CUTLASS 1 (Sting Ray with Graphite Neck) (1983 only)
B021850..3 Mar 1983. White.
B022461..Neck Date...14 Sept 1983
(written in marker pen). Body
date stamp...15 Sept 1983. Black
body and black pg. Brass nut..owner
believes original. 4 bolt neck. Metal
screw-on battery cover. 2 Band EQ. StingRay B021384 owned by same person.
B023033..July/Aug 1983. Black body.
CUTLASS 11 (Sabre with Graphite Neck) (1983 only)
C005666..Neck Date...18 Aug 1983. Black with Maple. Black pg.
NO DATE INFO
PRE EB STINGRAY
800789...An exception to the normal Pre EB serials??? Prefixed with the digit '8' (NOT the letter "B") and followed by five more digits! This is the second serial of this type recently come to light (as at Mar 2003). Inca Silver finish. Serial located on neck plate. String through body. Bass appeared original.
B001095...Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B002067...Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B003483...Natural with Maple.
B004238...Inca Silver with Maple.
B004601...Black with Maple. black pg.
B005118...Sunburst with Maple.
B005313...Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B007068...Cream with Maple. Dark Woodgrain pg (probably not original).
B007917...Brown with Maple.
B010449...Natural with Maple. Black pg. For sale in Japan in Jan 2003.
B011562.
B011691...White with Maple. Black pg.
B012760...Inca Silver with Maple.
B019466.
B020545...Black with rosewood. Fretless.
B021075...Natural with Maple.
B025338...Natural with Maple.
B025840...4 bolt neck plate. top load bridge.
PRE EB SABRE
C001427...Black with Maple.
C002906...Black with Maple.
C004530...Black with Maple.
I also have a collection of EB serials....not enough space to list here.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=564
Brian and Derek are the experts with EB Serials.
Two Sting Rays have come to light (one finished in Inca Silver) with serial#s beginning with the digit "8" (not letter 'B') and followed by 5 more digits...See below. Anybody seen or have one of these?............800789
PRE EB BASSES
STINGRAY (1976-84)
Neck Date/Body Date
'...WARNING...WARNING...WARNING...Wil Robinson!...' The pre EB STINGRAY list contains numerous Serial#s that are not chronological.
X00205..1976. "X" denotes a prototype. See pics at page 9 of 1976 MM Catalogue. Black with maple. White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs'.
B001000..First production model MM serial number.
Reference "Fender The Inside Story" by
Forrest White.
B001013..Neck 16 June 1976. Natural with Maple. White PUP. Black Plastic "radio" Knobs. Was originally used by an Australian supplier as a "demonstrator". One of the very first!
B001057..Aug/Sep 1976. Red with Maple neck. White
pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001133..Dec/Oct 1976. Natural with Maple neck.
Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001429..Sep/Sep 1976. Sunburst with Maple neck.
White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B001846..Neck 2 Oct 1976. Body 16 Oct 1976. Sunburst.
B002000..Sept/Oct 1976. Plastic "radio" Knobs.
B002076..Neck 3 Nov 1976 (signed 'Joey'). Body 8 Dec 1976 (signed 'JPQ'). Sunburst with Maple. White pg. Plastic "radio" Knobs. Owner found in storage room at back of shop in 96. Sold to him as N.O.S. Still in original shipping box.
B002085..Both neck and body dated 3 Nov 1976. Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B002186..Feb 28th/Feb 24th 1977. Natural with
Maple. Black pg. White pickup cover.
B002342..Neck Date...4 March 1977. Natural.
B002348..Late Feb/Early March 1977.
B002420..Year 1976 or 77. Sunburst with Flamed Maple. White pg.
B002551..1 Oct/19 Oct 1976. Sunburst with Maple.
White pg.
B002685..Sep/Oct 1976. Sunburst with Maple.
White pg. Plastic knobs.
B002723..Owner believes 1976. Sunburst with Plastic knobs
B002852..Neck 22 Dec 1976. Body 6 Jan 1977.
B002913..2 Feb 1977.
B002916..Feb/Jan 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
Black pg.
B002994..1977. Natural refin with Maple. Black pg.
B003019..Neck 24 Mar 1977. Body 7 Mar 1977. Natural with Maple.
B003899..Mar/Apl 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
B004011..Both neck and body dated 29 Nov 1977. Owner got hold of this Bass in very bad condition. Painted with silver metalic. Thinks the original finish is sunburst. Now in Fire Engine Red.
B004041..Purchased new in July 1977. Comparison
with other Serial#s tends to confirm
1977 manufacture. Owner reluctant
to remove neck for confirmation.
B004137..Neck 8 Aug 77...Body 8 Aug 77. Natural
Body, Maple neck.
(Note that neck & body have SAME date!).
B004238..Neck 30 Dec 1977. Body 3 June 1977. Inca Silver with Birdseye Maple. White pg.
B004313..1977. Red. Black pg. Maple.
(All hardware gold plated!!!???).
Owner says body refinished in non-
original colour and can't confirm gold
plating originality.
B004463..Neck 16 June 1977. Body 18 Apl 1977. Refin in Gold over Silver (perhaps Inca). Maple neck with brass nut. Black pg.
B004504..Jun/May 1977. Inca Silver with Maple.
B004585..Neck 21 Aug 1978!!! Body 15 Aug 1977.
Natural with Maple.
B004676..Neck 2 Dec 1977. Body 15 Dec 1977. Natural with maple.
B004887..Neck Date...15 Dec 1977. Tabacco burst.
B005130..Neck Date...21 Jan 1977. White.
B005942..12 Sep 1978/22 Feb 1978. Brown with Maple. Black pg. Affectionately known as "Brownie".
B006392..Jul/Jul 1977. Sunburst with Maple.
B0063xx..1977. Owner describes Burst as a brown to gold. Maple neck. Black pg.
B006607..Owner advises probably not a 76. Natural Refin with Maple. White pg.
B006717..1977. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
B007074..Neck and Body both dated 11 Jan 1978. Body refinished with Brown stain. Maple Neck. black pg.
B007380..1978. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B007779..Neck Jan 1978. Body Feb 1978. Sunburst.
B007799..Jan/Feb 1978. Sunburst with Maple.
B008003..Neck date...11 Aug 1978. Natural.
B008186..Neck 24 Oct 1978. Body 27 Sep 1978. Natural with Maple.
B008407..neck date...3 dec 1979. Natural/Maple.
black pg.
B008868..Nov/Nov 1978. Sunburst with maple.
B010612..Jan 79. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B010851..Neck date 9th Jan 1979...body has no date,
only the initials "SJ" (?) written in pencil.
Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B012025..Feb/Jan 1979. White with Maple.
B012026..Neck Feb 79...Body Jan79. White with Maple. Black pg.
B012669..Neck 10 Jan 1979. Body late 1978. Black Body. Black pg.
B012734..Neck 1 Feb 1979. Body 27 Feb 1979. Inca Silver with Maple. Black pg.
B012760..Neck 21 Feb 1979. Body 1 Feb 1979. Inca Silver with Maple. Black pg.
B014050..Apl/Mar 1979. White with Maple.
B014512..Mar/Mar 1979. Black with Maple.
B015097..Owner says late 1970's. White. Black pg.
Fretless.
B020604..Neck date...6 Sept 1980. Natural.
B021384..No neck nor body dates...Black body with
Maple. Black pg. 2 Band EQ. Screw-on metal
battery cover. Brass Nut...owner believes
original. At purchase, owner advised it
was a 1981 model. 3 bolt neck.
String-through. Cutlass B022461 owned by same person.
B021457..1980. Black with Maple. Black pg. 3 bolt neck. Mutes. Strings through Body.
B021500..Jan 1980.
B021512..Owner believes 1981. Natural with Maple. String through body bridge. More consistent with it being early 1980 just prior to top load bridges.
B021613..Neck and Body Sep 1980. White with Maple.
B021890..Feb/Mar 1980.Sunburst with Maple.
B023234..Owner says early 80's. Natural with Maple. White pg. Mutes and top loaded strings.
B025462..Dec/Dec 1982. Natural with Maple. 4 bolt
neck plate. No string-through.
B025511..Owner says early 1980's. Sunburst with Maple. black pg. Strings top loaded with mutes. 4 Bolt Neck Plate
B025548..1982. Natural With Maple. Black pg.
B025718..Jan/Jan 1983. Sunburst with Maple. 4 bolt.
No string-through.
B027867..White. Black pg. String Mutes. Strings
top-loaded. 2 Band EQ.
Headstock has Ernie Ball logo!!!.
Serial consistent with 1983 or perhaps
early 1984.
Ernie Ball purchased MM in 1984. MM had
neck truss rod probs just prior this. Neck
possibly replaced by EB after take over.
Owner reluctant to remove neck for dates.
SABRE (1978-84)
C0013xx1979. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C001359..Neck 12 Aug 1980. Body 25 Sept (?) 1980. Natural with Maple.
Black pg. Not Chronological.
C002266..1979. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C003301..Neck and body BOTH dated 22 Aug 1979
C003454..Aug/Aug 1979. Natural with Maple.
Black pg.
C003795..Aug/Aug 1979. Natural with Maple. Black pg.
C004480..8 Jun/22 Oct 1979. Black with Maple.
C004526..1979. Natural. Black pg.
C004714..Neck..17 Jul 1979. Body..2 Jul 1979.
C004xxx..Owner believes 1981. LEFT HANDED. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg.
C005092..Owner says purchased in 1978. Black with Maple. Not Chronological.
CUTLASS 1 (Sting Ray with Graphite Neck) (1983 only)
B021850..3 Mar 1983. White.
B022461..Neck Date...14 Sept 1983
(written in marker pen). Body
date stamp...15 Sept 1983. Black
body and black pg. Brass nut..owner
believes original. 4 bolt neck. Metal
screw-on battery cover. 2 Band EQ. StingRay B021384 owned by same person.
B023033..July/Aug 1983. Black body.
CUTLASS 11 (Sabre with Graphite Neck) (1983 only)
C005666..Neck Date...18 Aug 1983. Black with Maple. Black pg.
NO DATE INFO
PRE EB STINGRAY
800789...An exception to the normal Pre EB serials??? Prefixed with the digit '8' (NOT the letter "B") and followed by five more digits! This is the second serial of this type recently come to light (as at Mar 2003). Inca Silver finish. Serial located on neck plate. String through body. Bass appeared original.
B001095...Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B002067...Sunburst with Maple. White pg.
B003483...Natural with Maple.
B004238...Inca Silver with Maple.
B004601...Black with Maple. black pg.
B005118...Sunburst with Maple.
B005313...Natural with Maple. Black pg.
B007068...Cream with Maple. Dark Woodgrain pg (probably not original).
B007917...Brown with Maple.
B010449...Natural with Maple. Black pg. For sale in Japan in Jan 2003.
B011562.
B011691...White with Maple. Black pg.
B012760...Inca Silver with Maple.
B019466.
B020545...Black with rosewood. Fretless.
B021075...Natural with Maple.
B025338...Natural with Maple.
B025840...4 bolt neck plate. top load bridge.
PRE EB SABRE
C001427...Black with Maple.
C002906...Black with Maple.
C004530...Black with Maple.
Last edited:
