• Ernie Ball
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Ale_Costa

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Jul 1, 2003
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Brazil
Hi Everybody!

Hi!! I´m new here. I got a MM and I´d like to know its age. It´s a Sting Ray 4 White with white pg, #B035640. Can you help me?!?! Thanks a lot!!

mm_b035640.jpg
 
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Rod Trussbroken

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Ale.......Your link doesn't work....can you check it again.

The serial suggests an early Ernie Ball Bass in the 1985 to 87 range....without seeing the pic, I wouldn't mind betting the the logo on the headstock says Ernie Ball MM.

When EB bought MM they also aquired a stock of MM bridges with the "B" serial numbers. These were used on the EB Basses over the period 1985 to 1987 (or perhaps 1988).

Cheers.
 

taxinova

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Aug 6, 2003
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Melbourne, Australia
Serial Numbers

I have had my brothers Musicman Stingray for the past 20 years.
Serial Number is B006289. I have found a receipt dated
3 Feb 1978 and it was originally brown with black scratch plate.

It would be much appreciated if legend Rod could advise the approx. date it was made

Peter G
Melb. Aus
 

taxinova

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Melbourne, Australia
Serial Numbers

Well curiosity killed the cat and so I took off the neck and found it to be dated "Aug 9 1977" . Had the number 1 circled ?
The body is dated "Aug 30 1977" and also had the number 2 circled. Serial Number of the guitar is B006289

Whoopee !!! I'm so excited. Thanks for ya help and links to serial number site Legend Rod:D
 

hackster

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Aug 25, 2003
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Hi all, newbie here. Just wondering if Mr. Trussbroken or anyone can confirm my suspicion that my beloved pre-EB is a very, very early one... B002246, natural, black guard. I picked it up in a pawn shop about 15 years ago.

And although I've owned 25 or 30 guitars and basses, and completely torn down and rebuilt a few, including some "collectible" pieces, I'm just superstitious about pulling the neck off my baby. I've gotten paranoid about gigging with it-- it lives mostly in its case nowadays. I just happened to pull it out the other night, and... damn. I'd almost swear that the thing is *alive*...

Cheers...

John
 

taxinova

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Aug 6, 2003
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Melbourne, Australia
Serial numbers

Hey John,

ya MM "is alive" and saying "take my neck off so you can celebrate my actual birthday ON THE DAY".

Believe me, as Legend Rod says "it ain't that hard"

Sounds like late 76' but could be anything near. Over to you Rod

Pete
 

Rod Trussbroken

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Although the Pre-EB serials have 'general' chronology, one or two show up that don't want to conform.....

B002186..Neck Feb 28th 1977. Body Feb 24th 1977. Natural with Maple. Black pg. White pickup cover.
B002190..Neck Jan 1977. Body Dec 1976. Natural. White pg. White PUP.
B002223..Neck May 1977. Body Feb 1977. Black. White pg. Black PUP.
B002242..Neck Oct 1976. Body Oct 1976. Natural. Black pg. White PUP.
B002342..Neck Date...4 March 1977. Natural.
B002348..Late Feb/Early March 1977.

You'll see that all the above are 77 Basses EXCEPT B002242 which is a 76. B002190 is a 77 if one takes the neck date as the deciding factor.

I would have said yours is a 77 BUT, you are very close to the 76 serial.

Does your Bass have plastic "Radio" knobs??? (as opposed to metal). If so, then it's a 76.

Other than that, I'm affraid it's flip a coin or remove the neck and, as Pete says...."it ain't that hard" :D

Cheers.

(the only "legend" I know is Clint Eastwood...and perhaps Al Bundy :) )
 
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hackster

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Aug 25, 2003
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Re: Serial numbers

taxinova said:
Hey John,

ya MM "is alive" and saying "take my neck off so you can celebrate my actual birthday ON THE DAY".

Believe me, as Legend Rod says "it ain't that hard"

Sounds like late 76' but could be anything near. Over to you Rod

Pete

Geez, y'all must have been the kids in school who prodded the younger kids to jump off the top of the slide...:p

Okay, so I took the neck off. Body-- Mar 21, 1977. Neck-- Feb. 3, 1977. For your database, natural, maple board, black guard, black pup. Metal knobs.

mm2.jpg


I have to go lie down now. :eek:
 

taxinova

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Aug 6, 2003
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Location
Melbourne, Australia
Serial Numbers

Good onya Johnno, proud of ya and bet ya feel better.

After 20 years, I coincidently took my neck off for 1st time on 8 Aug and found the date to be 9 Aug 1977. How spooky !!
Well come 12 midnight, and together with a bottle of Jack, I jammed 'till the wee small hours. What a party we two had.

Problem is ! the body is dated 30 Aug 1977 and that's only 3 days away.
Oh well, she deserves it !!

Pete
 

joeyjoejoe

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Aug 28, 2003
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Location
Gold Coast, Australia
Ive recently purchased a second hand musicman bass but am unsure as to exactly how old it is. if anyone could help me out it would be appreciated. it is a 4 string black body with a black pick guard, the serial# is 31413.
cheers.
 
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mushroom_man

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Aug 27, 2003
Messages
10
sub

soory if i pissin sum of u off a bit, its just i really need to no, wat happens wen the batteries run out on a active pickup?

is the S.U.B worth gettin?

is the painted neck and body hard wareing, as i mite give em a bang or too, just if it starts to chip, ahh?

yeh, but most important, active pickups, wat to do, any info, tankx, ROB
 

Rod Trussbroken

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>>>>>unsure as to exactly how old it is.


31190...July 1990. Trans Red with Birdseye Maple.


31413................YOURS


31927...Neck 11 Sep 1990. Body 29 Aug 1990. White with Birdseye Maple. Black pg. 2 Band EQ. String Mutes.


Derek's the man for exact date.

Cheers.
 

bassballs

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Joined
Apr 2, 2003
Messages
15
I know everyone is curious to know the exact date of production on their basses, but I need to voice my opinion on taking the removal of the neck from the neck pocket too lightly--Don't do it, unless you really know what you're doing! I did, I thought I was being very careful, but this '79 'Ray had a very tight neck pocket, and I lost some paint along the edges of the pocket. That was a sad day. I felt like a total idiot. It was a learning experience, and from that point on I'll always check the neck/body joint carefully before removal. Yeah I got to find out the date, but it wasn't worth it.. And maybe you assume I was not careful enough. That was a nice bass still even after the accident. And it holds its tune very well. A month here or there--you can access the serial number database and it may not be exact but it will be very close, with just the number.
 

CloZer

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Mar 19, 2003
Messages
23
Location
Leeds & Scunthorpe
im afraid i know little about the workings and history of stingrays but i know that i love mine to bits, best bass ive ever owned. ( well out of the five i have owned)

Its not an oldie but im curious all the same for future reference :D

Could anyone give me any info on this number. (im presuming its the number on the back of the neck?? hey i just play it ;) )

E 23468

if not and i now look a complete idiot sum1 point me in the right direction :( :)


ill get my coat.................
 
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