SR going once going twice

[Golem]

Lisa,

The bidding could be going higher on this bass because it's an early 90's based on the bridge with mutes. These basses with the older bridge are becoming more rare.

Is it just the mutes that are the whole difference? Or is there something else about older bridges? My '91 has mutes but otherwise the bridge looks the same as a new one. I've never met met anyone else who uses the mutes. I use them, but mine is fretless, so it's purposed rather differently from most working StingRays.

With the mutes barely engaged, it sounds like a typical slab-bodied EUB, not that those beasties are the greatest thing since deep-fried sushi or anything......

BTW, it's swamp ash, and tho I've never weighed it, I don't consider it heavy, and I'm not fond of heavy basses. A Kramer DMZ or Ibanez ATK, now that's serious heavy. My [alder] Mexican Jazz feels a bit heavier than the '91 SR. I really should get a fish scale [no StingRay pun intended] so I can quantify these things.

 

[flywheel]

The mutes are the main difference on that bridge. The bridges now are downsized, of course. My '91 and '92 Stingrays have the mutes and the "Leo Fender" saddles...which means the strings hit the saddles at an angle. EB changed the design of the bridge so that the string would hit the saddle in a straight line.

I don't use the mutes on my Rays that have them and I don't notice much difference in the bridges...but the ones that have mutes and have them in good shape are getting rare.

 

[LisaIs]

I am glad to understand why but how many folks could be knowledgeable of this difference much less willing to pay top dollar for it.

I am looking for my Sterling on Ebay in hopes of finding a beauty. One local shop has trans red with maple neck and another shop only has blue with rosewood. I want the rosewood but I don't think blue is my color.

 

[flywheel]

Just wait it out then...there are plenty of Sterlings out there. Get the color you REALLY want. Music Man basses are incredibly addictive anyway so you'll probably end up wanting another down the road.

and to answer your other ?...there are several of us geeky MM lovers that know a LOT about Music Man history. Just ask Jack, Gavin, Me, Bdgotoh (Brad), Todd Fortier, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Moondog]

just fyi - my '92 trans-white SR4 is lighter
than my '96 black Sterling. IMO - don't buy
another bass until you have the opportunity
to strap it on.
Ken

 

[flywheel]

Moondog raises a good point. The Bongo is quite possibly a better choice for you. The body isn't as small as the Sterling but it should be lighter than most every Ray or Sterling. My Bongo feels at least 1.5 lbs. lighter than my Rays.

oh...and Moondog said "strap it on..."

 

[phatduckk]

I am glad to understand why but how many folks could be knowledgeable of this difference much less willing to pay top dollar for it.

I am looking for my Sterling on Ebay in hopes of finding a beauty. One local shop has trans red with maple neck and another shop only has blue with rosewood. I want the rosewood but I don't think blue is my color.

check basscentral.com ... they have a few used sterlings

 

[shamus63]

Moondog raises a good point. The Bongo is quite possibly a better choice for you. The body isn't as small as the Sterling but it should be lighter than most every Ray or Sterling. My Bongo feels at least 1.5 lbs. lighter than my Rays.

oh...and Moondog said "strap it on..."

It is a lot easier on the shoulders and lower back than my Sabre, and probably the Ray.

 

[Moondog]

oh...and Moondog said "strap it on..."

 

[chazmusicman]

Hey Old Toe, are you wanting to sell that Limited Stingray or Trade it? I'm sort of lost on this post. I have a Stingray 5 I'll trade you for that beautiful bass.

Email at [email protected]

if your interested I'll send you pics

Its Vintage Sunburst, Matching headstock, White Pearloid Pickguard.

Thanks
C

 

[bovinehost]

Mr Toe worked out a trade with a Dealer To Be Named Later for a single hummer Bongo, if I'm not mistaken....

Sounds like a nice SR5 and a nice offer, but I'm afraid time has expired.

Jack

 

[LisaIs]

phatduckk thanks for the bass central idea. I checked them out and saw a silver sparkle Sterling. Damn, that is the coolest Sterling I have ever laid eyes on!!!! Those guys however seem to have jacked up prices and I am a cheapo, always looking for that awesome deal. My only hope is that men tend not be interested in the sparkle and bass central will want to cut it loose.... not bloody likely.

 

[flywheel]

too bad Jack doesn't still have that white sparkle Sterling he used to have. It was SWEET! I still think you need to check out Bongos if possible b.c a LOT of those Sterlings are gonna weigh real close to your Ray.

 

[LisaIs]

Cheap Woman

Jack is a store owner or dealer right?

After seeing that silver sparkle Sterling, I know I am going to have to take my time finding a guitar I really love. Maybe find a sparkle, one way or another.

The Bongo is too space age looking for me. I love the classic look of the Ray most of all. The Bongo also seems to have a large body like the Ray which is what I want to get away from.

I have owned numerous guitars..... at least 40. I have had some cool strange ones but I have never had over $1,000 in any one guitar. That is why it is hard for me to choke up over a thousand for a Sterling even though it is a fine instrument and worth every penny. I will probably buy used or scout out a deal for right at a $1,000. I am a cheap woman and have never been in debt in my life.... well until I got married and became a home owner with a morgage. I might sell my 60's Hagstrum 12 string solid body electric and see how I feel after that.

 

[LisaIs]

http://www.bovinehost.com/currentbasses/sparklesterling.html

Yes that is a sweet baby.

 

[flywheel]

Jack is a store owner or dealer right?

No... Jack is a bass player that has owned A TON of Music Mans. He is working as a sales rep for Steve Dude Barr who is a dealer.

I understand what you mean about the looks of a traditional guitar. I've owned my Bongo for probably a year now and haven't taken it to the stage yet. I always grab my Stingrays for a gig b.c they feel comfortable. The Bongo body looks larger in pics that it actually is. The pre amp is the reason I still have my Bongo. I've yet to play a bass that sounds that good.

 

[Freddy-G.]

Lisa, when I first saw that you were selling your SR, I was very interested. It looks really nice. But...

Buttercream fever struck, and before you know it I was emailing Jack, then sending a down payment to the Dude for one of their Buttercream dual pickup H/S SR5s.

Sorry, you almost had me.

 

[adouglas]

The Bongo body looks larger in pics that it actually is.

+1.

The Bongo body is actually quite small. In fact, the thing looks really different in person than it does in pictures...and when you see someone playing it, it looks different yet again. Wierd.

I like the small body in part because I'm short (though not as small as you, Lisa). I'm 5'7" on a good day, so a regular bass looks a bit big on me.

 

[LisaIs]

Well I should try the Bongo at the local shop but I don't think it can win my heart from the Sterling. It just seems really masculine to me.

Oh Jack and his buttercreme win again! but thanks for your interest Freddy. Some lucky cuss is gonna get that new bass for a used price. I am however lying in wait for an unsuspecting Sterling on Ebay and I'm gonna pounce. I would buy new if they were still making the sparkle.... I would be all over some new old stock.

 

[Big Poppa]

Well I should try the Bongo at the local shop but I don't think it can win my heart from the Sterling. It just seems really masculine to me.

Oh Jack and his buttercreme win again! but thanks for your interest Freddy. Some lucky cuss is gonna get that new bass for a used price. I am however lying in wait for an unsuspecting Sterling on Ebay and I'm gonna pounce. I would buy new if they were still making the sparkle.... I would be all over some new old stock.

Lisais How have I stolen your heart so soon?