SR4 1983/1988 Differences between body,neck, etc

[123]

Hello from Portugal!

I´m the owner of 2 SR4-one from 1983, Trans Red with RW fretboard, and a black 1988 also with RW fretboard.

Both have 2 band Eq and black pickguards.

I decided to open this thread because I´ve found some differences between both models, and I just wanted to share it with all the Stingray lovers.

I don´t know this info is found elsewhere (at least I haven´t found anything, so here it goes.

Observing both necks I´ve found the 83 to be a littler thicker when compared to the 88-the fretboard is 1mm thick (and so is the maple neck).

I also found the radius of the 83 to be 15" (the 88 is 10")

The body on the 83 is not contoured on the upper bout and the 88 is.

One other detail-themetal cover of battery compartment on the 83 is sunk so it levels with the body (the one on the 88 no).

As to the pickguard screws (on the 83)-there´s no screw hole right behind the pickup (i.e. the pickguard has it but the body no.

Can any other members confirm all of this info?

Thanks

PS I´l try to post pics of both soon!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi and welcome to the Forum:

>>>One other detail-themetal cover of battery compartment on the 83 is sunk so it levels with the body (the one on the 88 no).

>>>As to the pickguard screws (on the 83)-there´s no screw hole right behind the pickup (i.e. the pickguard has it but the body no.

Pics would help!!!

 

[123]

Hello

Here are some pics!

Hope you enjoy them

 

[123]

 

[Golem]

`

Speaking of recessed, flush to the wood surface, hardware;
I had an old Sterling whose neck plate was recessed flush.
Don't recall what vintage it was ...


`

 

[123]

`

Speaking of recessed, flush to the wood surface, hardware;
I had an old Sterling whose neck plate was recessed flush.
Don't recall what vintage it was ...



`

Now that´s uncommon...

PS no fakebooks, tweeters, etc for me too lol

 

[Freddels]

The 15" radius is throwing me off.

 

[123]

Can you tell me what´s the normal radius?

Maybe I´ve measured it wrongly...

 

[Gravesend Black]

Can you tell me what´s the normal radius?

Maybe I´ve measured it wrongly...

These days SR4 neck radius is 7.5" (19.1 cm) (2bandEQ) and 11" (27.9 cm) (3bandEQ)

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Can you tell me what´s the normal radius?

Maybe I´ve measured it wrongly...

From memory, the radius of your 83 Pre-EB Bass should be 7.25 inches. The higher the radius, the flatter the neck. The lower the radius, the rounder the neck.

Do you have a clearer pic of the battery cover? I've never heard nor have I seen a recessed battery cover on a Pre-EB Bass. But with Music Man, you can never say "never".

As to the absense of the screw hole near the pickup, I've never generally seen that before. I am aware that Music Man did Bass one-offs without screrw holes for "Artists" and MM dealers who didn't want a pickguard cover. But they are very rare. I do have a pic of one here some where.

Have you rermoved the neck to observe the markings in the neck pocket on the body? That may give a clue. I was starting to think the body was not original but the proportions seem ok.

Any body else?

Another possibilty is that the Bass was refinished and the holes were plugged.

 

[Jules]

Wooops! This thread just pointed out a problem for me. I have wrist troubles (hence me not drumming much anymore) and even with my SBMM which has the contours in the body, it is painful for me to play with my fingers sitting down. This would be aggravated even worse with an unsculpted body. Maybe even while standing. The Classic 4 that I (think I) want so badly is unsculpted from the pics I have seen. It may not be a good investment for me after all. I'll have to do some additional research on this.

Are these things that are "options" when ordering?

FWIW: I am not trying to hijack this topic (and am very grateful that the pics got posted)

 

[Gravesend Black]

Wooops! This thread just pointed out a problem for me. I have wrist troubles (hence me not drumming much anymore) and even with my SBMM which has the contours in the body, it is painful for me to play with my fingers sitting down. This would be aggravated even worse with an unsculpted body. Maybe even while standing. The Classic 4 that I (think I) want so badly is unsculpted from the pics I have seen. It may not be a good investment for me after all. I'll have to do some additional research on this.

Are these things that are "options" when ordering?

FWIW: I am not trying to hijack this topic (and am very grateful that the pics got posted)

Forgive me my poor english but what did you mean saying "unsculpted"? Did you mean that classic one does not have so smooth body shape? Do not know how to say it correct =)

 

[tbonesullivan]

What he means is that the bass body is not contoured. Kind of a telecaster vs stratocaster thing. There is no forearm contour, and no "gut cut" as it is called. It may effect how it plays.

The "classic" stingray basses currently out have no body contours, while the current stingray and stingray 5 have them. The stingray 5 I believe was always contoured, and did have a different body shape than the Stingray 4, and still does.

 

[Gravesend Black]

What he means is that the bass body is not contoured. Kind of a telecaster vs stratocaster thing. There is no forearm contour, and no "gut cut" as it is called. It may effect how it plays.

The "classic" stingray basses currently out have no body contours, while the current stingray and stingray 5 have them. The stingray 5 I believe was always contoured, and did have a different body shape than the Stingray 4, and still does.

Thanks. I will remember that.

EBMM just offers 2 variations - classic 2band without body contours and 3band contoured. That is my understanding.

 

[drTStingray]

Thanks. I will remember that.

EBMM just offers 2 variations - classic 2band without body contours and 3band contoured. That is my understanding.

The options are - regular Stingray - 2 band or 3 band EQ; 3 band EQ with piezo (on single H); HS and HH avaiable only with 3 band EQ - all have contoured bodies.

Only the pre- Ernie Ball Stingrays are slab bodied - everything post 1985 has contours (except Classic Collection and made in America Sub series).

The regular Stingray 5 has contouring on the body edge also; series/parallel switching; different pickguard shape. No 2 band available.

Classic Collection Stingray - 2 band EQ only; special colours; choice of birds eye or flame maple neck - has no body contour (it is slab bodied) - other detail differences like neck radius, strings through body, etc etc. 5 string is very similar, but with the added string.

If you click on the appropriate model on the web site, all the options are listed. But the bottom line is you can get a regular (non classic collection) SR4 in 2 band format.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Does the SR4 with the 2 band preamp (not the classic) have the center detents on the bass/treble boost/cut controls? I believe the original and classic stingrays are also boost/cut, but they do not have the center detent to let you know when you are at a "flat" level.

 

[drTStingray]

No centre detent, I believe - it's been available right through EBMM production.

Apologies - we are de-railing this 1983 v 1988 SR thread!

 

[oli@bass]

Do you have a clearer pic of the battery cover? I've never heard nor have I seen a recessed battery cover on a Pre-EB Bass. But with Music Man, you can never say "never".

Check out the inlays on the red one. They look like mother of pearl. Haven't seen that on any standard MM before. And the fretboard is exceptionally dark. Perhaps an ebony board?

 

[123]

From memory, the radius of your 83 Pre-EB Bass should be 7.25 inches. The higher the radius, the flatter the neck. The lower the radius, the rounder the neck.

Do you have a clearer pic of the battery cover? I've never heard nor have I seen a recessed battery cover on a Pre-EB Bass. But with Music Man, you can never say "never".

As to the absense of the screw hole near the pickup, I've never generally seen that before. I am aware that Music Man did Bass one-offs without screrw holes for "Artists" and MM dealers who didn't want a pickguard cover. But they are very rare. I do have a pic of one here some where.

Have you rermoved the neck to observe the markings in the neck pocket on the body? That may give a clue. I was starting to think the body was not original but the proportions seem ok.

Any body else?

Another possibilty is that the Bass was refinished and the holes were plugged.

I´m going to do my best to take a picture of the recess battery cover.

As to the hole-only the one I´ve mencioned isn´t punctured.

I´ve also thought it maybe refinished but I´ve taken to my luthier (who works with Dragonforce, Anthrax, etc,) and that possibility was taken out of the equation), Maybe they forgot to puncture it (sorry if I´m using the wrong word.)

As to the neck pocket it says April 83-I have a picture of it somewhere.

I´m going to put here also.

BTW, I´ve also had 20th anniversary MM, bought new in the Uk at the BASS CENTRE, and it didn´t came with the anniversary logo..

When I asked the guys at BC why, they told me they had called Ernie Ball and for some reason that bass come like that...

Talking about quality control...

PS it was my first MM and it started my Love/hate relation towards these basses, as it sounded like crap.....

Thank you all for your input!


PS gonna check the radius again (I have some special made tools that go from 20" to 7.5", so it should be easy to do it all over again).

 

[123]

Check out the inlays on the red one. They look like mother of pearl. Haven't seen that on any standard MM before. And the fretboard is exceptionally dark. Perhaps an ebony board?

I forgot to mention that too!

weird combinations...