sterling finish

[donna]

hi guys,

'tain't been around much but i have been checkin' in and out of here seein' just what all of ya have been doing!

anyway, can any of ya tell me what type of finish my sterlling has.
i mean is it a poly type of finish or is it laquer or what? is the finish similar to the finish on the fenders?

also, i've read here about serial numbers, but i just can't seem to figure out the logic. how does one figure out how to read the serial number?

take care all,

~donna~

 

[bassmaniac]

Hi donna, the website describes the finish as "High Gloss Polyester. I'm as for what finish Fender is using I think some have a polyester finish and some have a polyurethane finish depending on the model, but believe me, just like every other attribute about a MM instrument, the finish is much better than on a Fender.
I'm not really sure if the serial numbers follow any particular pattern, so other than posting your serial number and asking when it was made, you can't tell. If that doesn't help, then fellow forumite Rod Trussbroken is the serial # man.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hi donna.....

>>>>just can't seem to figure out the logic. how does one figure out how to read the serial number?

Not too sure what you mean so I'll give an overview.

Depending on year of manufacture and type of Bass, the serial number for the instrument is either on the neck plate or the bridge.

The serial number, in itself, has no code as to when the instrument was built. One way to date the instrument is to look at the label on the back of one of the control knobs. Not all instuments have this label. Another way is to remove the neck and check the dates on both the heel of the neck and body pocket. That being said, a lot of people don't want to put a screw driver to their instrument. Yet, another way is to contact Ernie Ball and have them check your serial number on their data base for the born-on date. This may not be convenient for some people, for whatever reason. With respect to Pre-EB instruments, no data base is held by Ernie Ball. It would appear that none exists.

Some guys collect serial numbers with their related manufacture dates. The source of this info mainly comes from owners who have investigated the dates of their instruments. When the list gets big enough, a person can ckeck the serials each side of his/her serial and get a pretty good idea of the age of their instrument...sometimes, not only the year but within a few months of that particular year.

Most people have a natural curiousity as to the age of their instrument especially when it has been purchased second hand. Others may want to verify a sellers claim as to the age of the instrument especially when the seller is asking big money for a vintage Bass.

I myself am staggered by the amount of people who claim their Pre-EB Sting Rays are 1976 models (1st production year). Happily, pretty well all are innocent misrepresentations. A buyer with some knowledge of the serials can make an informed choice.

Cheers

PS. Some Sterling Serials:

38280...Aug 1993. Serial date supplied and double checked by Greg at EB. Advised that the Sterling was first shown in 1993 at the Nashville NAMM show.
38509...09/93. Pearl White with Maple. Black pg.
39935...Feb 1994. Maple neck.
40541...May 1994.
44407...16 Feb 1995.
46464...Oct 1995. Black with Maple. 3 Band EQ. White pearloide pg.
B03177...05/96. EB advise that their "B" serials are "Very Rare". (Note: only five digits follow the "B"). Blue with Rosewood. FRETLESS. Black pg.
B03380...Jun 1996. "B" serials are "very rare".
F00675...Sep 1998.
F00978...Body 29 Sept 1998. Honeyburst with Rosewood.
F01237...05/99. Black with Rosewood.
F01263...23 June 1999 Assembly Date.
F01454...08/99. Natural with Maple. Matching headstock. White pg.
F01514...Oct 1999. Black Sparkle with Rosewood. Original Black pg replaced with White Pearloid.
F02340...1999. Black Sparkle with Maple. Matching headstock. Matt Black pg.
F03048...09/00. Black Sparkle with matching headstock. Maple Neck. Black Pearloid pg. Piezo PUP.
F03221...12/00. Trans Red with Maple. Black pg.
F03233...Nov 2000. Not Chronological.
F03394...12/00. Teal with Maple. Original White pg replaced with Black.
F03488...01/01. Silver with matching Headstock. Rosewood Neck. Black Pearloid pg.
F03679...Feb 2001.
F03717...2 (or 3rd) Feb 2001. Pearl Blue with Maple. White Pearloid pg.
F03726...Purchased new in 2001. White sparkle with Rosewood. White pearloid pg.
F03851...Mar 2001.
F04208...05/01. Rosewood with Black pg.
F04654...08/01. Blue Pearl with Maple. Matching headstock. Black pg.
F04704...Sep 2001. Not Chronological.
F04798...08/01. Candy Red with matching Headstock. Maple neck. White Pearloid pg.
F04846...10/01. No info.
L02020...2001. LEFT HANDED. Blue Metalic with Maple. Alder Body.
F05345...Jan 2002.
F05414...Feb 2002. Trans Orange with Maple. Matching Headstock. White Pearloid pg.
F05854...05/02. Candy Red with Rosewood. White pearloid pg.
F05855...05/02. Midnight Blue Sparkle with Rosewood. Black pg.
05964...(perhaps missing "F" prefix?). Either way, not on EB Data Base. Described as new at Jun 2003. (Dealer). Blue Dawn with Maple. Black pg.
F06584...01/03
F07176...Jan 2003.

STERLING SPECIAL RUNS

F08004...Year 2002 only. Limited Edition "Black Onyx" Sterling. 150 made. Only 75 distributed in US. Ash Body with Black finish. Matching Black Headstock. Maple neck finished in Black. Ebony Fretboard. Black pg. Black hardware. Black Pole Pieces. EB custom Logo and custom neck plate. No 130 of 150. US Owner.
F08011...Black Onyx. No 124 of 150. US Owner.
F08020...Black Onyx. No 111 of 150. US Owner.
F08047...Black Onyx. No 71 of 150. US Owner.
F08082...(or 092). Black Onyx. No 46 of 150. US Owner.

 

[tom_683]

just thought this was pretty cool but my local music shop has a black onyx bass in and it is no. 1 / 150

 

[donna]

hey guys,

thankya all very much for such quick and informing replies.

the more that i read what you guys have to say, the happier i become that i got my sterling. it's obvious that you guys luv mm basses and guitars---i haven't read one neg. comment yet! and that is so cool!

from what rod has said, i figure that mine was born sometime in dec. '02.

well, i'll be readin' you all later,

~donna~

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hey Tom....next time you're at the local shop, see if you can grab the serial number of that Black Onyx for me...Cheers