Stingray 1 ?

[Coldhands]

Hi from new member. I have a lead on what I think is a Music Man Stingray 1, the 6 string not the bass. Won't get to look at it until Friday and have a question or two.
If this is a Stingray 1 and not a Sub 1, would it be worth picking up? It's simply described as an "old music man 1". I see conflicting comments on the web about how well these might of been made.

I see the subs can be had for 300 to 400 on ebay, but have no idea really on the value of an actual stingray 1, this one has an asking price of $180 so it has my curiosity.

For that kind of money, it's worth my time to take a look at it but is there any thing I should be looking for on the guitar to indicate it is really a stingray. Only pics I have seen are fairly poor quality.

Thanks
Rog

 

[DrKev]

Hi Rog and welcome!

Have you tried searching through the archives here (and here's a google search through the forum pages).

There is a lot of interesting info around here but little on pricing. If anyone else has info I'm sure they'll chime in.

Do let us know what happens when you see it on Friday.

 

[DrKev]

1977 Musicman Stingray I: Wutzdog-guitars

 

[Coldhands]

Thanks for the link, great clear pics of the headstock and the badge on the bottom rear of the neck. I've spent hours trying to find info. I know this is a pre EB guitar if its a Stingray 1 but was hoping someone had one or had played one and could comment on whether or not it was worth pursuing.

Will post when I find out what it is even if I don't end up with it.

 

[John C]

There are a couple of folks around here who collect the pre-EB Music Mans. You should also check out the G&L Forum called guitarsbyleo.com - some of the people over there collect both Leo-era MMs and early G&Ls.

Bit of Leo-era MM info - Leo Fender was one of 3 partners in the original Music Man company, and he also owned a second company called "CLF Research". Leo designed the original MM guitars and basses, and built them at his CLF Research facility in Fullerton, CA under contract to MM - basically CLF was the OEM supplier of the instruments; MM as a company only owned the amp factory. When Leo fell out with his two partners (Tommy Walker and Forrest White) he sold is stake in MM back to them but still made the instruments at the CLF factory under contract. Leo hooked back up with George Fullerton and began designing and building G&L guitars alongside the MMs at the CLF Research. MM and CLF terminated their contract, and Leo stopped using the CLF name for his company and formally adopted the G&L name. You can see the evolution in going from the MM Sting Ray to the MM Sabre to the G&L F-100.

Eventually the original MM went bankrupt in 1984; Sterling Ball convinced his father to buy the MM name, designs, inventory, etc. (basically everything but that old amp factory); they put the Sting Ray and Sabre bass back into production. All the EBMM guitars are 100% their own designs.

 

[Lrickert]

Hi Rog, I've been a Stingray 1 owner since 1980, it's rarely played but a constant companion in my den. Unfortunately my home was recently burglarized, and it's been stolen.
That $180 sounds like someone may not realize the collector/sentimental value on that guitar, unless it's been trashed.
Any idea on what the serial # on it is? I would be curious to know if you happen to have that info.

Thanks in advance
Les

 

[Coldhands]

Well finally got to see the guitar this morning. Sad to say it was only an OLP, the scant info in the ad listing it as "an old Music Man 1" had me crossing my fingers. Was hoping it was a Stingray or a Sub 1 but no such luck.

This particular one was absolutely mint, was metallic red with the HH and one volume knob. Sat down with it and could not believe the awful finish on the fret edges. Would have a bleeding hand from working that neck if I ever played it. Oh well, the search goes on!