stingray question

[Jazzy J]

I've been handed a StingRay by a good friend of mine till my brand new one arrives from the factory in a while. Now I had a small question about the bass.
It's got the metal battery stock plate and a six bolt-on neck. There's no serial number on the metal plate at the back.
Does anyone know during which years this type of StingRays was produced?

Thanks a lot !

 

[bovinehost]

If I remember correctly, the metal battery plate was replaced in 1995 with the plastic thingy, so it's pre-95 anyway.

Look on the bridge for the serial number and we can tell you the date of manufacture - or pretty close, anyway.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Also...late 88 to early 89, Ernie Ball switched over from the 4 bolt neck to the 6 bolt neck pattern (along with truss wheel at the heel of the neck).

 

[Jazzy J]

The number on the bridge = 32374 (no letters on it)...

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

IMO....very late 1990 to early/mid 1991.

What's the colour?...Rose or Maple fret board?....pickguard?

(of course, Derek could nip it right in the bud).

 

[Jazzy J]

It's sunburst with white pickguard... maple fretboard. In fact, it's the kind of maple they used for the anniversary basses (with "spots" on it). Very nice indeed. Too bad I can't keep this beauty. But I'll be happy to receive my very own in a while, so I don't mind giving her back to her boss when my baby arrives

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>(with "spots" on it).

Bird's eye Maple perhaps!!!

>>>Too bad I can't keep this beauty

Pinch it!!!! (only joking.... )

Non-original thumb rest on he pickguard!

 

[Jazzy J]

Yes... I don't use the thumbrest, though. I think it's a shame he put it on there, but hey... who am I ?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Good luck with your new 'Ray.

Where abouts on planet Earth are you?

 

[Masamax]

I have seen weirder things then thumbrests. My friend has a 79 SR that he got used. It was installed with two jazz pups IN THE FACTORY.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>>It was installed with two jazz pups IN THE FACTORY.


I have seen one like that before...it looked like a modification to me at the time. Have you got any more info on your friends Bass?

 

[Derek]

Sunburst Stingray 04/91

Derek

 

[Masamax]

Neck stamp is 79, and the bass styling is like that. The bass itself has a switch that used to control the pickup routing or something like that, but he just changed it to an on/off switch. But it was definitely factory installed. He put two barts in there, but I believe there were Duncans or something like there in before. Not sure what was factory installed. Someone once told him it was a Sabre with jazz, but it's definitely a Stingray. The pickguard looks original, and is precisely cut for the two jazz pups.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Masamax....any pics???

 

[Jazzy J]

Derek, thanks !

And Rod, I'm located in Antwerp, Belgium.
I don't have any more information about my friend's bass... He (or the person he bought it from) has replaced the original pickup with a bartolini one, which I think wasn't necessary... I played the bass at a rehearsal yesterday, and it sounded very good... Though, not as good as my new one will, I bet

 

[Masamax]

I will take some pics next time I see him and post him. He is off touring at the moment, so...

 

[Jazzy J]

hmmm maybe I should read the posts more carefully before I answer them

Ah well...
I'm also anxious to see that bass ... !