That 1976 Catalogue Picture...

[jaylegroove]

Hi folks,

Each time I go to Home - Musicmanbass.org, Musicman Bass.org, Musicman Bass, I have a thrill when I see that very early StingRay (first pic on the homepage) :

Due to what is probably some effect of exposure on this pic, I have a hard time finding out whether this finish is vintage sunburst or tobacco sunburst.

What's your opinion ?

Thanks in advance.

Jay

PS. did a search here before but found nothing accurate, sorry

 

[bovinehost]

If my memory serves, during the early period there was only one sunburst finish, and it was called "sunburst".

And you're looking at a photo of it.

Jack

 

[jaylegroove]

Thanks Jack. I was almost sure about that, but I'm glad you could confirm what I was thinking.

This sunburst seems to look halfway between vintage and tobacco, uh ? And with what looks like a bigger mass of dark paint, compared to these two (unless it is the photo that gives this effect).

Which one, among the current finishes, do you think looks the closest ?

Thanks again.

 

[Psycho Ward]

This is my VSB, don't know if this helps, but I like showing it off.... again.

 

[bovinehost]

That's BP's proto in sunburst.

That's a primo example of a production 79 SR4.

 

[Moondog]

I have a VSB and a TB and it's kinda in the middle - looks more like TB tho.

I've seen some nice 76-79's with dark 2-tone-ish finishes. Like TB but with
a dark black edge and brownish in the middle. VSB clearly has red in it &
is more yellowish in the middle.

I love that bass, one of my favs, wish I could find one @ a reasonable price.

 

[jaylegroove]

Thanks everyone,

Psycho's VSB is really close to Jack's '79 example. But at the same time, as Moondog stated, the pic from Rod's website feels a bit closer to tobacco. Is it possible there was some kind of evolution/variations on Pre-EB sunburst finishes through the years ?

Thanks again
Jean

 

[Moondog]

TB's

VSB

1980
Flash photography makes the bass look more VSB.
My TB SR5 looked like a VSB when I used a flash!
I th

 

[jaylegroove]

Thanks Moondog,

Yeah the way one takes a shoot makes colors look different (and I still did not talk about monitor calibration etc.).

Looks like there is no "perfect copy" of that good ol' pre-EB sunburst, but from what I could see and understand, I definitely prefer tobacco for my personal tastes. Same as your TB SR4 with a white pickguard and a maple board = big GAS for me

Thanks a lot.
Jean

 

[Moondog]

TB's

VSB

1980
Flash photography makes the bass look more VSB.
My TB SR5 looked like a VSB when I used a flash!
1980 SR4

There was a '77 or '78 on ebay not too long ago that was a very dark burst.
Great pics, no red or yellow at all . . dark black edge that was sprayed well
towards the center of the body and a little brown around the pickguard.
Loved it but it had an aftermarket pre.

 

[jaylegroove]

Being painted by humans (at least I guess) and due to the nature of burst finishes (vs. solid ones), I think it's reasonably understandable that some color results may vary from one instrument to another.

Thanks again,
Jean

 

[Moondog]

These two pics are of the same bass.
Different camera and lighting have an affect . . .

 

[EBMM7181]

This is my VSB, don't know if this helps, but I like showing it off.... again.

Chuck, you need some Wonder Wipes Fretboard Conditioner for your VSB Sterling!

The lawn is dry!

Very nice bass, Chuck.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Billy you're right, I've got a set of Group II coming and I'll see to it she gets a good going over.

 

[EBMM7181]

Group II's are in my future as well!

 

[Moondog]

I definitely prefer tobacco for my personal tastes. Same as your TB SR4 with a white pickguard and a maple board = big GAS for me

Oh yeah, I hear ya! I'm also GASsing pretty hard for an early-mid
90's tobaccoburst/maple 2-band . . would go crazy for a birdseye
neck and some mutes!

 

[fly]

These two pics are of the same bass.
Different camera and lighting have an affect . . .

wow!



that is quite the difference..............


and one helluva nice bass too.............

 

[Caca de Kick]

Mine looks like tobacco, but I didn't think there was two different burst colors offered back in those old days. Mine definitely has a tad more red on the back than the front, like maybe it was sunburst that faded to tobacco.

Here's my same bass under different lighting. What ever red is there jumps out more, but my burst doesn't look this orange-y in real life. The pic above is the real life color.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The Pre_EB Sunbursts can vary a lot. This one (1979) is also "Sunburst". It's not the lighting as I've actually seen a few in the flesh. Reminds me of Honeyburst.

 

[Moondog]

Damn!!
Mike -7 and that friggin '81!!!
I can't take it!! Stop posting that one!!
The guy who sprayed that bass was on his game that day
VEry nice