The FrankenRay

[tombboy]

My latest acquisiton........

Cobbled together over a long period of time from accident victims and spare genuine EBMM parts. The body, is from a '93 Stingray (two part body, so guessing it was a solid finish originally. Also weren't the Strings thru body only available on a Namm or other special? Sure someone will enlighten me.). Custom natural finish now. Status graphite neck and Norstrand pup & preamp. Will be in my grubby mits after Easter!! Can't wait!!!

 

[russjm]

Nice, seen that before somewhere .

 

[mynan]

Have you played it?

 

[koogie2k]

Nice....

 

[strummer]

Sweet, though I'd get chrome knobs and neck bolts

Clear coat looks mighty glossy

How does it sound, have you played it yet?

 

[Rano Bass]

What kind of preamp do you have in there?
Nice job in rescuing that bass!

 

[ekb16b]

lovin' the glossy finish, and yeah.. get some chrome knobs

 

[Spudmurphy]

Looks a great job - 4 what a skinny stringers opinion is worth - yeah chrome knobs on yer ball!!

 

[bovinehost]

The body, is from a '93 Stingray (two part body, so guessing it was a solid finish originally. Also weren't the Strings thru body only available on a Namm or other special?

Not sure that's a 1993 body....I'm not sure what it is. But you have a six bolt neck plate, string-thru body and a plastic battery cover, which do not seem to be related to one another.

Gav's the expert on this stuff but I don't think plastic battery covers appeared until 1995. And by 1995, the string thru body was gone (certain exceptions apply).

I'll let Gav weigh in, but 1993 wouldn't be my guess. In fact, I wouldn't have a guess!

Pretty bass, nonetheless.

Jack

 

[russjm]

Wraithrider put a Nordstrand pup into his sterling, and I have to say, it sounded just awesome. I'll be interested to know what you think of the graphite neck.

 

[tombboy]

I'll get this about Wednesday.
Once in my hands then I'll go to work in finding out the history. Plastic battery compartment did come from a later bass. All the hardware was cobbled together from various sources over a period of time. I've been assured that the Body, Bridge, PG and Tuners, Ferroules, control plate and extra jack insert are genuine EB though.
Norstrand pup and preamp. I think the control knob nearest the jack socket has a push/pull series/ parallel function. I agree.... chrome would look better.
You guys are a great source of information, let me tell you.

 

[fly]

damn that's actually kinda nice looking.

 

[word]

i'm jealous, i love the neck!!

 

[mynan]

I've looked at those pictures about ten times now and I honestly don't know what to think. It's definitely not ugly, but it's definitely a FrankenRay. I guess the sound would be the determining factor for me.

I'm still curious as to whether you've played it or not.

 

[tombboy]

Ok... just a little update.
The bridge S/N makes it an '89/90 (just the bridge... this is a mongrel).
The body is indeed a two piece which suggests to me it was originally a solid colour. It has the strings-through-body ferroules but they're not utilised due to the replacement bridge. It has a cavity for a jack in the body, which suggests it was a 3EQ. Plastic battery cover. I haven't had the neck off yet so can't provide info to age the body.
Status neck... as you can see from the photos. The saddles are set real low and the poles have been 'dropped' to facilitate this. Obviously a 'funky fingers' bass as there is not much room between the strings and the pup. Tuners, PG and neckplate are stock MM but the neckplate screws don't match.
As for the sound.... and I won't go on too much as it's non EBMM pup and pre-amp.... lets just say I am VERY happy with it!!

It's definately unique and for the (UK) price I paid a bit of a bargain, but most of all it's still a 'Ray and it's MINE!!

 

[russjm]

I'm interested to know what you think of the Nordstrand pup and the Status neck, sound and playability wise. Does the graphite make it brighter sounding? More so than Maple do you think? Peter (wraithrider BW) had a Nordstrand in his Sterling, and it sounded really nice, very growly.

 

[JB1]

Sweet bass, mate, I like it.

I've got s Status neck on one of mine, and it gives a different sound, brighter, yes, but it doesn't 'feel' the same as wood, physically and aurally.

PS - Typo in your sig....

Rig:
Markabss Little Mark Ferrari Red 450