Question Time capsuled '77 StingRay... is this for real?

[oli@bass]

There's a MM StingRay from 1977 with serial # B003716 on eBay which is declared as "flawless" and "mint":

1977 Musicman Stingray Bass -flawless -mint condtion - eBay (item 120308097108 end time Sep-25-08 08:24:54 PDT)

It looks very nice, but the last time I got a bass described as "mint" and "flawless" it was not quite that, but still a nice player (that needed some repair). The price is hilarious, but to be able to get a '77 in as new condition would be quite the experience today... (well, for some of us )

What do you think about this one? For real? Too good to be true? Hoax?

 

[ronnyG]

I don't think it's a hoax. The pics look pretty realsitic to me. I guess it was hardly played..rare.

Seen old fenders like that condition but those end up selling in at least the 5 digit range.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I don't think the price is hilarious, he'll probably get close to his BIN price. Last year a burst 4-bolt '81 showed up on the bay, and it looked dead mint too right out of the music store. It sold for $3400.
For the past month I've been watching refins sell for 1700-1900, and original finish basses (as well as a pal's 78) sell for 2200-2500. So a mint ringer doesn't seem too far off.

Minty, or stupid nice, basses are out there. I got lucky with my '81, it's not showroom perfect, but pretty dang close.

 

[RobertB]

The pic on the lower left - the one showing the neck plate/joint - isn't that a wish-bone shaped scratch shown in that one? Maybe just a reflection, but looks like a scratch. No biggie, except when the person's emphasizing that the finish is "flawless, not a mark".

Also, do new or even as-new basses usually have oxidized tuning pegs/keys/machines?

Granted, it seems to be in excellent condition, but to say "time capsule perfect" ... it has to be.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Also, do new or even as-new basses usually have oxidized tuning pegs/keys/machines?

Well, the tuning keys I can sympathize with on the ebay bass.
The original keys were old-skool nickel plated...nickel tarnishes if you touch it just once. He could have polished them with brasso or whatever, but why.

 

[oli@bass]

Holy smokes! That's nice!

What about the remark "it has thin vintage frets i belive it was special ordered that way "? Haven't the older 'Rays all had the thinner fret wire?

 

[RobertB]

He could have polished them with brasso or whatever, but why.

In my experience, that's easier said than done. I had to leave my first Ray in a climate controlled storage space for a number of months, once. When I got back, the keys/pegs were oxidized, and I never found anything that would clean them up. I tried everything from the most common suggestion to the most esoteric. Never cleaned up. It's purely cosmetic, but it does matter to some people. Maybe that one person who would otherwise have bought it, in a case where it doesn't sell. Someone who's a freak about that kind of thing, like me.

 

[RobertB]

Holy smokes! That's nice!

What about the remark "it has thin vintage frets i belive it was special ordered that way "? Haven't the older 'Rays all had the thinner fret wire?

That is very nice. Looks better than the one on ebay. By the way Oli, if you're considering this, my advice would be to forget it and buy 3 Bongos instead. But to each his own, I know.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

That particular Bass belongs to "heavychevy". It came up in the Serial Number and Pic Gallery sticky threads.

See:

HERE

AND HERE

 

[oli@bass]

Mike, Robert, Gav thanks a lot for your knowledge and thoughts! I should have bought that one when it was on eBay the first time with a BIN of $2450. I watched it, but thought it was a silly price. However, just lately I thought I'd so like to have an original in pristine condition just like that one. And now it is for sale again...

 

[oli@bass]

That is very nice. Looks better than the one on ebay. By the way Oli, if you're considering this, my advice would be to forget it and buy 3 Bongos instead. But to each his own, I know.

Yeah, I know it's silly... it's that collectors thing going on with me...

 

[RobertB]

Yeah, I know it's silly... it's that collectors thing going on with me...

I understand. Can't blame you & I certainly don't judge or consider the purchase of such a fine looking piece to be silly. I also don't blame you for being hesitant though. I caught your remark about having gotten "burned" in the past, buying one which was advertised as "mint". My guess is that you were referring to the 20th, huh?

I've just been making all the Bongo comments lately because I'm so stoked about the recent arrival of mine. The huge, versatile tone, the sleek feel, and its precision (which i know would appeal to you) have turned me into a zealot ... hopefully not an obnoxious one.

 

[bovinehost]

a zealot ... hopefully not an obnoxious one

No, no, that's my job.

 

[KennethB]

If I've had the cash, I'd BIN that sucker right now. It's a '77, like me. And unlike me, it's absolutely flawless.

 

[Caca de Kick]

about the remark "it has thin vintage frets i belive it was special ordered that way "? Haven't the older 'Rays all had the thinner fret wire?

Yes the old Musicmans had smaller fretwire.
I don't know if the ebay bass had something special order (my guess it isn't), or if the guy just notices his wire is smaller than a modern MM.

I should have bought that one when it was on eBay the first time with a BIN of $2450

It's getting to be that way, they're moving up in price quickly again. There was a bit of lull for a litle while, but I've been watching some crazy stuff this year.
My pal's '78 was a standard color natural, normal wear but 100% complete, just sold for 2500. Same with the local vintage store, every Ray he gets no matter how beat, blows out the door at 2500 too.
Sabre's have been going nuts now too.

 

[heavychevy]

This is a good friend of mines bass and he's pretty dead on with the description. I checked it out a few times and I never saw a scratch on it...could be a reflection. The chrome is mint but the tuners are a little tarnished which someone else had stated above...which happens very easily on these. He has a few vintage Sting Rays and a Sabre that get played. Not to sure about the fret wire being a special order, but his other '77 Ray and not to sure of the year Sabre ('79?) have bigger frets (jumbo?)

 

[oli@bass]

Not to sure about the fret wire being a special order, but his other '77 Ray and not to sure of the year Sabre ('79?) have bigger frets (jumbo?)

If these basses have been played, they probably were refretted. Would it be possible to get directly in touch with your friend? May he could join the discussion here?

 

[heavychevy]

already told him last night to join... If someone on here knows anything about the difference in the frets on here please answer our question if they offered 2 different sizes or if it was special order or something. Thanks, Brian

 

[ampegjoel]

Ok thanks for all your interest its my Bass -and yes I can assure you guys its that nice-the fret wire I have another 77 stingray and a 79 sabre both have noticeably wider fretwire-than the bass for sale -Im no expert-if someone can help me out did they have an option in 77 or did they -since like all things ( it was a production line instrument ) use what they had -did they switch fret suppliers ? I dont know the answer-none the less ebay format wouldnt let me add more pic's so if anyone wants email me and ill send you a close up of my other 77's frets and one of the bass for sales frets youll see what im talking about -and yes the nickle tuners are a little tarnished and yes you could pull them off and use a dremel and some jewelers rouge and polish them -i chose to leave em alone-be happy to answer any questions you guys may have

 

[kylierider]

That baby is nice. If I had money floating around I think I would bid too. There is a local shop in my area that had an old beat up 77 that he was asking that much for. I think the BIN price of 2450 would have been fair.