Two piece body on my 93 ray?

[mingsta]

Hi all!

I've got a 93 stingray in translucent red, which I've had from new.

Im pretty sure that it's a two piece body as there a join visible a bout one third from the top that goes the length of the ody. It's never really bothered me as the paint job is quite opaque and you can only see through to the grain under very bright light.

Thing is, I'm thinking of getting it professionally refinished to a sunburst, is it going to look naff with the two piece body? Are there many other examples of two piece bodies out there with transparent or natural finish? Most of the pics out there show 1 piece body.

Or maybe I keep the old boy as it is and scratch the itch with a Sr4hh in vintage sunburst, but I hate the thought of my old faithful being usurped by a newer model.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Movielife]

Keep it as it is! Most Rays / basses in general are two piece bodies. I have a few burst EBMMs and the finish is excellent.

 

[mingsta]

Okay, thats good to know. Though it never really bothered me as its a peach of a bass. I may still go ahead and do the refinish, never planning on selling it so not worried about resale and I have to admit I was never that keen on the color.

As a matter of interest, I've read on the forums about certain periods of manufacture being more consistent than others. Mine was bought new in mid '93 so its either a late 92 or 93 model. Whats the general consensus on instruments made during that period?

 

[J Romano]

Depends on where the line is. Unless you have your PG off, it will probably won't be noticed from the front if it's in the center. Lots of PG and hardware to cover the joint. If it is on the side a good re-finisher should take that into account. As a burst finish is darker at the edges it may not be seen. From the back may be another story, but no one sees that but you! If you don't like the color you have then do it....... But another Ball, can't go wrong there for sure!!!!!

 

[liverbird]

Late 80s/early 90s basses are considered by some to be among the best of the EB MM era. Really nice instruments IMO. I would not refinish an original Trans Red (or any other original finish). If you do, you might not regret it today or tomorrow...

 

[Hutton]

Have to agree with liverbird. How many of us have said we have a keeper and then time passed and we sold the bass on or traded it. That's not to say with a good pro refinish it won't be desirable. It won't however be worth as much as it would be with the original finish. But hey, it's your bass so you must do what you like. I am also a bit of a hypocrite here because my SUB will never leave my collection. Apart from being a stupendously marvellous bass I have other reasons why I will never part with it. All the best with whatever you decide.

 

[drTStingray]

The chances are this bass will have an alder body and the trans red/late 80s early 90s is quite a desirable combination as it is - as has been stated, I would not refin it. You could buy a sunburst at some stage, they quite commonly on Ebay.

Also bear in mind that an authentic standard EBMM sunburst of this era is similar to what is now called honeyburst - vintage sunburst was a special option at the time IIRC.

My 93 sunburst fretless has a body joint exactly where you describe on yours - unnoticeable unless you really scrutinise it!

 

[mingsta]

Thanks for th input guys! I called one of the reputable refinishers in my area and as expected, it won't be cheap to do a quality job. if I then put in work to do the frets at the same time you're almost up to half of the price of an as-new stingray off the classifieds.

I've decided to keep her as she is and step on the GAS for a new SR4HH in the colour of choice. Not worth risking the mojo on this one.

 

[five7]

wise choice!

 

[J Romano]

Way to go, I was hoping that would be your decision! We've heard great reports on the Ray 34s and 35s on the forum by members. If you didn't want to spend the long buck, this may be a consideration!