What was your first MusicMan?

[diptixon]

A white '79 Ray bought new from Gracin's in Hempstead, Long Island NY with my paper route money when I was 16 ($465 with gig bag)...I still have and play the bass. One of these days I'll get around to posting pix and the history of the bass (it's been de-fretted/re-fretted/dropped off a 12 foot high stage/refinished, blah blah blah - lotsa mojo). I don't play it out on gigs much anymore as I've pretty much switched to 5 stringers (a 2000 SR5 and a Bongo 5 on the way, among others - but I am hoping that there is also going to be a Classic Stingray 5 somewhere in my future...)

 

[Stoo]

As a kid, I remembered seeing Stingrays used by the Cars and AC/DC on MTV. Never actually played one until the early 90s, when a customer at the music store I was working at brought in a black 'Ray for a few minutes. My vivid recollection of the moment after plugging in, was that I must have pulverized every gall stone within a 300yd radius with the first pluck--I couldn't get over how punchy the tone was.

At the time, I had just started playing a little bit again after being forced to quit for about 2 years due to tendinits/CTS problems. I had focused my G.A.S. towards another small American Mfgr whose used instruments were ridiculously undervalued at that time (broke college student that I was.)

Fast forward to about 10 yrs ago, when I had the astounding good fortune to win an EBMM in a giveaway. Given the choice between the Stingray and the Sterling (although I nearly pulled the trigger on a 6-string Sillouhette bass for grins,) I went with the extra fret and slightly better treble cutaway acess on the Sterling. The piezo option had just come out at that time, and I'd never heard it, just took a chance. And, hey...purple is purple, ya know?

Once I had it home and A/B'd with my other basses, I was so impressed with the stock performance of pickups and preamp (where almost all of my other basses have had active pickup upgrades,) and how well-voiced the tones were (aside from the gastric pummeling settings, it's also just beautiful for upper-register melodic stuff...)

So, in summary, even though I didn't have to buy it, per se- I'm still every bit as sold. If I ever lost my Sterling, I'd have to sell what I needed for another. Now 10 yrs happily married and 2 kids later, I'm still broke but my piggy bank on the shelf is digesting slowly for a Big AL 4. My other basses are single coil J-style so the Big AL would be just as much of a relevation, I'm betting...( secretly afraid it might be so good that it would turn into a bit of a herd-thinner, too )

And hey, the nicest bunch of people at the company and a great forum is grateful frosting on an already awesome cake..

 

[JayDawg]

Stoo, I'm in the same boat as you are. The one that I just got, was my first one and I had to get it through trade of guitar. After having this thing for a few weeks now, I am becoming more and more impressed with playing my Sterling. When finances allow it, I definitely want to add a few more Music Man basses to my collection. Unless I find someone that is willing to trade for my other guitars, it will be a while though.

 

[Emmet]

My First Pre-Ernie Ball

I purchased my first Music Man bass (Sting Ray) back in 1978. Fell in love with it. I first heard the bass player from Spiro Gyra playing one and had to have one. I don't remember why or when but I sold it or traded it back in 1981 for a new G&L 2000e. I love my 2000e, but the music man was so sorely missed that I went out to Basses Northwest here in Seattle and purchased a new Classic String Ray just last week. I'm going to go and pick it up next week. Can't wait.

Emmet

 

[kevins]

i bought a stingray for 1000$ even with the case, which was a DEAL! back in early 2004. i still have it and probobly will never sell the thing. it has one single scratch on it. this was before 2hs fancy nuts and classics, but it was when trans teal was around and still is my only choice for bass, im about to put a bassmute on it but thats only attached through a powerful sticker!

 

[thunder]

94' ray not the tabacco burst the other burst. i still love that bass.

 

[thunder]

my first pre ball was a 77 ray tabacco burst excelent condition. rescued from an evil pawn shop.

 

[kevins]

Recently shown here....

Brownie, made in 1978 and bought out of the display of a local dealer. Still my very best. Never played by anybody else.

you know if i could get more members besides me and you obviously, id start a fan club for brownie. ive never seen any other walnuts out their but its the perfect colour for that bass and you've kept it in amazing condition.

 

[Chuck B]

you know if i could get more members besides me and you obviously, id start a fan club for brownie. ive never seen any other walnuts out their but its the perfect colour for that bass and you've kept it in amazing condition.

there are some dings and scratches but overall it is in good condition. I use to take care of my basses. I do not know how many basses were made in that finish, sometimes I see a brother of brownie on the evil bay.

 

[basstolero]

The first one was a purple sparkle (don't know the proper finish name) Sting Ray I bought around 1990 ... saw her in a local shop, fell in love instantly, went home grabbed all the money I had, went back and bought her.
2 or 3 years later I added a black/rosewood SR5 which stayed my main bass for over 10 years.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[fly]

my 01 Sterling,got her from original owner in 03 after my house got robbed,and they took all my guitars and basses.

and she will never leave my hands.

 

[nv1564]

just got mine in december. the first time i played the bongo i knew it was a must have. didnt quite have the necessitated funds so the parents offered to pay a lot of it as a "you got into college finally" reward, since i asked within a week of getting into penn. there are benefits of being a kid, no doubt

 

[Bart B]

you know if i could get more members besides me and you obviously, id start a fan club for brownie. ive never seen any other walnuts out their but its the perfect colour for that bass and you've kept it in amazing condition.

I have a brother/sister of brownie (and it's in Europe, just like chuck's brownie, so we already have a full-2member european fanclub

 

[mmbassplayer]

I've been aching for a Stingray forever, but I've finally got my hands on a very nice one

Man, my old ones are sure making the rounds these days. JOSH

 

[justscotty123]

1986 Stingray with a Kahler trem, mowed many a lawn and washed many a car as a kid to get my dream bass, its still my number one to this day.

 

[cellkirk74]

I have a brother/sister of brownie (and it's in Europe, just like chuck's brownie, so we already have a full-2member european fanclub

That brown would make a great color for a classic, imho...

 

[PaulBass]

A brown 1977 Ray I bought for $300 that looked exactly like this one. incredible tone and sustain. I got compliments on the sound all the time. I sold it in 1987

 

[3674]

Just bought my first a few weeks ago. An SR classic 4. Been playing bass for over 20 years and it took this long...

 

[Libanass]

my first, 2002 MusicMan StingRay Ernie Ball 4, 3 bands EQ, black, rosewood
(sold)



My second, 1992 MusicMan StingRay Ernie Ball 4, 2 bands EQ, blue sunburst, mapple and birdeye neck
(sold)



My third, 1990 MusicMan StingRay Ernie Ball 4, fretless, 2 bands EQ, natural, rosewood with lines, birdeye neck
(just got sold)



and my fourth, which I will NEVER sell (except for an older one from 76-79 )
My 1983 MusicMan StingRay pre-EB, natural, mapple neck (it looks more ''yellow/orange'' than in the pic

 

[BrandonS]

2006 SR4 Lava Pearl (now gone). I'm only on #2 now