Pre Ernie Ball Stingray

[pencilz]

Hi Guys,
I have just joined the site and was wondering if anyone could help me out on this?
I have a pre Ernie Ball Stingray bass that ive owned for over 20 years its not seen much use in that time.I was wondering what the year of this model is and a rough idea of its current value?
Any other info would be great.

The serial no is on the bridge - B0163704031799

[attachment=161741:IMG_20140215_140126.jpg][attachment=161742:IMG_20140215_140159.jpg][attachment=161743:IMG_20140215_140221.jpg][attachment=161744:IMG_20140215_140233.jpg][attachment=161745:IMG_20140215_140243.jpg][attachment=161746:IMG_20140215_140257.jpg][attachment=161747:IMG_20140215_140325.jpg][attachment=161748:IMG_20140215_140344.jpg]

Many Thanks

Jason.

Edited May 1, 2014 by pencilz

[bakerster135]

Bridge places it at 1980, but it's always worth checking the neck and body dates (stamped under where the neck joins the body, so you'd need to take the neck off!) as parts can be from other years around that date (e.g. mine has a '79 bridge but a '78 neck!).

Maple-neckers seem to be going in the region of £1400-1600 at the minute.

[Shedua511]

You will find a lot of info here: http://musicmanbass.org/
Still, the only definitive way to know is to separate body and neck and open the electronics to see the pots.
Some bodies and necks don't have date stamps though, the people at MM were apparentely a bit sloppy...
These are great basses though: I have three preEBs and never bothered to find out the exact DOB of bodies and necks, I just play them

[4 Strings]

The interesting part of the number is [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]B016370 (not sure where the other digits come from?) a[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]nd f[/font][/color]rom here:


http://musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0011.htm

you can see it falls almost certainly to early 1980, but you can also see it's a bit hit and miss as the bridges were just picked out of a bin. The neck/pocket/pot dates are the only real way, but then they just tell you the dates those particular items were finished and, as has been said, many don't have the stamps on one or (like mine) either. The pots always do, but they may be somewhat older than the actual bass as they too were picked from a bin from batches delivered.

I'd agree with £14-1600, although may be slightly less to actually sell.

What's for sure is that you have an extraordinarily nice bass there and I'm sure you have your reasons for sale, I'm sure they must be good ones!

[Dingus]

I think a nice natural finish Stingray of that vintage would sell for the top end of those estimations, £1600, maybe even a little more if you have the original case, depending on how quickly you needed to sell and the overall condition and working order.

The weight of the bass is an factor. too. The weight of these basses varies greatly, and lighter examples, under 10 pounds and preferably closer to nine, are easier to sell for obvious reasons.

[pencilz]

Hi Guys,
Thank you all very much for all the info and advice on my stingray .
So today i finally got around to taking the neck off. both neck and body are both date stamped.
The neck is dated 1977 and the body 1980 So thats sorted.
It has a case too but i dont think its the original again any info greatly recieved.
Also can any one tell me what size allen key fits the truss nut i tried 3mm 3.5 and 4mm with no joy.

I've attached pics of the case and date stamps.






Again MANY Thanks to all.

Jason.[attachment=162282:IMG_20140508_121527.jpg][attachment=162283:IMG_20140508_161044.jpg][attachment=162284:IMG_20140508_161121.jpg][attachment=162285:IMG_20140508_121352.jpg]

[Foxx]

Best fit is 1/8", It'll be imperial, theres very slight play, so it may need one a 64th bigger, but it works fine for me.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Foxx

[Brams77]

Should be 1/8..
The neck Being 3 years older is not common I think the original neck has been replaced at some point..
So it has slightly less so calles "collectors value"

Edited May 9, 2014 by Brams77

[Shedua511]

Had it been a 1980 neck and a 1977 body I would have tought so too, but I don't see a body from '77 breaking and needing replacement.
Maybe somebody owned more than one stingray and matched the favourite parts?

Edited May 9, 2014 by Shedua511

[4 Strings]

It's an odd one. Could be favourite parts, could have been a swap from a fretless. Not sure if it reduces the value by much, but I suppose originality is everything. The older necks are the most important aspect, 1977 would have been one of the first (which means the early 1980 serial number came with the body).

I really like it.

I'll give you a monkey to take it off your hands!

[pencilz]

Thanks again for all the info guys.

[mikeswals]

No, that case is not original. The preEB Musicmans used the same case supplier as Fender, so the black tolex with orange interior cases are very similar.

Edited May 17, 2014 by mikeswals