Unusual Stingray

[Cosmo Valdemar]

A good friend of mine has a fantastic old Stingray, he thinks it's from '89 or '90. I'm not a particular fan of the Ray but this bass has just got "it", whatever that may be. A fantastic instrument.

He's thinking of selling it so I was having a look at it again the other day after many years and noticed an unusual feature I've never seen before or since on a Stingray - a carving around the neck joint on the rear of the body and no neckplate.

Was this ever a feature? Google hasn't been much help and I'd hate to think he's not got a legit instrument.

 

 

 

Edited June 11, 2024 by Cosmo Valdemar

[ezbass]

Never seen that on a ‘Ray before.

[Jonesy]

I'm sure a Ray nerd will be along in a mo to tell us what it is. Failing that, I contacted EB help with a query I had about a bass I was potentially looking at buying 2nd hand and they were very quick to respond (a few hrs). There's also a forum on the EB site with a bass section if no one here can help. 

[LeftyJ]

We definitely need more pics now, maybe it'll help identify it 

It's not in this list: Music Man Bass Global - Neck Plates Pre-EB & EB 

(but then again it only discusses neck plates so it makes perfect sense a bass without one would not be in that list )

[Cosmo Valdemar]

There's a serial number on the bridge, which shows up as legit -  September 7th 1989, BASS STING BLACK ROSEWOOD 2EQ

 

 

[Doctor J]

Home carve & refin? Or replacement body given the neck screws aren't in the regular spot either?

Edited June 11, 2024 by Doctor J

[LeftyJ]

Nothing else about it looks out of the ordinary, when you compare it to this one for example. Aside from the heel, it looks perfectly legit. Is the chrome battery cover on the back in its usual place? Maybe that could help indicate if it's a modified original body or a replacement body altogether. It very much looks legit though, down to the downward facing angle of the upper strap button. 

 

I suppose taking off the neck should help: it will hopefully expose any stamps and/or writing in the neck pocket and maybe some plugged holes where the neck screws usually are on one of these. I did that with my 1998 Ernie Ball Silhouette just last week for maintenance and because I was curious, and it revealed a date stamp, a stamp indicating the factory finish colour, and one additional screw hole - presumably where the paint stick was held in the factory. The heel of the neck on mine has a handwritten date, the initials C.S. and a small B stamped into the wood. 

[Mrbigstuff]

4 hours ago, Doctor J said:

Home carve & refin? Or replacement body given the neck screws aren't in the regular spot either?

My thought was replacement body

[NickA]

Well its an improvement on the original anyway. Upper fret access on bolt on necks is often an issue.

[Chiliwailer]

Almost, but not quite, looks like a Mike Lull bolt on style - I wonder if he worked on the bass in Seattle? Gave it a lighter body? Or someone copied his style perhaps. 

Edited June 12, 2024 by Chiliwailer

[ezbass]

9 hours ago, NickA said:

Well its an improvement on the original anyway. Upper fret access on bolt on necks is often an issue.

Absolutely and it’s been done very well.