Cosmo Valdemar Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 (edited) 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 by Cosmo Valdemar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 Never seen that on a ‘Ray before. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted June 11 Author Share Posted June 11 There's a serial number on the bridge, which shows up as legit - September 7th 1989, BASS STING BLACK ROSEWOOD 2EQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 (edited) Home carve & refin? Or replacement body given the neck screws aren't in the regular spot either? Edited June 11 by Doctor J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 Well its an improvement on the original anyway. Upper fret access on bolt on necks is often an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 (edited) 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 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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