Pre-EB experts....Your thoughts on this?

[Sibob]

Instantly, thoughts on this?
I know its not a great picture, have requested more!

[url="http://img819.imageshack.us/i/preebstingray.jpg/"][/url]

Cheers
Si

[bh2]

Looks in great shape for a pre EB... pricey I'll bet.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Sibob' post='914375' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:23 PM']Instantly, thoughts on this?
I know its not a great picture, have requested more!

[url="http://img819.imageshack.us/i/preebstingray.jpg/"][/url]

Cheers
Si[/quote]
WOW!

[yybass]

[quote name='Sibob' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:23 PM' post='914375']
Instantly, thoughts on this?
I know its not a great picture, have requested more!

[url="http://img819.imageshack.us/i/preebstingray.jpg/"][/url]

Cheers
Si
So far so good, but pictures of the rear would confirm features of the Pre-EB

[Sibob]

A picture of the back I do have....I'm just waiting for various closeups

[url="http://img15.imageshack.us/i/stingrayback.jpg/"][/url]

Cheers
Si

[bh2]

Looks fine to me, bullet, 3 bolt plate, thru body... in much better nick than my 78 was by the looks. Superb! Can I has?

[Sibob]

[quote name='bh2' post='914410' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:52 PM']Looks fine to me, bullet, 3 bolt plate, thru body... in much better nick than my 78 was by the looks. Superb! Can I has?[/quote]

Me [b]MIGHT[/b] has first

Maybe
Si

[bh2]

Heh... I'm brassed anyways. The only gripe I had about mine was a very sticky neck. Apart from that the most comfortable bass I've had.

[Kiwi]

Looks nice to me. Whats the serial?

[Sibob]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='914461' date='Aug 3 2010, 11:46 PM']Looks nice to me. Whats the serial?[/quote]

That is pending also!

Si

[Bassnut62]

[quote name='Sibob' post='914407' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:48 PM']A picture of the back I do have....I'm just waiting for various closeups

[url="http://img15.imageshack.us/i/stingrayback.jpg/"][/url]

Cheers
Si[/quote]

i learnt recently that a genuine pre-EB does not have a dot marker at the 21st fret. I checked my own '79 and it's true. This one appears to have a dot-marker there - so I suggest tread very carefully indeed. It almost looks too good to be true this one. Most of them should have a lot more wear than that. Pirce asked may give you a clue as to whether it's too good to be true. Also, the bauckle rash on the back looks a bit too clean to me and if it had that much rash, I would expect a lot more wear on the front.

[Kiwi]

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='914556' date='Aug 4 2010, 07:07 AM']This one appears to have a dot-marker there[/quote]
Are you sure?

[bh2]

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='914556' date='Aug 4 2010, 08:07 AM']i learnt recently that a genuine pre-EB does not have a dot marker at the 21st fret. I checked my own '79 and it's true. This one appears to have a dot-marker there - so I suggest tread very carefully indeed. It almost looks too good to be true this one. Most of them should have a lot more wear than that. Pirce asked may give you a clue as to whether it's too good to be true. Also, the bauckle rash on the back looks a bit too clean to me and if it had that much rash, I would expect a lot more wear on the front.[/quote]

Hmmm... are you sure? Here's a pic of my old 78...



I was under the impression it was a 77 for some time. The serial will get you near. I removed the neck in the end, to check the date stamp.

The stamp was in the neck pocket, not the heel.

Edited August 4, 2010 by bh2

[obi 2 kenobi]

Looks really good.

If you buy it, you need extra long strings (or use Ernie Balls standard) due to string thru' body bridge. Currently its strings are too short. Check the E in photo

[JTUK]

looks decent to me and very much like my old one.

Lovely bass for what it was

[obbm]

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='914556' date='Aug 4 2010, 08:07 AM']This one appears to have a dot-marker there[/quote]

I see no dot at Fret 21.

and neither does my pre-EB.

[josh3184]

Well here's my '79:

[attachment=55706:2stingray.jpg]
[attachment=55707:3stingray.jpg]

Looks like a mirror image to me, I think you're on to a winner

[Sibob]

Yeah I'm happy that it is what it is!
No dot at the 21st.....Serial number checks out around 1980/81 (won't remove the neck until I'm there or after purchase).
Yeah the strings I use currently (Newtone) go on my two Jazz Bass thru-bodies no problems.

We'll see...going to see it asap

Si

[Sibob]

Actually, where would the serial number be located....he's provided me with it, but I can't see it in any of the photos

Cheers
Si

[Kiwi]

[quote name='Sibob' post='914748' date='Aug 4 2010, 10:37 AM']Actually, where would the serial number be located....he's provided me with it, but I can't see it in any of the photos

Cheers
Si[/quote]
On the neck plate or latterly on the bridge with pre EB basses.

[Les]

Si, it's stamped on the bridge, under the A and D

[Sibob]

Thanks guys, I can't quite zoom in far enough haha...but I'm sure its all good!
Have a date to see it...will let you know how I get on

Si

[matski]

Looks all hunky-dory to me.

Another clue as to the age of pre-EB StingRays can be found by checking the codes on the volume/treble/bass pots: if the seller will allow you to remove the control plate on the front of the bass, you should be able to see a 6-digit code stamped into the side of the pots.

If you take a look at this pic of a pot from a '79 Ray, the code is R1377918: 137 is the part number, the next 2 digits give you the date of manufacture - in this case 1979, and the last 2 digits give the week of manufacture - week 18 which is approximately beginning of May.

[attachment=55708:Pot_with_Date_Code.jpg].

While you've got the control plate off, check out the state of the wiring, soldering, pre-amp board etc., - just to make sure nothing has been tampered with. You know it makes sense.

[Sibob]

Excellent, cheers for that Matski

Si

[matski]

Don't thank me - I nicked that info from www.musicmanbass.org