R_Ar Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, but i'm hoping someone can offer me some advice. Today I came across a '79 Musicman Stingray, which is one of the most gorgeous basses i've ever played. Its too good, I can't think about anything else!!!!!! The problem being its $3500 (Australian Dollars) which at the moment is roughly US$2275. Does that sound like a reasonable price?? This thing has apparentely had one owner, and it looks like it too. Its got a smooth sunburst finish, a great neck and even with the deadest strings, an amazingly bright tone. Is it worth the investment? Thanks, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 is '79 post-buyout? either way, i feel like i have seen such a bass go for such a price. it doesn't, at first impression, seem like an outrageous price, though it also isn't an incredible deal either. so much for help. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by robb.: is '79 post-buyout? My question exactly. Is this a Leo MM or an Ernie Ball. Ernie's are great, too (I have one), but they don't command the same value on the vintage market as Leo's. Check eBay for "stingray" and "sting ray" -- especially under "completed items" and see what some of those mid- to late '70s 'Rays were going for. If you can get the serial number, you could try locating a vintage expert and see if he/she can help you ascertain value. I'm probably about as much help as robb. was. Peace. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 the stingray was introduced in 1976, and my initial guess was that EB bought MM in the early 80s, but perhaps as early as 1979. i was wrong. from the history of EB/MM on their web site: In 1984, the Music Man company was for sale. It's solid reputation for professional electric basses and amplifiers was well known. Leo Fender made the instruments and Tom Walker built the amps. Sterling had even been involved in the design of Music Man's most successful instrument, the StingRay bass. Ernie Ball purchased Music Man in the fall of 1984....there you go. 1979 is pre-EB, as are any MM basses 1984 and before (for all practical intents and purposes). that 1979 is probably priced that high because it's an excellent condition, pre-EB stingray with only one owner. that is the sort of instrument that will only appreciate in time, especially if you take really good care of it. robb. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Yeah, it's definitely pre-EB. I don't think the EB years mark a drop-off in quality, but it's a big issue for collectors. Whatever. Two things. One, definitely have a look around on places like eBay to see comparable sales (be sure to check completed auctions, too, to see where things have been selling). You also have to take into account condition; from your description this sounds like a pretty rare, mint condition specimen, & in all collectibles condition is king. I've seen Stingrays of that vintage go for a couple thousand (USD), with plenty of wear on them. So keep that in mind, & compare apples with apples. The other thing is that this is a bit relative, since the vast majority of these prices are for US sales. Prices are going to be higher down under, because there are fewer about & since it costs a lot more to get them there, the prices start out higher anyway (e.g. how much more expensive is a new Stingray in Australia than in the US?). So the next step is to figure out what's a good deal where you are. Or just think of it this way: if you love it that much, & you'll probably not see another you'll like as much, & you've got the money...what the hey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 That sounds like a lot of money to me. The price you mention is about twice what a new bass costs in the U.S. And I think that a brand new Stingray is equal in quality to a pre-Ernie Ball one. What is the new price in Oz for a Stingray? Then decide for yourself if this bass is better than a new one and if it is worth that many dollars more. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by jeremyc: That sounds like a lot of money to me. The price you mention is about twice what a new bass costs in the U.S. And I think that a brand new Stingray is equal in quality to a pre-Ernie Ball one. What is the new price in Oz for a Stingray? Then decide for yourself if this bass is better than a new one and if it is worth that many dollars more.I agree with Jeremy on this one. I'll take a "vintage" instrument only when it's a deal; there are WAY too many affordable, extremely well-made new instruments out there to justify a premium on vintage instruments, in my opinion. Don't forget, the reason people say "vintage" instead of used is the same reason that used furniture is referred to as "antique" and used cars are now "certified, pre-owned." Semantics. While a "break-in" period for an instrument can be nice, the effect on such is often exaggerated. Just my 2 cents, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Yeah, me three. Let me change my tune a bit. A new EB/MM is still going to more expensive than in the US, but it will be a LOT less than a vintage collectible. And if you mean to PLAY this thing, do you really want to be fussed with keeping an antique pristine? Of course, if you're a collector, that's another story. Play some Stingrays & some Sterlings (my fave) & I'll bet you come up with one you really dig. I know I would!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 The old Stingrays sound different than the new ones do, though, and that's something to keep in mind. The Ernie Ball ones have better fretwork, a better neck joint (6 bolts vs. 3), and a more polished, hi-fi sound. The pre-EB Stingrays are a little thicker in the low-mids than the new ones, and their necks are usually a bit thinner from front to back. They're both great instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xhawk4 Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Try a USA Lakland 44-94 or a 44-02. Youll get the same vibe and feel but a better neck and electronics. In my own humble opinion. Hawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Originally posted by xhawk4: Try a USA Lakland 44-94 or a 44-02. Youll get the same vibe and feel but a better neck and electronics. In my own humble opinion. Hawk A US Lakland isn't really in the same price range as this beast, not a fair comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R_Ar Posted August 5, 2003 Author Share Posted August 5, 2003 Thanks for your replies. From what I can gather the price of a new Stingray in Oz is about the same ($3200 - $3300 ASD) as the '79. From my limited experience with a new Stingray (I think it was a '99) I prefer the '79. I'd like to try other basses, but in my area, thats pretty hard. Although i've heard plenty about Lakland basses, I haven't seen one in Australia! Where I am, if you want a decent bass, you have to fly interstate, or order one without playing it first obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Ouch! You could almost fly to the US and buy one here for the difference in US and Australian prices...but I don't know if you could get it back into your country without having to pay some sort of duty. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuahtemoc Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 I paid $3000 AU for my new stingray in December last year - at the time it was about $1500 US. I'm in Adelaide, and couldn't play the bass before I bought it as the only place in the country which had the colour I wanted was in Melbourne. I should mention that the new retail for a Stingray here is $4,200 AU. $4,500 for a natural finish. To me, it was worth every cent - I haven't played a bass like mine anywhere, and when the TI Jazz Flats get hopefully it'll sound even better. I love my Stingray - at a time it wasn't a question of money; I just had to have one. I've been able to progress in my playing immensely since I've had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornbread_medhotmail.com Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Well, that's really high even for a vintage piece. I just got back from a Japanese tour and we mailed our gear over there and back for half the cost of checking it as baggage and didn't have to wait for Customs for hours. All the gear was in the same condition as when we mailed it. That may be a better option for you, to buy one in the US at US prices and mail it to yourself in Austrailia. I'm not too fond of mail order, but, when it can save me $1000 or more, I have to strongly consider that option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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