Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 4H Black 1992
Music Man StingRay, black, made in USA 1992. The StingRay debuted in 1976 as Leo's first post-Fender bass design: the man who invested the electric bass a couple of decades earlier was at it again. This one is a pretty classic example: ash and maple, high mass bridge, humbucker, 3-band active EQ... all the things. It seems to have started life as a natural finish, but it's now wearing a coat of satin black. It appears to have been done at least a couple of decades ago, as there's now heaps of natural play wear on the finish; it's looking streetsmart as heck. The tone is perfectly monstrous: fast and fat down low, snappy and crisp up high, and with an abundance of growl and girth through the mids. There's just something so right about a well-played black StingRay; this rules.
Model: Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 4H
Made: USA, 1992
Serial: 34092
Finish: black, satin poly, refinished from original natural gloss
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 34" scale, 42mm nut, 11" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 4.255kg
Mods: refinished, strap pins replaced
Pickups: Music Man humbucker, active 3-band EQ
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dents and scuffs on the end, dimples and scuffs on the edges and some discolouration on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has a bald patch on the belly carve, surface scratches on the horns and elbow area and scuffs along the back and bottom edges and the elbow area. The sides have dimples and rub wear around the whole body. The front has dimples around the knobs and bridge, rub wear and dimples in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only