Musicman 20th Stingray, natural gloss, made in USA 1996. In 1976, a couple of decades after inventing the electric bass, Leo Fender's non-compete clause with CBS-owned-Fender had expired and he was once again able to unleash his creative genius on the world. The Stingray launched that year and has remained a favourite with bass players ever since. This example was made in 1996 as a commemorative limited run to mark 20 years of Musicman and the Stingray. They pulled out the stops on the materials: beautiful two piece centre joined swamp ash, topped with gorgeous high grade quilt maple and bolted to a cheeky birds-eye maple neck. I suspect such ingredients would be saved for the Ball Family Reserve instruments these days, but heck: it looks terrific. The neck is especially good: arrow straight and stable, wide at the nut but still comfy and quick, finished in oil and wax for speed and dotted with gorgeous birdseye detail all the way up the fretboard and headstsock. At 4.4kg, it's on the lighter range for a Stingray, and it resonates with great enthusiasm at the lightest touch. The quilt maple and one-ply red tort guard make for a quirky twist on the classic curves; it's full of curls and swirls that reward a long look. The original pickup is missing, but the Bartolini that's been installed delivers the goods with swagger and style. It's thick and punchy with a growly midrange, but there's a whisker extra detail and clarity than a regular 'Ray. I love playing this, it's got such a convincing, full-bodied voice that I find myself forgetting what I should be doing and just enjoying playing whatever groove comes to mind. It would appear that landing yourself a new USA-made Stingray in Australia currently is extremely tricky, so aren't you a lucky duck that this one just happens to be looking for love this minute?

Model: Ernie Ball Musicman 20th Anniversary StingRay 
Made: USA, neck date 19 Dec 1996 
Finish: natural gloss over quilt maple top, red stained back, 1-ply tort guard
Body: ash
Neck: birdseye maple inc board, 34" scale, 11" radius, 44mm nut, C shape, oil and wax finish
Weight: 4.480kg
Mods: pickup replaced, original not included
Pickup: Bartolini humbucker, original active 3-band EQ
Case: non-original hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and bottom edge and some mild scuffs on the back and on the edges from stand-burn. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's some play wear on the board and rub wear on the back but no major marks. The back has some scuffs on the top horn, elbow area and along the belly carve as well as some dimples in the middle of the body and around the back edge, nothing nasty. The sides have minor dimples on both horns, the elbow area and near the jack. The front has no major marks, just some dimples near the top edge in the waist area and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets are in good order and look to have been recently levelled and dressed, but there's some height gone, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.