Music Man Stingray, black, made in USA 2001. Back in 1976, Leo Fender's then-new company Music Man launched their iconic Stingray bass. It took some lessons from his Precision and Jazz Bass designs, but added a hefty humbucking pickup, an active EQ and a sturdy high mass bridge, all adding tonal punch and robust reliability. Twenty five years later, this burly specimen rolled out of the Music Man factory in San Luis Obispo in California, with all those fun ideas intact. This weighs in at 4.2kg, which doesn't sound all that lightweight, but as Stingray basses go, it just about counts as a featherweight. It's been played and played, so the neck has that great slick played-in feel and the  body is really resonating beautifully. Plug in it and the party begins: it's bright and clear with heaps of spank, balanced by a generous fatty bottom end. It's perfect for funk and slap stuff, or adept at adding that growling kick to the low end of a metal or punk band. Surely a lightly beat up black Stingray is just about as pragmatic and pure as a bass guitar gets?

Model: Music Man StingRay 3 EQ H
Made: USA, Dec 2001
Serial: E19127
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 34" scale, 42mm nut, 11" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 4.190kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Music Man humbucker, active 3-band EQ
Accessories: original ABS case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, front near the logo and bottom edge, as well as some light scuffs on the back near the tuners and some small dents near the neck join. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and plenty of rub wear on the back only. The back has minor chips near the neck join, elbow area, back edge and bottom corner, as well as widespread minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body. The sides have dimples on the top horn, a bunch of dimples and a couple of chips in the elbow area, a couple of chips and scuffs along the back edge, a good patch of dents and chips  and some scuffs near the jack, and a chip and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front has a chip and some scuffs in the elbow area, a chip on the top horn, scuffs around the controls and bridge 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 strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only