Music Man Stingray EX Black 2000
Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray EX, black, made in Japan circa 2000. At first glance, this appears to be a regular USA made Stingray, and indeed, the pickup, preamp, tuners, bridge etc were all made in USA. The body and neck, however, were made in Japan in the ESP factory, and then assembled with the USA parts. These were sold to the Japan domestic market for a few years from around 1998-03, and while they seldom pop up outside Japan, they enjoy a strong reputation for quality over there and sell for almost as much as a USA example on the used market. This one just got a new bone nut from our house tech and is playing very agreeably: smooth, sturdy and super responsive. At 3.9kg, this is light for a Ray, which is a handy bonus. The tone is suitably huge: heaps of grind and snap on the top end, walloping fast bast, growly rich mids... plus, the active EQ makes it super easy to find your fit in a band mix. Now, a quick little web search revealed that in Australia, a brand new USA Stingray will set you back $6199aud (holy heck!), and even the (questionable quality) Indonesian made Sterling by MM example is fetching $2199aud... good heavens, that is some nonsense. But, you're in luck: this one is here to save the day and deliver the goods for price even we avocado enthusiasts can manage.
Model: Music Man Stingray EX
Made: 2000 approx, Japan, ESP factory
Serial: E06350
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 34" scale, 12" radius, 42mm nut
Weight: 3.910kg
Mods: new bone nut installed
Pickups: Music Man USA humbucker and active pre-amp
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end and minor scuffs on the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and dimples on the back only. The back has dimples in the elbow area and around the ferrules and battery cover, scuffs along the belly carve and horns and some light surface scratches in the middle of the body. The sides have scuffs on both horns and the elbow area and some dimples near the jack. The front has some light scuffs around the bridge, knobs and elbow 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. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only