Music Man Stingray, olympic white, made in USA 1979. This is a bit of a 'holy grail' bass for many players: an original 'pre Ernie Ball' Stingray. This one dates to April 1979, when Leo Fender was still at the helm of Music Man and was made at CLF Research facility in Fullerton, California. There's a reason these are so prized: holy heck, this thing sounds unreal. The combination of a high mass bridge, maple neck and board and an ash body mean there's plenty of attack and brightness on tap before you plug it in. Lead attached, the beefy humbucker and simple two band EQ in the pre-amp bring the goods: huge punchy attack, enormous thick lows, a very complex and nuanced midrange with heaps warmth and sweetness but also a heap of growl and snap if you dig in... oh boy, it's just too good. The neck has done a lot of hours of play and feels awesome; it's a very lively animal in the hands. These pop up most commonly in natural finish, but surely the heavily yellowed olympic white is a heartbreaker... it used to be white, anyway. It's now all shades from white to cream to bright custard-yellow; with sticker marks and rub wear and a heap of dimples and whatnot to prove it's no case-queen. These come up extremely seldom in these parts, so if you're after a little slice of history that will absolutely shake some rooms, give our old pal Leo a mental high five and claim this partys-starter.

Model: Musicman Stingray
Made: Fullerton USA, 1979 (body Apr 3, neck Apr 5 1979,)
Finish: olympic white
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple board, gloss finish, 34" scale
Weight: 4.770kg
Mods: mute foam removed
Pickup: Musicman humbucker, 2-band active EQ
Case: non original Crossfire brand hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some scuffs and dimples on the end and some light marks around some pegs and on the back, nothing nasty. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands but with some rub wear, dimples and discolouration on the back and front. The back has a few sticker fade marks and widespread dimples; no major marks but lots of little ones. The sides have dimples, scuffs and small scratches extending around the whole body, nothing nasty. The front is similar, lots of small scuffs and dimples around the whole body but nothing nasty. Please also note significant colour fading on the body. 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. Frets are pretty even in height and play well with no major buzz issues, but there's some height worn down; 6/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 45/105 strings.