1997 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Bass 4 H EX Natural, Japan
$1,799.99
$1,799.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1997 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Bass 4 H EX in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. As the next landmark company founded by Leo Fender and George Fullerton after the sale of Fender Musical Instruments, Music Man offered an opportunity for this dynamic duo to further refine and build upon Fender's various innovations. Arguably the crown jewel of the Music Man lineup, the StingRay bass has remained largely the same since its introduction in ‘76, featuring the now iconic oval pickguard, bridge position humbucker, and active EQ (the first production four-string bass to do so).
The EX model is a unique and discontinued iteration of the StingRay platform, produced in conjunction with Japanese distributor Kanda Shokai, pairing Japanese necks/bodies with all USA-made electronics and hardware, offered exclusively in the Japanese domestic market and quite uncommon outside of its country of origin.
Weighing 9lbs 3oz, this StingRay EX features an ash body with a maple neck and fingerboard, yielding a balanced, broad acoustic quality with great treble detail and midrange push. The original “8 Magnet Special Design” alnico humbucker offers punchy growl and thick, round thump, with a wide array of tonalities achievable via the active three-band preamp EQ. This StingRay has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 45-100 roundwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .830” 1st fret, .925” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 11” radius
-Frets: Medium, no wear
-Scale Length: 34”
-Nut: 1 11/16“
-Tuners: Clover buttons
-Factory Markings: Neck heel/pocket pencil dated 6-5-97
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: 8 Magnet Special Design Alnico humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass EQ (boost/cut center-detent)
-Harness: CTS pots date to 1995
-Hardware: Four-saddle string-through bridge with adjustable mutes, dome-top knurled knobs, chrome-plated battery cavity cover and control plate
-Serialization: Vintage-spec five-digit stamp on bridge
-Plastics: Three-ply black pickguard
The gloss Natural finish highlights the broad grain in the ash body, and cosmetic wear is limited to minor dings on the back and lower bout perimeter. The satin finish on the neck profile is clean and smooth, finished with gunstock oil and a hand-rubbed special wax blend, highlighting subtle figuring in the maple.
The original padded gigbag is included.
The EX model is a unique and discontinued iteration of the StingRay platform, produced in conjunction with Japanese distributor Kanda Shokai, pairing Japanese necks/bodies with all USA-made electronics and hardware, offered exclusively in the Japanese domestic market and quite uncommon outside of its country of origin.
Weighing 9lbs 3oz, this StingRay EX features an ash body with a maple neck and fingerboard, yielding a balanced, broad acoustic quality with great treble detail and midrange push. The original “8 Magnet Special Design” alnico humbucker offers punchy growl and thick, round thump, with a wide array of tonalities achievable via the active three-band preamp EQ. This StingRay has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 45-100 roundwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .830” 1st fret, .925” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 11” radius
-Frets: Medium, no wear
-Scale Length: 34”
-Nut: 1 11/16“
-Tuners: Clover buttons
-Factory Markings: Neck heel/pocket pencil dated 6-5-97
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: 8 Magnet Special Design Alnico humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass EQ (boost/cut center-detent)
-Harness: CTS pots date to 1995
-Hardware: Four-saddle string-through bridge with adjustable mutes, dome-top knurled knobs, chrome-plated battery cavity cover and control plate
-Serialization: Vintage-spec five-digit stamp on bridge
-Plastics: Three-ply black pickguard
The gloss Natural finish highlights the broad grain in the ash body, and cosmetic wear is limited to minor dings on the back and lower bout perimeter. The satin finish on the neck profile is clean and smooth, finished with gunstock oil and a hand-rubbed special wax blend, highlighting subtle figuring in the maple.
The original padded gigbag is included.
