Stance

[quote name='Apothem' timestamp='1353323117' post='1873524'] I'll let you have my pearl of wisdom here LOL... Personal experience: I have had a '78 pre-EB, an '88 and still have an '89 (a number of more recent 'Rays have come and gone in the meantime), all maple, and they were all very different beasts. Pre-EB (epoxy-coated preamp) was the warmest, with a nearly "nasal" honk. The '89 (still 2-eq) is hard to tame: much more aggressive in terms of punch and attack (I put it down mainly to the top-load bridge instead of through-body). Even the preamp sounds very different, more extreme, with bass going to booming lows and treble that many could consider harsch if rolled beyond a certain limit. The '89 was a 3-eq, so it was somewhere in the middle for different reasons, not completely comparable (though still maple). For fingerstyle, the pre-EB was definitely superior, while for slap I tended to prefer the slightly more modern (think Flea) '89. Moreover, because of the depth of the heel and the old bridge design, I could not reach a decent low action on the pre-EB, while on the '89 the strings are virtually sitting on the frets. Having said that, I can still appreciate the warmth of the pre-EB. Current production of "standard" 'Rays is what I don't like, with the "unfinished" neck and a general "clickety-clackety" tone (to my ears). I also have a Classic (two actually, one of which for sale) which is probably as warm as the pre-EB, although slightly more scooped, like the '78 but with less mids (or with less hi-mids and more lo-mids). The construction quality of the Classic is just superb, and the neck is rounded and varnished like in the old days. [/quote] Now, that´s a great description! I too find the new Stingrays very "clickety-clackety" sounding. Comparing your notes with mine I find my 83 to have a greater overall sound compared to my 88. Very warm lows, and the highs aren´t as harsh (tought I never always back the treble a little bit o bothe basses when I play.) In terms of action, is funny because I can put both basses with a really low action, tought fretboard on the 83 is thicker. Ps You probably have already seen the pics, but both basses have rw boards-I was quite lucky, as most of the stingrays I see here in Portugal are maple-and that would sure keeo my away from buying one.

I didn´t know that. But let me tell you, compared to it my 88 EB just sounds relly lame (although the neck is just amazing!)

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1352836232' post='1868209'] Its a very unusual setup, I wonder if its some kind of prototype EB bass from the very start of the EB takeover? the only thing missing is the body contours as the made in USA plate I think stayed for a while until stocks had dried up and there are a few with the old logo that have body contours which pre EB never did so we know they used some old necks right at the start, obviously the bridges went on for years. Also if it had come with the clear scratchplate from the factory that normally went with the trans red I could see it being easier to miss a screw, is it even possible it came with no pickguard at all as it will have the later style pickup cutout that follows the pickup shape unlike my pre EB's that just have big rectangles cut away. Hhmmmm interesting bass, could of been played by Sterling Ball himself [/quote] It really is a great bass! Who knows what´s the story behind it (actually, I know who the first owner was, but I haven´t seen him in years...)

Far too many too mentions, but this one really stands out http://youtu.be/tDl3bdE3YQA And of course, imho G n´R "Sweet Child o´Mine"