What's the going rate for Stingrays nowadays?

[Misdee]

1 hour ago, drTStingray said:

You may have been able to buy a used Stingray 15 yrs ago for £750 - the operative phrase being 15 yrs ago! These days I’d say £1500 for a standard one (not a Special, Classic or anything else unusual), with price increasing dependent on model. 
 

The Specials appear to be around £2000 used but that can vary upwards dependent on pick up spec, colour etc etc, much along the lines suggested by @hiram.k.hackenbacker

 

Talking of whom, I bought a particularly special Stingray he once owned last year, courtesy of @MM Stingray 62 (thanks both of you). It’s basically a factory spec 3 band Stingray, with strings through body, a Status made graphite neck - called a NAMM 100 bass (basically a Cutlass with strings through and a 3 band preamp). Now this bass (which cost nearly twice what I’ve just been talking) normally sits locked away but I got it out for a couple of recording sessions - blues/funk type of thing - and it sounds fantastic - absolutely thunderous Stingray sound! I also used my 4HH Stingray Special and whilst sounding slightly different (actually slightly darker), that sounded great as well. I couldn’t have asked for better recorded bass sounds (I got three tracks - a DI, one speaker on the upper of an ‘isolated’ Mark Bass 2 x 10 Traveller and one on the lower one). 
 

I also did some recording work with my Stingray Classic (I bought it when they were first announced in 2010) - that bass I’d fitted with TI flats - once again a great Stingray sound but slightly different (down to the flats more than anything). I used that bass for a ska gig very recently and from some ambient vids taken, the bass sound is great. A nice balance between supportive bassy sound and poky mids, which allow the notes to be heard. 
 

In none of this was there any issue with ‘weak G string’ syndrome - in fact my experience is it doesn’t occur in recording work - and if it does live, it’s usually down to stage EQ, other band members (eg keyboard players/ guitarists) playing in the wrong register too often, and room dynamics. However my experience has shown this to be a stage sound issue - generally not an issue in FOH. I have rarely encountered it with any of my Stingrays - the worst experience I had with D and G string absence was on a Fender Jazz but this was compounded by the factors mentioned above!

 

So £1500 is a reasonable used value in my view, £2k for a Stingray Special and more for some of the more esoteric versions. And don’t forget the early 2000s US built Subs - these are 2 band EQ and appear to command various prices up to £750 last time I looked - again dependent on colour etc etc. 

 

 

That sounds like a lovely selection of Stingrays. 

 

There's always been a discrepancy between what a Stingray is worth and what you can get for one. Their usefulness, quality and formidable reputation undermined by the laws of supply and demand. There's just so many available that it's bound to drive the price down.  That said, really nice Music Man basses like you've got will always command a better price than less desirable examples.

 

 

 

You could always find bargain-price Stingrays. (Ancient history I know, but I paid £315 for a mint pre-EB in 1989. In 1992 I stumbled on a used EBMM in a  guitar shop in Bradford for £400), and that won't have changed. Someone who paid £750 for used Stingray fifteen years ago who needs money might well sell nowadays for £1000 or less and feel like they had done okay on the deal. 

 

When it comes to Stingrays, if you've got cash in your hand and you're patient you can still pick up a bargain. It's likely to be an older model, though. As for Specials, even if they go for two grand secondhand, that's a big depreciation the new retail price.

 

The harsh reality is that if you really need to sell, things are worth what you can get for them. The intrinsic value is irrelevant.

Edited yesterday at 17:59 by Misdee

[lowregisterhead]

2 hours ago, fretmeister said:

 

Put an old 2 band in it then! The 2 band is the vital component. There's a few good videos looking at the EQ curve and shelving of the 2 band compared to the later preamps. The 3 bands don't just slap another control in the middle, the entire thing is different.

 

My bitsa Pingray has the Aguilar M  pickup and their spot on recreation of the original 2 band and it sounds like an original - and no weak G string either.

 

Sorry, but that wouldn't do it for me. I put an East MMSR circuit into a 2007 Stingray 5 once, and it did improve the tone, but if I was to replace the circuit in a Special with a two band, then I'd need to replace the frankly rather characterless Neodymium pickup they put in it with an Alnico, lacquer the neck, fit a chunkier bridge, and string it through the body. (OK, maybe not the last one!) I don't disagree that the fit, finish and feel of the Special is very nice (I briefly owned a Special 5) but they're a completely different animal to all of their predecessors for a whole host of reasons. Sadly, I feel they've lost the essence of the original design along the way, IMHO.

 

If it's not already apparent, I'm a Stingray fanboy - in the 50 years I've been playing I've owned 18 Stingrays, a Sabre, a Bongo, and a USA Sterling. Yes, I have a list, but oddly enough, I don't currently own one.

 

But to stop hijacking the thread and get back to the question posed by the OP, 'regular' USA Stingray 1200 and up, Special/Classic 1800 and up, pre-EB think of a number and double it! Good luck with your sale/hunt, @Supernaut.

[drTStingray]

15 minutes ago, Misdee said:

That sounds like a lovely selection of Stingrays. 

 

There's always been a discrepancy between what a Stingray is worth and what you can get for one. Their usefulness, quality and formidable reputation undermined by the laws of supply and demand. There's just so many available that it's bound to drive the price down.  That said, really nice Music Man basses like you've got will always command a better price than less desirable examples.

 

 

 

You could always find bargain-price Stingrays. (Ancient history I know, but I paid £315 for a mint pre-EB in 1989. In 1992 I stumbled on a used EBMM in a  guitar shop in Bradford for £400), and that won't have changed. Someone who paid £750 for used Stingray fifteen years ago who needs money might well sell nowadays for £1000 or less and feel like they had done okay on the deal. 

 

When it comes to Stingrays, if you've got cash in your hand and you're patient you can still pick up a bargain. It's likely to be an older model, though. As for Specials, even if you get two grand for one, that's a big depreciation the new retail price.

 

The harsh reality is that if you really need to sell, things are worth what you can get for them. The intrinsic value is irrelevant.

Thanks, and yes, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there! It’s the same with everything people sell to be honest - if people need the money quickly they may be more willing to accept less than a sensible price. 

 

I agree re Stingray Specials although I bought mine new for not much more than £2k - is it really nearly 8 yrs ago - I’ve got a 4HH and a 5HH, both in, to my mind, pretty colours. I hardly ever use the 5 - if I play a 5 it’ll be my ceramic pick up natural/maple 5H, which I still love despite its 10-11 lbs weight (the Stingray Special 5HH is just north of 8 lbs)! 
 

I wonder if the new ones will become more affordable here with the weakening dollar? Not holding my breath though!! 
 

For those officianados who really want to weep, I bought my immaculate 1993 Stingray fretless in sunburst, crazily figured neck, for £752 just over 15 yrs ago!! I don’t play it often but I absolutely love it!! They fetch quite a lot more these days and are pretty rare.. 

Edited yesterday at 18:06 by drTStingray

[fretmeister]

I just wish there were more SLO neck versions.

[mcnach]

1 hour ago, Misdee said:

I've got a Sire Z3 for plunking on when the mood takes me and it's sounds more like a vintage two band Stingray than my Stingray Special does. The older vintage basses have the treble EQ shelved higher, so it's got that top end slice. They've got a more scooped-out tone than the newer iterations.

 

Around the time Ernie Ball took over production of MusicMan I had a vintage Stingray, and a very nice example it was too. However, for my taste those new EBMM basses I was trying in the shops were superior in every way to my pre-EB Stingray. I would have cheerfully done a straight swap. 

 

The Specials have got enough of that vintage sound though, and you can easily EQ it in. The Special is a bit richer in the mids and a more focused tone overall. It's all in my mind, I know, but the  Stingray Special being lighter makes it seem even more punchy when I play it). The subtle changes in design have really improved comfort overall. I really like them ( At the moment I'm actively looking to buy a second one to put flats on). 

 

 If other folks prefer the older basses then good for them, though. As the saying goes, you pay your money and take your choice.

 

I have a Sire Z3-5, and I feel it's closer to my 2002 EBMM Stingray than the SBMM Ray35 I've got (and it doesn't weight more than the Moon, unlike the Ray35). 

 

I haven't used my Stingray at least in a couple of years. It's a 4-string, and I'm rarely playing 4-strings anymore. I sometimes think of selling it, as it's worth a few GAS-tokens... but it's a lovely bass (and natural/maple too, yum) and I'd struggle to justify spending what they go for these days, should I want one again later.

 

 

[Mrbigstuff]

9 hours ago, AinsleyWalker said:

I remember listing my USA Ray on here for about £500 a decade ago. Not a single bit of interest... Thank goodness... Would have seriously regretted letting it go, especially for pennies.
I paid £750 for it with hardcase etc in 2011, great price for a USA ray. 

£500 is what I got for mine back around 2010/11. I was a bit annoyed to lose so much from new but the Overwater I got in its place was a far superior instrument. 

[lowregisterhead]

Seeing as this thread seems to have attracted the attention of many a Stingray lover, this might be a good opportunity to shamelessly attempt to locate my pre-EB (but heavily modified) Stingray that I sold for £450 in 1985, when I couldn't afford to pay the rent one month. If anyone knows where it might be, please let me know - and I know I'd have to pay substantially more than that to get it back! 🙄

 

 

[Piers_Williamson]

23 minutes ago, lowregisterhead said:

Seeing as this thread seems to have attracted the attention of many a Stingray lover, this might be a good opportunity to shamelessly attempt to locate my pre-EB (but heavily modified) Stingray that I sold for £450 in 1985, when I couldn't afford to pay the rent one month. If anyone knows where it might be, please let me know - and I know I'd have to pay substantially more than that to get it back! 🙄

 

 

Nice Bass. Can you remember the type of pickup you put on it?  And did you mod the tone controls?  Like the stickers too!

[lowregisterhead]

10 hours ago, Piers_Williamson said:

Nice Bass. Can you remember the type of pickup you put on it?  And did you mod the tone controls?  Like the stickers too!

 

Thanks. The pickup and controls were stock, I just had the scratchplate removed, and a mirror surround made to cover the gap. I also got the slab body reshaped with a roll-off on the top front edge, a belly cut, and resprayed brilliant white. It was sunburst originally. The bass must have been made late on a Friday afternoon, as mentioned earlier in the thread, because when I bought it second hand for £250 in a music shop in Edinburgh in 1981, the bridge was slightly out of alignment, so I had it removed and a Schaller with roller saddles installed. As it was the 80's, I also had to have a brass nut fitted, of course.

 

It was a lovely thing, and I'd pay a good few bob to get it back, but I suspect it's either met a sticky end, or is languishing in someone's loft, never to see the light of day again.

 

Of course, if anyone knows different... 😄

Edited 12 hours ago by lowregisterhead

[Piers_Williamson]

It's interesting what you say about your PEB.  I have been told that the quality control there wasn't everything it should have been from time to time.  Something you hear much more about CBS era Fenders, but not so much Musicman.

[Bagman]

March 2021 I got an unlined 2EQ Stingray for NZ$2400

thats approx 1050 UK Pound 

 

I think there is a 0% chance of securing another one at that price 

[Cliff Edge]

18 hours ago, lowregisterhead said:

Seeing as this thread seems to have attracted the attention of many a Stingray lover, this might be a good opportunity to shamelessly attempt to locate my pre-EB (but heavily modified) Stingray that I sold for £450 in 1985, when I couldn't afford to pay the rent one month. If anyone knows where it might be, please let me know - and I know I'd have to pay substantially more than that to get it back! 🙄

 

 

I’d quite like to find My First EB Musicman Stingray Serial No. B03721. Manufactured Sep.10 1996
Listed as Sunburst Stingray Maple neck. 3 EQ
Purchased new in September 1996, yep just a few days old, in Manny's Music, New York. I sold it a few years later on eBay to a lady in Scotland as a Christmas gift for her boyfriend. Ring any bells, anyone?

[drTStingray]

7 hours ago, Piers_Williamson said:

It's interesting what you say about your PEB.  I have been told that the quality control there wasn't everything it should have been from time to time.  Something you hear much more about CBS era Fenders, but not so much Musicman.

To be more accurate, Musicman contracted CLF (yes, also a Leo Fender company) to manufacture the instruments - there ensued a dispute as Musicman rejected a lot of instruments, some of which were refinished by CLF before they were deemed acceptable - the final straw was the manufacture of a batch of Stingray necks incorrectly with inoperable truss rods. After that Musicman transferred the manufacture to Charvel, and the quality improved significantly. When Ernie Ball took over they improved some elements (for example pick up winding) to improve consistency of product and thus quality.

 

However Pre EB basses are pretty consistent and certainly compared with comparable Fenders. 

[Misdee]

1 hour ago, drTStingray said:

To be more accurate, Musicman contracted CLF (yes, also a Leo Fender company) to manufacture the instruments - there ensued a dispute as Musicman rejected a lot of instruments, some of which were refinished by CLF before they were deemed acceptable - the final straw was the manufacture of a batch of Stingray necks incorrectly with inoperable truss rods. After that Musicman transferred the manufacture to Charvel, and the quality improved significantly. When Ernie Ball took over they improved some elements (for example pick up winding) to improve consistency of product and thus quality.

 

However Pre EB basses are pretty consistent and certainly compared with comparable Fenders. 

 I remember reading a thread about pre-EB MusicMan basses on Talkbass and one poster who played bass during that era was recounting how when the first Stingrays hit the shops they were a revelation in terms of quality compared to new instruments from established names like Fender, Gibson and Rickenbacker. He also emphasised that at that time, MM basses were considerably more expensive than a Jazz Bass, P Bass or 4001. 

 

I had an '82/83 Charvel-era Stingray and it was pretty well-made, from what I remember, but the EBMM basses were a level above in terms of overall quality.

 

Over the years I've not encountered many people having problems with pre-EB basses due to construction issues originating at the factory. Vintage MusicMan basses are all pretty sought-after and I've never heard of any  production eras to be avoided. Maybe the bad ones didn't make it to the shops.

[Misdee]

This splendid comparison put together by a Basschat member should be of interest to anyone thinking about buying a used Stingray:

 

 

[drTStingray]

31 minutes ago, Misdee said:

 I remember reading a thread about pre-EB MusicMan basses on Talkbass and one poster who played bass during that era was recounting how when the first Stingrays hit the shops they were a revelation in terms of quality compared to new instruments from established names like Fender, Gibson and Rickenbacker. He also emphasised that at that time, MM basses were considerably more expensive than a Jazz Bass, P Bass or 4001. 

 

I had an '82/83 Charvel-era Stingray and it was pretty well-made, from what I remember, but the EBMM basses were a level above in terms of overall quality.

 

Over the years I've not encountered many people having problems with pre-EB basses due to construction issues originating at the factory. Vintage MusicMan basses are all pretty sought-after and I've never heard of any  production eras to be avoided. Maybe the bad ones didn't make it to the shops.

Yes I was playing in that era and that was my experience as well - the Stingray was in a different league playability and sound wise. However price wise, my Stingray was £375 new (not including case) in about 1981 (it was sunburst, maple board, through body stringing with a 4 bolt neck plate - not unheard of but quite rare) - at the time a new Jazz was about £350 and a Precision about £320. So not much more expensive. Unfortunately sold it to pay a bill in about 1986 I think - I got £450 for it from the first person who came to see it!! They drove 100 miles!! 
 

The Musicman QC was good right from the start. 

[Bagman]

I've not played a Stingray that was not well constructed 

 the weak G syndrome however I have never experienced it 

 

I've got an 2EQ SUB USA Slab 5 , it went straight to the luthier - now it's magic , wasn't poorly made, just poorly looked after by the previous owner 

 

I'm well keen on an unlined Fretless 5 now 

however the numbers made will be scarce 

[The fasting showman]

I've enjoyed reading this thread as I've owned and enjoyed a few US Stingrays over the years; 2 USA subs and 5 USA rays, nothing newer than '07.

 

My most ornate, and the one I wish I still had for nostalgia, was a maple neck blue burst 2 eq from '94. Lovely object and really harked back to impoverished late '80s music shop window shopping. 

Contrary to opinion, and this could be more due to a defect in my playing, that '94 sounded the worst in my hands out of all that I owned.

The US sub 2 eqs sounded good ( rw board) and in general the best in my hands were the 3eq rosewood board rays...I.e totally opposite of what is usually the archetypal maple neck 2eq. Some basses I seem to drag a nasal quality out of sometimes unfortunately. 

 

Great fun to play though, I never experienced the weak G either.

 

I just had a look on the Bass Bros site; a good mix on there from EXs that look great through to pre EBs. Prices looked representative and reasonable from a quick glance. 

Edited 1 hour ago by The fasting showman
Explanation

[Bagman]

I had a look at Japan sellers( they tend to offer Aotearoa free freight) and obviously we are not a big market 

 

It's about $4000 NZ for a good looking 2EQ 4 string Stingray

About $9000 for items described as "pre EB" 

 

A brand new 3EQ Stingray is about $6000 plus freight and import and GST 

 

there is 1 Stingray on Trade Me ( the NZ Ebay) for $3200 

 

In my opinion these prices are for the determined player (serious) or the higher economically able citizens 

 

[Bagman]

15 minutes ago, The fasting showman said:

I've enjoyed reading this thread as I've owned and enjoyed a few US Stingrays over the years; 2 USA subs and 5 USA rays, nothing newer than '07.

 

My most ornate, and the one I wish I still had for nostalgia, was a maple neck blue burst 2 eq from '94. Lovely object and really harked back to impoverished late '80s music shop window shopping. 

Contrary to opinion, and this could be more due to a defect in my playing, that '94 sounded the worst in my hands out of all that I owned.

The US sub 2 eqs sounded good ( rw board) and in general the best in my hands were the 3eq rosewood board rays...I.e totally opposite of what is usually the archetypal maple neck 2eq. Some basses I seem to drag a nasal quality out of sometimes unfortunately. 

 

Great fun to play though, I never experienced the weak G either.

 

I just had a look on the Bass Bros site; a good mix on there from EXs that look great through to pre EBs. Prices looked representative and reasonable from a quick glance. 

Bass Bros

 

yeah last year they had a lovely Red unlined fretless 5 

I was talking to my Wife about it , she said you'll be thinking about it , I said yes 

next day it was sold - I need to be more decisive lol 

[Bagman]

Pino Signature fretless Stingray is $21500 by gum

plus freight and tax crikey dickens I need to stop looking at reverb and ebay