Stingray H4 Comparison - Late Model vs. Older Model

[GerryC]

I'm a newcomer to the Music Man Bass Forum. That said, I do not presently own a Music Man bass but am very interested in them and am trying to educate myself as much as possible on the different models and model options. A local music shop/luthier has a pre-owned Stingray H4 for sale. Although I haven't received a reply yet from the Forum's Serial Number Data Base on this guitar's exact DOB, I believe it is between July and October, 1992. How does a current model Stingray H4 compare with the 1992 version? Would the 1992 version be worth buying or would it be best to put the money into a later model SR H4, either new or used? In general, what would a 1992 Stingray H4 in reasonable shape (very subjective!!!) be worth? Thanks in advance for any help given on this.

[CFA]

Well, I can't say much on worth or differences, but I do know that a 92 Stingray would have the old style bridge with mutes, where as the new ones do not (Excluding the new vintage ones, or whatever we're calling them). That's the only real difference I know. The old one might have a chrome battery cover, and the new ones have plastic (Dunno the year that changed).

If it was me I'd probably take the 92 depending on condition, color, and what EQ it had.

Good luck!

[oli@bass]

I'd prefer a new one. The '92 has probably a poly finished neck which is not my cup of tea. Also it has the bridge with mutes where the strings don't run straight. The pole pices of the pickup have sharp edges vs rounded on the new ones. Then it does not have the new compensated nut.

Check out Gav's website for lots of accurate info on the evolution of Music Man basses: Home - Musicmanbass.org, Music Man, Musicman, Music Man Bass, Musicman Bass, Music Man Guitar

I'd serously check out the new dual pickup models: Classic Ray tone plus four other great bass sounds - and the HH is the Sabre reborn.

However, if you love the sound and feel of that '92, then go for it! A StingRay is a great bass regardless of its age...