Classic Series Sterling

How about a "classic" (aka never before built) Sterling? 2band preamp, flame or birdseye neck, no switch and 7.50 radius fingerboard?  Oh, and check the colors!

Sterling By Music Man: New Finish for 2010

I do not need another four string bass, I do not need another four string bass.....etc.

This was first seen at Bass Player Live in late 2009 and the good folks at Sterling by Music Man were "considering" it as a finish option. At NAMM in January 2010, it was confirmed that it would be an option on the Ray34. Stop me before I do something crazy.  My buddy Pat at SBMM says this finish will be "a Guitar Center exclusive in the USA" and should be in stores around late May/early June.

Classic Series: New for 2010

Here are the colors available on the new Classic Series basses.

Patriot Act

Another one-off Stingray, this one in Stars and Stripes motif.

Bongo Concept Drawings

 

The beginnings of the Bongo design.
Thankfully, Sterling went after it with his Sharpies.

Flashback: 1954

The Ernie Ball Music Shop circa 1954.

Earthwood Electric Bass

Many of us have seen or played Earthwood acoustics, even though now that Brian guy from Violent Femmes seems to be buying them all up, but not many have ever seen the Earthwood electric bass.

The County Fair Sterling

This was for an artist, though the name escapes me now. Whoever it was had a friend who did the artwork on an unfinished body which was then sent back to SLO for final clear finish. One of my favorite oddities!

Sunburst Bongo 4 HH

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This sunburst one-of-a-kind Bongo was built in 2006 and auctioned on
eBay to benefit the Casey Lee Ball Foundation.

How To Make a Pink Albert Lee

If It Makes Her Happy

 

 

Special one-off custom Stingray built for Sheryl Crow.

One Fine Example of a 1976 Stingray

I can't recall the name of the owner of this one; I believe it was Gary, and he found this stored away in the back room of a music shop, unplayed and untouched for many, many years.  When I first saw these photos, some ten years or so ago now, it was and remains one of the most pristine 1976 Stingrays I'd ever laid eyes on.  He was trying to sell it a few years back but wasn't having much luck...I wonder now if he still has it and if it still looks like this.

 

 

Dargie Delight bodies in the hot box, early 2007.

Buffing the Bongo

From early 2007,
a Dargie Delight
Bongo body during
the buffing process.

Martini Glass Inlays

Something not often seen: boxes of
the now infamous "martini glass"
inlays used on the original
Dargie Delight instruments.

2006: Custom painted camo
Stingray four string.

More Tony Levin and BFR SR5

I have, over the years, collected tons of photos of Music Man instruments - and the people that play them and, in some cases, build and design them. This is an attempt to organize and display them in one central location.

I would of course welcome any unique or interesting photos you might have.

Here's Tony Levin, possibly THE most recognizable Music Man player, with a Ball Family Reserve Stingray 5 that was built for him in 2007.