Forty years ago, Leo Fender created a prototype of the soon-to-be-famous Music Man StingRay Bass. Dubbed “Old Smoothie” because of its unique pickup arrangement — with 10 alnico polepiece magnets — this bass was loved and played for decades by Ernie Ball/Music Man’s Sterling Ball. Now the company has taken Old Smoothie from the vaults and is issuing it as the StingRay 40th Anniversary “Old Smoothie” bass. Finished in a gorgeous “chocolate burst,” Old Smoothie has all the features of the original vintage prototype:
- Alder body
- Maple neck and fingerboard
- Rear-load truss rod
- 34-inch scale length
- 21 frets
- Vintage-style stainless steel bridge pieces with individual mute pads
- Custom “Old Smoothie” humbucker pickup
- Active preamp with two-band bass/treble EQ
Celebrate 40 years of Music Man basses with Old Smoothie!
