Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Great Creator: The Man Leo Fender
2. Founding Fender
3. Fender's Turning Point
4. Leo's New Challenge: The Birth of MUSIC MAN
5. MUSIC MAN: Models Leo Developed
6. Tracing the Evolution of the StingRay Bass
7. MUSIC MAN Today
8. Leo Fender's Journey After Leaving MUSIC MAN
Afterword
Fender is a name known to anyone who plays electric guitars/electric Bass.
Leo Fender is the founder of the Fender brand that laid the foundation for the electric guitar.
His groundbreaking inventions led to the creation of guitars, Bass, and amplifiers that remain beloved to this day, largely unchanged in form. Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass... It's no exaggeration to say these instruments didn't just become "new instruments," they shaped the very history of music itself.
This time, we'll cover Leo Fender's founding of Fender through the birth of MUSIC MAN, and in the latter half, we'll introduce MUSIC MAN's flagship model, the StingRay bass.
Born in Fullerton, California in 1909, Leo developed an interest in electrical engineering from a young age.
After graduating high school, he attended local Fullerton Junior College. Surprisingly, he majored in accounting and after graduation, worked as an accountant for the California Highway Department.
After several years, Leo launched "Fender's Radio Service" in 1938, a radio repair shop. His childhood passion for electrical engineering and sound propelled him toward becoming a technician.
Fender Radio Service didn't just repair radios; it also handled amplifier repairs and electric guitar modifications. It was during this time that Leo gained a thorough understanding of the "problems with electric instruments."
On September 26, 1944, Leo Fender and his business partner Clayton "Doc" Kauffman applied for a patent for an electric guitar pickup modeled after a phonograph pickup. Mounting this pickup onto a simple single-piece guitar they were building as part of Fender Radio Service marked a major step forward in the history of electric instruments.
After dissolving his partnership with Kofman, Leo Fender renamed the company "Fender Electric Instrument Company " in 1947. In 1948, he developed the world's first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar. He unveiled it as the Esquire in 1949.
As you all know, this led to the creation of instruments that endure to this day: the Telecaster, Precision Bass, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jazz Bass, and Jaguar.
A major turning point for Fender came in 1965. Leo Fender, who had pioneered the electric guitar industry, agreed to sell Fender to CBS, the American commercial broadcast television and radio network.
Leo remained with the company for several years as a technical advisor, but left Fender in 1970, primarily due to health reasons. Some say it was also because the new management at Fender did not actively adopt Leo's newly developed technologies.
After leaving Fender in 1972, Leo founded MUSIC MAN alongside Tom Walker (formerly Fender's sales and amp designer) and Forrest White (Fender's former vice president).
Having stepped back from the front lines, Leo reportedly launched MUSIC MAN driven by his desire to "develop new products as an engineer."
While Leo worked on developing the guitar/Bass, the amplifier, spearheaded by Tom Walker, was released first in 1974.
MUSIC MAN/212HD
About a year and a half after the amplifier's release, two models—the StingRay I and StingRay Bass—were unveiled at the 1976 NAMM Show.
At the time, countless musicians, including Eric Clapton, sought the aged sound of vintage Fender guitars, and vintage instruments were sweeping the world.
Amidst this trend, Leo, steadfast in his philosophy of "developing new products," refused to build nostalgic guitars. Instead, he developed the StingRay—a completely new guitar.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay I 1977
MUSIC MAN/StingRay II 1977
The StingRay I featured humbuckers and a groundbreaking active tone circuit for its time. While its body shape and control panel were influenced by the Strat and Jaguar, its powerful, high-fidelity tone evoked Fender's DNA while establishing a new presence. The only difference between the StingRay I and StingRay II is the fingerboard radius; all other specifications are identical.(I has a 12" radius, II has a 7.25" radius)
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1979
The body shape is similar to the PrecisionBass, but like the guitar, it has no contour.
Equipped with a single humbucker-type pickup as its most defining feature, this style has become one of the most iconic electric basses, alongside the PrecisionBass and JazzBass, and is now commonly referred to as the "Music Man type/Stingray type".
The StingRay bass, Music Man's biggest hit, offered a sound character entirely distinct from Fender basses. It perfectly matched the era when bass sound underwent significant change due to the popularity of slap technique and the rise of synthesizers, leading to its widespread market acceptance.
Equipped with an active circuit, it could quickly adapt to techniques like fingerstyle, pick playing, and slapping. This expanded the expressive range of the electric bass within songs and ultimately contributed to the evolution of music. Leo's achievements, continuing from his Fender era, are immeasurable.
MUSIC MAN/Sabre II
The Sabre II, released in 1977. It featured a shape more reminiscent of a Stratocaster than the StingRay I/II, incorporating contours. It was positioned as a higher-end model compared to the StingRay.
MUSIC MAN/Sabre Bass
The Sabre Bass, released in 1979. It debuted as a two-pickup version of the StingRay and is also known as the last design Leo Fender created at MUSIC MAN.
Music Man, the major brand founded by Leo Fender that continues today, actually saw Leo step away from Music Man around 1980 to establish G&L.
Meanwhile, the company that rescued the struggling MUSIC MAN was Ernie Ball, the globally renowned string manufacturer. Acquired by Ernie Ball in 1984, MUSIC MAN not only refined the StingRay but also produced various variation models. Building upon the foundation Leo had established, it became universally recognized as the standard for electric basses.
The StingRay remains the backbone model that continues to support the MUSIC MAN brand.
Though the StingRay has seen few major visual changes since its initial release, it has undergone minor evolution over time to meet the changing needs of bassists.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1977
After the acquisition by Ernie Ball, the StingRay underwent significant specification changes. Models produced before the acquisition, specifically prior to 1984, are referred to as the Pre-Ernie period.
While the visual differences from current models may seem minimal at first glance, a closer look reveals numerous distinct differences.
Peg
The 3:1 tuners embody Forrest White's vision.
They not only make the 1st string knob more accessible but also improve string tension and headstock weight balance.
Truss Rod Nut
Like 1970s Fenders, this mechanism adjusts from the headstock side.
String Retainer
Set between the 1st and 2nd strings. After 1985 (as described later), it was moved to between the 2nd and 3rd strings.
Position Markers
Pre-Ernie Ball period models lacked position markers at the 21st fret.
This position marker specification continued until 1985, except for later models featuring rosewood fingerboards.
2EQ
The 2-band EQ is one reason for the Vintage StingRay's popularity. It features Volume, Treble Boost, and Bass Boost controls.
Incidentally, the earliest 1976 control knobs were plastic "radio knobs," but they were quickly replaced with metal knobs.
Bridge
Although removed from this unit, it features a bridge with individual string mute mechanisms. Made of thick steel, it is securely fastened with large screws on both sides.
It features the through-body design, a major characteristic until 1980.
Joint Plate
This three-point neck joint is another major feature of 1970s StingRays. A significant characteristic is the incorporation of a micro-tilt mechanism to adjust the angle between the body and neck.
Additionally, from 1976 to 1978, the serial number was stamped on the joint plate.
Battery Cover
A screw-mounted metal plate serves as the battery cover. This design continued until 1996, when the sliding battery box was adopted.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1979
Logo
The two figures depicted are said to be modeled after Leo Fender and Tom Walker.
Bridge Plate
Bridge with individual string mute mechanism.
The difference from the aforementioned 1977 model is that the serial number is engraved. From 1978 to 1984, the serial number is engraved on the bridge plate.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1981
Bridge
From 1980, it was changed to a top-loaded bridge. The mute mechanism and the left and right screws remained unchanged.
Joint Plate
In 1980, concurrent with the bridge change, the joint plate was changed to a 4-point mounting design. The micro-tilt mechanism was discontinued, and the serial number continued to be stamped on the bridge.
The 4-point mounting specification continued until the early 1990s when it was changed to a 6-point mounting.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1981
Rosewood Fingerboard
Following the introduction of the Sabre Bass in 1979, rosewood fingerboards also appeared. Although it features a rosewood fingerboard, the presence of the skunk stripe suggests it was manufactured using the same process as the previous 1P maple neck.
While the maple fingerboard models, like previous versions, lack 21st fret position marks, this rosewood fingerboard specification includes 21st fret position marks.
This shows specification changes after the acquisition by ERNIE BALL in 1985.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1988
Logo
After the Ernie Ball acquisition, "ERNIE BALL" was added to the headstock logo. Additionally, the "StingRay Bass" designation was changed to simply "StingRay".
String Retainer
During the pre-Ernie Ball era, it was positioned between the 1st and 2nd strings, but after 1985, it was moved to between the 2nd and 3rd strings.
Position Markings
Starting in 1985, 21-fret position markings were added to models with maple fingerboards.
Contour/Elbow Cut
Starting in 1985, contouring was applied to both the top and back, similar to the Sabre Bass.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1992
Truss Rod Nut
Starting in 1989, the "Superior Truss Rod System" was introduced, changing to a wheel nut that allows truss rod adjustment from the underside of the neck.
3EQ
Around this time, a 3-band EQ was adopted. Controls became Volume/Treble/Middle/Bass, and the jack was moved to the side.
The 2EQ continues as an option on current models.
Joint Plate
Alongside the truss rod nut modification, a 6-point joint was adopted. This elongated design enhances playability in the higher positions while providing a robust joint. The 6-point joint is still used today on most models.
Battery Cover
The original metal plate design continued until 1995.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 20th Anniversary 1996
This instrument is an anniversary model commemorating the 20th anniversary of StingRay's birth.
It features a special specification with a flame maple top and mahogany back body.
Battery Box
This model features a slide-type quick-change battery box.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1998
Bridge
In 1996, the mute mechanism was discontinued, and consequently, the plate itself became thinner.
Serial Number
Starting in 1998, the serial number was changed from being engraved on the bridge plate to being engraved on the joint plate.
Around this time, the specifications became nearly identical to the current models.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 2008
Nut
Starting in 2005, a compensated nut was adopted.
This system addresses the tendency for the pitch to go sharp when fretting at the first fret with conventional nuts. It calculates the amount of sharpness for each string and shifts the nut position a few cents toward the first fret accordingly.
Since the 1990s, various variation models bearing the "StingRay" name have been released.
Here's a look at the main variation models that have arrived at TCGAKKI in the past!
MUSIC MAN/StingRay EX 1998
The 'EX' series, which uses parts similar to those in the U.S.A. and is assembled domestically.
It was produced from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay TB 2002
The TB in the model name stands for Through Body. It is a through-body specification.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 2EQ 2001
There's also the 2EQ. This features a rare translucent red color.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay HH 2009
2 humbucker configuration. Released in 2005 alongside the HS model. This version features a stealth black color scheme, with the neck, headstock, and hardware components all finished in black. Equipped with a
pickup selector switch.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay HS 2006
Released simultaneously with the HH model, this front pickup features a single-coil PU in a hum-single configuration.
A phantom coil is embedded beneath the pickguard to create a hum-canceling effect, ensuring low noise even when using the single-coil setting.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 5 1989
The StingRay5 debuted in 1987. Featuring a sculpted body and a sharper style compared to the 4-string model.
The 3-way switch controls pickup configuration: Series, Single, or Parallel.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 5 FL 2001
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 5 HH 2005
StingRay5 with two humbucker pickups.
The selector is a 5-way switch, allowing you to choose each coil.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay Special 2018
The StingRay Special represents a modern evolution.
The entire body features a rounded cutaway, enhanced with a 5-point joint for improved playability.
It incorporates a newly designed neodymium pickup and operates at 18V.
Maintaining the StingRay's signature style, it achieves significant advancements through features like a roasted maple neck and lighter tuners.
MUSIC MAN/Short Scale StingRay 2020
The StingRay short scale (30-inch) first appeared in 2020. (This is a refinished model)
Its design resembles a scaled-down version of the long scale model, and its passive circuitry is also a distinctive feature.
Centered around the StingRay, MUSIC MAN continues to lead the Bass brand with several variations.
In 2008, the Sterling by MUSIC MAN brand was established under Ernie Ball, introducing more affordable models. This approach reached younger players who previously couldn't afford the StingRay, making it a guitar/Bass beloved by a wider range of generations.
Sterling by MUSIC MAN/Ray 34
Sterling by MUSIC MAN/Ray 35
Sterling by MUSIC MAN/AX40
In 1980, after leaving MUSIC MAN, Leo Fender founded the brand "G&L" with his longtime ally George Fruton, incorporating both their initials.
Based in Fullerton, California, USA, G&L became the manufacturer where Leo Fender carried out his final creative work.
He maintained his engineer's spirit at G&L, reportedly continuing research in his dedicated lab within the G&L factory until the day before his passing.
Although Leo was involved with MUSIC MAN for only about eight years, the origins of the active circuit-equipped electric guitar Bass lie in the models Leo developed at MUSIC MAN, and that genetic legacy has been reliably passed on to G&L.
We'll save the story of G&L for another time.
Leo Fender is unquestionably the most important figure in the history of the electric guitar/electric Bass. The fact that the numerous models he created at Fender continue to grace stages today, largely unchanged, is nothing short of astonishing.
Music Man and G&L also produce both guitars and basses, but basses receive the most attention.The StingRay, in particular, has become a staple bass alongside the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass. It's impossible to even imagine what the electric bass instrument would be like if Leo hadn't existed.
