MUSIC MAN History
MUSIC MAN History 
Introduction
1. The Great Creator ― The Man Leo Fender
2. Founding of Fender
3. Fender's Turning Point: Leo Fender's Struggle and Decision
4. Leo's New Challenge: The Birth of MUSIC MAN
Approximately one year after the amplifier's release, the StingRay I and StingRay Bass models were a
MUSIC MAN History
The Evolution of the Stingray and the Legacy of Leo Fender
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 StingRayBass
7. MUSIC MAN Today
8. MUSIC Leo Fender After Leaving Fender
Afterword
Introduction
Fender is a name known to anyone who plays electric guitar/electric bass.
Leo Fender, the founder of the Fender brand, laid the foundation for the electric guitar.
The guitars, basses, and amplifiers born from his groundbreaking inventions continue to be loved by people today, largely unchanged in form. Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass... It's no exaggeration to say these instruments didn't just create "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.
1. The Great Creator ― The Man Leo Fender
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-ply guitar they were building as part of Fender Radio Service marked a major step forward in the history of electric instruments.
2. Founding of Fender
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.
3. Fender's Turning Point: Leo Fender's Struggle and Decision
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 because the new management at Fender did not actively adopt Leo's newly developed technologies.
4. Leo's New Challenge: The Birth of MUSIC MAN
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, vintage guitars were sweeping the world as musicians like Eric Clapton sought the aged, dried-out sound of Fender's old guitars.
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.
5. MUSIC MAN Early Models: Legendary Instruments Leo Helped Develop
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 Stratocaster 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.
Above all, this style, featuring a single humbucker-type pickup as its defining characteristic, has become one of the most iconic electric basses alongside the PrecisionBass and JazzBass. It is now commonly referred to as the "Music Man type/Stingray type".
The StingRay, Music Man's biggest hit, offered a sound character entirely distinct from Fender. It perfectly matched the era when bass sounds underwent major changes 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, expanding the expressive range of the electric bass within songs and ultimately contributing 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 relative to the StingRay.
MUSIC MAN/Sabre Bass
The Sabre Bass (Bass), released in 1979. It debuted as a two-pickup version of the StingRay and is also known as the last instrument Leo Fender designed at MUSIC MAN.
~Leo Fender's Departure~
Music Man, the major brand Leo Fender founded and which 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 a standard in electric basses.
6. The Evolution and History of the StingRayBass
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.
Pre-Ernie Era
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, closer inspection 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 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 consists of 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 firmly secured by large screws on both sides.
It features the through-body design characteristic of models up to 1980.
Joint Plate
This also features the three-point neck joint, a major characteristic of 1970s StingRays. Another significant feature is the built-in micro-tilt mechanism for adjusting 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.
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 previously mentioned 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 screws on the left and right sides remained unchanged.
Joint Plate
In 1980, concurrent with the bridge change, the joint plate was changed to a 4-point mounting system. 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 system.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1981
After the Sabre Bass debuted in 1979, rosewood fingerboards also appeared. Although it's a rosewood fingerboard, the presence of the skunk stripe suggests it was manufactured using the same process as the previous 1P maple necks.
While the maple fingerboard models, like previous versions, lack 21st fret position marks, this rosewood fingerboard specification includes 21st fret position marks.
Ernie Ball Era
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 Markers
Starting in 1985, 21-fret position markers 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 
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.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 1992
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, the 3-band EQ was adopted. Controls became Volume/Treble/Middle/Bass, and the jack was changed to a side jack.
The 2EQ continues as an option on current models.
Joint Plate
Alongside the truss rod nut change, a 6-point joint was adopted. This elongated design enhances playability in the higher positions while providing a robust joint. It remains in use 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 xml-ph-0000@deepl.internal In 1996, the mute mechanism was discontinued, and consequently, th
Bridge
In 1996, the mute mechanism was discontinued, and consequently, the plate itself became thinner.
Serial Number
From 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 current models.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 2008
Nut
A compensated nut has been adopted since 2005.
This system eliminates the tendency for the pitch to go sharp when fretting at the first fret, a common issue 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.
StingRay Variations and Derivative Models
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 features a through-body design.
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 parts 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 design for a hum-single specification.
A phantom coil is embedded beneath the pickguard to create a hum-canceling effect, ensuring low noise even when using the single-coil mode.
MUSIC MAN/StingRay 5 1989
The StingRay5 debuted in 1987. Featuring a three-dimensional cutaway and a sharper style compared to the 4-string model.
The 3-way switch toggles between series, single coil, and parallel pickup configurations.
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 design, enhanced with a 5-point joint for improved playability.
It incorporates newly designed neodymium pickups and operates at 18V.
While maintaining the StingRay's signature style, it achieves significant advancements, including the adoption of a roasted maple neck and lighter tuning machines.
MUSIC MAN/Short Scale StingRay 2020
The StingRay short scale (30-inch) first appeared in 2020. (This is a refinished unit)
Its design resembles a scaled-down version of the long scale model, and its passive circuitry is also a distinctive feature.
7. Music Man Today: Carrying On the Legacy and Evolving
Centered around the StingRay and expanding with several variations, MUSIC MAN continues to lead the Bass brand.
In 2008, the Sterling by MUSIC MAN brand was established under Ernie Ball, adding more affordable models to the lineup. This approach reached young players who previously couldn't afford a 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
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8. Leo Fender's Journey After Leaving Music Man: Founding G&L
In 1980, after leaving MUSIC MAN, Leo Fender teamed up with his longtime ally George Fullerton to establish the brand "G&L," named after 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 DNA has certainly been passed on to G&L.
We'll save the story of G&L for another time.
Afterword
Written by: Oda (in charge of TCGAKKI Bass)
In charge of the electric Bass section at TCGAKKI. With experience in major band activities, he leverages his extensive background to offer insights and promotions uniquely focused from a musician's perspective.Main Bass is a Fender CS Jazz Bass.
Quote: " I used to vaguely think, 'The StingRay just has that unique StingRay sound.' But as I researched the specification changes over the years, my understanding deepened, and my admiration for the StingRay only grew.
It's precisely because Leo Fender, no matter how successful he became, never succumbed to nostalgia that he created this standard instrument, following the Jazz Bass and Precision Bass. He truly was an extraordinary person."
Qualifications & Experience: 3 years as an instrument appraiser, numerous video appearances.
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