Stingray 5's pick guard, why?

JDeewond · #1 09-12-2010, 04:32 AM

I'm in the market for a brand new Stingray 5 with matching headstock(non classic) but I have an issue with the design. I really dig the oval pick guard from the classic and the 4 string but the guard on the 5 turns me off, anyone ever changed it? pics? I'm wondering how it looks and if i could put back an aluminum plate under the controls like the classic. I've seen a couple of old 5ers with the the oval one too, did they change it recently?

What I like

What I don't like

LowB-ing · #2 09-12-2010, 04:46 AM

There's a route under the pickguard between the control cavity and the pickup. You'd need to do some woodworking in order to install a control plate and oval pickguard. You'd probably have to refinish it in a a solid color, unless your woodworking chops are way up there.

To get classic looks in a fiver for less money, buy a used SUB5. I have three, two of which are refinished.

tom once dead · #3 09-12-2010, 04:48 AM

They do the oval PG and control plate on almost every other model, so I cant see woodworking being a problem.

LowB-ing · #4 09-12-2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

They do the oval PG and control plate on almost every other model, so I cant see woodworking being a problem.

To clarify, I wasn't talking about what EBMM can or can't do. I was talking about what the OP would have to do himself if he wants an oval pg on a standard SR5.

Bobster · #5 09-12-2010, 08:24 AM

You could get a Classic Stingray 5, or a used SUB. They have the oval pickguard and control plate.

http://www.music-man.com/instruments...tingray-5.html

Bob

JDeewond · #6 09-12-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowB-ing

There's a route under the pickguard between the control cavity and the pickup. You'd need to do some woodworking

Thanks for the info, unfortunately, my skills in that department are at kindergarten level so that won't be happening anytime soon. The bass is sitting at the store right now and I'd like to pick it up asap, I was wondering If It was just a matter of switching the pg. Too bad.. I'll still pick it up

I've been gasing for it for far too long!

JDeewond · #7 09-12-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobster

You could get a Classic Stingray 5, or a used SUB. They have the oval pickguard and control plate.

http://www.music-man.com/instruments...tingray-5.html

Bob

I'd have to get the neck refinished, I hate the high gloss they put on it and if I'm going to spend upwards of 1700, I'd like to maybe spend some more on a set up but that's it

. As for the SUB idea, I'm picky, a little too much for my own good but I like the tone, color and playability of the stingray 5 as is, I would rather go with a sure shot! Thanks though.

JAUQO III-X · #8 09-12-2010, 08:56 AM

This is what I did to my 92 5 string SR in 92 after a couple of months owning it.

The control cover is clear.

Smallmouth_Bass · #9 09-12-2010, 09:04 AM

You could cut the pickguard just to cover the control plate portion and leave the nest naked. You'd still have the screw holes though.

The other options have already been mentioned: a used Sub 5-string or one of the Classics.

I've always loved the SR5 pickguard.

JDeewond · #10 09-12-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

This is what I did to my 92 5 string SR in 92 after a couple of months owning it.

The control cover is clear.

I was looking for this shot exactly! Too bad that the controls cavity is built this way otherwise the conversion would be so much easier, I would be a happy camper if music man decided to go for the "classic" look on the sr5 instead of giving it this pg.

trounsontime · #11 09-12-2010, 09:09 AM

That's because the Stingray 5 is, confusingly, not a 5 string version of the Stingray.
It's actually a bass version of the Silhouette guitar (not to be confused with the Silhouette bass, which is actually a baritone guitar!) and has the same body shape and pickguard design.
As previously noted, the SUB 5 and Classic Stingray 5 are both 5 string versions of the regular Stingray. Confusing eh?

Joe Nerve · #12 09-12-2010, 09:16 AM

I kinda always felt the same way, but actually started liking the pickgard. When I was having my issues though, this was what I was planning to do:

Still might actually be a part of my plan, but I've pretty much gone back to 4s... and I'm also falling deeply in love with my Big Al. If I go 5 again it may have to be one of those.

Also, having owned a Sterling 4, and presently owning a Stingray HS, if I were to go with a Sterling 5 it would absolutely have to be an HS. It's unbelievable how much that extra pickup adds in terms of versatility and bottom end.

JDeewond · #13 09-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I kinda always felt the same way, but actually started liking the pickgard.

Something about being with anything for hours on end... I'm thinking the pg is a bit too superficial to completely ruin it for me!

JDeewond · #14 09-12-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trounsontime

That's because the Stingray 5 is, confusingly, not a 5 string version of the Stingray.

Thanks!

syciprider · #15 09-12-2010, 11:30 AM

Yup, the old Stingray 5 was actually a 5 string Sterling. But these days with the advent of an actual Sterling 5 in the lineup, EBMM had to make changes to the SR5 to get it closer to what should've been the natural progression of things and not overlap the Sterling 5. Unfortunately this did not include redesigning the pickguard.

jpeaslee · #16 01-02-2011, 11:20 PM

I have a backwards question...

Can you put a stingray 5 pickguard on a sub 5 bass and replace the oval pickguard and control plate?

GBassNorth · #17 01-02-2011, 11:55 PM

If you haven't already done so, spend some quality time in a side by side compairson of the 4 string 2 band and the 5 string 3 band Stingray. They are very different basses.

I have a vintage 79 four string stingray that plays wonderful and has the 2 band preamp. I have a newer SUB5 active, also with the 2 band preamp. Both sound an feel identical.

I'm a 5 string player these days so I bought a new Stingray 5 thinking it would be just like my vintage ray in sound and upscale of my SUB5. I was wrong!

The 5 has a 3 band preamp that significantly changes the voicing. I find it much more difficult to get the sound I want on my SR5 vs either of my 2 band rays. It's still a great bass but if I had it all to do over again, I'd have bought the classic ray in a 5 string single buck 2 band configuration (I think they make one). The only reason I didn't spend much time looking at that option at the time was because of the high gloss neck, looks great but I prefer the feel of a satin or unfinished neck. I guess I could have sanded the finish down on the neck but didn't want to mess with it.

Some like the 3 band double buck SR5, I didn't try that one. And some also prefer the 3 band to the 2 band. Get what works best for you but be sure to try each one side by side, they are quite different.

PS - I really love the look of the new classic surf green with a maple fb (but I'd have to yank that white pickup cover off and replace it with a black one) and of course sand the neck.

GBassNorth · #18 01-03-2011, 12:19 AM

Here's a 5 with oval pickguard and matching headstock (white), but it's a double buck 3 band Slo model. Never tried one of these, so I don't know what if any difference the Slo has vs other Stingrays
http://cgi.ebay.com/Music-Man-StingR...item20b5f653bd

Here's a teal SUB5 with oval pickguard and a dark headstock (I think all the SUB5s had a flat black headstock vs body color match but I could be wrong) in a 2 band single buck config.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ernie-Ball-Music...item3cb3d8c4b0
Don't underestimate the SUB5 it's a fantastic bass at a fraction of the cost of an SR5.

**countbassiedad** · #19 03-14-2012, 04:02 AM

I don't like the standard 5 pickguard either. I like the Classic neck but not the slab body. (Btw, does anyone know if there is a front contour?)

Anyway, when I got my HH4 I looked at wood pickguards. I ended up going with a clear PG (sunburst bass) and removing the control plate (filled the holes with black screws).

Depending on the bass color, I think a birdseye maple PG would be really cool on a Stingray and would make the massive wood coverup less tragic.

Just google wood pickguards - there are a couple of custom makers out there.

IMO, the Stingray 5 and Fender P bass PG shapes are among the biggest styling tragedies in bassdom. Another option - go with a PG that matches the body color so it sort of fades away.

NicJimBass · #20 03-14-2012, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowB-ing

There's a route under the pickguard between the control cavity and the pickup. You'd need to do some woodworking in order to install a control plate and oval pickguard. You'd probably have to refinish it in a a solid color, unless your woodworking chops are way up there.

To get classic looks in a fiver for less money, buy a used SUB5. I have three, two of which are refinished.

Actually, there isn't a route between the pickup and control cavity, but, the control cavity is larger than what would be covered by a metal plate, as the SR5 incorporates the 3-way blade switch.