Which Stingrays & Sterlings are available without pickguards?

[Thunder Pulse]

Does anyone know the history of the pickguard on Stingrays & Sterlings? In the looks department these basses fall into the same camp as Rickenbackers - you either love them or hate them. I unfortunately can't stand the shape of the pickguard, it's just very aesthetically unpleasing to me. Its radius is different than the radius of the control plate and to me it just looks like a mess, but you know what they say about opinions...

Now that being said, there's currently a 20th Anniversary Stingray for sale in the classifieds here with no pickguard or control plate:

Music Man 20th Anniversary SR5

To me that bass is 1000x more attractive. Is it sans pickguard and control plate just because it's an anniversary edition, or is it possible to find a regular Stingray or Sterling out there that would look like that as well?

[Thunder Pulse]

bump

[mynan]

You would probably have to look at a BFR model, but they are expensive...

http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/...eserveSR.shtml

http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/...Sterling.shtml

[Caca de Kick]

Hate to tell you, but so far only the anniversary StingRay 5 string is the only production model to come without a pickguard. Other than that, 4 and 5 string StingRays and Sterlings always come with pickgards.

If you really despise it, buy a used Sterling and plug the holes and refinish the body.

[renniw]

Some people put clear pickguard on their basses.

[Thunder Pulse]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Hate to tell you, but so far only the anniversary StingRay 5 string is the only production model to come without a pickguard. Other than that, 4 and 5 string StingRays and Sterlings always come with pickgards.

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I didn't know if they ever had a normal production model that didn't come with a pickguard.

[mynan]

Brand Identity. The MM pickguard is probably the #1 way to identify a MM bass. They only come without one if the top is too nice to cover up.

[BrewCityLdB]

Originally Posted by mynan

Brand Identity. The MM pickguard is probably the #1 way to identify a MM bass. They only come without one if the top is too nice to cover up.

Indeed. I was playing my Sting Ray with the pickguard removed for a while (yeah, I'm kinda "punk rock" that way) and I got "Hey, nice G&L" on more than a few occasions. It's back on now but I do think it looks just as good without it.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I didn't know if they ever had a normal production model that didn't come with a pickguard.

ThunderPulse, I agree with you pretty much on the look of the EBMM pickguards. They're an acquired taste that I've never acquired. The Sterling 5 is, to me, the least disturbing. The Stingray 5 is simply an aesthetic offense, the opposite of eye candy (eye acid?). I mean, what is that acre and a half of plastic guarding, exactly?

The Ball Family Reserves have nice tops and no pickguards, and it looks like the new Reflex bass will have no pickguard. but generally, there's no problem covering up the bodies because the ash bodies have a very plain grain pattern. I think this is why I prefer EBMMs in solid colors (especially metallics/pearls or sparkles).

Having said that, I only play EBMM basses anymore. They sound and feel so good that I've stopped caring about the looks.

My next bass acquisition will absolutely be a Big Al 5 SSS... which perhaps plumbs new depths of pickguard hideousness. But damn, it sounds fine!!!

[j.kernodle]

Yep. The first time I ever saw a Stingray I thought it was the most ridiculous design I'd ever seen. Big egg shaped pickguard, one tuning key sticking out the wrong side of the headstock. Then I kept hearing my favorite players on Stingrays and absolutely loved the sound, and everything started to grown on me. A bunch of Stingrays and a Sterling have passed through my hands. Still have the Sterling.

If the radius of the control plate bothers you, maybe get a Sterling? They don't have control plates like Stingrays.

[bwoodman]

For some reason, the Stingray 4 pickguard never bothered me - and the 3 + 1 headstock was cool becuase it was different. As mentioned - brand recognition! Leo was the man! However, when the Stingray 5 was released, I didn't like anything about it - the huge pickguard, larger body and 4 + 1 headstock - NG! They should have done it like the failed SUB 5, which is now back as the SR5 Classic. I have a SUB 5 that I modified - had the body contoured and then refinished. I also would have preferred a 3 + 2 headstock - like Lakland does it - makes for a shorter headstock. Back to the pickguard, besides the BFR and other special models w/o p/g's, the easiest fix is a clear p/g - on a Sterling, since no control plate as mentioned by j. kernodle.

[Sten]

SR5 has the same radius on the pickguard and control knobs

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by Sten

SR5 has the same radius on the pickguard and control knobs

LOL! That's because an SR5 is nothing BUT pickguard!

[syciprider]

You are limited to the BFRs and the 20th Anniversary SR5.

[G RICH 5]

Or do what a friend of mine did and take the pickguard off. He had to have a section cut out under the knobs, to protect the guts, but the cherry burst finish is the same under the guard as around it, and I think it looks pretty sharp. FWIW

[richnota]

I've always had a thing for Stingrays without pickguards...



You could always remove the pickguard ala Dave Allen (Gang of Four, Shriekback) and his FACT bass.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by richnota

I've always had a thing for Stingrays without pickguards...



You could always remove the pickguard ala Dave Allen (Gang of Four, Shriekback) and his FACT bass.

Man, those figured redwood tops are SWEEEEEET! I wish they'd do some BFR 5-strings. I've never seen one.

[cloverkeys]

I have a Sterling, took off the pick guard. Love it.

[king_biscuit]

I love the look of the traditional single H Stingray with the pickguard. -- especially with the older style mute bridge.