• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Concept: A 4-string StingRay 5

hooky_marr

hooky_marr

Supporting Member
Jul 26, 2005
847
1,308
Chicago, Illinois
#1
That's basically it.

  • This is a quick and terrible photoshop job.
  • Imagine, if you will, a StingRay 5, with one less string, and the same 'teardrop' pickguard shape.
  • Maybe with a slightly narrower body than a standard StingRay, keeping the same curves and chamfered horns from the 5, but leaning towards a little Spector-ish?
  • Made to be lightweight, maybe with a chambered body?
  • Maybe a smaller headstock, similar to the Reflex bass?
  • Also to be available in a downsized short-scale version.
  • Idea: bring back a variety of pickup options: H, HH, HS, SS, SH (for that woofer-and-tweeter arrangement) and an S-S-S layout (like the Big Al, or more like an old 80s PRS Bass IV, with one right at the neck heel)?
stingray54.jpeg


Thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: FootieSoxx, TDR1138, matante and 4 others
#3
rogerbmiller said:
Except for the pickguard, a 4 string 5 string stingray is essentially a Sterling.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I would say it's a StingRay with a differently contoured body, but what makes you say that?

I think, aesthetically, I like the SR5 pickguard better than the standard SR / Sterling oval, esp how it unites the controls on it, vs the metal front plate. It's just less messy? And it follows the body contours in a nicer way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowActionHero, ReillyProductions, 1960jbass and 1 other person
#10
Sabre had a neater shaped control plate and pickguard, I feel like you could get a custom 4 string pickguard made if you’re willing to pay around 125 for the work that would go into it. the lines with the neck truss nut slot on the 4 string pickguard is gonna line up with the same truss nut slot on the 5 string, pickguard, from there it’s a matter of the person making the custom pickguard to trace the 4 string pickup into the right position on the 5 string pickguard. All they have to do is put the 4 string on top of a 5 string pickguard without the Pickup hole in it and trace out the 4 strings pickup and have it cut!

it’s a lotta work but anywhere that regularly makes both probably could do it for you, reattaching the preamp shouldn’t be too difficult. Looks like the knobs are spaced the same on the 5, if you wanted to be extra sure I’d go with a pre-crescent shaped circuit board stingray so something made before 91
 
#13
hooky_marr said:
Interesting. I would say it's a StingRay with a differently contoured body, but what makes you say that?

I think, aesthetically, I like the SR5 pickguard better than the standard SR / Sterling oval, esp how it unites the controls on it, vs the metal front plate. It's just less messy? And it follows the body contours in a nicer way.
Click to expand...

That's fair. To me the streamlined body and functionality of the 5 is all there even if the shape is slightly different.
 
#14
hooky_marr said:
I think, aesthetically, I like the SR5 pickguard better than the standard SR / Sterling oval, esp how it unites the controls on it, vs the metal front plate. It's just less messy?
Click to expand...
I like the SR5 pickguard more than the 4's oval if it is black. If it's white it looks too big.

I agree that the oval pickguard plus control plate looks messy; the Sterling solves this by having pickguard but no control plate.

I don't understand why they don't have an option for no pickguard and no control plate. They very occasionally do a special edition like that and it always looks a lot better to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hooky_marr and garp
#16
It would likely never sell.
This is only the second time I've ever seen a post on talkbass actually want the massive teardrop pickguard covering up half of the SR4 body.
I always see the opposite; more people wishing the SR5 always had the normal oval guard like on the classic.

If you have a beautiful finish or a stunning grain, its half covered up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PeaveyPlayer, InhumanResource and garp
#17
nnnnnn said:
I like the SR5 pickguard more than the 4's oval if it is black. If it's white it looks too big.

I agree that the oval pickguard plus control plate looks messy; the Sterling solves this by having pickguard but no control plate.

I don't understand why they don't have an option for no pickguard and no control plate. They very occasionally do a special edition like that and it always looks a lot better to me.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I like that sort of sleek, no-pickguard, no-screws aesthetic, like the Luke I and II. It's like the difference between a sleek futuristic uniform and a steampunk jacket with lots of studs and rivets...
 
  • Like
Reactions: nnnnnn

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back