Does This Pickup Seem Like Anything Other than a Music Man?

[eastcoasteddie]

He probably saw this video:



and doesn't realize that there could actually be two Piezo Stingray's out there in the same color...

 

[Ric5]

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I sold this on Reverb and everyone was happy as a clam but now this goombah claims this is not an original MM pickup.

Frankly, I've had "a few" Stingrays and - well, you tell me.

He's calling me names and going to report me to the CIA and so on.

Fun times.

there are hundreds of companies making copies / replacement pickups that are similar to the one you have in the picture …

 

[BobKos]

I have a Nordstrand 4.2. The 'N' embossed on the front is very difficult to see but it is there. Does BH know there is an N or is that what the buyer is saying? I don't see it in the photos. I will say my EBMM basses all have tapered magnets but I don't own a standard Stingray. The magnets in the pic look square cut and I don't know if that is normal.

BH - as a moderator from the EBMM forums you know better than most of us how sacrelige modifying one of BPs treasures can be to some of the cult members. Sounds to me like you sold a bass to one.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

You can fit Nordstrom pickups under the original pickup cover... also MM pole pieces changed slightly somewhere around 2003 from sharp edges to slightly tapered edges... without a picture of the back of the pickup it could be anything...

 

[alaskaleftybass]

On magnifying the picture, I spotted a very faint 'n' in the bottom right corner of the pickup. Gong to the Nordy website, you'll see the 'n' is very faint but there. So there's one thing. The next thing is that someone added a piezo pickup. This is definitely not an 'original' bass. It's been modified, and some buyers will be upset that it was presumed to be a 'stock' MM.

Given that the OP sold it unintentionally as a stock bass, he should refund the money back to the seller. Quickly as possible. I can't imagine how a grownup would miss those obvious changes on the bass. My judgement: Immediately refund after you've received the bass. Also pay for return shipping then refund the original complete amount. That might be a good lesson for next time he sells a bass to watch the details.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

On magnifying the picture, I spotted a very faint 'n' in the bottom right corner of the pickup. Gong to the Nordy website, you'll see the 'n' is very faint but there. So there's one thing. The next thing is that someone added a piezo pickup. This is definitely not an 'original' bass. It's been modified, and some buyers will be upset that it was presumed to be a 'stock' MM.

Given that the OP sold it unintentionally as a stock bass, he should refund the money back to the seller. Quickly as possible. I can't imagine how a grownup would miss those obvious changes on the bass. My judgement: Immediately refund after you've received the bass. Also pay for return shipping then refund the original complete amount. That might be a good lesson for next time he sells a bass to watch the details.

Piezo saddles were a factory option at one point, not aftermarket

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Piezo saddles were a factory option at one point, not aftermarket

Ahhh, so! Didn't know that....
Still the Nordy is not stock. That wouldn't manner to me but.....

 

[Relsom]

The KA was replaced with the Nordy in August. I did the work for the owner, who was 1 or 2 to have it after Johnny Long. The piezo was also boosted slightly to provide a better balance at center detent on the pan pot, although it was in the upper 1/4 of it's range already.
I did the work as a friend. He insisted that I keep the Kent Armstrong, which I still have.
The preamp is stock. A big machine screw and washer was missing from one of the tuners. The replacements came from Home Depot.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

Does he mean Jonny Lang?

Kent Armstrong's MM pickup has no polepieces, or at least no exposed polepieces.

I'm not seeing the Nordstrand N.

Wrong, Kent Armstrong HAS both versions. I used to have one with exposed polepieces.

 

[Bassology]

So just let me get this straight. The Reverb buyer sounded like he wanted an all original Music Man, and unknown to him and the seller at the time, the bass that exchanged hands actually had its pickup replaced by a Nordstrand (work done by Relsom), and it just so happens that the buyer came across a YouTube video by Johnny Long and realized that the Music Man he bought is the very same bass in the video. Most likely tipped off by the piezo pickup setup and that two screw holes from the thumbrest.

Hate to say this, but if the bass was advertised as an original then I would think the seller should allow the buyer to return the bass with a full refund.

 

[mcnach]

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I sold this on Reverb and everyone was happy as a clam but now this goombah claims this is not an original MM pickup.

Frankly, I've had "a few" Stingrays and - well, you tell me.

He's calling me names and going to report me to the CIA and so on.

Fun times.

I have no idea. It looks like a MM, but there are aftermarket pickups that look the same.
At least from the outside. Has he given you any evidence? Or, more importantly, do you *KNOW* it is an original MM?

I'd ignore the guy. Someone who acts the way you describe doesn't deserve an answer.

I'm quite curious about the control layout. I've never seen a 5-knob Stingray control plate. What did you put there?

EDIT:
Ah, piezo!!! I totally forgot about them, I had never seen one before.
If it is indeed a Nordstrand 4.2... it's not a bad pickup at all. Although I do prefer slightly the original.
I'd still lean towards ignoring the guy. If I seel something and someone is unhappy we find a way to deal with it, but if they approach with a bad attitude they get ignored. There's no excuse for anybody to be rude.

 

[Relsom]

I have no idea. It looks like a MM, but there are aftermarket pickups that look the same.
At least from the outside. Has he given you any evidence? Or, more importantly, do you *KNOW* it is an original MM?

I'm quite curious about the control layout. I've never seen a 5-knob Stingray control plate. What did you put there?

As to your first question... It is a Nordstrand mm4.2. Got my fingerprints all over it. That is unless the OP changed it once he got it in his hands, which I doubt.
As to your second.... Now you have....

 

[Relsom]

To the OP, I can't imagine that the buyer would be disappointed with the sound, functionality, integrity, or workmanship of the bass. Now, if he's being a purist and was expecting it to be 100% original, then that's another issue.

 

[maturanesa]

He says he saw this exact bass in a "Jonney Long" demo (I don't know who that is) and it had a Kent Armstrong in it and so now, even though the bass sounds great and is what it's supposed to be, he's calling me a liar, which I do not enjoy all that much.

Kent Armstrong MM pickup have the brand's label on it.

 

[Relsom]

Kent Armstrong MM pickup have the brand's label on it.

On the back, like this. The topside is solid, with no exposed pole pieces or markings. According to Kent Armstrong's website, instead of a standard pair of cylindrical pole pieces for each string, they use a pair of rails that run the length of the pickup. This is the pickup that was in the bass at the time of Johnny Long's video.

 

[FunkHead]

There's no point ever arguing with a Reverb buyer that wants to return an item. Just do it and move on. Be nice and hope for positive feedback.
I never would try to force someone to keep something they didn't want.

 

[kmon]

Bass was not as described, you're not gonna win this one with Reverb. Apologize, tell him to stick it back in the box and ship it back, and you'll need to pay for shipping. Hope for no feedback or positive feedback. If he gives negative you can retun the favor and let reverb-land know he's an abusive pr***.

 

[Max Bogosity]

It's an important detail whether the seller described the instrument as all original or not. If it was specifically described as all original equipment and is not, the buyer has a point. Otherwise, a reasonable person should assume that a used instrument may have had some work done, and ask about that before the sale if it concerns them.

 

[JoeWPgh]

My experience with Ernie Ball Musicman is that they will sell you any part that was original to that instrument, based on it's serial number. I seriously doubt the piezo was a mod. EBMM would not sell that to someone as a part if it was not original to the instrument. By the same token, with a provided serial number they would sell him an official Stingray pup. Offer him a refund on what that would cost, and have him send the replacement pup back to you.

 

[armybass]

This is all my fault. I did not specifically tell Bovinehost about the Nordy replacement because I assumed he saw my thread about it in another forum. Totally my fault. I am sorry for your hassle Jack. I'll contact you.