• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD! Retro 70s Stingray

White or black pickguard?


  • Total voters
    133
My first choice would be leave black guard add white pickup cover.

My 2nd choice would be swap out guard to white.

I love the tuxedo look.

You added an additional choice so it would be good to change your poll options .
Can't edit anymore :(

EB says this cover is glued on though, unfortunately. Don't really want to mess with that.

I will order the white guard. I too love the tux look.

Not the type of music I play but have always been a HUGE Cure fan. Have always been enamored with Simon's tuxedo Stingray used on the "In Orange" concert (and likely during the recording of Disintegration)

 
Last edited:
What makes you like it so much better than the Special? Is it the nickel frets and the preamp is different? Or just a different old school vibe?

Gloss neck, build quality/feel (not better just old school compared to matte/modern finish), 2 band pre, neck shape, aesthetics, sound. Everything lol.

But in the case of this specific bass v.s the specific Special return I think you are referring to (the fallout green one in the other thread), that bass had a wacked out neck and unlevel frets. Buzz city after hours of trying to set it up right. Had to have insane high action. This guy set up in 10 minutes and all the angles just work. It feels great!
 
Mannnn oh man. This thing is perfect.
Mint condition. Perfect neck and frets, takes the lowest action imaginable. 8lbs, 12 oz. Sounds amazing.
Installed some Pino flats. They are fun but I think I'll go with GHS or Chromes.
1000000x happier with this over the SR Special that proceed it and was returned.
Best part? I only paid $2175. (only, lol)

Should I change it out for a factory white pickguard?

View attachment 7454669
View attachment 7454670
View attachment 7454671
Black and maple always has great looking.
 
I like it too, but it's a little too....rock n roll? I'm more of a chill / funk / fingerstyle type of guy.

What about a white pickup cover? (fake pic)

View attachment 7454677
To me white pg on black body (or black on white) is THE rocknrollest look. I like black/black or white/white a lot more. I do like the white/cream pu cover though.

And if you want a different pickguard, anodized gold would look killer.
 
Black and maple always has great looking.
Even on a Rick!
IMG_0938.jpegIMG_1260.jpeg
 
Pretty sure you won't be able to replace just the pickup shell, the specials are glued in with circuit boards and ground wires and lots going on under there. Keep it stock these basses are gorgeous. I'd have one but I can't stand protruding pole pieces. Enjoy that beauty!
 
Pretty sure you won't be able to replace just the pickup shell, the specials are glued in with circuit boards and ground wires and lots going on under there. Keep it stock these basses are gorgeous. I'd have one but I can't stand protruding pole pieces. Enjoy that beauty!
The Specials are glued but the older 4 H are not. EBMM says the retro 70s ARE glued as well. I have to check for myself.

Anyway here's a mockup of either choice on my exact bass:

4b295b87-5f30-4192-85dc-fe91fac9444e.png

(slight cream tint, can be done with coffee - I would do it even less than this)

52fb09c9-eec3-4ed0-9463-2c5694ee654e.png


The white pickguard is a little too 80s generic (or like a cheap 1992 Squier P bass) but i looooove the white cover.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5
lol wow the white is disliked huh? I think it looks pretty good. Maybe a little 80s though...in a bad way?

View attachment 7454792

I also like the white pickup cover, like on this 76:


White always looks cheap to me, reminds me of those dreadful starter basses you used to see in catalogues, was always a black P bass with a white pickguard in those awful starter packs
 
Last edited:
White always looks cheap to me, reminds me of those dreadful starter basses you used to see in catalogues, was always a P bass with a white pickguard in those awful starter packs
lol it's true. But so do many gorgeous vintage Fenders.

I was finally able to have a nice "green" session with the bass last night, and absolutely feel in love. So flawless in every way and dripping mojo like a mofo. I realllllllly like the pino Smoothie flats on this bass. Somehow they don't even feel that light because the neck is so perfect and forgiving. No buzz at all even with super low action and very light gauge strings. Crazy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5
Can't edit anymore :(

EB says this cover is glued on though, unfortunately. Don't really want to mess with that.

I will order the white guard. I too love the tux look.

Not the type of music I play but have always been a HUGE Cure fan. Have always been enamored with Simon's tuxedo Stingray used on the "In Orange" concert (and likely during the recording of Disintegration)


What an amazing stage backdrop! :woot: