Small update here. I ordered a new pickguard from Ben Van Dyke Invalid Link Removed and am eagerly waiting for it to show up. I have a new set of Stringjoy short scale strings on order as well, and it's a race to see which one shows up first.
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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
Well, the pickguard arrived first!
Got it today.
Good news: it looks beautiful, and profile and cutouts fit perfectly!
Bad news: two of the screw holes don't match the holes in the body. I think between my luthier friend (who I'll have do a setup for me when I get the rest of the parts) and I, we'll figure something out.
I don't fault Ben, because
1. I may have not traced the original as carefully as I should have.
2. It is a challenge to locate these holes accurately
3. He may have been working from a pattern for a different SBMM short scale, and mine may have a slightly off pattern.
I'll reach out to him, and let him know the situation so he can correct his CAD program for the next bass.
More to come...
Thanks for sending him feedback - I think I’m going to be his next customer.
Would love to see pics of it installed!
I recently started using Stringjoy strings on my SBMM Stingray shorty. I'm rather impressed with them. Right out of the box they feel a bit smoother to the touch and the wrap at the ball end is a bit shorter and and more even. Makes setting intonation a bit easier than the recommended Ernie Ball Super Slinkys. Time will tell if they last as long. I have a feeling they will.
Funny, I just got a set of Stringjoy short scales for my Birdy. I'm in the process of some other changes too before those strings go on, so I'll report back when I have a chance to try them out.
My past history with Stringjoy strings is that they last uncommonly long.
I plan on letting these two SBMM short scale basses,go due to couple other basses I am looking at right now. These basses are great quality basses,for the money. The Oly white bass I finally found the original neck,which I bought just the body not knowing how hard it would be to find the right neck. After much frustration after browsing some neck searches,much to my surprise found the original neck. In the process I ended up also with a nice vintage burst,which I really like the vintage burst. I have them advertised in the classifieds. Curious as to not seeing or hearing about these for awhile,or I was forgetting where they were discussing them?
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Tort Pickguard I put on the OLY white all holes lined up perfect. Had to trim around the heel opening some,on each edge.
Funny, I just got a set of Stringjoy short scales for my Birdy. I'm in the process of some other changes too before those strings go on, so I'll report back when I have a chance to try them out.
My past history with Stringjoy strings is that they last uncommonly long.
I've been using Stringjoys on my EBMM Short Scale since I bought it. Great strings
I picked up one of these several weeks ago. I actually hadn't known short scale basses even existed until a couple of weeks before I got it. I discovered the tenor guitar, went down a rabbit hole and surfaced with one of these in Olympic White.
I previously owned a Thunderbird for a short time and these are so much more enjoyable! (For me - no disrespect to the Thunderbird club)
I've noticed that the pickup on mine can be pushed down pretty easily and I can hear it squeaking sometimes when I'm playing above it.
I'd prefer it not do that, but is it an issue beyond my preference?
Does it need to be tightened/lowered?
Is it poor playing technique?
Something to just ignore?
I previously owned a Thunderbird for a short time and these are so much more enjoyable! (For me - no disrespect to the Thunderbird club)
I've noticed that the pickup on mine can be pushed down pretty easily and I can hear it squeaking sometimes when I'm playing above it.
I'd prefer it not do that, but is it an issue beyond my preference?
Does it need to be tightened/lowered?
Is it poor playing technique?
Something to just ignore?
I had to put a quality foam pad under the pickup, the old one had no bounce (tigger). Now, all is fun...
Enjoy your new toy!
Wait - so you actually wanted your pickup to move and added foam to make it happen?
So, I asked about this here without hitting Google first because it seemed weird I hadn't come across anyone talking about it when so many players anchor on the pickup.
But Monsieur/Madame Googlé says it's normal, so who am I to argue?
I already love these little basses, but Julia is taking them to a whole other level. She is doing Anthony Jackson and Greg Phillenganes with that Shortie and her octave pedal!
I have two SBMM short scales. The Olympic white/rosewood one has the pickup issue you describe. The sunburst/maple one has a pickup that doesn’t budge. The next time I’m changing strings I plan to look behind the pickup on the white one to see what’s going on.
Mine came without any pickup springs, but support was great and sent them quickly.
Mine has sponge that I reused when I installed the EMG MMTW pickup, it adjusts just fine, no complaints.
