Sting (or 50' reissues) bass mods!

[Ostie]

Hey!

I just got hold of a 2002 Sting bass CIJ. I am thinking of doing a couple of mods, but I would like some enlightment. I searched the forums and apparently the 3 most common mods are:
- Electrosocket jack
- Ashtray covers for pickup and bridge
- Bridge swap

Currently I am thinking of changing the jack as it is loose. Also, I would like to try using covers, but I am not sold on it yet. I like the pickup as it is.

If you have any of those or other modifications, please, I would appreciate suggestions and -specially- pictures! We all love eye candy

My new Sting:
View attachment 3320189

I had one of those about 10 years ago. I never got used to the pickup. Way to hot and brittle for me. But I love the retro look.

 

[porterbass]

on my CIJ 51p reissue, I replaced the stock p/u's with the Lindy Fralin 51p split coils, mostly to help with hum. They sound a little different than the stock pu's, more depth and a bit brighter, but not significantly (at least to my ears). Really helped the hum though.

I also changed up the stock black matte pickguard with a layered and beveled white pearloid one from Pickguardian.

I kept the stock two saddle bridge. I don't have any meaningful issues with intonation with the stock bridge.

Looks good, sounds great. nice bass.

View attachment 3321218

Nice Rick Turner Ren there photobombing your '51 P.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

‘97 CIJ ‘51 Reissue.

Put on a tooled leather pickguard made by a member here. I made and painted a tug bar for it too.

Also replaced the saddles with Bakelite ones.

Under the hood, I replaced the .1 tone cap with a .047 one. I also replaced the tone pot with a push/pull for a Bill Lawrence Q-Filter, creates a sort of tic-tac tone on the fly.

String up with 095 GHS Precision Flats

 

[bassbengoa]

‘97 CIJ ‘51 Reissue.

Put on a tooled leather pickguard made by a member here. I made and painted a tug bar for it too.

Also replaced the saddles with Bakelite ones.

Under the hood, I replaced the .1 tone cap with a .047 one. I also replaced the tone pot with a push/pull for a Bill Lawrence Q-Filter, creates a sort of tic-tac tone on the fly.

String up with 095 GHS Precision Flats

View attachment 3321274

View attachment 3321276

View attachment 3321277

Very nice! What difference does the Bakelite saddles make?
I really like your pickguard, btw

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Thanks! Hard to tell about the saddles though, didn’t really A & B them.

 

[ninerfan]

Darkstar!!!!!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Darkstar!!!!!

View attachment 3321332

A Curtis Novak reproduction Darkstar?

 

[ninerfan]

I started out with a quarter pounder in this, but it wasn't my thing. I switched it out for a hum cancelling Nordstrand and couldn't be happier!

 

[ninerfan]

A Curtis Novak reproduction Darkstar?

Yes!

 

[SATXFreddy]

I was recently asked to check on my wife's grandfather's bass. He had stripped the paint off before he passed, intending to redo it since it was cracked and scuffed from his years of playing. Some of the screws aren't original. I had to get the wiring replaced (it was dead), and of course the original plastic saddles had to be replaced. You can still see the nicotine trails down the fret board from his years of smoking while playing. Still plays like a dream though.

Needless to say I want it, but how do I just ask them to let me have their '53 P-bass?

-Sorry that it's blurry, but my hands were trembling when they showed it to me! Second shot is from the neck, dates on the neck and the body are from the same period.

 

[Rallypoint_1]

^ That’s Tadeo’s neck!!! So nice!!! Hmm..does anybody play it?

 

[Five String]

on my CIJ 51p reissue, I replaced the stock p/u's with the Lindy Fralin 51p split coils, mostly to help with hum. They sound a little different than the stock pu's, more depth and a bit brighter, but not significantly (at least to my ears). Really helped the hum though.

I also changed up the stock black matte pickguard with a layered and beveled white pearloid one from Pickguardian.

I kept the stock two saddle bridge. I don't have any meaningful issues with intonation with the stock bridge.

Looks good, sounds great. nice bass.

View attachment 3321218

Not to hijack the thread but what sort of bass is that to the right of your amp with a T on the headstock?

 

[porterbass]

Not to hijack the thread but what sort of bass is that to the right of your amp with a T on the headstock?

That was not my post there, but that is a Rick Turner Renaissance bass. Can't tell definitely from the pic, but it does look like a fretless version. Rens are awesome basses!!!

 

[Five String]

That was not my post there, but that is a Rick Turner Renaissance bass. Can't tell definitely from the pic, but it does look like a fretless version. Rens are awesome basses!!!

Thanks. It's gorgeous, as are all the '50's instruments. Lots of interest in these instruments, new and old versions, after all these years.

 

[Lammchop93]

Here's my MJT body .You could do a similar style if you like it .

 

[pfschim]

Thanks. It's gorgeous, as are all the '50's instruments. Lots of interest in these instruments, new and old versions, after all these years.

yes, its a very early model Rick Turner fretless Renaissance four string. Current models do not have that older headstock T emblem.
beautiful looking and sounding bass.

 

[bassbengoa]

I was recently asked to check on my wife's grandfather's bass. He had stripped the paint off before he passed, intending to redo it since it was cracked and scuffed from his years of playing. Some of the screws aren't original. I had to get the wiring replaced (it was dead), and of course the original plastic saddles had to be replaced. You can still see the nicotine trails down the fret board from his years of smoking while playing. Still plays like a dream though.

Needless to say I want it, but how do I just ask them to let me have their '53 P-bass?

-Sorry that it's blurry, but my hands were trembling when they showed it to me! Second shot is from the neck, dates on the neck and the body are from the same period.View attachment 3321381 View attachment 3321383

WOW! Are you just going to check it, play it or what?

 

[rockdoc11]

I play in a British Invasion-type tribute band, and thought the Sting Precision would be perfect.

I added bridge and pickup covers, as I especially love the shape of the bridge cover. I couldn't play around the pickup cover, though, and so that's usually off.

 

[Energy]

Invalid Link Removed offers a fully adjustable bridge that retrofits perfectly on '51-'56 P-Basses. I installed one on my 1956 P-Bass and I love it! I woulnd't have installed it if it wasn't 100% reversible.

Concerning roundwound strings, I found the Fender 8250 NPS strings (that's the set with the tapered E-string) work quite well with through-body bridges. On the other hand, on a '51-'56 P-Bass, flatwounds are kinda mandatory... I like Chromes and EB Cobalt Flats.

 

[bassbengoa]

I play in a British Invasion-type tribute band, and thought the Sting Precision would be perfect.

I added bridge and pickup covers, as I especially love the shape of the bridge cover. I couldn't play around the pickup cover, though, and so that's usually off.

View attachment 3321783

This is awesome and probably what I'll be going for