Sting Signature Bass, Pickguard Off

[Skullie]

I'm with you! I took the pickguard off my Fender Custom Shop 1951 Precision.

 

[aldaa]

I've never been a fan of those big. cowboy-looking pickguards on the old 51-era P basses, so I took it off.

THEMS FIGHTIN WORDS

 

[bench]

as usual: Basses look besser without pickguards. well done!

 

[cnltb]

I think the bass looks MUCH better without the pick guard on.
Just a shame about the inlay on the fingerboard.

 

[interp]

Nice bass! I had one for a few years and liked it a lot (especially after I upgraded the stock pickup). To me, it's immaterial whether it has the pick guard or not.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Bobby

The wood and finish underneath are very nice but there was a small routed cavity where the pickup wire runs to the controls.

Building a bass with a nice grain pattern and then: "Surprise!!!"

Routing a hole nobody needs…

Only Fender does things like that!

Solution: I put a thumb rest over it, and the screws go into the cavity (longer screws) so I didn't have to drill any holes on the face.

Nothing against Sting, but I don't need to be reminded of him every time I pick up the bass

Just…

...make it the "Kingbass"


Happy NBD!!!


may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[jw23mind]

I dig it, I don't like those pickguards either. But tangentially, what's up with the dual-saddle bridge? How do you intonate?

Unsolicited plug for a potentially great bridge I just discovered:
Brass Bass Bridge For Fender Jazz Or Precision Bass - Perfect Fit - Vintage Mount by Performance Music Company
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOSZ59W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_BzUWCbE8XKCGX

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I just bought this used Fender CIJ Sting Signature Precision. I've never been a fan of those big. cowboy-looking pickguards on the old 51-era P basses, so I took it off. The wood and finish underneath are very nice but there was a small routed cavity where the pickup wire runs to the controls. Solution: I put a thumb rest over it, and the screws go into the cavity (longer screws) so I didn't have to drill any holes on the face. I really like this bass! I have Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on it which sound great - punchy, but not dull, plenty of brights. The neck feels great and the weight is light too.

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Nice work. I always thought those pick guards were more than a bit over the top as well

 

[murmur70]

I had one for a while and did the exact same thing with the pickguard and tug bar. Beautiful bass. I would absolutely buy one again,

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I just bought this used Fender CIJ Sting Signature Precision. I've never been a fan of those big. cowboy-looking pickguards on the old 51-era P basses, so I took it off. The wood and finish underneath are very nice but there was a small routed cavity where the pickup wire runs to the controls. Solution: I put a thumb rest over it, and the screws go into the cavity (longer screws) so I didn't have to drill any holes on the face. I really like this bass! I have Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on it which sound great - punchy, but not dull, plenty of brights. The neck feels great and the weight is light too.

View attachment 3397759 View attachment 3397760

What year is that bass? I noticed the trussrod access is at the neck heel. I know 60s J basses had access in the same place. Just wondering how old that bass really is. I like it without the pickguard... good move. If you ever decide to put one on it, I think black would look pretty sharp.

 

[Lammchop93]

I did the same with my MJT relic. Very nice bass you have!

 

[2saddleslab]

Although I have a couple custom Warmoth slabs without pick guards I prefer them on Fenders.

Having said that, you should do what makes you happy.

 

[dan1952]

What year is that bass? I noticed the trussrod access is at the neck heel. I know 60s J basses had access in the same place. Just wondering how old that bass really is. I like it without the pickguard... good move. If you ever decide to put one on it, I think black would look pretty sharp.

???

 

[stretch80]

That is a very simple instrument! (which is great)

 

[bassdude51]

Now, take a piece of duct tape and cover over the cheesy "Sting" thing at the 12th fret.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

 

[Frankie Fender]

To each his own.

I happen to like the pick guard as a design element. It is a repro and should look it IMHO, including the outdated saddles (2) Single coil pup and the pick guard, but Fender really lost me with that gawdawful inlay at the twelfth fret, and for that reason I'm out!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

There is a route under that tug bar? Seems odd to my modern eyes that it doesn't just use a swimming pool or a drill channel. I'm guessing it was just easier to drill two channels, one at each route, and split the difference.

 

[ashtray]

I had one of those basses. I took the pickguard off mine too for a short while. It looked better with it on, but I didn't love the huge pickguard. I ended up selling the bass, because that's just what I do every couple years (doh!), but now I would probably look for a different color pickguard. Maybe mint? Not sure. Black (BWB 3 ply)? Possibly a matte/flat black (bwb)? Try to replicate a bakelite pickguard?

You could test out the look by painting the stock pickguard with plastidip spray paint. It's a flat finish and you can peel it off at any time.

 

[Greyvagabond]

Me gusta! Clever solution, looks great and unique.