Stingray Pickup Cover Swapout

[Nekomata]

You have made a stunning bass even more lustworthy. Congratulations, enjoy!

Have to ask, though: decaf or regular?

 

[Philip McAdam]

I've always loved the white on white scheme with basses. I recently picked up this killer 2011 Stingray here in the classifieds. I bought one just like it back in 2004-5 ish but stupidly sold it like most of my previous awesome gear.

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Anyways, I've been looking around for a white pickup cover to swap out the black one. Had a hard time locating one until someone pointed me in the direction of just emailing Ernie Ball directly. I didn't think they sold accessories like this so that's why I didn't reach out to them first. But low and behold they do!
I ordered two and received them today.

I didn't want the cover to be shiny white. Always loved that aged cream color of the old Ray's. So after looking at a few Youtube videos of how to age the cover, I came to the conclusion that the easiest way was with coffee and hot water.

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I left it in the bowl for about 20 minutes. Came out just like I wanted! Not too brown or yellow. But just enough cream to not disappear inside the white pickguard.

Thanks for reading!



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Nice, looks really classy to me.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I've always loved the white on white scheme with basses. I recently picked up this killer 2011 Stingray here in the classifieds. I bought one just like it back in 2004-5 ish but stupidly sold it like most of my previous awesome gear.

View attachment 4596304

View attachment 4596305



Anyways, I've been looking around for a white pickup cover to swap out the black one. Had a hard time locating one until someone pointed me in the direction of just emailing Ernie Ball directly. I didn't think they sold accessories like this so that's why I didn't reach out to them first. But low and behold they do!
I ordered two and received them today.

I didn't want the cover to be shiny white. Always loved that aged cream color of the old Ray's. So after looking at a few Youtube videos of how to age the cover, I came to the conclusion that the easiest way was with coffee and hot water.

View attachment 4596301

View attachment 4596300


I left it in the bowl for about 20 minutes. Came out just like I wanted! Not too brown or yellow. But just enough cream to not disappear inside the white pickguard.

Thanks for reading!



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Nice! I'm the complete opposite! I gots a FJBS all Blacked out! my band mates Say "Triple Black" its quite attractive too! Super glossy finish with matching headstock, All Black Hardware (Tuners, Bridge, Knobs,string tree,& Even the strings!) I get lots of compliments & comments when I play out, So its become my "Thing" I'm always on the lookout for new Black Accessories so I know your relief & happiness on find that "Missing piece to finish your W/W beauty! Congrats!!

 

[Fender_Bender]

Great !.

 

[Knavery]

The body color and the pickup color look pretty close if not identical. Nice job!

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Super cool and perfectly matched.

 

[bobalu]

Awesome job, looks fabulous! Lovin' me some Stingray for sure.

 

[smittybass33]

Awesome job! Great work matching the color too. I too did the swap on my stingray but I'm curious... Was your original black the same size as the replacement? The white was slightly larger than the original. It fit the pickup just fine, magnet spacing but was odd and meant I had to sand the pickguard a bit to fit. Music Man said there has been no variance in the pickup to the original or classic stingray pickups size but weird to see. Mine is also 10 years older than yours it seems.

 

[Discount Bassy]

The proximity of caffeine should increase your speed.

 

[BigDrew]

Man, that came out perfect!!! Nice job...and thanks for sharing!

 

[SirMjac28]

That is awesome and thanks for passing along the aging tip definitely bookmarked this thread.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

If you ever want it to be white again you can simply use a diluted bleach solution to turn it back to white.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Brilliant work OP. I was expecting an amateur outcome like most.
It will be interesting to see how deep you were able to etch, or how durable the top is.
Ironic about black coffee. I've used it to "age" grout and was taught by painters doing high end touch up.

in this case, that probably preferable to the technique of ageing new pointing on exterior walls - by smearing it with bio-yoghurt, and letting the sun work it's magic.

 

[jnottoli]

I never thought of that!

Cool. And has that fresh coffee smell(?).

Now, you need to age the pick guard in a whole barrel of coffee!

(I'm running & ducking.)

Like the Stingray, though!

 

[wluffman]

Hey, that's how I make cold-brew coffee. Minus the PU cover, of course.

 

[4 string thing]

That looks great! I did a pickguard in coffee. Looked great but eventually wore off where my hand came in contact. So I did another and after it was completely dry, I sprayed it with Krylon flat clear, starting with a misty-light first and second coat, letting them dry in between, and finishing with a couple heavier coats. Gotta go really light to start. Still looks great after 2 years. If you anchor on the pickup, I can't imagine it not eventually rubbing off. Maybe try it with that second cover you have if it does. Nice job on your part though. Great looking bass.

 

[drTSTingray]

Love those Stingrays with white pu covers.

However Stingrays with white pu covers are not new - SR5s with white pickguards shipped with white pu covers in single H form for 25+ years - as did certain colour/pg combinations on Classic Rays (including mine).

If you want an OE white Ray pg, Chandler (Pickguard Heaven) supplies them (ps love that clear guard on the Aqua Sparkle Bongo 5HH - you’ve made me wonder whether I should try the same on my aqua sparkle 4HH Special!!)

 

[Geri O]

If you want an OE white Ray pg, Chandler (Pickguard Heaven) supplies them

That’s Pickguard Planet. Great folks, too!

 

[drTSTingray]

That’s Pickguard Planet. Great folks, too!

Cheers - I’m out of date!! I can’t edit my post either, spookily…..

 

[DanGR]

I've always loved the white on white scheme with basses. I recently picked up this killer 2011 Stingray here in the classifieds. I bought one just like it back in 2004-5 ish but stupidly sold it like most of my previous awesome gear.

View attachment 4596304

View attachment 4596305



Anyways, I've been looking around for a white pickup cover to swap out the black one. Had a hard time locating one until someone pointed me in the direction of just emailing Ernie Ball directly. I didn't think they sold accessories like this so that's why I didn't reach out to them first. But low and behold they do!
I ordered two and received them today.

I didn't want the cover to be shiny white. Always loved that aged cream color of the old Ray's. So after looking at a few Youtube videos of how to age the cover, I came to the conclusion that the easiest way was with coffee and hot water.

View attachment 4596301

View attachment 4596300


I left it in the bowl for about 20 minutes. Came out just like I wanted! Not too brown or yellow. But just enough cream to not disappear inside the white pickguard.

Thanks for reading!



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Awesome idea with great results, bravo! I've found that coffee with water solves many problems.....