Sterling Pickup Modification

[2rad]

Got my new Sterling last weekend. I'm solidly impressed on everything about it, except one; a second thumb rest closer to the neck for that different slinkier sound that comes from fingering that area. Don't get me wrong , this bass is awsome, but has anyone considered doing a modification on this bass, as in installing the single J style pickup EB has? If I get all the original parts from EB (pickup, pick guard, 5 position switch and original wiring) would it be possible?

 

[Max]

Or you could just rest your thumb on the neck...

By the way, welcome to the forums.

 

[TSanders]

Got my new Sterling last weekend. I'm solidly impressed on everything about it, except one; a second thumb rest closer to the neck for that different slinkier sound that comes from fingering that area. Don't get me wrong , this bass is awsome, but has anyone considered doing a modification on this bass, as in installing the single J style pickup EB has? If I get all the original parts from EB (pickup, pick guard, 5 position switch and original wiring) would it be possible?

Welcome. To the best of my knowledge, you cant just buy an extra pickup, and the wiring/switch/etc.

Honestly, by the time you paid for all of that if you could buy it, and paid for the mods, it would cost more than selling your Sterling and getting a H/SC Sterling. Just my opinion, hope it helps.

Look around, and I hope you enjoy the boards.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I agree it wouldn't be worth the time or money.
Two pickup Sterlings exsist, sell yours and buy one.

 

[AnthonyD]

+1

 

[Jason Hebert]

I agree it wouldn't be worth the time or money.
Two pickup Sterlings exsist, sell yours and buy one.

Yep. I have a Sterling HS. See my avatar. Great bass.

 

[phatduckk]

Great bass.

maybe the best ever IMHO

 

[MondoKen]

Hi,

I just purchased a Sterling 9 days ago and thought I had the same delimma. I searched the Internet for non-invasive thumb rests. I Then tried resting my thumb on the pickguard when playing the E string and on the E string when playing the other strings. Worked like a charge and it was extremely easy to learn. In fact, I like not having a neck pickup to get in the way. I also don't think I could go back to resting my thumb on the pickup.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Got my new Sterling last weekend. I'm solidly impressed on everything about it, except one; a second thumb rest closer to the neck for that different slinkier sound that comes from fingering that area. Don't get me wrong , this bass is awsome, but has anyone considered doing a modification on this bass, as in installing the single J style pickup EB has? If I get all the original parts from EB (pickup, pick guard, 5 position switch and original wiring) would it be possible?

Not possible since EB won't sell you the pickup, 5 position switch, or original wiring. They will be happy to sell you a pickguard, though.

Learning better technique is free and less invasive--play with a floating thumb and you don't have to rely on having a thumbrest.

 

[punkrock]

That sort of sucks you can't buy pups, etc. from EB. You should be able to rattle off your serial number like it's your membership card to the club and have full access to anything you want to buy from the parts dept. I could see if you did not own a EB bass why they would want a policy like that. But in the end if I really want a J bass pup in there and I can't get a EB one I'll give the money to someone else if they don't want it.

 

[phatduckk]

That sort of sucks you can't buy pups, etc. from EB. You should be able to rattle off your serial number like it's your membership card to the club and have full access to anything you want to buy from the parts dept. I could see if you did not own a EB bass why they would want a policy like that. But in the end if I really want a J bass pup in there and I can't get a EB one I'll give the money to someone else if they don't want it.

MM will repair stuff for you... so if your basses PUP goes bad on you you can send in your bass and they'll fix it (fees may apply if your instrument isnt under warranty). maybe they'll send you a PUP if you send in the old one first - but i dunno about that, youd have to ask them.

i dont work at EBMM but my guess (so take it for what its worth) is that MM has a policy like this b/c they dont want their R&D'ed, trademarked and patented products (pickups, necks etc) used outside the intended purpose (living in an MM guitar/bass).

so calling up and rattling off a serial number cant ensure MM that the part you buy will be used to replace a part gone bad... for all they know your bass is fine and you just got yourself a new pickup for your next warmoth project.

 

[Lazybite]

the pickup is one of the great things about the MM bass... if they were available less people would buy the bass and just go for the pickup.. which not only would hinder the companies income but would allow for the pick ups to be put in lesser quality instruments.. which then hinders quality control. Fair enough me thinks.

 

[punkrock]

I totally agree with you both. But in regards to just about everything on the bass (short of the neck, body and bridge) you can find through after market sources. I know that there is a bridge out there, but it's not made like the MM. In fact I would go so far as to say it's the bridge that EB should never sell as it's made so well and is distinguished from inferior versions.
If you're trying to build a knock off MM that is the one part that you will go through hell and high water to get. Not many people who mod these basses look at that bridge and say to themselves "I think I'll get rid of that piece of crap".
The pups? I don't see why not. Seymour Duncan sells a HB pup that sounds identical to the EB pup. My guess is the patent has not expired yet on the EB J-Bass (single coil) pup yet or they would be selling that too.
So I'm divided on the issue as you can see. In the end I think EB is loosing more money than defining a standard of quality control. If you really wanted to build a "Frankenstein" bass that sounded like a Musicman it can be done. Why you would want to pay that price when you could get the real deal for the same (or less) is anybodies guess.

 

[bassmonkeee]

MM isn't in the aftermarket parts business. They are in the instrument business.

There's a reason you don't see a lot of FrankenRays--they don't want them out there. As for losing the money, sometimes it isn't about the money (See: Dargie's Delight). With a six month backlog on orders for complete instruments, I don't think they are really interested in the small margin on aftermarket parts nor the loss of quality control on how those parts are used.


If you want to ruin the resale value and void the warranty of your bass, knock yourself out. But, there is no reason to think that buying a complete bass entitles you to more than keeping that complete bass completely working.

 

[bovinehost]

See all those F*nd*r knockoffs?

See how hard it is sometimes on eBay to tell if it's a real F*nd*r?

Oh, and is that REALLY a 64 Jazz bass or is it a nicely done fake?

Thankfully, we Music Man aficionados don't often run into those kinds of questions.

BWhy you would want to pay that price when you could get the real deal for the same (or less) is anybodies guess.

Mystery to me.

 

[punkrock]

MM isn't in the aftermarket parts business. They are in the instrument business.

There's a reason you don't see a lot of FrankenRays--they don't want them out there. As for losing the money, sometimes it isn't about the money (See: Dargie's Delight). With a six month backlog on orders for complete instruments, I don't think they are really interested in the small margin on aftermarket parts nor the loss of quality control on how those parts are used.


If you want to ruin the resale value and void the warranty of your bass, knock yourself out. But, there is no reason to think that buying a complete bass entitles you to more than keeping that complete bass completely working.

I guess you missed the point. There is already an after-market for parts. Buying the bodies and the necks is another story. The point I make is someday that EB J-bass pup will be made by one of these after market suppliers, why give them the business when EB could be taking that in themselves? I would think that one would want it from the source, aka "the real deal". They have this advantage over the competition.
And even though you and I might not want to deface or ruin the resale value of a great instrument, there are many others that look at it as merely a tool or a means to an end that would gladly make the instrument better suit their means at hand. Look on eBay and you'll see what I mean.

 

[boston asphalt2]

That sort of sucks you can't buy pups, etc. from EB. You should be able to rattle off your serial number like it's your membership card to the club and have full access to anything you want to buy from the parts dept. I could see if you did not own a EB bass why they would want a policy like that. But in the end if I really want a J bass pup in there and I can't get a EB one I'll give the money to someone else if they don't want it.

Im sure you could go aftermarket and do it all yourself with different pickup and custom wiring. Its not impossible, you just wont get the stuff from EB.

 

[phatduckk]

In the end I think EB is loosing more money...

maybe, maybe not... i dunno - and its really none of my business; its Sterling's business (like the double entendre there? i kinda feel like Jack getting all fancy with words.).

They know what they're doing. They build stuff and millions of people buy stuff... seems like its "working" to me.

and maybe, just maybe... its not always about making another buck.

 

[punkrock]

and maybe, just maybe... its not always about making another buck.

Well you got me going now. Maybe it's not about the money but more about quality control. If you wanted to insure quality control, it might be best to want to sell pups etc. as after market parts.
You have to figure that there are people going around with EB look-a-like parts on basses right now claiming that these are in fact the real deal. If EB sold the parts themselves and forbid the licensing and use of the EB name ('s) they would cut down that market almost to the ground. That way if someone has a pup in their bass that they claim sounds like sh*t, it's not an after market pup that someone has convinced them is a real EB made pup etc. thus no unjustified bad press.

 

[phatduckk]

Well you got me going now. Maybe it's not about the money but more about quality control. If you wanted to insure quality control, it might be best to want to sell pups etc. as after market parts.
You have to figure that there are people going around with EB look-a-like parts on basses right now claiming that these are in fact the real deal. If EB sold the parts themselves and forbid the licensing and use of the EB name ('s) they would cut down that market almost to the ground. That way if someone has a pup in their bass that they claim sounds like sh*t, it's not an after market pup that someone has convinced them is a real EB made pup etc. thus no unjustified bad press.

again... really i dunno why. but... Sterling and his team have good reasons for all their decisions and they really dont owe us an explanation. its a private company and they can set whatever policies they want re: their products.

im just happy the Sterling pickup exists and is available in my favorite bass on the planet