SBMM Ray35 Pickguards Available From...

[Bobster]

Just got my new custom pickguard from Pickguard Heaven.

It's perfect and they kept the template.

I'm not affiliated with Pickguard Heaven, just a satisfied customer.

Bob

 

[Holdsg]

replacement PG for Ray35

Just got my new custom pickguard from Pickguard Heaven.

It's perfect and they kept the template.

I'm not affiliated with Pickguard Heaven, just a satisfied customer.

Bob

Thanks for passing that along. Don't own a Ray35 yet, but very interested, and if I can get something other than the black PG on their blackie, then I would be one happy camper. By the way, you plan on posting a pic of your newly dressed Ray? I, for one, would love to see it.

 

[Bobster]

Hi Holdsg!

My luthier actually has the bass right now. He's rolling the fretboard edges. I'll post as quickly as it's back, should be by Saturday.

This one is black as well, and I had a Tiramisu guard made. It looks pretty snazzy.

Bob

 

[Holdsg]

Hi Holdsg!

My luthier actually has the bass right now. He's rolling the fretboard edges. I'll post as quickly as it's back, should be by Saturday.

This one is black as well, and I had a Tiramisu guard made. It looks pretty snazzy.

Bob

By the way, I just looked at your sig. You now own 2 Ray35s? Staring a collection (there are only 3 colors, right)? Looking to sell one anytime soon? I think its a tremendous value for a 5-string, and as soon as I can move-out some of my non-musicman basses, I am in the market.

 

[Bobster]

Actually have flats on the natural, rounds on the black.

I think there may be one listed for sale at Talk Bass, and Amazon has a good price on the black ones now. $555.45, new.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Music-Man-RAY35-BK-String/dp/B001RIY5O6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1270750820&sr=8-3]Amazon.com: Sterling by Music Man RAY35-BK Bass (5 String, Black): Musical Instruments[/ame]

 

[Holdsg]

Yep. Familiar with both of those outlets. Even got M123 to beat the AMZN price on the blackie. Gues demand is higher for the Natural, which I would prefer due to the wood grain and maple. Since we appear to be having our own conversation (albeit publicly) which of yours do you prefer?

 

[Bobster]

I normally prefer rosewood fretboards and the black one, at 10lbs, is 2.5 lbs lighter than the natural. But I like the grain and overall look of the natural.

I'm actually having some routing done to the natural one to get the weight down a little (hopefully close to 10lbs). I would never consider doing that to an SR5...

The flats REALLY sound good on the maple fretboard. So, at a more even weight, it will honestly be a wash for me.

Bob

 

[Bobster]

Now w/Pics...

Here's the pickguard Pickguard Heaven made for my Ray35.

 

[five7]

Looks great!

 

[Holdsg]

Wow Bobster, that tiramasu looks good enough to eat! Love it.

 

[Bobster]

Thanks guys!

One other point...

I STRONGLY recommend changing out the neck screws, especially on the "older" Sterlings. By "older", I mean the ones with the larger EBMM-styled, two-line "Made in Indonesia" on the back of the headstock.

Newer ones have an almost microscopic "Made in Indonesia" similar to a Lakland Skyline in one straight line. The "newer" ones screw holes are a slightly different size and will need all a slight enlargement of the screw hole for the EBMM screws.

The six neck screws on the "older" ones are brittle. I recommend (and did myself) replace those screws with EBMM screws. These are $3 a set plus $7 shipping and are a direct replacement.

Bob