Have there been any Stingray/Sterlings with no pickguard and unpainted headstocks?

[scrapperstoo]

I've had a pretty good look around on the web and tried using search on the forum but can't find any mention of a pickguard-less Sterling or Stingray apart from the BFR and Anniversary models.... am I just hopeless at searching or are there really none out there?

Is it possible to specify no pg at all when ordering a new bass from the regular Stingray / Sterling lines?

Or do I need to keep looking for a bargain used deal on a 4HH with maple board, unpainted headstock, and a body already in need of a refinish?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I think... it was only on a few Limited annyversary natural unpainted versions, but I might be wrong

 

[scrapperstoo]

Haha - I thought I'd be safe from the supermoto lot over here! Still got the XTX?

I think... it was only on a few Limited annyversary natural unpainted versions, but I might be wrong

Still likely to be rarer than rocking horse poo tho, eh?


Cheers anyway....

 

[oli@bass]

For the StingRay 4 and Sterling, I think only the BFR had no pickguards. On the StingRay 5, the 20th Anniversary has no pickguard.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Is it possible to specify no pg at all when ordering a new bass from the regular Stingray / Sterling lines?

Nope.

Or do I need to keep looking for a bargain used deal on a 4HH with maple board, unpainted headstock, and a body already in need of a refinish?

Yep. That's your best bet. A quality refinish will run you about $350.

Of course, you could also see how a clear pickguard works for you for about $50. And, that's reversible.

 

[CFA]

Yep. That's your best bet. A quality refinish will run you about $350.

Of course, you could also see how a clear pickguard works for you for about $50. And, that's reversible.

Or maybe just go without a pickguard for $0?

Sure there would be holes but it would be the easiest way to get on IMO, and would also give an idea of how it would look without one... Just my 2 Cents.

 

[scrapperstoo]

Nope.

Bummer.

Yep. That's your best bet. A quality refinish will run you about $350.

Of course, you could also see how a clear pickguard works for you for about $50. And, that's reversible.

Unfortunately, I like clear pickguards even less than I do the opaque ones.

Or maybe just go without a pickguard for $0?

Sure there would be holes but it would be the easiest way to get on IMO, and would also give an idea of how it would look without one... Just my 2 Cents.

That's what I've done with my current bass. It's only an OLP MM22 but I've been getting on with it really well to the extent that I'm seriously tempted to upgrade to the real thing.

Unfortunately, buying a BFR for the body and a regular one for an unfinished headstock is a touch on the extravagant side for a pretty-much-beginner.

Cheers for all your help tho

 

[ekb16b]

In my opinion the circular pickguard sets it apart from other companies and basically defines what a musicman bass is.

 

[oli@bass]

In my opinion the circular pickguard sets it apart from other companies and basically defines what a musicman bass is.

Lookswise yes, soundwise it's miles ahead of the competition anyway!

 

[five7]

My sunburst stingray looks killer with the pickguard off, but it reminds me of a g & l I owned and that's a bad thing. The old scratched black pickguard had to go right back on. IMO musicman has the absolute best sunburst stain/finish on the planet but I agree with ekb16b. That's the look!

 

[Musiksketcher]

get a clear PG and paint the backside color of bass / or "faux" wood grain.. could be interesting?

 

[scrapperstoo]

In my opinion the circular pickguard sets it apart from other companies and basically defines what a musicman bass is.

I can kind of understand that...

Unfortunately I've got some kind of odd pathological dislike of pickguards that seems to undermine my ability to accept it

I just can't help but look at a big bit of plastic screwed to the front of an otherwise great looking instrument and wondering "What's that there to hide?"

Probably stems from starting out on Tele and Strat copies with nasty looking front routs, and then getting a Les Paul which - by comparison - looked like it had been made by a master craftsman with some pride in his woodworking skills, rather than just designed to be mass manufactured as cheaply as possible.

I know that logic doesn't apply to the EBMM stuff - but still, if there's a nice bit of woodgrain and a nice paintjob, I'd rather see it than have it covered by a bit of plastic that offers no practical purpose to me.

It might just be psychological, but I even find my bass easier to play with no pickguard in place.. those few extra mm of exposed pickup casing make it a more comfortable thumb anchor point.

 

[mmbassplayer]

This fine example is currently for sale by Grand Central. I kinda like the non-matched headstock on the 20th, but i am baised.

EBay link and awesome price!

Also Beaver at Basscentral still has quite a selection of 20th's, i counted 6 with non-matched headstocks (Maple and RW boards).

Basscentral 20th Stingray5's

JOSH

 

[scrapperstoo]

Oh wow..

If this was a 4 string I'd currently be listing my grandma on ebay....

 

[bovinehost]

Those 20th Anniversary SR5s are extra special wonderful.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Scrapperstoo... how much for Grandma?

 

[scrapperstoo]

Scrapperstoo... how much for Grandma?

Call it $2999 and I'll throw in the electric wheelchair for free!

 

[BluesBassPlayer]

If you remove the pickguard, go to a hobby shop or search the internet for designer screws, you can find screws with fancy heads. Stars, x'es, upholstery type multi sided screws, ball, yeah I like the balls, as is EBMM. By replacing the pickguard screws with new fancy ones it sets the bass apart and still outlines the guard.

Jimi

 

[fidooda]

those 20th anniversary sr5s are extra special wonderful.

+1