It's Still There, and So Am I

[mynan]

I just turned 50 and was feeling nostalgic. I hadn't played or even cracked the case since before the pandemic, but decided to get my old Tone Port out and hook it up to my laptop. My fingers are a little rusty, but the cobalt flats still sound good and it got me thinking about this forum and remembering what a great group you all are, so I thought I'd share.

A lot has changed since I was here last. With the price of new basses being what they are, it looks like mine might still be worth almost what I paid for it new . I guess it's practically a classic now. I couldn't even find a new pickguard for it other than the black and white options on the MM site, but I found a couple used Chandlers in white and tort on Reverb and ordered them.

Anyway, I thought I'd check in and say "Hi". I hope you all are doing well.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

 

[Tollywood]

Hello! Good job cracking open that case. You should challenge yourself to learn a new song every week. You will be glad that you did

 

[mynan]

Pickguards from Reverb arrived...looks like they're for a 4-string

If it were you would you stay with the black, order a white ($35), or order a tort ($50)?

 

[gluvhand]

Pickguards from Reverb arrived...looks like they're for a 4-string

If it were you would you stay with the black, order a white ($35), or order a tort ($50)?

I think black works best for that bass. Full disclosure. I'm a "never tort" type so take that into account.

 

[DrKev]

Honestly, I would stay with the black (or even black pearl or abalone). There is just something so "classic music man" about a black pickguard. At least in my head. I love a good tort guard but not with that color. BTW, you can get a Sterling 5 HH pickguard here...

Music Man USA Sterling 4 & 5 String Basses - USA Models - Pickguard Planet

Sterling 4-String Bass – USA Models Only 1 humbucker, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models 2 humbuckers, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models 1 humbucker, 1 single coil, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models Sterling 5-String Bass – USA Models Only 1 Hum, 8 screws, fits only Made in...

www.pickguardplanet.com

 

[mynan]

Honestly, I would stay with the black (or even black pearl or abalone). There is just something so "classic music man" about a black pickguard. At least in my head. I love a good tort guard but not with that color. BTW, you can get a Sterling 5 HH pickguard here...

Music Man USA Sterling 4 & 5 String Basses - USA Models - Pickguard Planet

Sterling 4-String Bass – USA Models Only 1 humbucker, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models 2 humbuckers, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models 1 humbucker, 1 single coil, 9 screws, fits only Made in USA models Sterling 5-String Bass – USA Models Only 1 Hum, 8 screws, fits only Made in...

www.pickguardplanet.com

Thanks. That site is where I found the tort guard I was thinking about getting and their white guards are about the same price as the MM site.

I think I might stick with the black. I had an inca silver strat with a rosewood neck and white guard and really liked that color combination, but now I'm thinking that the black pickups might ruin the look.

Abalone is something that I hadn't thought of. I put one of those on a Dargie 2 Bongo that I had and liked it a lot. I'll have to think about that one.

 

[Tollywood]

I think black pearl from Chandler would look nice.

www.pickguardplanet.com

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Back ln Black.

 

[DrKev]

I've been browsing the Pickguard planet choices (if delivery is on schedule you'll see why on Friday). They no longer seem to offer abalone but they still have an old forum favorite from years back - MOONSTONE!

 

[mynan]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to stick with the black pg.