• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

Calaveras

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
241
Location
New York City
i was just looking at all the different Stingrays on the basscentral site. Trying to figure out which one I want to buy after I finish my next IT job. Then I noticed that they have two different kinds of pickup covers? One that is beveled on the top and bottom. Another that has ears like a bart.
For an example look at the this guy.
Musicman%20SR5%20Natural_RW%20Close.jpg


When did they change?
Why?

Ps I searched the forums but couldnt find anything.
 
Last edited:

bdgotoh

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
970
Location
Pacific NW
They introduced the new covers with the Bongo several years back. The new HH and HS Stingrays and Sterlings have the new style covers instead of the old "tab" style.

Only the classic single H Sterling and Stingrays still have the old style covers.
 

Calaveras

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
241
Location
New York City
I've actually seen more than one single bucker with the tabbed pickup. Are they different pickups or just a different piece of plastic on top of the same ole magnet and wire?
 

robobass13

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2005
Messages
274
Location
bakersfield ca.
I've actually seen more than one single bucker with the tabbed pickup. Are they different pickups or just a different piece of plastic on top of the same ole magnet and wire?

same question here, I noticed the last SR5 we got in at the store(GC) had the tabs on the pickup. Is this a different pickup?
 

mynan

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
2,695
Location
Spring Lake, MI
They introduced the new covers with the Bongo several years back. The new HH and HS Stingrays and Sterlings have the new style covers instead of the old "tab" style.

Only the classic single H Sterling and Stingrays still have the old style covers.

I think that is the correct answer. It also looks like the covers for the single-H SR5s changed to the Bongo style cover too. IIRC, the single-H SR5s used to have a cover with no tabs.
 

Caca de Kick

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2006
Messages
1,363
Location
South Seattle
Calaveras said:
I've actually seen more than one single bucker with the tabbed pickup. Are they different pickups or just a different piece of plastic on top of the same ole magnet and wire?

It's the same ole pickup...just a differnt piece of plastic.
I find the new covers to be a more comfortable place for resting your thumb than the old style.

Like bdgotoh said, they first appeard on the Bongo, and the HH SR5's that first came out in '05 featured them. Recently I've noticed the single H SR5 now have them, so they were probably using up old stock til recently.
 
Last edited:

Calaveras

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
241
Location
New York City
are you sure big poppa isnt foisting some Bartolinis on us unawares?
But more seriously. I am trying to educate myself on the subtle differences between different "eras" of MM basses. I have seen a few recently listed on Ebay and Craigs that were called 90's EBMM, that sure didnt look that way to me.
I just own the one 94 SR5 right now. I pretty much like everything about it. The birdseye, the neck, the metal battery cover, the neck, the bridge and of course the neck. I am just looking to get an identical one with frets!

That also brings me to ask, does anyone know when they switched to the quick-change battery compartment?
 

robobass13

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2005
Messages
274
Location
bakersfield ca.
It's the same ole pickup...just a differnt piece of plastic.
I find the new covers to be a more comfortable place for resting your thumb than the old style.

Like bdgotoh said, they first appeard on the Bongo, and the HH SR5's that first came out in '05 featured them. Recently I've noticed the single H SR5 now have them, so they were probably using up old stock til recently.

True the bongo's were the first, they also had neo magnets in them. I think that is the real question for Scott or BP, do any of the newer single H SR5's have the neo magnets or is it just the plastic?
 

midopa

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
3,850
Location
*
I think BP said the new HS will have neodyminiumimumium S pickups?
 
Top Bottom