Older Stingray Pickups - Sharp

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The older model Stingray pickups had sharp pole piece edges which ended up getting rounded out on later generations.

My question is: is it possible to round the edges on the older ones without damaging the pickups? Has anyone done that? Would it change the sound?

 

[oli@bass]

Magnetic metals are a b*tch to work with... I'd rather not try that, you could end up with metal dust in the coils and ruin the pickup.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Is it bothering your plucking fingers? I'm a finger player and never noticed a difference, not so much as any scratches or scrapes.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I generally play over or near the pickup (it's a 4H) and I do occasionally touch the pole pieces.

 

[kevins]

heres a horrible idea...

put light ammounts of masking tape on the edges...i dont know if that will change the sound but it should make them less sharp

 

[oli@bass]

Another idea: If you're talking about the SR4, then you can remove the pickup cover, put a mask made of cardboard or plastic over the coils and put the cover back on. Now the E and G pole pieces will be a little below the cover and the D and G pole pieces will be flush with the cover.

Wish I had this idea when I had the same problem as you...

 

[drTStingray]

Is it bothering your plucking fingers? I'm a finger player and never noticed a difference, not so much as any scratches or scrapes.

+1 - my fretless has noticeably sharp edges particularly on the A and D poles as they are raised - but only if you deliberately run your fingers over them. However, even playing in very aggressive styles with fingers/even whacking the stings - I play in a rock and roll band so occassionally do this , I've never had so much as a scratch - and in a gig situation it's never been uncomfortable or even noticeable.

I've seen old StingRays used with black insulating tape over the poles - but I think it was to prevent inadvertent clicks from the strings touching against the pick up during recording rather than as a 'heath and safety' measure

Oli's idea sounds good if this really is a problem for you.

 

[five7]

You get use to the sharpness after awhile. At least I did.

 

[Vintage7]

How old are we talking?
I'm looking at my Stingray (July 1977 build date) and the poles have a very slight bevel around the top edge.
It's sharp in that it's not rounded over. But it's not sharp enough to cut a finger or be uncomfortable. It's more comfortable than a split-P pole piece.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Mid '90s.

It's not "slice your fingers" sharp. More like an occasional minor discomfort.

 

[kevins]

Mid '90s.

It's not "slice your fingers" sharp. More like an occasional minor discomfort.

play above the pickups between the neck and the pickups, it sounds better

but alas you probobly like playing above the pickups

oli had a pretty good idea there, maybe try doing something like that. and maybe if you buy an extra pickup cover for it you can chop off the sides and put some double sided tape under there to have the same effect as the cardboard but it'll probobly look a lot better. that may or may not be a waste of 14 dollars though lol...oooooooooor you could colour the cardboard black, or put a neat design on it and save money.

 

[jasper383]

Clear nail polish.

 

[drTStingray]

Mid '90s.

It's not "slice your fingers" sharp. More like an occasional minor discomfort.

He's right - it's not really a problem IMO.

 

[rhythmCity944]

I like the idea of putting a spacer between the PU cover and the PU. I do prefer the sharper poles over the newer style though. I have yet to cut myself when I dig hard. If nothing seems to work with modding the PU you might want to consider finding a newer style MM PU with rounded poles to drop in the bass. It's only 2 wires you would need to sodder and tape.

Or you can just play with a pick I play with a pick as my handicap when my right hand gets hurt while working on my car or gets scratched by one of the ferrel cats around my house that I try to catch to get fixed...I should wear leather gloves

 

[bdgotoh]

+1 on the cardboard spacers. I made these years ago for my old 2 band Ray and my fingers were very happy. It's an invisible mod, too.

 

[kevins]

+1 on the cardboard spacers. I made these years ago for my old 2 band Ray and my fingers were very happy. It's an invisible mod, too.

wow, thats genius! simply genius!

 

[oli@bass]

I think I have a '96 'Ray that is in need of this treatment...

 

[sergio]

sharp edges on magnets

The magnet can be turn upside down since the bottom sides have rounded edges. After removal, insert magnet round edge first.
Regards
Sergio