Pickup covers??

[Jakka1]

Why is it that multi-pickup Stingrays/Sterlings have the covers with scalloped tabs where you can rest your thumb and single pickup models have the traditional blocky rounded type? Is it just for the sake of tradition and maintaining the classic look, or is there actually a difference? I prefer the newer covers, but I'm guessing you can't get them on a single pickup model?

 

[koogie2k]

Good question as I am not sure. Maybe the scallop of a single renders that part of the pup more brittle and prone to breaking? Shot in the dark I know....

 

[tbonesullivan]

No idea. Stingray 5's used to have a big "brick" shaped pickup with no tabs at all, but they went to the scalloped tabs later.

 

[Jakka1]

It looks like the 5 string single pickup Sterling/Stingrays have the scalloped tabs and the 4 string single pickup Sterling/Stingrays do not. Hmmmm.... ???

 

[bdgotoh]

The bodies are routed that way, so it might just be easier to not have to update an otherwise good CNC program.

 

[tbonesullivan]

I don't think it's a body routing issue. The tabs are the same shape. It's just that they are "scooped" out on the 5s, but level with the top of the pickup housing on the 4s. It could have to do with the internal structure of the pickup though.

or they have thousands made and need to go through them all first.

 

[bdgotoh]

Hmm, I don't understand what you mean. Here's a pic of Stingray HH and H 4 string pickups. The tabs are clearly different and the H tabs aren't flush with the top of the pickup, they're a good bit lower. The routing on the body matches the tabs on the pickups so you couldn't put an HH type cover in an H bass without doing routing although the reverse will work. The internal structure of the pickups isn't significantly different in spite of the fact that they're wired differently for HH and H.

Gav's website is a great resource to understand the history of EBMM pickups: http://www.musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0019.htm

 

[Gravesend Black]

I like the old PU covers from 90's like this. That one is the most comfortable for me. Anyone knows why it was ceased? And looks like that form was used only for SR5?

 

[Soulkeeper]

Yes, my 2002-2004 SR5s have those "soap bars" too. I prefer them, they make for much better thumb rests.

I think they're still used on the Classics.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Yes, my 2002-2004 SR5s have those "soap bars" too. I prefer them, they make for much better thumb rests.

I think they're still used on the Classics.

Nope they don't. It uses the 2nd ones that Bdqotoh posted above. And I saw some SR4 pics from early 90's - the same thing. no soapbars.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I was talking about the SR5s only.

I thought the SR4s had always had those Mickey Mouse ears, but I see on bdgotoh's first pic that they have been changed too. Whatever pickups the SR4 Classics use, I have no idea about, and never had.