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Stingray 4 Pick up question.

W

wal4string

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
10
Does anyone know of any reason why I can't make the top of a MM Stingray pick up deeper (THICKER). The exposed pots are catching my fingers when I dig in. Pick up is at the correct height and sound great but my plucking fingers tend to take a battering each time I play. Was thinking maybe a piece of black plastic the thickness of the highest pole would do the trick with 8 holes drilled to leave the pots themselves exposed. Any ideas or suggestions?
 
The fact that you're touching the pickup with your fingers while playing seems to be the issue here. I understand that repeated contact with the metal pole-piece edges would take its toll on your fingers, but why are you digging in so deeply?

Each time you touch the pickup you could create a subsonic thump; doing so could certainly affect your sound quality as the amplifier and speaker struggle to produce that thump. Often you won't hear it, but the equipment will usually struggle to handle the sudden subsonic burst. (How much? It depends on the high-pass filtering built into the amplifier.)

This is the first time I've heard of anyone's fingers contacting the pole pieces while playing---when the pickup is at the proper distance from the strings.

If it's a single pickup, have you tried changing your plucking position just a bit to avoid the pole pieces? Moving an inch either way won't alter your tone.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the reply. But changing position is not an option.
I have heard other bass players with the same problem.
I do believe my solution is the answer if it can be done without effecting my sound.
 
As long as you arent moving the pickup and therefor the polepieces up or down the sound will remain exactly the same with you sugested solution. You could also remove the pickup cover and put the plastic piece you want to make underneath so you dondt see it. But then again the pole pieces should stay at the same height.
But... you should mayebe check your technique before making anny changes. Sounds like you are really pulling the strings and digging in way to deep. Try hitting them with the tops of your fingers. You should be fine and get a way smoother tone. And if you do want huge attack and big string movement then why not play with a pick?
 
Many thanks for the reply. As you describe, I have no intention of disturbing the polepieces, and indeed I am also toying with padding out the plastic cover from underneath. Been playing for over forty years both professional and semi pro, not for one minute suggesting I have the world's best technique but I do feel that it's a bit late for a change. As regards using a pick! I would rather not play ever again as I hate the clicking clacking sound. I admit when I began playing I did use a pick until one day I dropped it, not having any spares I reverted to playing as all my bass heroes did, with fingers, and never looked back. For me the polepiece problem is the only design fault with the Stingray and I know that many Stingray players choose to have the pickup replaced to solve this. So, I know I am not alone.
 
wal4string said:
For me the polepiece problem is the only design fault with the Stingray and I know that many Stingray players choose to have the pickup replaced to solve this. So, I know I am not alone.
Click to expand...

I don't think replacing it would solve it. It's a tried and tested design....I don't think its a fault.
 
Here's an earlier thread about this, and here's the pic I posted. Another alternative is to replace the pickup with a factory MM Stingray pickup made after 2000ish - they have nicely rounded pole pieces.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/44049-older-stingray-pickups-sharp.html

pickupshims2_zps76828f09.jpg
 
Or move your hand one or two inches closer to the neck.

If you're using the pickup as a thumb rest, you can glue a "real" thumb rest on the pickguard instead.
 
Hi there!
I had the same problem some time ago with a Stingray 4 H from what i guess was something like 2003. After removing the pickup from the bass, i spotted that the bottom of the pole pieces (or better to say: the side of the pole pieces, which does not face the player's fingers) had edges which were sloped (don't know if that's the right expression). Just as one qould expect from the top of the pole pieces.
Anyway, i simply turned around the pole pieces. In my case i was able to remove and reinsert them, which took some effort. But be careful. If you have the impression that the polepieces are fixed, e.g. glued or something, into the pickup, don't force them too hard to get them out. You might risk to damage the pickup in such a case.
Moreover, you could also try to push the pole pieces a little bit deeper such that they do not extend from the cover any more.
But to be clear: Any such modifications will of course void warranty and if you're not careful, you might damage the pickup. So be careful!
Unfortunately i sold the bass in question (which i regret, of course :o) So i can't post an images.
Good luck with the mod!
Markus
 
2 year old post thread I know but as a new Stingray owner the first thing I noticed was that I'm constantly hitting the pole pieces at the proper factory height and I'm by no means an aggressive player.

I'm considering the mod to lower the A and D pole pieces because I find them too hot in relation to the E and G anyway.
 
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