1995 Stingray mods reversal

[HeadlessBassist]

Hey SSG's (sweet, sweet guys!), 

 

I'm in the middle of doing a deal for a rather nice  1995 Stingray (which I think a couple of BC members have previously owned.) Only thing is, it's been modded/monkied with and I want to get it as close to stock as I can.

 

It's had an Aguilar OBP 2-band preamp added, a blend control (is it's now four knob, as opposed to three on the control plate), a side jack socket added, and it's previously had Aguilar pickups added, including a rout for an "HS" configuration. The current owner has removed the single coil pickup and replaced the Aguilar humbucker with the proper MM one which was kindly sent by the original 'modder', so it looks fine now (or will do) with a new black scratch plate (on order as we speak), but it has four controls, one of which doesn't work, being as the single coil has been excised. 

 

Here's what I'm thinking - add a new jack socket to the four-hole control plate and maybe turn the side jack into an XLR? Or maybe leave it as is and just have a fourth control that does nothing. Any other options you can think of?

 

With mods... (photo credit SweenyRod)

 

 

... and currently

 

Edited yesterday at 09:29 by HeadlessBassist

[BassApprentice]

My first reaction would be to keep the side jack and change the now redundant knob for a "talent switch" or "producer switch" a la Lee Sklar. Does nothing, but won't draw as much attention as an extra control knob.

 

 

[HeadlessBassist]

Oddly enough, I was chatting with Lee Sklar on Brooke's Bass Corner live chat the other week. That's an interesting bit of lateral thinking  

[pineweasel]

John East 4-knob pre amp? Supposed to give you the original MM 2 band tones plus a sweepable mid.

https://www.east-uk.com/product/mmsr-4-knob-3-band/?v=7885444af42e

[Jack]

6 minutes ago, pineweasel said:

John East 4-knob pre amp? Supposed to give you the original MM 2 band tones plus a sweepable mid.

https://www.east-uk.com/product/mmsr-4-knob-3-band/?v=7885444af42e

Yeah, this is what I think. The side jack isn't too egregious, plenty of Rays have side jacks so just get the controls sorted.

[miles'tone]

Was that always a natural finish? It looks like a 'Ray I had modded in the 90s but mine was a translucent red 2 band, side jack added when the J pup was installed.  Considering how often I look online at basses, it kind of surprises me that I've never seen it again. Great bass t'was...

[HeadlessBassist]

As far as I know, yes. It's the satin finish - Natural Velvet finish. I'll be able to tell you if it's ever been refinished when I pick it up tomorrow...

 

Edited 5 hours ago by HeadlessBassist