Ernie Ball Music Man’s Derek Brooks holds the original StingRay that Leo Fender made for Sterling Ball in 1976 and a new model that replicates the classic. Note the original’s 5/5 pole pieces in the pickup that Leo made by hand. Sterling recently commented in the Ernie Ball Forums that Leo’s original pickup was hotter than necessary. When asked about the Canadian Maple Leaf on the original’s headstock, he replied, “It’s a secret.”