I am selling a relatively hard to come by Ernie Ball Musicman SUB Sterling 4 string bass in black finish. Made in the USA. Sterling shaped body and Sterling neck profile, but slab body rather than contoured and black finished neck rather than oil rubbed. Also, this bass has a 6 bolt neck joint rather than a 5bolt neck joint that you would find on a regular Sterling. Kinda strange but it cannot hurt to have one extra bolt I say!
This bass has an active 3 band EQ just like the Sterling but it does not have the coil tap switch. That said, it does very nicely captures that classic tone of a Sterling in the humbucking mode (which is the only way I every played mine!). It also captures the feel of the slimmer Sterling profile. This bass is pretty bright with some nice snap to it. It is also very comfortable and fast to play.
The SUBs were Ernie Ball’s lower priced USA made instruments. This bass is essentially the budget version of the Sterling with the same hardware and electronics but slightly fewer features (i.e. the 3EQ but no coil switch) , poplar wood body and painted black neck.
These are starting to increase in price as the Sterling model SUB was pretty rare to begin with and they were discontinued a couple years ago and were recently replaced with an imported line.
This bass is in great condition. Save for some very light scratching at the headstock (probably from a gig bag zipper) and a light scrath on the back of the neck, this bass is pristine. Everything is pictured below with the tiny scratches photographed super close up for detail. To your audience this bass looks immaculate!
I am asking $550 or best offer shipped CONUS in a gig bag.
I may consider trades depending on what you have. One possible trade would be a Fender MIA Jazz with S1 switching.
Thanks for looking and PM if oyu have any questions!
Last edited by rogerbmiller : 11-10-2009 at 08:04 AM.
Man, I've wanted to pick up one of these for a while. Is this a first run or earlier run model? It is the first one I've seen without the front control panel.
I do have an MIA Jazz w/the S1, but not willing to part with....unless you have a Geddy too. :-)
Man, I've wanted to pick up one of these for a while. Is this a first run or earlier run model? It is the first one I've seen without the front control panel.
I do have an MIA Jazz w/the S1, but not willing to part with....unless you have a Geddy too. :-)
Not sure if this is first Run. The Sub "Rays"' first run shows "S.U.B." on the headstocks (periods between initials) and the second run just said "SUB"
This is like the second run in that regard but what I am not sure about is whether the SUB Sterling even existed at the time fo the first run of the "rays."
