Sterling by Music Man Sb14 vs Music Man Sterling S.U.B.

MexEatxDead · #1 02-25-2011, 01:37 PM

Hey guys I've been lurking around talk bass for bass reviews on basses and I've finaly came to buying one. I've found the Music Man Sb14 and Music Man Sterling SUB for around the same price. I've went to Guitar Center and played pretty much every Music Man bass and decided I want that tone. I play mostly metal but I do play jazz and such. I've looked up the specs and reviews on both of them so I was looking for some personal reviews.

Thanks in advance,
Zack

JMac4strngr · #2 02-25-2011, 01:58 PM

Sounds like its all down to: New vs used, and US made vs made indowhere-ever.
They are both excellent basses. The SUBs were made in the US, whereas the SBMM SB14 is made in Indonesia(I think).
You wont be able to find a new SUB sterling anywhere as they haven't been produced in a few years. So used is all You have to choose from. As I already said they are awesome basses, and can still be found for the right price. Fit, finish, quality of hardware/electronics, and set-up is gonna be better on these. I have owned 3 different SUB Ray's and they were all awesome.

The SB-14's I have picked up have been pretty sweet off the GC hanger, although I would think a good set-up would need to be in order. I have a Ray34 and out of the box the set-up was fair, but not what I like. I have read on some threads where guys had bought them and they were in need of fret leveling and such, so try before You buy.

In the end Its Your cash, but keep in mind if You ever happen to get GAS for something else the used instrument typically will bring close to what You paid for it if You sell it.

DanRJBrasil · #3 02-25-2011, 02:07 PM

a little off , but what is the wood of the sub?

MexEatxDead · #4 02-25-2011, 02:08 PM

Yeah all the SBMM series are made in Indonesia and I've heard the electronics would be cheaper due to where its made. See I've played the SB14 off the wall at GC and I liked it. The SUB however is still a Sterling but American made so I'd imagine it would be a better buy. Thought the paint on the SUB is very dull looking.

I'm probably purchasing both used honestly because a few scratches doesn't bother me.
Thanks

MexEatxDead · #5 02-25-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanRJBrasil

a little off , but what is the wood of the sub?

It says Selected Poplar on the Musicman site.

JMac4strngr · #6 02-25-2011, 02:13 PM

It'd be Poplar. All of the SUB series bass bodies were Poplar......... As far as the SB-14 I do not recall the body wood

MexEatxDead · #7 02-25-2011, 02:16 PM

The Sb14 is Bass wood, which seems to be frowned upon..yet the Bongo is made of it.

rogerbmiller · #8 02-25-2011, 02:21 PM

Another Key difference-- the Sterling Sb14 has the same exact electronics configuration as the EBMM Sterling after which it was modeled. The Sterling Sub simply has a 3 band EQ. So you are missing the added tonal flexibility of the coil tap switch with the SUB.

Also, while this is splitting hairs, the SUB has a 6 bolt neck and I believe the SB14 has the same 5 bolt neck as featured in the EBMM Sterling. In other words it is more of an exact replica with different woods and generic hardware.

Hope this helps.

MexEatxDead · #9 02-25-2011, 02:36 PM

Ah yes, see I'm on the borderline of both so its a hard choice as though they are both nice basses. I think I am going to go with the SB14. Thanks guys

StyleOverShow · #10 02-25-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MexEatxDead

Ah yes, see I'm on the borderline of both so its a hard choice as though they are both nice basses. I think I am going to go with the SB14. Thanks guys

nice set of choices...i've never been disappointed with my SLO made EBMM Sterling. Sweetest neck i've ever choked, sweet spot placed pickup, and dual coil humbuckers, to a preamp.

buy both, and sort it out as it goes, if you have the means...i suspect that the dull may be the dark horse in this race.

i use mine for almost everything from classic rock/funk/jazz.

SaucyJackBass · #11 02-26-2011, 05:55 PM

I have had this one for 7 years and it has been "the bass I leave at practice". It has been awesome and is built to last.

I only played it for outside gigs, and it always was perfectly able to handle the heat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSCsJidgDaY

Ian Perge · #12 02-26-2011, 06:30 PM

My Better Half picked up my S.U.B. Sterling for me used in '08 Near Mint for *under* $400 (those days are sure gone) and while the EB/MM sound will never be "My Sound", it's great to have That Sound "in my Toolbox" for recording and other uses. I'd love to pick up a 5-string to go along with it.

FWIW, I'd rather take the MIA construction of the bass and all of it's component parts right next to the "Real EB/MMs". The only thing that the S.U.B. Line was "man-hours", which is why it was able to be priced so low - spray-on finish and painted neck that didn't need to be polished, slab body was was quicker to cut... and what's now *loved* in the Classic Basses by the Ernie Ball Elite but derided back then.

So low, in fact, that they were far too close to the "Real" basses for so much less than Sterling Ball has said that they lost money on the venture.

(The finish is "Cinnamon", a Rust Red/Green/Gold "Flip-Flop" that was the last color introduced in the S.U.B. line and looks much better under more/natural light and someone with basic photography skills, and one of only six S.U.B. Sterlings finished with it. The Pickguard replaced by a White Pearloid one, and a great improvement, although I'm thinking of picking up a Black Pearloid... )