First BEAD experience (Sterling by Musicman Ray4)

[The Expendable Clay]

Had to share. This is my Sterling by Musicman S.U.B. that I've had since 2014 and it's been modified very heavily (haha).
It's my only remaining 4 string out of 3 basses and it was just sitting because I don't like to play without a low B. Then I got the wild idea of stringing it up with the strings pictured in B standard. It was way easier than expected but involved sanding the nut. So If that's not something you're comfortable with, bring it to somebody. Also this gauge of strings fits through the bridge (barely) without any modification and easily fits into the tuning machines.
Also I pictured the 38mm nut. This is extremely narrow and I had a little concern about using a 130 gauge string with it, but it's completely fine.

I should note I had to get a new nut on this bass anyways a couple years ago because the stock one is super cheap. So what I was sanding is a real bone nut and man did it take awhile. It's probably still not exactly where I want it to be, but if I take away too much material, it's hard to go backward.

(in case anybody is curious - full EMG electronics)

 

[musicman556]

Very cool! How does it play and sound?

Also, that is a beautiful bass. I love the satin finishes and that's a gorgeous color. I dig the pickguard and white pickup, too! Really pops. I've been very tempted to do the same thing, as I really like having a low B.

 

[The Expendable Clay]

Very cool! How does it play and sound?

Also, that is a beautiful bass. I love the satin finishes and that's a gorgeous color. I dig the pickguard and white pickup, too! Really pops. I've been very tempted to do the same thing, as I really like having a low B.

Plays amazing. I knew that I would be happy with this as a cheap bass because it played amazing right off the sheld. The sound I struggled with for awhile. That's where I landed on the EMG stuff. I have a coil-splittable pickup and 3 band EQ with sweepable mids. (2 stacked knobs) I feel like I can achieve a lot.
Also these covered MM style pickups eliminate the only thing I don't like about the stingray sound and it's that super harsh metallic clank. I can still get the stingray sound, but it's tamed a little.

OH and the pick guard and pickup were both black prior to being swapped to white.

 

[Yahboy]

Actually i decide sell my TRBX504 and buy the SUB Ray4 again for BEAD tune.

 

[Yahboy]

Plays amazing. I knew that I would be happy with this as a cheap bass because it played amazing right off the sheld. The sound I struggled with for awhile. That's where I landed on the EMG stuff. I have a coil-splittable pickup and 3 band EQ with sweepable mids. (2 stacked knobs) I feel like I can achieve a lot.
Also these covered MM style pickups eliminate the only thing I don't like about the stingray sound and it's that super harsh metallic clank. I can still get the stingray sound, but it's tamed a little.

OH and the pick guard and pickup were both black prior to being swapped to white.

I been own both Ray4 and 5 in past, overall build quality and fret work are step up compare to current Indonesia made Squier CV bass.

 

[Supadope]

What's the model of the EMG controls? I just got a Harley Benton MM copy that plays well, but needs some sonic improvement.

 

[The Expendable Clay]

What's the model of the EMG controls? I just got a Harley Benton MM copy that plays well, but needs some sonic improvement.

View attachment 4479388

Those dont have a battery box right?
That could be an issue.
I have the MMTW pickup with the BTC for bass and treble and VMC for mids.
Also the EMG BQC is basically the same thing but won't fit in the control cavity.

 

[never-enough]

I love BEAD tuning.
I spent years missing that low B string but never felt comfortable on a fiver.
Converted my jazz bass a couple of years ago and now I’m window shopping for another bass that I will convert as well.
I’ll still keep 2 basses tuned to standard but BEAD has been nothing short of a revelation for me.

 

[Supadope]

Those dont have a battery box right?
That could be an issue.
I have the MMTW pickup with the BTC for bass and treble and VMC for mids.
Also the EMG BQC is basically the same thing but won't fit in the control cavity.

Right. No battery compartment.
I have a router. Need to figure out how to use it!

Thanks for the details!

 

[five7]

Anyone try BEAD on SBMM SS bass.

 

[Roseweave]

Had to share. This is my Sterling by Musicman S.U.B. that I've had since 2014 and it's been modified very heavily (haha).
It's my only remaining 4 string out of 3 basses and it was just sitting because I don't like to play without a low B. Then I got the wild idea of stringing it up with the strings pictured in B standard. It was way easier than expected but involved sanding the nut. So If that's not something you're comfortable with, bring it to somebody. Also this gauge of strings fits through the bridge (barely) without any modification and easily fits into the tuning machines.
Also I pictured the 38mm nut. This is extremely narrow and I had a little concern about using a 130 gauge string with it, but it's completely fine.

I should note I had to get a new nut on this bass anyways a couple years ago because the stock one is super cheap. So what I was sanding is a real bone nut and man did it take awhile. It's probably still not exactly where I want it to be, but if I take away too much material, it's hard to go backward.

(in case anybody is curious - full EMG electronics)



View attachment 4477658 View attachment 4477659 View attachment 4477660

do you still have this bass? they have a trans teal SUB in a shop near me i've been looking at for ages. i want to know more about it as I can't exactly open it up - was it possible to wire the stock pickup in parallel?