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MM S.U.B or Stingray?

Incognitus

Incognitus

Amen!
Mar 25, 2006
489
1
37
Eagle River, Alaska
#1
Allright, I am in a dilemma, I am currently working this summer to hopefully afford a nice higher end bass. I have been drooling over a Tobias but it is way out of my price range at 2000-3000 smackers. Although the local Music Store has a Tobias Four String Growler that is priced at around 1500$.

But it is looking like I will go for either a Stingray or a MM S.U.B.

I have always loved the tone that the Stingray produces but the lowest price I could find was 1288$ + shipping and handling with a hardcase. The problem is that I have heard that the MM Sub has the same tone as the stingray but is made with cheaper materials.

I did search the forums before posting this thread so if I missed it I apologize. I would really appreciate any thing you guys have to say since you are much better versed with Higher end basses and I have been playing my decent Washburn for the past 2 1/2 years. I am just ready to upgrade to a better bass as my current one just doesn't satisfy my needs.

Any input from y'all would be appreciated as I am no expert when it comes to bass....or anything bass related.

Thanks
 
#2
The SUB is close as you can get to the Stingray sound without getting a Stingray. I know a few people who purchased the SUB and are very happy with it. The one thing it lacks that would bother me is the contour for the arm on the body, otherwise a great bass for the $$.
 
#3
christle said:
The SUB is close as you can get to the Stingray sound without getting a Stingray. I know a few people who purchased the SUB and are very happy with it. The one thing it lacks that would bother me is the contour for the arm on the body, otherwise a great bass for the $$.
Click to expand...
+1.

If you can afford the Stingray get it. If not, the SUB is a great choice.

:D

Joe.
 
#8
I have a SUB I bought for $300 used in excellent condition at GC. It is equal to basses ten times the cost and I whole heartedly recommend it. It has the exact same sound as a stingray and the build quality is incredible for the money. I even here about GC doing $500 new for these basses. I have ten basses including MIA Fender, MIA Fender reissue, Warwich Dolphing neckthrough, ESP custom shop, and many others. Don't do yourself a diservice and just buy the SUB. It is the same as the pre-ernie ball with no contours and a two band EQ. I had a Gibson generation Tobias and it was an honest to god piece of crap with no tone what so ever. I have never been an endorser of anything, but the SUB is an insane deal on an MIA bass.



Edit: $1700 is an awful deal on a Growler. Please do not buy it. For that kind of money you could have twice the bass buying on the classifieds here.

Mike
 
#9
If you are already looking at high end basses in my opinion dont get a sub, look around for a second hand EBMM, go for the musicman, then you will be happy. If you go the SUB you will always wonder about the EBMM and will probably end up getting one, anyways thats what i did. The SUB is great but the musicman rocks, its a mixture of pshycology, snobbishness, better contour of the body, i like the mm necks better then subs and the musicman is the real deal whilst the sub is the cheaper deal. Thats my 2 cents for what its worth.
 
#10
$1700 is foolish for that Growler. I would never pay that for a Tobias/Gibson model.

The SUBs are okay, but I don't like the dull textures finshes, or that cheesy faux diamond plate pickguard. I'd look into a used Stingray. The nice thing about them is they're one of the most consistant quality basses, so you're sure to get a 'good one' used.
Heck, with $1700 in my pocket, I'd buy two used basses.
 
#12
markandsophie said:
If you are already looking at high end basses in my opinion dont get a sub, look around for a second hand EBMM, go for the musicman, then you will be happy. If you go the SUB you will always wonder about the EBMM and will probably end up getting one, anyways thats what i did. The SUB is great but the musicman rocks, its a mixture of pshycology, snobbishness, better contour of the body, i like the mm necks better then subs and the musicman is the real deal whilst the sub is the cheaper deal. Thats my 2 cents for what its worth.
Click to expand...

Just to clairfy something here. The SUB IS a fully-fledged musicman, everything you get on the Ray except the finish and pickgaurd. Maybe you were thinking of the OLP?

I really like the SUBs, they get exceedingly close to the Stingray tone in active, and sound quite different but just as good in passive (better with a pick IMO!).

But, a Stingray is a Stingray, an SUB isnt. :)
 
#13
I was just considering the same thing. There are restrictions with the SUB - like only a rosewood fingerboard, 2 band electronics and not too many colors (they only come textured as well).

I was convinced to buy a used Stingray. That's also something to consider. However, in the end, I just purchased a new Stingray Friday and it's on the way.:hyper:

Anyway, I don't know much about the Tobias basses. Here is a place that sells them pretty cheap, I think:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#14
I have a Stingray5 and a SUB5. The SUB5 is my backup when playing live because it has a fairly stingray-like sound (but there is a difference and you can hear that).
The SUB is a good instrument but it is just no Stingray. Not only the sound, the playability is different, too. The Stingray just feels better (one of the main reasons is the shaped body is much more comfortable than the straight body of the SUB).

The SUB is OK as backup - but it can't really replace the Stingray. If my Stingray was lost I'd buy another - I'd never be happy with just the SUB.
 
#15
Jack said:
...I really like the SUBs, they get exceedingly close to the Stingray tone in active, and sound quite different but just as good in passive (better with a pick IMO!).

But, a Stingray is a Stingray, an SUB isnt. :)
Click to expand...

+1

The tonewoods are different, finish is different, hardware is different, not sure about the electronics, but I bet they are different too... since the tone you get from a bass is affected by all of these characteristics, I'm pretty confident in saying that a SUB is a quality instrument, but it isnt a Stingray.


ps.: NegatroN, I agree, the feel is completely different. somehow the Stingray seems so much smoother, confortable, solid.
 
#17
Stingrays and SUBs are different, but very similar. It's more a matter of Sadowsky NYC vs. Sadowsky Metro. Simply less options. If you want a Rosewood fretboard and 2 band EQ, a SUB will work for you. If you want either maple, or a 3 band EQ, you won't find it.

They're made by utilizing cheaper methods of finishing and less attractive wood. That, and less options allow you to have the best of both worlds, if you can stand the finish and/or finished neck and 2 band EQ.

They're great basses, so are the Stingray. Don't believe that the SUB is a cheaper bass, build wise. Just less expensive because of less options and cheaper manufacturing.
 
#18
I bought a SUB4 two weeks ago and never looked back. I played a new Stingray in the store to compare, buy couldn't justify the x2 price tag. I was in the studio on the weekend and the bass player had a OLP, after a couple of songs I sadi try this, and handed him the SUB4. Wow what a difference in sound and playability. I think he was convinced then and there to buy one.

That said, in a couple of years I will probably buy a stingray and move the SUB to backup status and retire the old Ibanez that is my current backup.

I was worried about the shape of the SUB, but after about an hour of jamming it was un-noticable. I also bought a different pickguard, I didn't like the original, but I do like the flat textured finish as I don't worry about scratches or dings, the finish seems to be as tough as a pickup truck bed liner!

blah,blah IMO I'nm no expert either, I play in a rock band. If you got the cash buy a Stingray, if not buy a SUB
 

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