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MM S.U.B.

#3
SUB:

way cheaper on the used market
they have an almost rhinocoated paint job
the bridge does not have "Musicman" stamped on it
easy access battery compartment vs the 2 screw design
painted necks
no mutes
the later models have the compensated nut

I love my SUB but if I had to choose between my 3 band Ray and it
I would sell the SUB first and only because I waited so long to get my hands on a Stingray
 
#4
Cheaper machines, slab body, hideous pickguard.

Some S.U.B.s are passive.

I picked up a new one at GC for $329 a few years ago. Aside from the mega-fugly color and weight, I like it very much.

I'd worry too much about a finely-finished MM. The S.U.B. is indestructible. Not a thing of beauty, but a great bass and a "real" MM.
 
#5
I have a 1978 PreEB Stingray 4 string 2 band active preamp; a recent SUB 5 string 2 band active preamp; and a 2010 Stingray 5 string 3 band active preamp.

As noted above the SUB is a slab body, rockhard finish, butt ugly pickguard, painted neck monster. It completely cops the exact tone of my preEB Stingray and at gigging distance has all the great looks of any other stingray. The pickguard is a joke but may appeal to some, the body paint job is bizzare for any bass but incredibly effective, the neck paint is flawless if you like painted necks. The feel and sound is as good or better than any other Stingray you'll find out there. If you intend to gig with this bass you can't make a better choice, if you intend to put it in a stand and admire it's beautiful finish buy a regular Stingray.
I personally like the 2 band preamp on the SUB and origninal Stingray but others like the 3 band (note - maybe unique to stingray - my 2 band stingray and SUB preamps have as much or more tonal range than my 3 band stingray preamp, the 3 band preamp has more mid focus). That said, if I were to get a $$ Stingray I'd go with the 3 band, but with a single pickup I like the 2 band best.
 
#6
GBassNorth said:
I have a 1978 PreEB Stingray 4 string 2 band active preamp; a recent SUB 5 string 2 band active preamp; and a 2010 Stingray 5 string 3 band active preamp.

As noted above the SUB is a slab body, rockhard finish, butt ugly pickguard, painted neck monster. It completely cops the exact tone of my preEB Stingray and at gigging distance has all the great looks of any other stingray. The pickguard is a joke but may appeal to some, the body paint job is bizzare for any bass but incredibly effective, the neck paint is flawless if you like painted necks. The feel and sound is as good or better than any other Stingray you'll find out there. If you intend to gig with this bass you can't make a better choice, if you intend to put it in a stand and admire it's beautiful finish buy a regular Stingray.
I personally like the 2 band preamp on the SUB and origninal Stingray but others like the 3 band (note - maybe unique to stingray - my 2 band stingray and SUB preamps have as much or more tonal range than my 3 band stingray preamp, the 3 band preamp has more mid focus). That said, if I were to get a $$ Stingray I'd go with the 3 band, but with a single pickup I like the 2 band best.
Click to expand...

This +1000. I got rid of my Stingray because my SUB kicks ass!
 
#10
I may have Reuben's old SUB now. It sounds and feels like a SR Classic. I like my 3-band Stingray a bit more, but I'm apparently a weirdo. The SUB honestly is hardly different from the Classics besides body wood (which you'll never notice) and the paint, which I don't particularly care about.
 
#11
Bongolation said:
Cheaper machines, slab body, hideous pickguard.

Some S.U.B.s are passive.

I picked up a new one at GC for $329 a few years ago. Aside from the mega-fugly color and weight, I like it very much.

I'd worry too much about a finely-finished MM. The S.U.B. is indestructible. Not a thing of beauty, but a great bass and a "real" MM.
Click to expand...

The tuning machines should be the same as the regular MMs. The bridge is definitely different, but not terrible.

Yes, the paint and guard (especially the guard) are fugly.

I'm surprised that yours weighs a lot, every SUB I've ever picked up has been far lighter than any Stingray.

All that said, the SUB is one of my favorite basses ever, not just budget basses. I'd take one over any other Stingray, with the exception of the Classic series. I love the painted neck, the lighter weight, the 2-band eq, and you never have to worry about beating it up too badly. Straight up- they rock!
 
#12
CapnSev said:
The tuning machines should be the same as the regular MMs. The bridge is definitely different, but not terrible.

Yes, the paint and guard (especially the guard) are fugly.

I'm surprised that yours weighs a lot, every SUB I've ever picked up has been far lighter than any Stingray.

All that said, the SUB is one of my favorite basses ever, not just budget basses. I'd take one over any other Stingray, with the exception of the Classic series. I love the painted neck, the lighter weight, the 2-band eq, and you never have to worry about beating it up too badly. Straight up- they rock!
Click to expand...


From what I have seen there were 4 different SUB's
Mine has the compensated nut & SR bridge, it is active too.
 
#14
zackthompson said:
So basically, its just like a classic 2 band eq with a crappy paint job and a different bridge?
Click to expand...

That is pretty much it. The paint job is really not that bad, people are just not used to textured paint on guitars. The worst part on the SUBs is the paint on the neck and it is bad only because it comes off so easily. I have removed the paint on the back of the neck due to personal preference, but the shape of the neck is great. For me. these are far and away the best value on the used market today!
 
#15
I love my SUB 4-string. It stands for Sports Utility Bass, by the way. It really, truly is indestructable. Made in America, sounds fantastic, looks pretty awesome if you replace the pickguard (I put in a SR black-white-black). I don't think I'll ever desire a true Stingray because I love my SUB so much. My dream is for them to release a SUB Cutlass design... but, I'll keep dreaming.
 
#16
I have an MM Sub and swear by it. Everyone who plays it says its one of the best-feeling basses they've ever played. And although the paint job is a bit weird, it gets many compliments. Ive had a stingray and to be honest, the SUB fares very well against it.

It nails the Stingray tone well.
 
#17
I love my MM SUB. The only thing I don't care for is the slab body, but it isn't that big of a deal at all. Resting my arm on it just feels different than my other basses. The neck is great.

It sounds wonderful, records well, and looks terrific (mine came standard with a black pickguard on the black body--"none more black"). If you have a chance to get one, do it!
 
#19
I'm on my second SUB. Marty Bell re-fin. Pure MM tone and playability. Slab bodies have never bothered me, if I've been playing contours alot, it takes about 5 minutes to adapt to total comfort with the SUB.

I've yet to audition a classic MM that sounded as good or better, in part because the guys at the music stores I have access to don't believe in setting up basses. My gain, I saved a tone of coin and got a USA-Made MM with the classic 'Ray active two-band EQ on the used market.

Highly recommended.

DSCN7352.jpg
 
#20
I have one as well and I will get another in black,mine is teal green.
They are a lot of bass for the cash.
The best giggin bass you can get,rock solid build,almosy undingable,super stable .
They also sound fabulous in the mix live.
Slap monster
 

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