1-4: Agreed
5: I've owned a passive SUB and it was great, too. Apparently they're much rarer than the active models.
5: I've owned a passive SUB and it was great, too. Apparently they're much rarer than the active models.
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MM S.U.B.
- Thread starter zackthompson
- Start date
Some SUBs were factory passive - EBMMs first realy foray into that until recent models like the Big Al and Reflex started offering passive/active features.
I have had a couple passives (and considering one now) I find the passives to sometimes have a weak open E....and timid lows....but work well in a dense mix
sj_bass
Supporting Member
Update: I just ordered a b/w/b pickguard from Pickguard Heaven: Pickguards for Every Guitar... One of the nicest phone calls I've had all week. They've got some good people there... I'll send pics when i arrives.
sj_bass
Supporting Member
not all sub pickguards are ugly. there was a straight up black on black used one i saw in a store a while back. no weird metal "grating" designs on the guard or anything. ironically, the previous owner slapped a huge ernie ball sticker on the pickguard though, and there was this weird plastic hook like thing screwed into the metal control cavity.
idk.
idk.
sj_bass
Supporting Member
Some observations... the new pickguard is a .090 b/w/b compared to the diamond plate industrial that is maybe .030(?). I've always owned ebmm basses to slap 'em, and the new pickguard helps to cut down on the gap between body and strings making it easier to slap. 
Looking forward to rockin' this baby tonight
I did mention I got this one for only $400, right???
Looking forward to rockin' this baby tonight
I did mention I got this one for only $400, right???
Some observations... the new pickguard is a .090 b/w/b compared to the diamond plate industrial that is maybe .030(?). I've always owned ebmm basses to slap 'em, and the new pickguard helps to cut down on the gap between body and strings making it easier to slap.
Looking forward to rockin' this baby tonight
I did mention I got this one for only $400, right???
stupidly good for that cash eh? RAWK IT!!
sj_bass
Supporting Member
stupidly good for that cash eh? RAWK IT!!
Oh man... I think there's gonna be about TEN JEALOUS BASSES in the stable! The SUB was rockin' it last night like crazy! This might just be the go-to bass for a long time to come...
Since I had a Stingray 5-er for so long, I'd like to give a brief comparo... Here's my observations:
Body: both the SUB and the SR are pretty hefty, but the weight is nicely balanced. The slab body of the SUB takes a little time to get used to when picking - the forearm hits the lower bout if I have the bass resting too high. Good thing I have the quick adjustable poly strap. The interesting part is that it is actually *more* comfortable playing the SUB with my fingers than the SR. I think it's because the slab body and the finish lets my forearm 'rest' on the bout...
Neck: Not much difference, except for the finished back on the SUB. I will say that the oiled neck on my old SR was purrr-fect, so I think this one is gonna go to the ol' Stingray. I know some SUB owners have rubbed out the back of the necks 'naturally', so maybe this one will do the same...
Electronics: Almost identical - Pickups have the classic MM sound - just makes me wanna slap this girl like a (insert analogy here). The SR had a 3-band and a 3-way switch, which I used to bump a little bass and leave everything else flat - I would only bump the treble for Tool or Rage tunes. The SUB has a 2-band pre; I'm not sure if they're boost/cut, or just boost since there's no detent on the knobs. All I did last night was run both the bass and treble mid-way, then give a slight bump like I used to do on the SR. I never used the 3-way switch before , so I certainly didn't miss it last night.
Aesthetics: I gotta admit; I LOVE the look of the SUB! The pickguard on the SR always kinda bugged... When I saw Louis Johnson play his MM back in the 70's, I fell in love with the SR bass. That egg-shaped pickguard just hits me in my soul...
I think the ladies like it too... Let me explain...
Random Young Babe: "You look hot!"
Me: "Really?!?"
Random Young Babe: "Yeah. I like old guys!"
<whimper>
Oh man... I think there's gonna be about TEN JEALOUS BASSES in the stable! The SUB was rockin' it last night like crazy! This might just be the go-to bass for a long time to come...
Since I had a Stingray 5-er for so long, I'd like to give a brief comparo... Here's my observations:
Body: both the SUB and the SR are pretty hefty, but the weight is nicely balanced. The slab body of the SUB takes a little time to get used to when picking - the forearm hits the lower bout if I have the bass resting too high. Good thing I have the quick adjustable poly strap. The interesting part is that it is actually *more* comfortable playing the SUB with my fingers than the SR. I think it's because the slab body and the finish lets my forearm 'rest' on the bout...
Neck: Not much difference, except for the finished back on the SUB. I will say that the oiled neck on my old SR was purrr-fect, so I think this one is gonna go to the ol' Stingray. I know some SUB owners have rubbed out the back of the necks 'naturally', so maybe this one will do the same...
Electronics: Almost identical - Pickups have the classic MM sound - just makes me wanna slap this girl like a (insert analogy here). The SR had a 3-band and a 3-way switch, which I used to bump a little bass and leave everything else flat - I would only bump the treble for Tool or Rage tunes. The SUB has a 2-band pre; I'm not sure if they're boost/cut, or just boost since there's no detent on the knobs. All I did last night was run both the bass and treble mid-way, then give a slight bump like I used to do on the SR. I never used the 3-way switch before , so I certainly didn't miss it last night.
Aesthetics: I gotta admit; I LOVE the look of the SUB! The pickguard on the SR always kinda bugged... When I saw Louis Johnson play his MM back in the 70's, I fell in love with the SR bass. That egg-shaped pickguard just hits me in my soul...
I think the ladies like it too... Let me explain...
Random Young Babe: "You look hot!"
Me: "Really?!?"
Random Young Babe: "Yeah. I like old guys!"
<whimper>
multiple occurrences of awesome in this post!! heck yeah..!! a good SUB is just so good - I find them to be super comfy fingerstyle as well - and my favorite neck profile....
Just to clarify my earlier comments on active/passive MMs,
I own both an active and passive SUB. Being a former Pbass player (1975- "the beast) I much prefer the passive.
I understand the early Stingrays were active, being one of the main advancements made by Leo F (stand to be corrected).
So were/are there any passive Stingrays?
cheers
I own both an active and passive SUB. Being a former Pbass player (1975- "the beast) I much prefer the passive.
I understand the early Stingrays were active, being one of the main advancements made by Leo F (stand to be corrected).
So were/are there any passive Stingrays?
cheers
Well, I got mine in either 2002 or 2004....can't remember exactly.....but checking my ebay feedback it's one of those dates as I only bought 2 things of that user...
Bought brand new, teal 2 band active EQ. It doesn't have the MM bridge (well, doesn't have it stamped/cast in it) but I wouldn't part with this bass unless I really had to! It fits nicely with my P-bass, J-bass and my 3 Spectors....and is probably the best slap bass out of the lot.....although I ain't much of a slap player reaslly....
Changed the pickguard - although kept the original - now it sports a black mother of pearl job which I think goes well with the Teal (got a black MOP pickguard on my Geddy Lee Jazz.....guess I got a thing for Black MOP!!)
Bought brand new, teal 2 band active EQ. It doesn't have the MM bridge (well, doesn't have it stamped/cast in it) but I wouldn't part with this bass unless I really had to! It fits nicely with my P-bass, J-bass and my 3 Spectors....and is probably the best slap bass out of the lot.....although I ain't much of a slap player reaslly....
Changed the pickguard - although kept the original - now it sports a black mother of pearl job which I think goes well with the Teal (got a black MOP pickguard on my Geddy Lee Jazz.....guess I got a thing for Black MOP!!)
SUBs that I used to have.... They were passed on to other TB'ers. Do miss'em at times, as they were darned fine instruments.
Passive SUB, that I refinished when I had GAS for a Stingray classic
Active SUB, one of the best sounding and playing basses I've ever owned.
Passive SUB, that I refinished when I had GAS for a Stingray classic
Active SUB, one of the best sounding and playing basses I've ever owned.
Thanks man!
Yep, both of'em came with that same "pickup truck tool box'esque" pickguard. I share the opinion of You and others, that those pickguards were the ugliest things I've ever seen. They were removed by Me, the day of get'n the bass. At one point, I had a aviation grade carbon fiber pickguard (which I made myself) on the black one that looked pretty awesome. I think I still have that pickguard somewhere, as it was a royal pain in the arse to make.
hey that's the black on black i was talking about!!! ^^
shoulda grabbed it while i had the chance.
shoulda grabbed it while i had the chance.
hey that's the black on black i was talking about!!! ^^
shoulda grabbed it while i had the chance.
afaik the last few years of SUBs had that black matte PG
