Need an opinion Sterling SUB

My son has a Sterling Ray 34, it rocks, tone is a little bright for me, but I am old school

 

They're fine basses but you can do better on the price and have the ability to return it. Here are three identical basses for less:
Sterling by Music Man Sub 4 Electric Bass Guitar
Sterling by Music Man Sub 4 Electric Bass Guitar
Sterling by Music Man Sub 4 Electric Bass Guitar

 

A Sterling Ray 34 isn`t the same bass, it`s sort of between this one and a full MM. The one in the pic is the Sub, cheaper than the Ray 34.

Decent enough bass but the pre amp is a pain as it is so hot that it can overload the front end of your amp. There is a long topic with ways of fixing the, for some people, the problem.

I have one and apart from the pre amp it is a good bass, well made, nicely finished. But I ripped out the pre amp, stuck in a Wilkinson pickup, had it re wired passive with a series/parallel switch, stuck in a set of Schaller tuners and it rocks.

 

I have the black/maple 5 string model...yes, the pre is hot, but I was able to get around it by lowering the pickup almost flush with the body. Other than that, no complaints -- the neck profile and string spacing are great for me.

 

I own the exact same model posted by the OP. It's a SBMM SUB SB4. It's very light-weight and sounds about like the other SUB ray models. I replaced the bridge on mine with a smaller more modern MM style bridge. I paid $209 brand-new on discount from a major retailer.

 

Guitar Center is selling the black one for $179.00 on clearance. I just ordered one yesterday. Get it while it's hot.

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. SB4 Electric Bass Guitar

 

That is a real good deal,,,,

 

It's a great bass for a better price if you manage to overcome the hot pickup.

 

I just lowered the pickup the one I owned and didn't have any issues. there is always the volume knob....

 

I'm you're price range, I bet a Yamaha bass would be perfect. Yamaha is very exacting in their instrument making, on all instruments. I see a used rbx360 for under $200. I haven't played it, but I'd make a bet on it.

 

I got a Sterling Sub4 with hardshell case today (used) at GC for $217. Black, maple neck.

 

Also, keep in mind this year's SUB's now have a new preamp that has an even volume knob. Yes it is still pretty hot, but now you can turn the volume down 1/3 and actually get a 1/3 reduction in volume. The older ones were pretty much all or nothing. If you're checking them out in a store, the newer ones have "Made in China" on the back of the headstock, these have the new preamp. I think the Indo ones will soon follow, but I'm not sure when.

My Fiesta Red SUB is new and the volume is great on it.

 

Got this one used from my local shop and replaced the pup with a Bart. Things a beast

 

My most loyal companion.

The finish on the blue ones is beautifully inconsistent- a different shade each time I see them on the rack, and sometimes you can see the grain of the wood better than others. I quite like how mine turned out- the yellow light in my room is unflattering, but it's gorgeous in the sunlight.

Hot as hell, cuts like a razor dipped in boiling acid, and the preamp can stretch or squash the sound into what feels like completely different instruments. Can be a little awkward in settling into a recorded mix, but it's sheer presence and miles of versatility make it a veritable Excalibur for livelooping.

Chicory and SUB are married.

--^@