More important. If you're a new bassist, why are you learning on a lefty? You severely limit your options and potentially increase your costs down the road.
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*New to community* need help with SUB 4 fake, or difference spotting.
- Thread starter Adam Huff
- Start date
I had a Ray4 a couple of years ago (the S.U.B.-labeled ones were also called Ray4, just not on the headstock...so confusing!), and it was a cut above most of the similarly-priced competition; all the Ray4s I've tried have sounded and felt more like basses in the $500 range. (Also good in the ~$300 range are Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe basses.)
But in general, try before you buy is the name of the game when shopping. Failing that, take your online purchase to a local tech for a good setup, or buy from a place like Sweetwater that has a reputation for doing good setups before shipping.
But in general, try before you buy is the name of the game when shopping. Failing that, take your online purchase to a local tech for a good setup, or buy from a place like Sweetwater that has a reputation for doing good setups before shipping.
Very true, but any lefty can tell you its near impossible to find something used, especially in a particular price range.
Best of luck Huff, and Welcome to TB!
I did want to mention I've been lights and sound for bands for 15 yrs. I've just never had the urge to learn an instrument. Since this new band I'm with is more up my alley in terms of friends, and music taste, I've just had an urge for a while now to learn. We do around 200+ shows a year around the country, doing covers, and tours with higher up bands. I guess I started kinda sounding like a NOOB in the industry. Im just an actual, hands on an instrument NOOB. my bass player lives a few hours from me, so I really can't talk to him with a sit down about this stuff, so I have you guys now!! Thank y'all.
Seems like it was limited production, and the resale on Neptune Blue as it's called is certainly higher than other colors. But I don't think it's still running and I don't know that it's called an LE color.
Yes...EBMM/Sterling SUBs are confusing to newcomers - not to mention there is yet another SUB model, it's a US made SUB and is closer to being a true Musicman Ray than any Sterling Ray model. These "SUBs" (now discontinued) were budget models of the US made Rays but higher in quality than those made by Sterling. Confusing....but if you find one of these Made in the US SUBs for cheap, it would be the one to buy.
Welcome @Adam Huff glad you could join us. You can get a lot of the info on the Sterling By Music Man basses reading the SBMM owners club thread. However, I'll give you a quick rundown on what I believe is the info you're looking for. This will be all about the SBMM basses, not the EBMM SUB basses.
I'd recommend looking for an older used SBMM SUB at Guitar Center through their site. Play on a couple before you take one home and see what you think of the electronics. If it's livable for learning, you can always upgrade later, lot's of good electronics out there, and the Nordstrand MM pickup and MM 2 band pre-amp works great in that bass. Otherwise, they are very good basses for the money.
- The SUB series basses can be easily identified by the word SUB on the headstock. The picture in post #6 is incorrect. The "new" picture is of the Ray24 bass, not a SUB series bass. The SUB series have SUB series written below the SBMM logo in very small letters, a change made for 2018.
- All the SUB series basses are made in both China and Indonesia, split by color I believe, so you could see country stickers from either. They all come to Praxis music in Orange, CA, and are checked and setup there. I have heard preference for the Indonesian bass over a China built model.
- Pre-2018 the electronics were EBMM designed to have a more true Stingray tone, but there were a lot of issues with the electronics and it was a toss up finding a good one. Not unplayable, but not great. So in 2018 there's new electronics that are shared with the next model up, the Ray24, but not designed by EBMM.
- Finally, it seems it's pretty hard to find many of the 2018 models as they have had other plants close and I'm guessing there's been some production ramp up issues for the new models.
I'd recommend looking for an older used SBMM SUB at Guitar Center through their site. Play on a couple before you take one home and see what you think of the electronics. If it's livable for learning, you can always upgrade later, lot's of good electronics out there, and the Nordstrand MM pickup and MM 2 band pre-amp works great in that bass. Otherwise, they are very good basses for the money.
+1 on this!
If starting from 0 instrument experience, learning righty would be very helpful down the road, not only when shopping for instruments but also for jamming and informal things like that.
Welcome and get ready for some thunderous fun!!!
Diego
I have an Indonesian SUB Series bought in 2015 ...black body so I put black Daddario tapewounds on it.....it is a super bass ...great tones, band loves it , cuts through "the mix" just fine.....no fret buzz
a very good starter bass...will be a keeper bass for me too!....I've performed live with it half a dozen times..no complaints
a very good starter bass...will be a keeper bass for me too!....I've performed live with it half a dozen times..no complaints
+6893938373 on that. But my EBMM sterling is possible my favorite bass of all time
I don’t understand the revolving naming nomenclature myself. Even Fender are doing similar things, which makes it very hard to understand what’s what.
If you’re not married to the idea of a MM style instrument you’d probably have a much better chance of finding a lefty Fender or Squier. Whatever you choose, buy from a reputable store and stay away from aliexpress, dhgate etc.
If you’re not married to the idea of a MM style instrument you’d probably have a much better chance of finding a lefty Fender or Squier. Whatever you choose, buy from a reputable store and stay away from aliexpress, dhgate etc.
I know my US EBMM SUB has a sticker with the serial # and place of manufacture on the back of the headstock, but it says made in San Luis Obispo, CA not Orange.
Ibanez SR series; especially instruments from Japan. Best bang for the buck. Unless you spring for German or U.S. made, that's what I'd seek out; even used. I totally understand the budget thing etc., but you'd be surprised what you could find on "used" market. Haven't played German or U.K. made, but definitely played Ibanez AND EBMM Stingrays. Own my "first real" bass Ibanez SR800 (Japan) ((wouldn't sell it if I needed a heart transplant)), and EBMM Stingray's 4HH and 5H. Best bang for buck on a budget is Ibanez (Japan) IMO. Good Luck!
- Dec 28, 2009
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- Disclosures
- Endorsed by K.B. Guitars, Nordstrand Audio Pickups, Von York Strings and Gallien-Krueger Amps.
The SBMM Sub series Ray 4 and Ray 5’s along the SBMM Ray 24 and Ray 25’s (SBMM’s version of a Music Man Stingray Classic) are made in China. The SBMM Ray 34 and Ray 35’s (SBMM’s version of a standard Music Man Stingray) are now made in Indonesia but up until last year, were made in Korea. The Ray 34 and Ray 35 models are pretty good. I would buy one of those now, before I would spend North of $2k for the American made Music Man basses. The Ray 24 and Ray 25 basses are actually really good for their price point and the quality is not to bad considering they are made in China. The Sub Series Ray 4 and Ray 5 are not something I would ever buy. You can get a ton of basses much better, that are used or even new. With the Sub series Ray 4 and Ray 5, I have heard more negative than good and would avoid them. Ironically, back in I think it was 2012, I bought my youngest son a SBMM Sub series Silo 3 electric guitar. Brand new they only sell for $199.99. With my 20% discount at Guitar Center, I got my sons for $159.99 our the door with free shipping and a nice gig bag also thrown in for free. That guitar has been pretty good for the money. My son still has it and it still plays great and has never given him an issue. The pickups are okay but for they money that I paid, I’m not going to complain.
