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Resurrecting My '04 Musicman SUB USA

srambo590

srambo590

Sep 21, 2016
36
40
Southern California
cyberears.com
#1
Hey friends,

I'm looking for some advice on how to get my old Musicman SUB USA back in playing shape. My dad bought it for me when I was in high school, and it holds a lot of sentimental value given he recently passed away in July. It's a 2004 model that's seen its fair share of wear and tear, so I've already replaced the nut, tuners, and pickguard. About 10 years ago, I had a local tech install a Seymour Duncan SMB-4A Alnico pickup, but I still have the original humbucker.

Right now, I'm getting no output and the pots are making a lot of noise. I'm thinking it might be time for a new wiring harness, pre-amp, and possibly a different pickup. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I just want to get this old friend back up and running.

Thanks for reading, and keep rockin' ! 🎸
 

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#2
srambo590 said:
Hey friends,

I'm looking for some advice on how to get my old Musicman SUB USA back in playing shape. My dad bought it for me when I was in high school, and it holds a lot of sentimental value given he recently passed away in July. It's a 2004 model that's seen its fair share of wear and tear, so I've already replaced the nut, tuners, and pickguard. About 10 years ago, I had a local tech install a Seymour Duncan SMB-4A Alnico pickup, but I still have the original humbucker.

Right now, I'm getting no output and the pots are making a lot of noise. I'm thinking it might be time for a new wiring harness, pre-amp, and possibly a different pickup. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I just want to get this old friend back up and running.

Thanks for reading, and keep rockin' ! 🎸
Click to expand...
New battery? 🤔

Also if you are getting no output, how do you know the pots are making a lot of noise? I would give it a good going over before I'd start replacing everything. It did work at some point in its life.

Again, start with a new battery.
 
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#3
DJ Bebop said:
New battery? 🤔

Also if you are getting no output, how do you know the pots are making a lot of noise? I would give it a good going over before I'd start replacing everything. It did work at some point in its life.

Again, start with a new battery.
Click to expand...
Put a brand new battery in it when I pulled it out of storage. Checked the battery with a multimeter too. Definitely isn't the battery.
 
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#8
Have you made sure the amp is working correctly or, it isn't or the cord you are using by using another bass? Twist each knob on the bass quickly back n forth a dozen or so times and try it. Also do the same with the cord going into the amp and the bass. Try a different cord? Double check your amp settings and do the knobs a dozen or so quick twist to. Another battery you said. Is it brand new? Do simple first.
 
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#11
I'll venture to say that the fix is most likely something simple, and I'll echo what others have said about it most likely being the jack or the battery box. If you have a friend or family member who understands basic electronics and is handy with a multimeter, you can probably figure it out quickly. Also, having owned several EBMM Stingrays over the past 30+ years, I would like to mention that all of the stock components on my USA SUB bass were the same as those found in the (non-SUB) EBMM Stingrays, with the exception of the preamp and the (horrible) diamond-plate pickgaurd. The only thing I personally would have changed (other than the pickgaurd) was the body finish, which to me felt like textured ceiling paint, and which made mine a great "beater" bass while I owned it. Probably would have sanded and tung oil finished the back of the neck at some point too. But it was a Stingray through and through, and one of the basses I regret letting go.
 
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#14
Update: I reinstalled the original humbucker, and it's actually making sound again, however, after about 90 seconds or so the signal degrades and only kicks back in when I wiggle the input jack. I've ordered a replacement jack from Musicman and will see if that fixes this issue. I've also noticed the 2nd EQ pot is unresponsive, or at least not making a discernible difference in the tone, so that will likely need to be replaced too.
 
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#15
Update 2: received the input jack and installed it, now I'm getting no output at all (again). I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking it'd be easiest to just replace the entire pre-amp. I'm looking at this John East harness because it looks like I'll just have to mount it on the control plate, then solder on the pickup, battery leads, and add the ground.

Invalid Link Removed
 
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#16
srambo590 said:
Update 2: received the input jack and installed it, now I'm getting no output at all (again). I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking it'd be easiest to just replace the entire pre-amp. I'm looking at this John East harness because it looks like I'll just have to mount it on the control plate, then solder on the pickup, battery leads, and add the ground.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
Send it to EBMM. They should get everything in working order for you and you will have authentic EBMM parts. Those basses shave increased in value and will continue to do so. That finish is a popular one. Get it as close to original as possible and watch the value continue to climb.
 
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#17
srambo590 said:
Update 2: received the input jack and installed it, now I'm getting no output at all (again). I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking it'd be easiest to just replace the entire pre-amp. I'm looking at this John East harness because it looks like I'll just have to mount it on the control plate, then solder on the pickup, battery leads, and add the ground.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
I am beginning to question the credentials of the repair service you have chosen to use :whistle:

🤣
 
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#18
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Send it to EBMM. They should get everything in working order for you and you will have authentic EBMM parts. Those basses shave increased in value and will continue to do so. That finish is a popular one. Get it as close to original as possible and watch the value continue to climb.
Click to expand...
I sent them an email a couple days ago so I'm going to wait and see what they suggest. I don't plan on selling this bass, I just want to get it working again.
 
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#19
DJ Bebop said:
I am beginning to question the credentials of the repair service you have chosen to use :whistle:

🤣
Click to expand...
I had issues with the bass prior to getting the humbucker replaced. I toured with it for years and it got plenty of wear and tear on the road. I figured the humbucker swap would've got this thing operational again, but I was also like 22 at the time and had no idea what was actually wrong with it. I'm 37 now and still don't 😅
 
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