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S.U.B. Club

#581
georgestrings said:
Maybe I can help with this - I currently have a SUB5, a Sterling 5 HS, and before that had a Stingray 5 HH... I am definitely sensitive to 5 string neck widths/depths - IME/IMO, the SUB5 neck is slightly smaller than the SR 5 neck, the same width as the Sterling 5 neck, but just a tiny bit thicker from front to back than the Sterling 5 neck... The differences are subtle, but I can feel them, nonetheless - the SUB5 sounds EXACTLY like the SR 5 Classic, and the necks are exremely close to one another - the main differences are bridge mutes/string thu, and neck and body finishes...

Hope this helps, and feel free to ask me any specifics...
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That helps a lot, thank you!

georgestrings said:
IMO, the 2 band preamp of the SUBs is what makes them a "Stingray" - I wouldn't buy one without it...
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A valid point; I like the sound of passive basses, but I want it to sound like a Stringray...

odarellmc said:
there another black sub 4 active there but its a bit used...
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Huh, didn't see it. I don't have a problem with minor dings/scratches, just wasn't a fan of the stripped neck and whatnot.

Calaverasgrande said:
I've got smaller hands as well. I definitely feel more at home on a Sterling sized neck. I would say the "regular" SUBs are very much like the standard stingray width neck.
It doesn't really bother me too much because the projects I use my SUB for are all the type where I specifically do not want to overplay. I also wear that bass pretty low so I can get hands at a good angle (and for the METULLL).

Keep an eye out for a used "full blood" Sterling. I picked up mine for $600 because it had a scratchy pot and I am a hard bargaining former outside sales guy.
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Thanks for the description!

And I've been looking for older used Sterlings, but I like the SUBs for some reason...

Thanks for all the help, guys!
 
#582
verycoolname said:
That helps a lot, thank you!



A valid point; I like the sound of passive basses, but I want it to sound like a Stringray...



Huh, didn't see it. I don't have a problem with minor dings/scratches, just wasn't a fan of the stripped neck and whatnot.



Thanks for the description!

And I've been looking for older used Sterlings, but I like the SUBs for some reason...

Thanks for all the help, guys!
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Yeah check it out its on ebay for about 450....
 
#584
odarellmc said:
Yeah check it out its on ebay for about 450....
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Just saw it, thank you for pointing it out. Looks to be in pretty good shape, and at $200 dollars less than the other one it seems like a good deal.

dkelley said:
Since a stingray is an active bass, you want the sound of an active bass then. Passive stingrays do not sound like the famous tones AS MUCH, although still can apparently sound good.
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Yeah, I understand. I already have an electric bass with active EQ (my Ibanez), so maybe I'll be a bit untraditional and pair it with a passive Stingray...hmmm.

I'll probably go with odarellmc suggested and nab the active one for $450. Have to decide it's totally worth it though, as an adolescent I don't want my minimum wage pay to go to waste. :smug:
 
#585
dkelley said:
Since a stingray is an active bass, you want the sound of an active bass then. Passive stingrays do not sound like the famous tones AS MUCH, although still can apparently sound good.
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In passive form it still sounds very much like a Stingray. You just get one of the Stingray flavours and are stuck with it, but it's definitely a Stingray.
I had a bypass switch installed in my 2002 Stingray when I was too worried about what could happen if the battery went (a worry that was unfounded, as all it takes is a little attention... the battery doesn't just die without warning, it lasts a long time so it's easy to just replace it after a few months to ensure you are always good, and It takes a minute to change... I always have replacement batteries in my case)...
But I digress... yeah, I could play my 2002 Stingray in passive form and you would not know. It's actually not too far from the sound I choose once I engage the preamp.
 
#586
mcnach said:
In passive form it still sounds very much like a Stingray. You just get one of the Stingray flavours and are stuck with it, but it's definitely a Stingray.
I had a bypass switch installed in my 2002 Stingray when I was too worried about what could happen if the battery went (a worry that was unfounded, as all it takes is a little attention... the battery doesn't just die without warning, it lasts a long time so it's easy to just replace it after a few months to ensure you are always good, and It takes a minute to change... I always have replacement batteries in my case)...
But I digress... yeah, I could play my 2002 Stingray in passive form and you would not know. It's actually not too far from the sound I choose once I engage the preamp.
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Thats interesting thanks for sharing
.so having played both passive and active rays, whats the difference I know you stated they are very similar but what's the difference however minute between the two? Thanks.
 
#587
odarellmc said:
Thats interesting thanks for sharing
.so having played both passive and active rays, whats the difference I know you stated they are very similar but what's the difference however minute between the two? Thanks.
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The difference is the preamp allows you to have many different tones. Without the preamp you cannot adjust it. That's all. Those MM pickups work just fine without a preamp and have plenty of bottom end already.
I prefer having a preamp, and I would wait to find an active one... but the passive one is not bad either and it's definitely a Stingray, one where the tone controls have gotten stuck...
 
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#588
mcnach said:
The difference is the preamp allows you to have many different tones. Without the preamp you cannot adjust it. That's all. Those MM pickups work just fine without a preamp and have plenty of bottom end already.
I prefer having a preamp, and I would wait to find an active one... but the passive one is not bad either and it's definitely a Stingray, one where the tone controls have gotten stuck...
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I see that explains quite a bit thanks.
 
#590
Here is my SUB 2003. ImageUploadedByTalkBass1373947731.128272.jpg
 
#597
ciubz said:
got my sub 4 active for under 100$, since then my 81' pre EB is collecting dust!!
View attachment 349755
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I had an '82 Ray. Quite the beast in terms of tone AND weight (Close to 12 lbs.). Got rid of it some years ago because of the weight.

Without the benefit of A/Bing my old '82 and my current SUB, I'd say my SUB would win in terms of what I like in playability, tone and weight/balance. So I can see how your '81 is collecting dust!
 

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