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S.U.B. Club

The common wisdom seems to be giving the neck a very light rub down with the finest (grey I think) scotchbrite pad. That should get it back to satin. You could use fine 0000 steel wool, but the particles will stick to your pups, I loathe the stuff. I like matte finish, but it always gets buffed out where you touch it.
The paint on my neck is wearing off in one spot - (actually not from me but from the previous owner). It looks like there's some kind of light varnish coating on the maple neck underneath the paint. Debating whether to repaint the neck or stripping it off altogether as the wear spot isn't that big. Will probably leave it as is, until more of the paint wears off?
 
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I have one too... I really like it that way it is. It's the only passive EBMM Ray so personally, I wouldn't modify it in any way. It's different enough to be somewhat unique from the typical Ray. I also happen to like the P bass sound, the passive Ray seems to have this nice combo of the Ray and P-Bass sound.

Regret selling my passive SUB...it was a great bar gig bass...
 
+1 to that. I didn't believe it myself until I heard it with my own two earballs. The passive ones are beefier than the active ones.

I had an offer a while back to trade SUBs, my passive for an active one. I didn't bite. I would love an active Ray too mind you, but I figured I could always get an active Ray (EBMM or the SBMM Ray 34). I suspect finding a passive US made EBMM Ray is going to be pretty difficult as time progresses.
 
Ok I've got an early 90's EBMM SUB that I've had a love hate relationship with for years to the point of frankenizing the thing. I've recently picked it up again and without reading through this entire thread does anyone feel the bridge is a basically generic entry level piece? Honestly I think the thing kinda bones. What replacement bridges have you guys used if you switched it out?
 
does anyone feel the bridge is a basically generic entry level piece? Honestly I think the thing kinda bones. What replacement bridges have you guys used if you switched it out?

I've had both the original EBMM with the logo on non-SUBs and the SUB ones as well, and I gotta say that there isn't much difference. The thickness of the plates, the barrels, the body interface, all top notch. I won't say it's the be-all, end-all design of bridges, there's WAY better technology these days.
But I'll say this: you're not gonna find huge difference between the US SUB and regular bridges.

As for replacements, GOOD LUCK! There's really no "drop-in" made. The only replacements that I've seen drop in-ish are absolute turds. Cheap, thin bent plate and/or low quality knock-off stuff. I have one sitting next to me as we speak and it's about half as thick as the genuine, with barrels that are wimpy and cheap.
If only Hipshot would make one, I'd be on that like ugly on ape.

If you didn't care about a drop-in mount and were willing to drill new holes, I'd say any high-quality bridge would do the trick.

What is it about the original that rubs you the wrong way?
 
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I've had both the original EBMM with the logo on non-SUBs and the SUB ones as well, and I gotta say that there isn't much difference. The thickness of the plates, the barrels, the body interface, all top notch. I won't say it's the be-all, end-all design of bridges, there's WAY better technology these days.
But I'll say this: you're not gonna find huge difference between the US SUB and regular bridges.

As for replacements, GOOD LUCK! There's really no "drop-in" made. The only replacements that I've seen drop in-ish are absolute turds. Cheap, thin bent plate and/or low quality knock-off stuff. I have one sitting next to me as we speak and it's about half as thick as the genuine, with barrels that are wimpy and cheap.
If only Hipshot would make one, I'd be on that like ugly on ape.

If you didn't care about a drop-in mount and were willing to drill new holes, I'd say any high-quality bridge would do the trick.

What is it about the original that rubs you the wrong way?

Thanks for that reply. Well, it just looks chinchy. The chrome is week and pitted. There's very little resistance on any of the screws that adjusts any portion of the bridge. I don't feel the tension on the strings alone is enough to keep all the screws where they're supposed to be without moving around. It just seems like they could've put a little more into it.
 
Thanks for that reply. Well, it just looks chinchy. The chrome is week and pitted. There's very little resistance on any of the screws that adjusts any portion of the bridge. I don't feel the tension on the strings alone is enough to keep all the screws where they're supposed to be without moving around. It just seems like they could've put a little more into it.

I've owned about a dozen Music Man basses over the years and I've never had any problems or complaints about any of the bridges, SUB or otherwise.
 
Ok I've got an early 90's EBMM SUB that I've had a love hate relationship with for years to the point of frankenizing the thing. I've recently picked it up again and without reading through this entire thread does anyone feel the bridge is a basically generic entry level piece? Honestly I think the thing kinda bones. What replacement bridges have you guys used if you switched it out?

Those weren't made in the 90s. It's early 2000s. The bridge is pretty much the same as the Stingray bridge sans the logo. Unless yours isn't the original USA SUB. It's a nice piece of metal.
 
Yeah. I don't play this bass much. I've had it for awhile & modified it and tried to like it very much. I admit I don't know a lot about it. It's definitely a USA EBMM SUB. I need to check the serial # again. Hey. IMO it's a lame bridge that could've been made nicer. It works but meh.
Also. Yeah I'm off on the date of manufacture. It's been years since I picked this thing up. Had a great session with it last night. I really want to like this bass.
 
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Yeah. I don't play this bass much. I've had it for awhile & modified it and tried to like it very much. I admit I don't know a lot about it. It's definitely a USA EBMM SUB. I need to check the serial # again. Hey. IMO it's a lame bridge that could've been made nicer. It works but meh.
Also. Yeah I'm off on the date of manufacture. It's been years since I picked this thing up. Had a great session with it last night. I really want to like this bass.
Consider selling?
 
+1 to that. I didn't believe it myself until I heard it with my own two earballs. The passive ones are beefier than the active ones.

I think you're hearing the series wired pickup vs. the Stingray usual parallel.

Now... try a series wired SUB! :) it seems that's how they made them in 2003/2004, I have seen a few of that period and own one myself. In-Series wired complements the 2EQ preamp beautifully. I prefer the sound of the SUB myself.
 
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Ok I've got an early 90's EBMM SUB that I've had a love hate relationship with for years to the point of frankenizing the thing. I've recently picked it up again and without reading through this entire thread does anyone feel the bridge is a basically generic entry level piece? Honestly I think the thing kinda bones. What replacement bridges have you guys used if you switched it out?

The SUB was made between 2003 and 2006. No such thing as early 90s SUB.

The bridge is absolutely fine, in my opinion. Pretty solid and good quality. It may not have "MusicMan" stamped on it, but I honestly see no problem with it. Are you really talking about the Made In USA SUB?
 
Yeah. I don't play this bass much. I've had it for awhile & modified it and tried to like it very much. I admit I don't know a lot about it. It's definitely a USA EBMM SUB. I need to check the serial # again. Hey. IMO it's a lame bridge that could've been made nicer. It works but meh.
Also. Yeah I'm off on the date of manufacture. It's been years since I picked this thing up. Had a great session with it last night. I really want to like this bass.


I guess you won't like a Stingray bridge either, then.
 
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How is that so? It's literally a Stingray minus the preamp. They sound great, but the active one doesn't have anything preveniting it from sounding exactly the same.

The preamp “pinches” the signal a little bit. The passive sounds more open and has an immediacy of attack. It also cuts more and doesn’t have the harshness in the high end that suppresses the signal.
 
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The SUB was made between 2003 and 2006. No such thing as early 90s SUB.

The bridge is absolutely fine, in my opinion. Pretty solid and good quality. It may not have "MusicMan" stamped on it, but I honestly see no problem with it. Are you really talking about the Made In USA SUB?

Yes that factoid pertaining to the year of manufacture has been addressed already thank you. Do you even SUB forum chum?
I just gave my opinion on the bridge and inquired about replacement. Yes it does work but it also lookes like something that was mass produced for $11.
Again yes I am talking about a real USA MM that I already stated I've had for years and barely ever touch the thing. I'm glad your such a fanboi of this clumsy overbuilt back breaker of a bass. I personally overall am not.