S.U.B. Club

[JakobT]

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.

It's possible that we may all be talking at cross purposes here. To my mind there is little difference between the bridge of an actual StingRay and the bridge of a SUB. I've taken a picture of the bridge of my own 2006 sub and lined it up with a screenshot of a StingRay from the Musicman web site. With the exception of the word "MusicMan" stamped at the bottom (and allowing for the difference in picture quality), I see very little difference. Exactly what is it that you think looks so cheap?

 

[saltydude]

Yeah I guess I just honestly take it for face value. Perhaps being a machinist by trade has influenced my opinion. Yes it works but It's basically a piece of flat steel, put in a break, bent into shape with a one second motion, dipped in chrome, and a few holes drilled in it. I know looks have little to do with performance but being in my industry I can tell by observation that this mass produced piece was designed to be popped out by the thousands in a short cost effective process.
It's all good. Just my opinion. Not my cup of tea or forum obviously. If I ever develop a love for this bass that I've been trying to over the years I'll be back to praise its attributes. I do like the tone and shaping aspects of it. Just wish I could change a few things. Perhaps some day I will.

Edit- there you go. Picture added. You guys can look up the year if you wish. I've gotta go rake leaves before work. Peace.

 

[JakobT]

Yeah I guess I just honestly take it for face value. Perhaps being a machinist by trade has influenced my opinion. Yes it works but It's basically a piece of flat steel, put in a break, bent into shape with a one second motion, dipped in chrome, and a few holes drilled in it. I know looks have little to do with performance but being in my industry I can tell by observation that this mass produced piece was designed to be popped out by the thousands in a short cost effective process.
It's all good. Just my opinion. Not my cup of tea or forum obviously. If I ever develop a love for this bass that I've been trying to over the years I'll be back to praise its attributes. I do like the tone and shaping aspects of it. Just wish I could change a few things. Perhaps some day I will.

Edit- there you go. Picture added. You guys can look up the year if you wish. I've gotta go rake leaves before work. Peace.

Of course, you're right about it being fairly simple, and obviously it doesn't cost a lot to make. This type of bridge has been more or less standard for MusicMan basses since their inception, and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that it was designed by Leo Fender whose bridges for the Precision and Jazz basses were simpler still. On the other hand it does what it's supposed to, doesn't weigh a lot, and doesn't cause tuning or intonation problems. I rather like it myself, and I guess that MusicMan figures that there is no need to fix something that isn't really broken. Still, if it isn't your cup of tea it isn't, and there are no drop-in replacements on the market that I know of. But being a machinist, wouldn't it be possible to make something from scratch? If you ever do, come back and show us. I know I'd be interested.

 

[sears]

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.

Stay salty, classy! In a fan thread, no less.

 

[saltydude]

Of course, you're right about it being fairly simple, and obviously it doesn't cost a lot to make. This type of bridge has been more or less standard for MusicMan basses since their inception, and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that it was designed by Leo Fender whose bridges for the Precision and Jazz basses were simpler still. On the other hand it does what it's supposed to, doesn't weigh a lot, and doesn't cause tuning or intonation problems. I rather like it myself, and I guess that MusicMan figures that there is no need to fix something that isn't really broken. Still, if it isn't your cup of tea it isn't, and there are no drop-in replacements on the market that I know of. But being a machinist, wouldn't it be possible to make something from scratch? If you ever do, come back and show us. I know I'd be interested.

It is most certainly possible and thank you for that response. I made a nice piece for this bass and done some mods to make it playable for me. Like I said I've really tried with this guy. If I get a chance I'll post some pics and explain my journey.

 

[JakobT]

It is most certainly possible and thank you for that response. I made a nice piece for this bass and done some mods to make it playable for me. Like I said I've really tried with this guy. If I get a chance I'll post some pics and explain my journey.

I’ll be sure to look out for it.

 

[Maxdusty]

Yeah I guess I just honestly take it for face value. Perhaps being a machinist by trade has influenced my opinion. Yes it works but It's basically a piece of flat steel, put in a break, bent into shape with a one second motion, dipped in chrome, and a few holes drilled in it. I know looks have little to do with performance but being in my industry I can tell by observation that this mass produced piece was designed to be popped out by the thousands in a short cost effective process.
It's all good. Just my opinion. Not my cup of tea or forum obviously. If I ever develop a love for this bass that I've been trying to over the years I'll be back to praise its attributes. I do like the tone and shaping aspects of it. Just wish I could change a few things. Perhaps some day I will.

Edit- there you go. Picture added. You guys can look up the year if you wish. I've gotta go rake leaves before work. Peace.

A drop in replacement for a MM bridge might be a good niche to get into. I personally haven't had a problem with the bridge but yes, I will say it's not going to win any bridge design awards. Leo left a lot of room for improvements and mods with his designs - I think where he succeeded is in the simplicity yet functionality aspect. Third market bridges are popular additions/modifications with his Fender basses - the MM stock bridge has more to it but still really a simple design. It can be left alone and it'll still be a great sounding bass, but if one can design a better one, why not?
Personally, I would love to bring back the mutes on the bridge, perhaps have a lever that engages the mutes on the fly - like this bridge.

As an aside, Old MM Sabre basses did have better looking bridge on them , I don't think they used it on their Rays nor on the Sabre classic remakes. Go figure bit still, I love my SUB.

 

[saltydude]

Stay salty, classy! In a fan thread, no less.

Totally fair. My bad. I woke grumpy I guess. The salty is not in reference to attitude. I'm really a sweet guy.

 

[mcnach]

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.

:lol:
someone's butthurt that they got asked questions?
Dude, less salt may be good for you. Take it easy. I'm sorry I didn't get a notification the very moment you posted so that I could have tried to answer the very minute you wanted an answer. I know. How very dare I respond a few days after you posted?
In the future, I will make sure I read aaaaaall the answers before I add mine, just in case someone else already added what I wanted to say. Because, I know, it must be such a drag in your very busy life...

... and if really liking the sound of these basses both live and in the studio makes me a fanboi, I think you're a little confused about what that means. But one thing at a time, I suppose.

Seriously, dude, cut the salt. It cannot be good for your blood pressure

 

[sears]

Totally fair. My bad. I woke grumpy I guess. The salty is not in reference to attitude. I'm really a sweet guy.

To be fair, they definitely cheaped out on these basses. For example, why is the bridge different if it isn't cheaper?

They used mini pots instead of full-size CTS pots in mine. They did everything they could to keep the price down.

 

[rogerbmiller]

To be fair, they definitely cheaped out on these basses. For example, why is the bridge different if it isn't cheaper?

They used mini pots instead of full-size CTS pots in mine. They did everything they could to keep the price down.

I believe the bridge is the same but the cost savings comes from not having to stamp/engrave the logo.

Likewise, the tuners are the same but non-branded. The regular musicman tuners each have the logo.

If the parts are made of different materials, the differences are imperceptible to me. Where I do notice a difference is in the feel of the neck and the sound of the Poplar which is mellow than ash or alder.

 

[mcnach]

I believe the bridge is the same but the cost savings comes from not having to stamp/engrave the logo.

Likewise, the tuners are the same but non-branded. The regular musicman tuners each have the logo.

If the parts are made of different materials, the differences are imperceptible to me. Where I do notice a difference is in the feel of the neck and the sound of the Poplar which is mellow than ash or alder.

They're almost certainly softer metal than in the 'full blooded' Stingray, but I can't say I notice them being inferior in practice. Those basses have been out there for 11-14 years, and I don't hear many "my tuners stripped" comments about them, or stuff like that.

My 2003 one has been used A LOT over the years and the amount of wear is minimal (and comparable to my 2002 Stingray). It is however quite heavy, by far my heaviest bass, it would not be my first choice for a 4h gig, although I've done those and lived to tell the tale but I'm in reasonably good physical shape.

The necks, being painted, didn't have to be 'nice looking' so lower cosmetic grade wood could be used. Similarly the bodies can be made of a few bits of wood... although I've seen some stripped necks that looked pretty decent, and some stripped bodies that look good (then others looked terrible)... I guess all these things contributed to their lower cost. In addition the finish... pretty 'rough and ready' required a lot less work and time than standard finishes.

I'm glad that once they made the point (a USA instrument could be made for under X$) instead of lowering the quality further to keep the price down, they just decided to discontinue it. Had I known about the SUBs before I bought my Stingray, I'd have just bought a nice SUB (probably one lighter than the one I've got!)...

 

[NickFromNY]

I have a black passive SUB which I play more than my 96 Stingray.. Where is a good place to get a replacement pickguard though as those faux metal ones look rediculous. And what color would go well with the black matte finish? white pearl? Silver pearl?

 

[pudgychef]

I have a black passive SUB which I play more than my 96 Stingray.. Where is a good place to get a replacement pickguard though as those faux metal ones look rediculous. And what color would go well with the black matte finish? white pearl? Silver pearl?

I have got them from EBMM direct in the past as well as from pickguardian and another place onine that I am blanking on...the 'regular' Stingray 4H guards (with truss tool knotch) fit USA SUBs.

Black pearl looks great against that flat finish imho, I love matte cream too

 

[corndog]

I have a black passive SUB which I play more than my 96 Stingray.. Where is a good place to get a replacement pickguard though as those faux metal ones look rediculous. And what color would go well with the black matte finish? white pearl? Silver pearl?

I have aged pearl on my black sub, looks great, adds a little variation to an otherwise stark solid color.

 

[Maxdusty]

I have a black passive SUB which I play more than my 96 Stingray.. Where is a good place to get a replacement pickguard though as those faux metal ones look rediculous. And what color would go well with the black matte finish? white pearl? Silver pearl?

I bought a black one on ebay for around $8. Fits perfectly as it's for a standard MM. Might get a white pearl for the same price and change the pickguard every now and then.

 

[JakobT]

As an aside, Old MM Sabre basses did have better looking bridge on them , I don't think they used it on their Rays nor on the Sabre classic remakes. Go figure bit still, I love my SUB.
View attachment 2826710

The bridge on the original Sabre basses is very similar to the bridge used on G&L basses, which is probably no coincidence. The Classic sabres do not have this, but a version of the bent metal bridge fitted with adjustable string mutes. It's similar to the bridge on the Classic StingRay, except that the Classic StingRay bridge is string-through.

Edit: Here’s the bridge on my Classic Sabre. I really like the adjustable string mutes, even though I don’t use them all that often.

 

[Maxdusty]

I have a black passive SUB which I play more than my 96 Stingray.. Where is a good place to get a replacement pickguard though as those faux metal ones look rediculous. And what color would go well with the black matte finish? white pearl? Silver pearl?

Black pearl looks great against that flat finish imho, I love matte cream too

I agree. Black pearl looks great on it I wanted to get this but Musicalily didn't make a black pearl till now and the only ones available were much more expensive. Just might have to get one. (note- on their ebay listing, they say it'll only fit the standard MM stingray not the Ernie Ball SUB- I think they meant the SBMM SUB because standard MM pickguards fit on these EBMM SUBs)

Not my bass or picture but found this pic for reference.

 

[NickFromNY]

i ordered a few different ones and I will see what fits and what doesn't. bought white pearl and black pearl off of Amazon, and a mirrored smoke one from a TB member. I tried the musicalily white pearl one a while back and maybe just got a bad one, as it didn't fit at all. We will see. there are always returns.

 

[NickFromNY]

Well the first one came in... one of those Musiclily $11 ones from Amazon.. fits well. Needed a little persuasion around the neck pocket but screws line lined up and is flat. Ordered the same one a while back and had issues with fit. May just have to go through a few to find the good ones but I am definitely happy for $11. Have the same in black pearl coming too...