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S.U.B. Club

#1,841
58kites said:
I bought it used, but I called MusicMan to ask about the pre-amp controls and to get a birth date for my bass.
During that conversation I asked about the pickguard and the guy said that some of them had that pickguard.
It is possible he was uninformed and bullsh!tting but it could also be the truth.
Maybe the weird diamond plate material was out of stock for a bit and they went with simple cheap single ply black for one run.
We also talked about the introduction of the compensated nut that they started putting on them in year three I think, and he they did not have one he could sell me.
Click to expand...

The compensated nut started in late 2005, at the same time they started using it for their standard models. Not sure when exactly 'though.

There are a few strange inconsistencies so who knows what they did and why exactly. Like how early ones in 2003 and very early 2004 had the pickup wired in series, and later in parallel. Ok, I haven't been able to see ALL of their basses in that period, but every single one I've been able to verify fitted the description. Incidentally, teh series wiring suits teh 2-band preamp better, in my opinion.
That's for the 4-string ones, 5-strings appeared to always be parallel... but I only verified 2 of those so I'm reluctant to bet my life on it 'though :laugh:
 
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#1,844
58kites said:
It's 1/8" (.125) thick.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I recall the “metal” one being super thin.


mcnach said:
The compensated nut started in late 2005, at the same time they started using it for their standard models. Not sure when exactly 'though.

There are a few strange inconsistencies so who knows what they did and why exactly. Like how early ones in 2003 and very early 2004 had the pickup wired in series, and later in parallel. Ok, I haven't been able to see ALL of their basses in that period, but every single one I've been able to verify fitted the description. Incidentally, teh series wiring suits teh 2-band preamp better, in my opinion.
That's for the 4-string ones, 5-strings appeared to always be parallel... but I only verified 2 of those so I'm reluctant to bet my life on it 'though :laugh:
Click to expand...

Great info. Mid-focused series wiring more suitable for 2-band mades sense. Mine’s parallel, per serial # and your comments. Maybe I’l try series sometime. I recall not preferring series on a 3-band.
 
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#1,846
StayLow said:
Mid-focused series wiring more suitable for 2-band mades sense. Mine’s parallel, per serial # and your comments. Maybe I’l try series sometime. I recall not preferring series on a 3-band.
Click to expand...
Not sure how mine is wired, but a series/parallel switch is cool on a humbucker bass.
Mine could use a series/parallel switch and a passive mode (pull pot on the volume) and a tone knob when passive.
I need to ask somebody who knows how to do that, I think we may have a guy here in this thread who knows.
 
#1,851
mcnach said:
Serial numbers were on a sticker on the back of the headstock. It's possible it was removed/damaged and lost.

This is one of mine (that I sold :( )
IMG_20190803_133025332.jpg
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If it were lost it happened before it was applied to the bass. My bass was 100% mint when I bought it and sold as new by a MM dealer. I believe the other three SUB's he bought with this one also lacked serial numbers.

One of my guesses was that they ran out of stickers, which is why these basses sat in the EB warehouse for 15+ years, but I'm told that my bass is one of the earlier versions so that no longer makes sense.
 
#1,852
philthygeezer said:
I bought a black Sub5 unlined fretless a billion years ago. It has a 2 band active EQ and a nice plank of Pau Ferro on it. I gave it a nice WD Music BWB pickguard for Christmas. Looks snazzy.

I figured this was a way to cover five string and fretless options with good quality and little cash outlay. Still makes sense to keep it. Sounds good even though I have zero chops. :D

Anybody upgrade the battery box on their SUB? What did you use?
Click to expand...
I had to replace the battery box on my SUB. I used a WDBBS1 and it was a drop in replacement.

WDBBS1 WD Battery Box Shallow Mount for Thin Guitar Body | Reverb Canada
 
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#1,858
Maxdusty said:
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.
View attachment 2826698

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
Click to expand...
I know its an old thread, but that's a G&L bridge.
 

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