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S.U.B. Series Stingray - what year?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by skycruiser, Jul 10, 2021.

  1. Jul 10, 2021 #1
    skycruiser

    skycruiser

    Jan 15, 2019
    I just picked up a fairly low cost Sterling S.U.B. Stingray - I think it may be called Sub4 but I find the history and names confusing. I'm wondering what year it might be with this headstock:

    upload_2021-7-10_22-43-19.png

    SN is B043019 - could not find a decoder online but maybe the year can be pulled from that??

    The bass is on the heavy side but otherwise seems decent enough. I figured at some point I should familiarize myself with a member of the Ray family and with my budget I have to start at the bottom :)

    upload_2021-7-10_22-45-16.png
     
    Giffro likes this.
  2. Jul 11, 2021 #2
    Staccato

    Staccato Low End Advocate

    Aug 14, 2009
    Alabama
    Your bass looks like the current model of Ray4 in Mnt Green with white pickguard. SBMM serial numbers are not easy to decode the year of manufacture.

    Features
    Neck
    • Shape: StingRay
    • Wood: Maple
    • Neck joint: Bolt-on
    • Scale length: 34 in.
    • Truss rod: Standard
    • Finish: Gloss
    Pickups
    • Active or passive pickups: Active
    • Pickup configuration: H
    • Neck: Not applicable
    • Middle: Not applicable
    • Bridge: Humbucker
    • Brand: Music Man
    • Series or parallel: Not applicable
    • Active preamp: Yes
    • Special electronics: Not applicable
    Fretboard
    • Material: Maple
    • Radius: 12 in.
    • Fret size: Medium
    • Number of frets: 21
    • Inlays: Dot
    • Nut material: Info not available
    • Nut width: 1.49 in. (38 mm)
    • Neck width at 12 fret: 2.16 in. (55 mm)
    Body
    • Cutaway: Double cutaway
    • Construction: Solidbody
    • Body wood: Basswood
    • Top wood: Not applicable
    • Body finish: Gloss
    • Orientation: Right handed
    Controls
    • Control layout: Volume 1, 2-band EQ
    • Pickup switch: No
    • Coil tap or split: No
    • Tone switching: No
    • Special switching: No
    Hardware
    • Bridge type: Fixed
    • Bridge design: Fully adjustable
    • Tailpiece: Not applicable
    • Tuning machines: Open-gear
    • Color: Chrome
    Other
    • Number of strings: 4
    • Pickguard: Yes
    • Special features: Not applicable
    • Case: Sold separately
    • Accessories: None
    • Country of origin: Indonesia
     
    skycruiser likes this.
  3. Jul 11, 2021 #3
    P Cheen

    P Cheen Alembics and parametric mid knobs scare me.

    Apr 4, 2015
    Southern Oregon
    I’m unsure when they changed the new headstock decals into this

    E0889B7B-76D8-4656-8C89-D7A04C9E211E.jpeg

    But should be the same specs.
     
    skycruiser likes this.
  4. Jul 12, 2021 #4
    skycruiser

    skycruiser

    Jan 15, 2019
    Thanks guys. After a few days playing this bass, I'm finding I really don't like the sound. With EQ flat it sounds sort of muted and muffled when recording direct. Not sure if I should consider swapping out electronics or just move it on. I'm using DR Pure Blues - I might try some other strings I have laying around tonight (NYXLs might be better).
     
  5. Jul 12, 2021 #5
    Giffro

    Giffro Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2017
    South Australia
    Bought mine for my wife to practise on here in Australia in March 2017 and they were pretty newish about then...hopefully that helps a bit. There is quite a bit of info here in the SBMM (Sterling By Music Man) club (link below) about mods to pups etc to make them sound better. When I received mine I noticed the volume pot went from off to instant on with no adjustment up to max..in other words if the knob was fully off just the smallest twist of the knob turned it to full volume and even turning up to "10" made no difference. The earlier models like mine and yours did have some electronics issues that I think were rectified in the later models when they rebranded the headstock.
    The Sterling By MusicMan SUB Ray 4 and 5 Club!!!!

    Sterling By MM SUB RAY4 and Rumble 500C 115Cab.JPG
     
    skycruiser likes this.
  6. Jul 12, 2021 #6
    skycruiser

    skycruiser

    Jan 15, 2019
    Thanks! I looked for the club and couldn't find it. Lots of reading to do now.:woot:
     
    Giffro likes this.
  7. Jul 12, 2021 #7
    P Cheen

    P Cheen Alembics and parametric mid knobs scare me.

    Apr 4, 2015
    Southern Oregon
    For starters, try an alnico humbucker instead of the ceramic ones. That might give you a tone you like more.
     
    skycruiser likes this.