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Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

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#701
REME7178 said:
Are you guys serious if you all got an oranges than you all would want apples? Some of the request being made are a little unreasonable. I think this bass is already a really great deal for what you get for under $300, and between GC & MF and the discounts someone could get one for less than $250 with the tax. Paint it, defret it, swap necks, or what ever else yourselves or pay to get it done right. Order the parts or order one from Invalid Link Removed and make it look however you like with what electronics you like. I do think however that it would not be too much of a hassle to correct hot preamp issues. 3 band preamp, alnico pickup, and a hole drilled for a 1/4" jack $120 bucks, just saying NBD.
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Which preamp/pickup combination did you go with?
 
#703
SBMM said:
At the price, If you really want that, I'd buy some fret pullers from Stewart MacDonald, pull the frets, and fill the lines in!

Honestly, we are just starting to ship our Fretless Ray34CA models, so if we did consider a fretless SUB, it would be a few years out.
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I was thinking about doing exactly that to the Mint Green fellow. And that's exactly what brought me here. I'll be following closely. If I can pull the trigger this week I will. I found a few more posts/ threads about Maple as a fretless fingerboard wood and decided at this price point, we may be able to experiment a little. Well, that and a nice $30 GC certificate here.

I'm doing some more research here to see how I could make the neck as unlined/ unmarked as possible. Not necessarily concerned about perfection, pretty damn good will do.

I got on this on kick because I saw a beautiful Unlined StingRay with Pau Ferro fingerboard on eBay and oh my. But that was used $870+Shipping and I'm not quite prepared to make that kind of commitment.

Oh, and hello everybody, I believe this is my first post.
 

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#704
Cyborg said:
Which preamp/pickup combination did you go with?
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The pickup I used was the Basslines SMB-4A, the preamp I used was the Baselines STC-3M4, and a jack plate that the shop had laying around. Other companies make Musicman replacement parts, but Baselines by Symour Duncan are the ones that I feel replicate the classic Stingray sound. I have a EBMM Stingray and I play them both at practice right after each other and of course everyone can tell between the Stingray and the Ray 4, but only slightly and I would not say that one sounds so much better then the other just slightly different. They're interchangeable in my opinion because they both do the job well.
 
#705
REME7178 said:
The pickup I used was the Basslines SMB-4A, the preamp I used was the Baselines STC-3M4, and a jack plate that the shop had laying around. Other companies make Musicman replacement parts, but Baselines by Symour Duncan are the ones that I feel replicate the classic Stingray sound. I have a EBMM Stingray and I play them both at practice right after each other and of course everyone can tell between the Stingray and the Ray 4, but only slightly and I would not say that one sounds so much better then the other just slightly different. They're interchangeable in my opinion because they both do the job well.
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You got all of that for $120???
 
#706
Does anyone here own both a standard SR and the new SUB?
Just wondered what the tonal differences are.
Based on the above 35 pages, it sounds like the material and build quality are excellent at this price point.
Sound clips or a comparison would be greatly appreciated.
Also, any general consensus regarding weight?
I have an 83' SR but maybe I need another....
 
#708
Jim C said:
Does anyone here own both a standard SR and the new SUB?
Just wondered what the tonal differences are.
Based on the above 35 pages, it sounds like the material and build quality are excellent at this price point.
Sound clips or a comparison would be greatly appreciated.
Also, any general consensus regarding weight?
I have an 83' SR but maybe I need another....
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Paul's Bass Matters MM Sterling SUB Bassampler



Sounds Like a Killer Ray...in the right hands!
 
#712
Bassmunnky said:
Paul's Bass Matters MM Sterling SUB Bassampler



Sounds Like a Killer Ray...in the right hands!
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Thanks for this.
Can anyone honestly say they could tell the difference between this SUB and a US Ray if there was not title or video?

For you guys who are modding: is it for fun or because you needed to alter the tone?
 
#713
Well, the Big Brown Truck dropped off the new SUB today.

After a quick setup and intonation, she plays like butter.

Can't find a single flaw on the bass.

With my eyes closed, it sounds like any other Ray I have played.

The pickup sounds fine to me (hotness wise), but I am used to playing a USA Sterling as my #1.

Personally, I wouldn't change a damn thing about it (Maybe a White Pearloid Pick Guard :p)

The color is darker than appears in the photo, my Blackberry sucks for photos.

Family.jpg
 
#719
Quick blurrish snap of the new SUB Series 5 parked next to my 2006 StingRay. The differences are readily apparent in fit, finish, sound, hardware and heft. Knobs, pre-amp, tuners, nut, bridge and pickguard are all money savers - by no means poor, mind you. Presumably the wood as well; it's definitely lighter but also smaller-ish. Haven't measured exactly but it def. sits lower (front-to-back) as side by side as they are shown in the photo.

2 Band EQ works just fine so far. I'll try it out in an actual rehearsal. I did try it out with the same amp I usually use, and was super pleased. Nice hot output and I like the center detente on the tone controls. I really like the detente - in a performance situation I'm nearly always looking for a spot off noon, not "dialling in" until I'm happy - I just need the damn thing set for the particular song.

That said, I'm happy. Very happy. So far, anyway :) ... the value is astonishing. The SUB replaces a Squier Deluxe Active Jazz V for me (like that bass a lot, but ultimately just too wide on string spacing for my taste).

The value, compared/ contrasted with the Squier (its actual competition - not the Ray) is a bit better. The Squier was (to me) astonishingly well done. The Ray's electronics are better IMO. The Jazz is overly complicated (Bass & Treble stacked, mid knob, "Slap" [mid-scoop] switch) and doesn't sound as good to me. Neither does it play as well.

It's not a MM SR. And that's fine by me.

I will take some time over the next couple days to compare and contrast the SUB with the Squier Deluxe Active Jazz V and the SUB, and also my SRs. (Should prolly thru the SB14 in there too?) and maybe shed some more light than is readily apparent in the standard literature.
 

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#720
sm3rk said:
so .. done.. a few modifications :D

btw the honeyburst is heavier than the black one.. and it is probably made from different wood.. looks more like maybe ash than basswood ?
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I think Brian clarified the wood selection of the SUB basses earlier in the thread. If my memory is correct, and it may not be, Jabon was to be used on the basses but they decided to use basswood on all basses. I think Jabon is being used on some of the guitars though. The honeyburst definitely doesn't have the grain pattern of ash or alder.
 
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