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Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 and Ray5

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#141
SBMM said:
Yes, they are different, but still offer the same punchy sound that is *reminiscent* of the originals.

Remember, if you want the original Music Man products, you need to buy one ( and I encourage you to do so!!!) !

Sterling By Music Man, and our new SUB Series, fit price points that allow players of all economic wherewithal to get into a style and playability that is unique unto the original Music Man designs, but at different price/quality levels. There is *no* comparison when you are talking about a superior, hand crafted, American made instrument. Reality is, you know what your budget affords, (and luckily) there are now several levels from which to choose from. That budget has no reflection on talent, just reality of economics for the purchaser.

Comparing a master-built, handcrafted instrument of the level of Music Man vs. Sterling By Music Man and our SUB Series products is irrelevant. That rings true with EVERY manufacturer, only few will speak it!
We at Praxis/Sterling By Music Man offer an extremely high quality, 'bang for the buck', authorized product that gets the 'sound and soul' of Music Man out there, as it should be.
Click to expand...

All true. But they should have never called the budget line "Sterling by Music Man." It creates unnecessary confusion and devalues the Music Man Sterling model. When I've told other musicians I play a Music Man Sterling, they think I'm playing the budget line.

I know this horse has been beaten many times already, but still...

Ford Mustang or Mustang by Ford?
 
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#142
3234718 said:
So this is the budget line of Sterling which is the budget line of Musicman?
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In so many words **yes**.

Basically, adding the SUB Series has allowed the Music Man styling to now be available at **all** price points, and why shouldn't we?

The under $399 price point is an important one. Most beginners, especially in this economy, can't drop $500-$1000 down on an instrument. Also, from a company standpoint, why should we sit around and hand that market to our competition?
 
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#143
SBMM said:
In so many words **yes**.

Basically, adding the SUB Series has allowed the Music Man styling to now be available at **all** price points, and why shouldn't we?

The under $399 price point is an important one. Most beginners, especially in this economy, can't drop $500-$1000 down on an instrument. Also, from a company standpoint, why should we sit around and hand that market to our competition?
Click to expand...

I interpreted his question somewhat differently.
What is the budget line for MM?
 
#144
SBMM said:
In so many words **yes**.

Basically, adding the SUB Series has allowed the Music Man styling to now be available at **all** price points, and why shouldn't we?

The under $399 price point is an important one. Most beginners, especially in this economy, can't drop $500-$1000 down on an instrument. Also, from a company standpoint, why should we sit around and hand that market to our competition?
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with that if you're not satisfied just being a higher-end USA manufacturer and you want to also cater to lower price points. The problem was using the "Sterling by Music Man" name when there already was a well-established Music Man Sterling model bass.

Here's a post from another recent thread on TB:

Originally Posted by StealthBanana
wow, I had no idea that there was such a thing as Music Man/Ernie Ball Sterling and a Sterling by Music Man! I must have been referring to the latter, as the Sterling I've been seeing is a fairly new product and sells anywhere from $600-700 between online stores and retail. Stingrays (and I guess the other Sterlings) sell for close to 2 grand brand new.... way more expensive. Thanks for all the insight though, and to the above poster,
 
#145
It's a good bass, I'm not knocking it. Mine is on the UPS truck right now on the way here. It's just amusing to me that a budget line has it's own budget line. But then again Sterlings seem to be twice as much as the most expensive Squier. Maybe someday Squier by Fender will have their own budget line: Squire by Squier by Fender.
 
#146
It's very confusing. It's as if Fender started marketing an American made, top of the line bass called the Fender Squier.
boristhespider9 said:
There's nothing wrong with that if you're not satisfied just being a higher-end USA manufacturer and you want to also cater to lower price points. The problem was using the "Sterling by Music Man" name when there already was a well-established Music Man Sterling model bass.

Here's a post from another recent thread on TB:

Originally Posted by StealthBanana
wow, I had no idea that there was such a thing as Music Man/Ernie Ball Sterling and a Sterling by Music Man! I must have been referring to the latter, as the Sterling I've been seeing is a fairly new product and sells anywhere from $600-700 between online stores and retail. Stingrays (and I guess the other Sterlings) sell for close to 2 grand brand new.... way more expensive. Thanks for all the insight though, and to the above poster,
Click to expand...
 
#154
afzoomie67 said:
Who picks what colors the basses come in?
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Interestingly enough, I have been making posts to our Facebook page asking people what colors they want to see in our models.

While I have personal favorites, I believe it is best to go outside the bubble and get input from fans/players/fellow musicians.

On that note, if you aren't a friend of ours on FB, be sure to join up.
 
#158
SBMM said:
Just know that I had nothing to do with the choice of names! LOL!
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Supposedly, the name was "forced" onto Sterling Ball by GC/Musician's Friend because they thought "Sterling by Music Man" would give the brand some cache.

Not only is it confusing, but it devalues my genuine MM Sterling USA basses. Now, I have to offer a full explanation that I'm playing the real Sterling not the Sterling by Music Man. Most still don't get it.

Maybe Fodera should come out with the "Monarch by Fodera" budget line. I'm sure the Fodera Monarch players would be pleased.
 
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#160
3234718 said:
My sub just arrived via ups, in a single box with no padding aside from the flimsy white wrap around it. This is not good.
Click to expand...

Padding costs extra. You must have confused the SUB with a Sterling by Music Man or a Music Man Sterling or wait... what's the difference?

Not even the dreaded packing peanuts?
 
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