Sterling Sterling SB4 SUB relaunch?

[tubatodd]

What say you, worth the buy at that price?

I have a red one already and just ordered the blue an hour ago. So....at that price it seems like a really good deal. It's basically the price they were in 2014. At the very least, it would be excellent for a modding platform. I modded mine already. I'm sure I'll do some modding of this one as well. Maybe just a different bridge or change the wiring of the pickup.

 

[Mr Joshua]

For those of you who bought one (like myself), what do you think of it? I opened the electronics cavity before swapping the pickup and was surprised to find something different than what is in the SUB series stingrays. It is a 4 wire ceramic pickup wired in series. The PCB for the preamp is different. The pickup is soldered to the volume knob and not directly to the PCB, like the stingray.

On Thursday I brought it to rehearsal with my big band and struggled to get a good tone through the first few tunes. Eventually I figured out a) the treble knob is not your friend. Turn it off. b) bass knob is handy, but don't overdue it. c) The mids will need some sculpting on the amp.

After not liking my experience on Thursday I decided to swap out the zingy stock strings for a set of GHS flat wounds I had on hand. I also swapped in an Donlis Alnico 5 white pickup (wired in parallel) I got off of Aliexpress a few years back. We'll see how this goes. If I can't find what I am looking for I may swap in a brand name pickup (like Aguilar) and matching preamp.

View attachment 7146605

View attachment 7146604

Did you swap the bridge for the AlBridge? If so how do you like it?

 

[tubatodd]

Did you swap the bridge for the AlBridge? If so how do you like it?

Yes I did. I posted pictures in another SBMM thread.

 

[Mr Joshua]

Yes I did. I posted pictures in another SBMM thread.

this older version

I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on them as I've not been able to find much info.

I just purchased Found it thanks! of the SB4 in mint condition with a Music Man HSC that looks brand new for less than $250 shipped. Definitely want to upgraded that bridge asap though as it looks so cheap to me and really takes away from what is otherwise a nice looking bass.

 

[tubatodd]

this older version

I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on them as I've not been able to find much info.

I just purchased Found it thanks! of the SB4 in mint condition with a Music Man HSC that looks brand new for less than $250 shipped. Definitely want to upgraded that bridge asap though as it looks so cheap to me and really takes away from what is otherwise a nice looking bass.

If you are interested in the Albridge bridge, for some reason the bridges aren't viewable when you browse Albridge on their site. You need to search for it.

Regular

https://www.ampshopbassexchange.com/product/albridge-parts-smm420p-music-man-style-4-string-bridge-for-sterling-olp-and-overseas-basses-smm420-polish/

Quick release (I know the URL says black but it is the silver one)

https://www.ampshopbassexchange.com/product/sterling-bv-music-man-replacement-albridge-parts-smmq420-mm-style-4-string-bridge-for-sterling-ray4-olp-and-overseas-basses-smmq-420-black/

 

[tubatodd]

These have been the Stupid Deal several times now since launch. Who else bought one? They were $249 yesterday.

 

[tubatodd]

I modded my second one quite a bit. I basically made my own SB14....ish.

• Albridge Bridge
• Aftermarket Ceramic Pickup (wired in parallel). I may swap in something else
• Cort 3-band preamp (Pulled from a Cort Space 5) Install Documented here
• New set of knobs
• EBMM Sterling Pickguard (drop-in replacement)
• Strap locks

 

[Drummerdan]

The Cobra blue is on sale for $269 again today.

And again today for $249. I might grab one.

 

[zapped777]

I modded my second one quite a bit. I basically made my own SB14....ish.

• Albridge Bridge
• Aftermarket Ceramic Pickup (wired in parallel). I may swap in something else
• Cort 3-band preamp (Pulled from a Cort Space 5) Install Documented here
• New set of knobs
• EBMM Sterling Pickguard (drop-in replacement)
• Strap locks

View attachment 7227577

Oh damn

 

[Fencing Fan]

HI All,

I just received my SB4 Sterling by Sterling. Good bass for the money and I love the smaller body, compared to the Stingray.

The issue is that the G string tuning peg is buggered. It binds up and the gears skip. Musician's Friend only do full item replacements, which I could do but I'm in Vancouver Canada, and so I'd have to drive down to Washington State to return it, and then back again to pick up the replacment; seems silly when all I need is a single tuning peg assembly.

So, does anybody have any suggestions if I'm unable to get a replacement from EB and Sterling? I've found a few links but some are blank. The SB$ is a relatively low-profile instrument so I don't find much on parts specific to that model. I guess I could buy a whole set, but ideally I'd just get the one that I need.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

HI All,

I just received my SB4 Sterling by Sterling. Good bass for the money and I love the smaller body, compared to the Stingray.

The issue is that the G string tuning peg is buggered. It binds up and the gears skip. Musician's Friend only do full item replacements, which I could do but I'm in Vancouver Canada, and so I'd have to drive down to Washington State to return it, and then back again to pick up the replacment; seems silly when all I need is a single tuning peg assembly.

So, does anybody have any suggestions if I'm unable to get a replacement from EB and Sterling? I've found a few links but some are blank. The SB$ is a relatively low-profile instrument so I don't find much on parts specific to that model. I guess I could buy a whole set, but ideally I'd just get the one that I need.

Thanks for any guidance.

Omar at [email protected] was very helpful when I had a problem with a tuner on my new Ray34.

He will need a receipt and some pictures of the defective turner in order to replace it.

 

[Fencing Fan]

Omar at [email protected] was very helpful when I had a problem with a tuner on my new Ray34.

He will need a receipt and some pictures of the defective turner in order to replace it.

Thanks. I'll call tomorrow. The bass is only two weeks old, and I have the info, so I hope it will be an easy remedy. I appreciate the quick reply.

 

[Bevan777]

Yes as Morbius said, get in touch direct and they are pretty good with sending out replacement parts.

SBMM seem to have had a fairly large number of issues with defective tuners in recent years, and I’ve heard a lot of people got replacement parts sent out to them.

 

[Fencing Fan]

I'll call them shortly and report back. Thanks all.

 

[Fencing Fan]

To follow up, Omar indicated that Long & McQuade in Canada (where I am) would be able to order the part and that it would be supplied and shipped at no charge. However, L&M decided not to help, as I hadn't purchased the bass from them, even though they carry Sterling SBMM basses. Pretty disappointing. I expected better from them. They couldn't put out three minutes and zero dollars to help a customer of 40 years.

Back on topic, I reported this to Omar, who immediately offered to ship the part to me directly. It arrived in four days, right to my door. So thanks for nothing Long & McQuade and a huge thanks to Omar at Sterling.

Tuner installed, and an old man is back to playing bass in his underwear, and annoying the neighbors.