Sterling SUB NBD and need your thoughts

[thebassbuilder]

I just got one delivered Wednesday and I love the bass! I have played these multiple times and have always loved the feel, playability and tone. These are actually a great deal I feel. My question is would you keep it or send back with the following issues:
- the neck has multiple discoloring (looks white like glue or grain filler) and there is a void on the back of neck and tear out on the fingerboard by the nut.
- there is a touch of fret rattle (not buzz) only on e string around frets nut end. It is not bad but it is there.
- the bridge has a little lift on the low E side toward the pickup side. It is not bad but it is there.
See pictures below

So with the above issues would you return it or is this par for the course? I am also having these second thoughts more because as much as I love black and maple, I almost wish I would have got the sunburst. Even though I wish it was not satin. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Bassclef46]

These are a dime a dozen. If I was feeling like I didn’t get maximum value for my money I would return it in a heartbeat.

It’s not like you can’t get the same one again. I would return it if you feel uneasy. It’s your money. Get your moneys worth.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I just got one delivered Wednesday and I love the bass! I have played these multiple times and have always loved the feel, playability and tone. These are actually a great deal I feel. My question is would you keep it or send back with the following issues:
- the neck has multiple discoloring (looks white like glue or grain filler) and there is a void on the back of neck and tear out on the fingerboard by the nut.
- there is a touch of fret rattle (not buzz) only on e string around frets nut end. It is not bad but it is there.
- the bridge has a little lift on the low E side toward the pickup side. It is not bad but it is there.
See pictures belowView attachment 4183777View attachment 4183778View attachment 4183779View attachment 4183780View attachment 4183781
So with the above issues would you return it or is this par for the course? I am also having these second thoughts more because as much as I love black and maple, I almost wish I would have got the sunburst. Even though I wish it was not satin. Let me know your thoughts.

Take it to a good tech and get a pro setup.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Well I fixed the problem and I took it back for this beauty. I did have to file the fret sprouts, clean up the nut and give it a good setup. Plays great now other than overdriving my interface I use to play with. I have my Focusrite all the way down and it is clipping like crazy even with the volume knob at 3/4%. I wish there was a fix for this as I like the pickup and preamp. I have seen things on here but can not tell if there is a true fix.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I think you did the right thing. You KNOW you did the right thing .

Glad it worked out and you're happy.

 

[Eon Sky]

I like your decision and was going to suggest as much since you mentioned enjoying them every time you played them. The advantage of mass production means options within the model range, and there's no reason to settle when those options are available.

Now get a beefier interface and rock that sucker.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Does anyone know if replacing the pickup will fix the overdriven interface problem or is the preamp as well that’s part of the problem?

 

[Eon Sky]

From what I remember, and take it with a grain of salt, the newer Sub models have fixed the super hot preamp issue that the first run had. What was your previous bass you were running through it? You may just be dealing with having a bigger, hotter pickup and need to adjust your settings accordingly.

I use a Focusrite Scarlett and my P-bass sounds great through it. My Stingray sounds like a 3 AM Taco Bell run the next day at the same levels.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Does anyone know if replacing the pickup will fix the overdriven interface problem or is the preamp as well that’s part of the problem?

Have you tried turning the volume down by at least half on your bass?

 

[thebassbuilder]

Have you tried turning the volume down by at least half on your bass?

I have volume knob at 50% and still over driving the interface. There is no way this should be right.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I have volume knob at 50% and still over driving the interface. There is no way this should be right.

Your interface may have been designed for a passive bass.

 

[Matty Koff]

The focusrite is set to instrument level signal and not line level right? Or is there something else between the bass and the interface?

 

[Hevy T]

Does anyone know if replacing the pickup will fix the overdriven interface problem or is the preamp as well that’s part of the problem?

@LowEndLobster

 

[jpaulo]

Pickup is also hot on my Sub4 and I also use a Focusrite (scarlett 2i2), have to dial down the volume on the bass and/or the interface.
Have you tried playing w/o the battery?
Sometimes I do that to get the full volume on.
On my Sub5, I changed the pup for a nordstrand and made it passive - sounds better than the Sub4, now.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Yes, the stock pickup is the culprit. Swap er out! The stock preamp works well enough with an aftermarket pickup

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I have one of the early Sub Rays. Pre was very hot and pretty much garbage. Very problematic. Put in an John East 3 band MM pre with Sweepable mids, and a Nordstrand MM PUP. Awesome.

 

[DirtDog]

These are a dime a dozen. If I was feeling like I didn’t get maximum value for my money I would return it in a heartbeat.

It’s not like you can’t get the same one again. I would return it if you feel uneasy. It’s your money. Get your moneys worth.

+1

 

[MaxSpinrun]

@LowEndLobster did a great review of the mods, as well as many other great reviews! Always enjoy his reviews.

 

[thebassbuilder]

The focusrite is set to instrument level signal and not line level right? Or is there something else between the bass and the interface?

Just bass straight to focusrite.

 

[JCooper]

FWIW, at one point I had an earlier SUB with a hot preamp... I was able to lower the pickup significantly (more than I normally would) and didn’t need to replace it.