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SUB 5: A fun cheap bass!

#21
Hey Doc, nice demo. I am all for finding great gear on a budget. Have you looked into the Sterling by Music Man SR copies? They are way more new but used and in great condition they tend to sell for good prices.

Here is a used Sterling SR35 for $449. It a bit more money but still a great bass on a budget, and much more like a Stingray 5 than the new SUBS:

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#22
rogerbmiller said:
Hey Doc, nice demo. I am all for finding great gear on a budget. Have you looked into the Sterling by Music Man SR copies? They are way more new but used and in great condition they tend to sell for good prices.

Here is a used Sterling SR35 for $449. It a bit more money but still a great bass on a budget, and much more like a Stingray 5 than the new SUBS:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

I agree, I used to have one.
 
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#24
Nothing wrong with these Sub basses-great value for the money and yes you can't compared them with the EBMM given the price difference, but they're not too different that you don't get the MM vibe to it. You're getting a heck of bass for very little money.I had four of them a while back including a 5er. Reason for having so many is that I liked them that much and I found them all except the mint green one for $150 at GC. (If I remember correctly, one was $125, another two I bought were $149 each) This was a couple of years ago though back when GC used bass pricing was all over the board.
I would still have them if I didn't pare down my collection to a handful last year. I missed the MM sound and had my eye on buying a Sub earlier this year, found one on a local CL posting which had no picture other than it was black in color and selling for $170 with case. I thought it was one of the current Sub models made in Indonesia, but when I went to pick it up, I discovered to my pleasant surprise, it was the older Sub model, the Musicman Sub Made in the USA that's on my user pic.
 
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#25
Maxdusty said:
Nothing wrong with these Sub basses-great value for the money and yes you can't compared them with the EBMM but certainly given the price difference, but they're not too different that you don't get the MM vibe to it. You're getting a heck of bass for very little money.I had four of them a while back including a 5er. Reason for having so many is that I liked them that much and I found them all except the mint green one for $150 at GC. (If I remember correctly, one was $125, another two I bought were $149 each) This was a couple of years ago though back when GC used bass pricing was all over the board.
I would still have them if I didn't pare down my collection to a handful last year. I missed the MM sound and had my eye on buying a Sub earlier this year, found one on a local CL posting which had no picture other than it was black in color and selling for $170 with case. I thought it was one of the current Sub models made in Indonesia, but when I went to pick it up, I discovered to my pleasant surprise, it was the older Sub model, the Musicman Sub Made in the USA that's on my user pic.
Click to expand...

Wow! A USA SUB for $170 is a great deal. Congrats!:thumbsup:
 
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#26
I had one and agree they are a great value. The only thing that I was disappointed with was the string spacing at the bridge. Despite the neck being the same width as a SR5, I found the string spacing to be even narrower.
 
#28
I had the SUB 4. Really liked it in the store, but I could never get it to beat out any other basses in a mix. I thought about swapping out the electronics, but it really didn't seem like it was worth the effort or $$ to me.

I get that people like to buy cheaper basses because there are some gems out there. But if you want to get something good that is cheap, I'd suggest going used or on Sale with a $500-$700 budget where you can really score some amazing basses that don't need any modifications.
 
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#30
Dr. Cheese said:


This is a really nice SUB and it is $319 new. I'm tempted to trade in my Squier VM P5 since I love that Stingray sound. The bass really feels like an SR5, just lighter. The neck also has that finish like a regular SR5, not the heavy finish like the Classic.
Click to expand...

Hey Doc, if anyone asks if you funkin', you tell em... "yeah!". Heard some Louis Johnson in there; really been getting into his stuff this week. That SUB sounds perfect for a funk player.
 
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#31
AngelCrusher said:
I had the SUB 4. Really liked it in the store, but I could never get it to beat out any other basses in a mix. I thought about swapping out the electronics, but it really didn't seem like it was worth the effort or $$ to me.

I get that people like to buy cheaper basses because there are some gems out there. But if you want to get something good that is cheap, I'd suggest going used or on Sale with a $500-$700 budget where you can really score some amazing basses that don't need any modifications.
Click to expand...

I surely cannot argue with your logic. For $500-$700, you can maybe find a bass that was $1,200-$1,500 new depending on the resale value of a given model.
Those who have read my posts know I am a huge fan of USA made Peaveys, great basses that still underpriced given their quality. I feel the same way about Yamahas from about 1982-2002.
 
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#32
twinjet said:
Hey Doc, if anyone asks if you funkin', you tell em... "yeah!". Heard some Louis Johnson in there; really been getting into his stuff this week. That SUB sounds perfect for a funk player.
Click to expand...

I played parts of two lines by Louis Johnson: We Supply (Stanley Clarke on tenor bass, but it was Louis slapping) and Ain't We Funkin' Now. I really need to actually learn LJ's solo!
 
#35
Dr. Cheese said:




This is a really nice SUB and it is $319 new. I'm tempted to trade in my Squier VM P5 since I love that Stingray sound. The bass really feels like an SR5, just lighter. The neck also has that finish like a regular SR5, not the heavy finish like the Classic.

I have added a video of me doing some Bernard Edwards lines on an actual Classic Stingray.
Click to expand...

The SUB is a great value! I've played a few at the GC. :thumbsup:
 
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#39
The SBMM SUBs offer great bang for the buck. When I was shopping on a limited budget, that one stood out, even holding its own among more expensive basses.
I've been doing a few mods on it this year--new pickup, volume mod to the existing preamp, new smaller bridge (just for aesthetics), Jazz knobs with lines, and Hipshot Ultralight tuners (which really dropped some weight--it was a heavy bass). All in, I've spent about $370 (got the bass on sale), which feels worth it. I've got it strung with Pressurewounds, but flats are in the near future.
 
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