morpcat
05-09-2005, 06:19 AM
[This was in the requests thread, although I do not own this bass, I have tested it extensively and can give a fair opinion on it]
Musicman S.U.B. - A well priced intermediate level bass with the same pickups and electronics that come standard with a Stingray, and at half the price. List Price US$ - 1000
Materials:
The SUB has a maple neck, which is well made and finished with an ultra-smooth satin coat, which is just as smooth as any wood neck. The body is made from poplar, which is a much cheaper wood than alder and ash, which is why the SUB costs so much less than a Stingray. Poplar wood is naturally green in colour, so it can't have a see-through gloss coat or an oil finish. The SUB is instead painted with a matte textured finish. The SUB is American-made, and overall has excellent quality.
Electronics:
It comes standard with passive electronics, but most shops will bring in the optional extra of a 2-band active EQ over the passive version, because it sells better. That means that most of the SUB's around will have exactly the same electronics as a standard Stingray. The tone is very scooped, but still has a lot of power and presence, and it's one of those sounds that really cuts through. The controls are intuitive, but a lot of the time you'll find that the SUB just has a good tone anyway. There's a fair amount of versatility, but only so much can be offered from a single bridge pickup.
Overall:
This bass looks OK (the pickguard is a little tacky, and the dark colours are a little scary), sounds great, and to me it feels perfect. I'm normally quite fussy about the feel of a bass (string spacing, neck width and radius...), but when I first picked up the SUB it just felt right.
It's definitely a bass worth checking out for anyone who wants a bass to gig with, record with, and jam with, but doesn't have a great deal of money, A definitely Stingray alternative, and a near equal to it's big brother.
Available in 4-string and 5-string, and with passive or active 2-band electronics. Matte finish with satin neck, and rosewood fingerboard only.
9/10
Musicman S.U.B. - A well priced intermediate level bass with the same pickups and electronics that come standard with a Stingray, and at half the price. List Price US$ - 1000
Materials:
The SUB has a maple neck, which is well made and finished with an ultra-smooth satin coat, which is just as smooth as any wood neck. The body is made from poplar, which is a much cheaper wood than alder and ash, which is why the SUB costs so much less than a Stingray. Poplar wood is naturally green in colour, so it can't have a see-through gloss coat or an oil finish. The SUB is instead painted with a matte textured finish. The SUB is American-made, and overall has excellent quality.
Electronics:
It comes standard with passive electronics, but most shops will bring in the optional extra of a 2-band active EQ over the passive version, because it sells better. That means that most of the SUB's around will have exactly the same electronics as a standard Stingray. The tone is very scooped, but still has a lot of power and presence, and it's one of those sounds that really cuts through. The controls are intuitive, but a lot of the time you'll find that the SUB just has a good tone anyway. There's a fair amount of versatility, but only so much can be offered from a single bridge pickup.
Overall:
This bass looks OK (the pickguard is a little tacky, and the dark colours are a little scary), sounds great, and to me it feels perfect. I'm normally quite fussy about the feel of a bass (string spacing, neck width and radius...), but when I first picked up the SUB it just felt right.
It's definitely a bass worth checking out for anyone who wants a bass to gig with, record with, and jam with, but doesn't have a great deal of money, A definitely Stingray alternative, and a near equal to it's big brother.
Available in 4-string and 5-string, and with passive or active 2-band electronics. Matte finish with satin neck, and rosewood fingerboard only.
9/10