Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B.

Brand spankin new bass. Haven't had one of these in a while. Sounds just like it's older brother...even with PASSIVE electronics. I seemed to have favored the passive 2 band one over the active when I A/B'd them. Now I don't EVER have to worry about a battery going out on me and still get kick ass tone. It's a slap monster for sure. The action is perfect from the factory. It's in the red color with the diamond p/g. I love the finish. I don't think anything could scratch this thing very easily. It's quality is equal to it's big brother. The neck finish is a big plus.

Sounds killer! It fits my style well since I like to slap and use finger style. It's as quiet as can be. I contribute that to the passive electronics. Haven't recorded with it to get it's real test. Nothing that I dislike on it yet.

Action is perfect from the factory. Pickup is exactly where I like it on a 'Ray. Just amazing!!

I think this thing will last for years to come for me. Truss rod has the easiest adjuster ever. It's VERY solidly built.

N/A

Pick one up if you can't afford it's Big Brother. It's worth it for the cost! Eats everything else up in its path!

I can not believe nobody else has put a review of this bass on yet. It's been out for a year or so and is definitly one of the best values in a loooong time if not ever.

Ok,for those who don't know about it it is basically a Stingray Bass with a crappy finish. The finish instead of beaing a glossy color or sunburst is a flat rough textured ordeal in black, blue, teal or white (mine is white). It may not be pretty to look at but a gigging musician does not care if his or her bass is pretty because if you gig a lot the most beautiful bass will look like crap! I have put lots of scratches, cracks and gouges in beautiful flamed maple, koa and chestnut. Underneath the finish is a poplar body. The same wood Musicman uses for solid color Stingrays, only the transparent and sunburst ones are ash.

It has a 21 fret rosewood board on a 34" scale maple neck. The neck is covered in a flat black finish again unlike the clear gloss on the Stingray. The tuners are decent standard MM fare and the fret work well done.

In the electronics end it has a MM Stingray humbucker with a master volume and and active treble and bass. These are strictly boosts as oppossed to cut/boosts, but many great sounds are easily attained.

The bridge is a standard Stingray offering minus the classic old mutes which aren't offered in the newer Stingrays anyway.

The oly other variation from the Stingray is the pickguard which instead of being black or white plastic it is a thin diamond plate metal. Very industrial looking especially with the flat finish.

The only changes I have made is the addition of a Hipshot D-tuner which I do on most of my 4 strings.

It sounds like a Stingray.

Stingrays have a balsy Fender on crack sound. Bright and precusive but with a full wallop from down low. I love Jazz basses but sometimes they can sound a little whimpy. Precision basses are cool but they can be overly woofy or farty. This clearly bridges the gap. If you play funky hard rock this is definitly up your alley.

I have played mine through lots of amps in lots of settings and it sounds great.

The treble + bass boost was a little weird at first ( I am used to a center detent in my controls) but I learned how to get what out of them.

Well the finish for being kind of a weird thing is well done. It's not my first choice. I certainly did not buy the bass for it's looks but for it's performance. Overall though it seems that care was taken. I have seen a few of the Fender US series basses which are in the same price range and have seem many flaws and corner cuts. I feel this is a much better choice.

The fret work is as good as any $2000 bass. The S.U.B. is very well made with good components

The set up work was done well. The nut is cut correctly ( I have purchased 4 different $1500 + Gibsons in the last year with poorly cut or in one case uncut nuts)

I have played it live on many occasions and so far no issues. The finish is the last of my concerns but so far not even a scratch. The hardware is very beefy and looks like it will hold up for years.

The neck is securly bolted to the body with 6 screws. I could beat a guy to death and sill play 4 sets with it.

I replaced the strap buttons with Dunlops like I do on all my guitars.

It seems very dependable. I made a slight truss rod adjustment around October. I live in New England and typicaly need to adjust my guitars twice a year. Humid summers to dry winters and back again.

I have never dealt with Ernie Ball Musicman so I have no opinion. They make a great product though.

I have been playing guitar for (gulp!) 22 years and bass for 20. I own a bunch of shit. Guitar-wise I have 10 Gibsons, 10 Fenders, and a bunch of others totaling about 40.

For bases I have this Musicman, a 78 Fender Jazz, 77 Precision Bass, modified (real vol and tone pots) 01 Gibson Nikki Sixx T-Bird, 99 Peavey G V, 92 Peavey TL-5, 83 Yamaha BB1200S, 88 Steinberger XM-2, 94 Schecter Custom B5, 98 Schecter Baron 5,83 Washburn B20-8 Eight string, 77 Rickenbacker 4001 and a 93 Fodera Emporer Elite.

I always choose a bass that offers something different. I love variation. I play in a cover band and 2 original projects. For the cover band I typically go for a Peavey or Schecter 5 string so I don't need to change all night but I do like to bring special things occasionally.
In the original projects its great having many different playing and sounding basses. It's weird but having different basses will give me different results. Sometimes I gain inspiration strictly from the bass I am playing.

I play bass through a bunch of different amps depending on venue and mood. I have Ampeg SVTs, Trace Elliot SH350 and Gallien Kruger RB700 heads, Peavey, Trace Elliot, Hartke and Eden cabs, and an SWR Super Redhead combo.

These basses are very cool. They list for $900 and sell for 650-700. Used ones can be had for around $500. This is an amazing deal for an American bass so well made. In this price range the Fender US basses aren't as good, the G&L Tributes are eah!!! Korean made and everything else is crap (Schecter, ESP, Ibanez etc....)If you want a really good bass for under $1000 list, under $700 street, check these out!

2003 SUB 4 string Bass, made in USA. Active electronics, white finish, slab body and a black painted neck.

The SUB bass has excellent tone for all types of music. Great deep old school lows to Stingray slap twang. I use a Carvin PRO 100 Bass amp as a monitor mic'ed to the main. I am a long time Fender J and P bass user. I went to the Music Center, cash in hand to buy another Jazz bass. I played some Music Man basses for the first ever time and bought the SUB based on the tone! Monster Stingray tones and can make it sound close to a J or a P with onboard EQ.

This SUB was set up great from the factory/music store. No flaws or problems. The neck plays well, smooth fret ends and feels great in my hands. Sorta in between a "C" width P bass and a J bass. The bass balances (hangs) perfect from the strap. I like the black painted neck. White finish body is tough and means business. Tough and ready to rock, but not at all ugly. I removed the diamond plate aluminum pickguard and replaced it with a black Stingray 'guard. Way to cool lookin' now.

I've had the bass for about one month now. I had to slighty tweak the truss rod and adjust the saddles once. The neck is settling in to my playing. I replaced the strap buttons with Schaller strap locks. This bass is built like a Mack truck and it will outlast me. With the lone exception of the stock pickguard, this is a high quality, professional bass. It is a poor cousin to nobody. Built like a pre-EB Stingray.

No experience with customer support.

I have been playing guitar/bass for 31 years. This bass can't be beat for the price and it is made in the USA. If it where stolen or lost, I would replace it in a heartbeat. This is THE ONE for me!

I got this bass in 2003. I was very skeptical about wether or not it would be any good because most nice brands that have lower models really blow, fender especially. I nearly ordered without playing one, but i found one in a local music store and gave it a beating. During the same sitting, i also played a normal stingray, the only difference was that the stingray had a maple fretboard, and the sub didn't. The maple had a warmer sound to it, but as for sound, they were identical, they use the exact same electronics. I ordered one immediately. When i got it i played it like crazy. I believe it has 22 frets, I opted for the 9V active preamp, has the legendary massive MM humbucker, volume, bass, and treble. The reason i am giving it an 8 is because it has no mid control. I would like to have that, but not having it makes the electronics very easy to use. Maple neck, rosewood fretboard, aluminum pickguard. all the parts are ernie ball. Best thing, made in the good ole U.S. of A.

Wow, this baby can slap. Go play a $1400 stingray, and that is what the sub sounds like. SAME ELECTRONICS!!!!! it is incredible. I have played rock, distorted bass, tap, slap, and deep melodic styles. This can do them all, you just have to get creative on hand placement. great bass.

has the textured finish which kinna looks like a spray on truck bed liner and is just as tough. i've had it all over and it still looks the same as it did the day it arrived. I love it. The pickguard is cool if you are in a rock band, but other than that, its just decoration. its serves its purpose. the neck is also black to match the body. it is not glossy though, so it is smooth and fast. very nice feel. The action is great. Not to low, not too high. it came from the factory just like i like it. I'm due for a new set of strings, so i'm sure i'll fall in love all over again once i put some slinky's on it. It was built very solid and have had NO problems whatsoever.

built like a tank. can go anywhere, couldn't hurt the finish will anything. strap buttons are holding up but may replace with strap locks. they are somewhat small. I haven't had to have it set up yet and i would gig without a backup most definately.

havne't dealt, but i was supposed to get a free set of strings that i haven't recieved yet, no biggie.

great bass overall, best for the money. There are better basses, but not for the price you can get one. I would love to get one of the fives, and if i can, i will. get
one, you won't regret it. if it were stolen, i would report it, get the insurance money, and buy another one, same finish and all.

This is a wicked bass for the money...I've had to a day now and I can honestly say it is the best bass I have ever played. The ONLY feature I didnt like so much on this bass was the metal scratch plate...this is a bit crappy and ou would do yourself well if you went and purchased another to replace it. This would make it look 100% better...

I play almost any type of style bass...I try to include all styles in my playing and this bass really does fit in with a good majority of these!! The sound in just immense!! I have played on a friends stingray before and this realy does sound identical.

For the price you honestly cannot go wrong with this bass!!

As far as I can tell I wont need to adjust any settings on this bass...the factory setup is superb.

I cant see where any improvments can be made. The finish is just lovely...I love the look of this bass, the matt finish really does make it stand out from the crowd.

If the bass is on full treble and bass and you turn up the amp you get a slight humming noise but then you get this on more expensive models and this is not a problem for me.

You would need a sledge hammer I reckon to break this bass...its made solid as a rock. everything just fits perfect and is very strong. I reckon this bass would have tio take quite a beating before it could go wrong in anyway.

I would use this bass live without a back up!! Seems extremely reliable...

Only had the bass a day so cant really comment

I have been playign bass for nearly 2 years now and consider myself to be pretty good for that amount fo time...I only play the bass through a 180 watt Ashdown combo amp with 12" speaker. It sound awsome through this. I also own an ibanez bass and a crafter electro accoustic bass by crafter both are nice sounding but nothing compared to my new MM SUB...

If it were lost fo stoel I tink I would probably cry...then go directly to the music shop and buy another.

I just love the sound of this bass...and the shape of the body...everything is just so perfect on it. The only part that i dont liek so much at the minute is the horrible scratch plate. This doesnt change the quality of the bass though.

Standard Ernie Ball Stingray with the following exceptions:

*Original style slab body (I prefer this as I like retro styling)
*Black Painted neck which feels at least as good as the oil finished
stingrays but will not get grubby over time.
*Body coating is a textured white finish which will not show up fingerprints
and is very hard (probably epoxy).
*Diamond plate scratch plate. Do yourself a favour and replace this
with a standard plate, it will make your bass look a lot more expensive. I would give full marks if it had a proper scratchplate.

This bass is more reminicent of Pre-Ernie Ball Stingrays when it comes to sound properties.I used to own an E.B Stingray with the same 2-band preamp and the S.U.B has a better, more vintage tone to my ears.I think the Stingrays are coated with too much polyester these days and this probably strangles the sound more than the textured coating on the S.U.B. A good test is to hear how good an instrument sounds with old strings on. Most instruments can sound good with new strings.
I use this bass through an Alembic F-1X preamp,Electrovoice Q66 power amp and a Hartke 410XL 400 watt cab.I find the best sound with the Alembic (volume 6, bass 4, middle 7, treble 5, switches off) and the S.U.B with bass and treble almost on full.
The sound is heavy in the bass but still tight and punchy with a treble character unavailable on any other bass (even the 3-band model).
The S.U.B is a great live bass which can be turned up nice and loud without an overpowering wash of bass on the stage and without complaint from the rest of the band.I use the S.U.B live in my funk-rock band and haven't done any studio work yet so I can't comment on that.I don't believe in changing basses for different songs within a particular band,I use playing styles to achieve different tones. After all, how many drummers change their kits from song to song.
All in all if you want a Stingray sound that is more reminicent of the earlier models this bass will more than likely be for you.

The action, fit and finish are outstanding as can be expected from an American made Musicman.The model I used to have had an oiled neck which became grubby over time, sharp edges on the pickup magnet poles and too much polyester coating the body (in my opinion). The S.U.B doesn't suffer any of these problems.
The neck is at least as nice to play as anything out there - A true pleasure!
The factory set up was near perfect,only the intonation needed a slight adjustment using a digital tuner.
The only thing I can find less than perfect with the build are a few small unfilled gaps below some of the frets. This is nit picking on a 600 quid bass but it will lose a mark for this.

I haven't owned it for long enough to comment although everything would appear solid and gig worthy.

I havent had to deal with E.B at any time so again I cannot comment.

This is the first bass I have ever been compelled to review.
I have been on the lookout for an older Stingray for some time as I believe they sound better.On purchasing the S.U.B I have decided to call off the hunt as this has the sound and look I have been searching for. It will only sound like a Stingray so if you want a variety of sounds get something like a Lakland 44-02 or a G&L L2000. What the Stingray and S.U.B do (particularly the 2-band eq model) is offer a sound that is completely unique and if you want this sound I don't believe you will achieve it convincingly on any other instrument.
I don't think there is a finer instrument for the money and I would have been prepared to pay more.

i would have to give it a fair mark on the features. yes, it is a true american-made ernie ball bass. however, it a stripped-down version of the stingray. also, the body doesn't seem to be as contoured which takes away only from its overall comfort. it simply doesn't sit as smoothly against your body as the stingray or sterling. but, other than that i honestly can't say i notice that it only has a 2 band eq versus the 3 band equipped stringrays. still has the famous ernie ball pickup that we all know and love. so yeah, it rocks. the "diamond plate" pickguard is hideous in my opinion. i called ernie ball and had it replaced with a beautiful black pearloid pickguard. thats more like it.

normally i wouldn't give anything a perfect score on anything, however, this bass has sound unmatched by anything less than the stingray or sterling itself. versatile yet simple, the eq suites almost any style of music. beautiful rich tone for those of you who enjoy hearing mostly yourself in the monitor or if you're into it, cut all the highes and rake a stick across a washboard. as far as my musical style, i'm in a hardcore band (who isn't) and it suits me very well. however, thats just my playing preference as far as a band goes. i do however play classical, jazz, funk, and even a bit of country. for the half of my life i've been playing i can't say that i'd rather have any other bass than an ernie ball. thats why i recommend this bass so highly.

now, here's the problem. i use huge gauge strings. if you're like me, you enjoy the long life and deep sound of them. but, i realized when i changed strings for the first time that i had a bit of a problem. my strings don't fit too well on this bass. as a matter of fact, the strings were flopping so close to the pickup that i think distortion from it caused one of my speakers to blow. not good news, so be careful about that. in addition to lowering the pickup, you might feel the need to adjust the action. i did find it a little generically set up. which is common, but ernie ball is far from common. i expect better from them. lastly, i actually had to carve out a bit where the strings fit into the nut. once again caused by my big fat strings. but, i've never had to do that on any of my ibanez basses i've owned.

man, this bass had better hold up. i've seen ernie ball basses as practically as old as i am for sale that play better than the day they were made. the only thing that would make me think otherwise is simply that this design is fairly new and often times improvements made from advancements in technology often cause more problems then they're worth. more often than not you find yourself replacing or fixing the new additions more than the "oldies, but goodies"

they were great. i called them to basically express my disappointment in how ugly the "diamond plate" pickguard was and they had made me aware that they do offer the same options in pickguards that they do on the other basses and guitars. for a small fee of course, but whats money when it comes to beauty. nevertheless, they were easy to get ahold of and quite approachable. makes me feel like they're on my side or possibly even might be my friend.

as far as the warranty goes i have yet to find one that can touch it. ernie ball is probably one of the more awesome guitar product company in the world.

i've been a musician for as long as i can remember. i've been playing bass for around 10 years, professionally for around 7. mostly what i've been playing this bass through is a Hartke head and a Hartke 810XL, which is rather large cabinet containing eight 10 inch aluminum cone speakers. on occassion i'll use a similar head and a similar cab made by ampeg, also containing eight 10 inch speakers. so, my ratings are mostly based on this instrument through the best equipment.

i've compared this instrument to its earlier ancestors the stingray and sterlings and i've owned many fender and ibanez bass as well. the Music Man S.U.B. bass tested well against these guitars and its similarities to the Stingray are, in my opinion, well thought out and with extra added attention to making sure not to "mess with perfection."

i do, however, wish the body was more contoured. it sort of rubs my arm which, at first, can be rather irritating. i mean, i do play rough (quite rough) so that could be part of it. but, as time goes by you don't feel it anymore and its a lot like when you first learned how to play, "no pain-no gain"

if it were stolen, yes, i would replace it. only because once i hunted down the person that stole it, beat them bloody, and left them for dead, i would have to dispose of the evidence. so, then i would have to go out and get one that wasn't exhibit A in my murder trial.

4 string active bass , treble and bass tone pots and 1 x volume. 1 x musicman humbucker, rosewood fingerboard.Ive got the red its a real stunner, the black is too dull, the blue is too green but the red is the best colour by far.Scratch plate is checkerplate, looks really cool.

i own the 3eq musicman stingray bass as well as the Sub. i got the sub as a back up bass and when i needed a change from my usual stingray.The sound and feel is identical to the top of the range bass, the active circuit is a tad noisy at high volume but so was my expensive musicman until i had it worked on to may the humbucker noiseless,This is a superb sounding bass and as good as the actual stingrays, except the finish is a bit less fancy, so if you want the looks and sound go spend loads of money, if you want great sound and average looks get the Sub.

excellent setup ready to go the day it arrived.

too early to say

seem ok but we have no direct contact over here in the UK

the best thing to an actual stingray, hell it is a stingray in a leather jacket instead of a classy suit.This bass will piss all over the rest of the mid priced basses at there.

It was made 2003..made in USA ... 4 strings ... there are 3 control, volume, treble and bass ... active humbucking musicman pickup... body poplar with maple neck (paint it black) laminated with rosewood at fingerboard ... w/o hardcase ... nice looking ... good finishing ... heavy than my stingray ...

I play bass from 1986 .. play music from Beatles to Metallica ... and the SUB can fit with all that kind music ...

I'm using Gallien Kruger 400 RB III with 4x10 RBH GK Cabinet and SWR 350X with 115 RBS GK Cabinet ... using behringer D120 splitter ... and insert effect, using aphex 204 aural exciter .... that's making great sound using mix head amp

The sound is warm ... cause I like the warm sound .. the setting is depending with your taste .... SUB can handle everything you need ...

There are nothing wrong with factory setting ... the only mistakes from the factory is the price ... cheaper with a ton of great sound and pretty look ....

I'm really depend with this SUB ... and my Stingray .. just for back up ...

Never done with CS

I'm using Fender Jazz Bass "1966", Fender Sting P-Bass, Cort Artisan, Epiphone Viola, Musicman Stingray, and the new one Musicman SUB ... every bass has a different character ... I thing SUB is better than Stingray!!

2003 USA made 4 string active SUB in the textured black finish (that could withstand a full on nuclear war), wicked/cool metal pickguard, 6 bolt on Maple neck(back of neck is painted black & the headstock is black too), rosewood fretboard, poplar body, chrome tuners & hardware, MM humbucker pickup. (I got'em to throw in a TKL hard shell case for free, since I traded in 2 guitars and a made in Mexico Fender Jazz bass for this sweet SUB). Of couse it comes set up with Ernie Ball strings. This bass is loaded with nice features for the price...

It slaps & pops like you wouldn't believe. The MM humbucker pickup is powerful & quiet through a GK amp & 4x10 cab. This bass is great for funk, pop, rock, metal, you name it.

The action & neck on the SUB bass is great(I wish this bass was out when I got my Fender Jazz bass years ago because it would have won out over the Fender hands down). The textured finish on the SUB is cool/unique, although not quite as flashy as the more expensive finishes on the Stingrays(I'm not compalining because the finish isn't nearly as important as tone, playability & sound). The paint/finish seems extremely durable though(more so than any lacquer finish), and it's complimented by an awesome metal pickguard.

I've only had this bass for a week, but it is extremely solid and feels like it's built to last. You could easily gig without a backup and it stays in tune quite well.

Ernie ball/ Music man is a very reliable company when it comes to customer support...A friend of mine bought a Stingray bass( 4 string teal w/ maple fretboard) about a year ago and he's had nothing but great things to say about their customer support...They were very helpful in answering any/all questions.

I've been playing bass and guitar for 8/9 years now. If you shop around you will find that it's VERY hard to find a new/solid Made in the USA bass(or guitar) with desirable features for under $700. The SUB is great if you want a high end USA bass, with high quality electronics& craftmanship, yet can't afford the high end price of a Stingray, USA Fender Jazz or P bass, Warwick, or one of those nice G&L's for that matter... I'm a guitar player that also plays bass, and the SUB has allowed me to finally get my hands on an affordable USA made Ernie Ball bass of my dreams for and incredible value/price. This bass looks and plays awesome and it's worth every last cent. Run and buy one right now!