Sterling SUB Ray 4

[discreet]

Er... is this something to do with it? [url="https://static.talkbass.com/data/attachment-files/2012/10/1292220_c60ae73d61a1cd8015ac83e9da966210.pdf"]https://static.talkb...3e9da966210.pdf[/url]
It's a link posted on TB by Brian Martin, VP Sales & Marketing, Sterling by Music Man.

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=3]"OK, here is the modification. [/size][size=3]Before you start, I will warn you. If you are not familiar with basic electronic skills, don't attempt this modification. Take it to a local Guitar repair facility and have it done by a professional! [/size][size=3]What you will need:[/size] [size=3]25K Alpha VR, [/size][size=3]Soldering Iron, [/size][size=3]Electronic Solder, [/size][size=3]Heat Shrink Tubing."[/size][/font]

Edited December 12, 2014 by discreet

[ColinB]

It starts at post #339 on this page.... [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray4-and-ray5.871370/page-17"]http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray4-and-ray5.871370/page-17[/url]

However; the first post is the circuit diagram that Discreet posted above, the other posts are step-by-step photos and instructions from the VP. He takes a lot of time and trouble to post the instructions and then some tw*t has a go at his soldering skills! Jeez!

[discreet]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1418469563' post='2630425']
It starts at post #339 on this page.... [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray4-and-ray5.871370/page-17"]http://www.talkbass.....871370/page-17[/url]
[/quote]

Ah good call, I wasn't sure of the best way to present the information... it was getting late.

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1418469563' post='2630425']
He takes a lot of time and trouble to post the instructions and then some tw*t has a go at his soldering skills! Jeez!
[/quote]

I saw that too, what a dick. Like Vice-Presidents are well-known for their top soldering skilz. Dur!

[Heket]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1418393890' post='2629867']
My SUB Ray 4 in Honeyburst arrived yesterday evening. Give me a couple of days to get a proper feel for it and I'll post up a review. Initial impression (after a set-up but with the el cheapo strings still on)..... crackin' bass.
[/quote]

Honeyburst?! Where are you guys finding all these cool colours, I had a choice of black, white or walnut satin (which I have). I'd have [i]loved[/i] a honeyburst one. I shouldn't complain too much as I got mine in a clearance sale, but I would have paid more for a snazzy colour.

[ColinB]

[quote name='Heket' timestamp='1418484519' post='2630596']
Honeyburst?! Where are you guys finding all these cool colours, I had a choice of black, white or walnut satin (which I have). I'd have [i]loved[/i] a honeyburst one. I shouldn't complain too much as I got mine in a clearance sale, but I would have paid more for a snazzy colour.
[/quote]

They're at Thomann: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?filter=true&gk=giebs4&manufacturer%5B%5D=Sterling%20by%20Music%20Man"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?filter=true&gk=giebs4&manufacturer%5B%5D=Sterling%20by%20Music%20Man[/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Heket' timestamp='1418484519' post='2630596']


Honeyburst?! Where are you guys finding all these cool colours, I had a choice of black, white or walnut satin (which I have). I'd have [i]loved[/i] a honeyburst one. I shouldn't complain too much as I got mine in a clearance sale, but I would have paid more for a snazzy colour.
[/quote]
Hey I like the walnut!

[discreet]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1418492254' post='2630668']
They're at Thomann: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?filter=true&gk=giebs4&manufacturer%5B%5D=Sterling%20by%20Music%20Man"]http://www.thomann.d...y%20Music%20Man[/url]
[/quote]

Quite like the trans red satin...

[Heket]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1418495632' post='2630728']
Hey I like the walnut!
[/quote]

Yeah, I like it too. I prefer wood colours over coloured colours, but I still would (wood?) have preferred honeyburst as I love bursts. Nice price from Thomann.

[theyellowcar]

Certain American dealers have a Surf Green/Maple version of the Ray 4. I wish I could get my hands on one of those bad boys but they won't export them to the UK.

Edit: http://forums.ernieball.com/attachments/music-man-basses/22300d1369154520-new-exclusive-sbmm-sub-series-guitar-center-mf-exclusive-colors-now-available-009.jpg

Edited December 14, 2014 by theyellowcar

[ColinB]

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1418573081' post='2631277']
Certain American dealers have a Surf Green/Maple version of the Ray 4. I wish I could get my hands on one of those bad boys but they won't export them to the UK.
[/quote]





Drool

Edited December 14, 2014 by ColinB

[Raslee]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1418573333' post='2631281']





Drool
[/quote] Yes I'm wanting one of these....any USA friends around???

[discreet]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1418495632' post='2630728']
Hey I like the walnut!
[/quote]

Yes indeed! I am also fond of the hazelnut!

Edited December 14, 2014 by discreet

[Funky Dunky]

It initially came on the market in Black, White and Walnut Satin I think, and they added honeyburst in late 2013. Trans Blue and Red were introduced as options for 2014. If only they did the 5 string in Blue, or would introduce a natural finish, or did black with a rosewood fretboard......


Thank you for posting those links to the wiring diagram and the preamp fix guys. Reckon I'd be a bit out of my depth, but cheers nonetheless.

[Raslee]

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1418587728' post='2631507']
It initially came on the market in Black, White and Walnut Satin I think, and they added honeyburst in late 2013. Trans Blue and Red were introduced as options for 2014. If only they did the 5 string in Blue, or would introduce a natural finish, or did black with a rosewood fretboard......


Thank you for posting those links to the wiring diagram and the preamp fix guys. Reckon I'd be a bit out of my depth, but cheers nonetheless.
[/quote] You get the black and i'll get the walnut and lets swap necks ...I'd quite like the walnut with a maple neck.

[Funky Dunky]

[quote name='Raslee' timestamp='1418589776' post='2631538']
You get the black and i'll get the walnut and lets swap necks ...I'd quite like the walnut with a maple neck.
[/quote]

Jeez.....that's actually very tempting!!

[i play in N #]

cant beat the first originals , they are becoming well sort after , i bought mine the first day the sterling came out in 1993
and it still looks the nuts now ;-) check the pics
its the big bridge model with dampeners, the hipshot is quality sounding to....awesome bass....i dont gig anymore now so its
just an expensive ornament , shame really ...
hell i may even sell it soon so someone else can enjoy it ....
anyways heres my baby ... its that nice, even my dog wont piss on it ;-)
sterlings rock .....[attachment=178916:mm s 2.jpg][attachment=178917:mm s.jpg]

[Raslee]

I've made a purchase (Thomann) !!!! surprisingly I've opted for the trans red as there is a big red theme in one of the bands i play in...plus my 5yr old told me red It has a rosewood neck so i'd swap it out for a maple if anyone feels that way inclined. Will update when it arrives....in the mean time i want a decent preamp for it, I see the retrovibe Stingers are no longer for sale...any pointers ?

Edited December 23, 2014 by Raslee

[HowieBass]

Are you sure about the Stinger? The website still looks active (with a note about Christmas shutdown) http://www.probass.co.uk/StingerEQ.html

[discreet]

[quote name='Raslee' timestamp='1419363292' post='2639217']
I'd swap it out for a maple if anyone feels that way inclined.
[/quote]

That would look amazing, especially if you fitted a parchment or mint pickguard to go with it.

[Raslee]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1419365873' post='2639261']
Are you sure about the Stinger? The website still looks active (with a note about Christmas shutdown) [url="http://www.probass.co.uk/StingerEQ.html"]http://www.probass.c.../StingerEQ.html[/url]
[/quote] Ah thanks for that, I only followed an eBay link

[Raslee]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419366326' post='2639269']
That would look amazing, especially if you fitted a parchment or mint pickguard to go with it.
[/quote]

Agreed...i'd leave out the tort this time round x

Edited December 23, 2014 by Raslee

[Raslee]

Funk me, the Red baron has arrived...what a lot of bass for the money! Lovely neck, not a million miles off the stingray sound, PU is hot as mentioned...have stinger preamp on order. Build quality is very, very, impressive although tuners are the weakest point, spankability is good...nearly had a credible 20 second slap riff going on, EQ works - good lows but not as low as a ray, neither is the high the zing but its still a Ray like vibe. low action with no buzzes - had to tweak the truss rod a little to remove buzz at first fret. Looks are beautiful, the wood grain through the wine red stain is rather yummy.

All in all a lot of bass for £250 off Thomann...The man from Del Monte says '$exy'...back to some spanking

[ColinB]

ooooo - let us know how the stinger pre-amp works out please. I've got a GFS MM pro plus on order...... so I'll make some comment about that when it's arrived and installed.

Does it look as good as the photo?

I'm tempted by one of these..... from here... [url="http://www.guitarselectric.co.uk/product/music_man_stingray_bass_4_scratch_plate"]http://www.guitarselectric.co.uk/product/music_man_stingray_bass_4_scratch_plate[/url]

Edited January 6, 2015 by ColinB

[ColinB]

The GFS MM pro plus p/up arrived today..... and after various messings around with series-parallel switching I decided that it sounded [u]so[/u] good in parallel (even though it comes with the red and white wires soldered together for series) that I wired it in parallel and put the pre-amp back in - but with the 25k volume pot mod.

I think it sounds absolutely fantastic; just the sound I've been looking - listening? - for. I am a very happy bunny indeed. I'm still interested in how the stinger pre-amp sounds, tho'. The OEM pre is made of tiny, tiny componants and does have a bit of a background hiss. The stinger has 'proper' componants and may be hissless.

[Raslee]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1420567439' post='2650748']
The GFS MM pro plus p/up arrived today..... and after various messings around with series-parallel switching I decided that it sounded [u]so[/u] good in parallel (even though it comes with the red and white wires soldered together for series) that I wired it in parallel and put the pre-amp back in - but with the 25k volume pot mod.

I think it sounds absolutely fantastic; just the sound I've been looking - listening? - for. I am a very happy bunny indeed. I'm still interested in how the stinger pre-amp sounds, tho'. The OEM pre is made of tiny, tiny componants and does have a bit of a background hiss. The stinger has 'proper' componants and may be hissless.
[/quote]
Nice, where did you get the pick up from? Those pickguards look nice too, tempted for the aged pearl white also.
The Stinger arrived today but it'll probably be tomorrow or the weekend before I fit it.