NBD - Even more SUB Ray4 love!

[ColinB]

I got this from Thomann a couple of months ago and have slowly been working on it. So far it's had;

A new bone nut
A very light fret-dress (not really needed, but I've got the stuff and it's fun)
D'Addario ECB84 Chromes 40/60/80/100
A GFS MM pro-plus pick-up ([url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-MM-Pro-Plus-Alnico-Music-Man-style-pickup-INCREDIBLE-tone_p_323.html"]here[/url]) wired with a on-off-on stubby switch to give split, series and series with a 4k7 resistor to earth
The 'Volume Mod' (starting at post #339 [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray4-and-ray5.871370/page-17"]here[/url])
An aged pearl scratch plate ([url="http://www.guitarselectric.co.uk/product/music_man_stingray_bass_4_scratch_plate"]here[/url])
Faux block position markers ([url="http://www.inlaystickers.com/"]here[/url])

I've hardly touched my Squier VM Jag with Wizard P/J p/ups since I got it. I am very, very pleased with it indeed.

It was very difficult to adjust the height of the p/up when I got it.... and opening it for the p/up replacement showed exactly why. Note the screw holes - I re-drilled the offending one:




This is the OEM p/up on the left and the GFS on the right:




Naked bass!!!!:




The bass with blocks and OEM scratchplate ([i]note to self: clean s/plate before photos![/i]):





....and now:





Stubby 3-way:

Edited February 11, 2015 by ColinB

[Funky Dunky]

VERY nice. Well done, sir, you've done some great work on that bass and it has enhanced it nicely.

We're takin' over!!

Tell me about that new pickup - how does it compare, and what improvements have you noticed?

[ColinB]

Thank you. OK - trying to describe sound is difficult, but I'd say it was smoother, rounder and responded to vol and e/q adjustments better. I've never been a fan of ceramic magnet p/ups all through my 6-string days as I found them 'tiring' to listen to, so changing to an Alnico p/up was something that I was always going to do. I think, to me, it was a worthy improvement - and for the cost it was a no-brainer. Would the Seymour Duncan p/up be even better? I don't know, but I doubt it will be anything like as much value as the GFS and the p/up is only one link in the chain for the final sound that emerges from the loudspeaker.

If I wanted a J-bass I'd be very tempted to buy another SUB Ray4 and route it for J p/ups (or P etc etc). I'm smitten with it and it's really inspired me to try new things - I've got my Mojo back

.....so much that I've just ordered a TC BG250 208 from Thomann.

Edited February 11, 2015 by ColinB

[stingrayPete1977]

Loving it, lol

[Funky Dunky]

It really is a beaut, and I looked up those pickups - that is staggering value!!

[EBS_freak]

Those blocks!!

Yum!

[ColinB]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1423662983' post='2687593']
Those blocks!!

Yum!
[/quote]

Thanks.

It's not just 'cos I like the looks - even though I do. I've got rubbish eyesight and the blocks really help on a darkened stage.

Talking of which - one thing I really don't like about Fenders is that the side dot-position markers are half-and-half on the maple and rosewood and I find that very difficult to see. So much so that on my Squier VM Jag I drilled out the side dots, enlarged the holes and put new dots in surrounded by dark brown glue. This makes them easier to see.

On the Ray4 the side dots are completely in the rosewood - and that's [u]so[/u] much better. Things like this can make a big difference.

[ColinB]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1423661096' post='2687551']
Loving it, lol
[/quote]

Thank you.... so am I.

[BruceBass3901]

Very nice looking bass

What does the pickup in series with a 4k7 resistor sound in comparison to the standard series setting?

[ColinB]

[quote name='BruceBass3901' timestamp='1423666158' post='2687664']
Very nice looking bass

What does the pickup in series with a 4k7 resistor sound in comparison to the standard series setting?
[/quote]

Thanks. It sound half-way between series and split. I found the output between series and parallel too big to be of use, so this mod gives three useable outputs, all of similar tone but increasingly more 'polite' - if that makes sense. I suppose one could use a push/pull pot for the volume with 2 out of the 3 options wired in.

[ColinB]

If you're handy with a soldering iron then there's a veroboard layout for the [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]MM-2EQ preamp (late 70’s model) [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sterling-sub-ray5-pickup-and-preamp-mod-thread.1132797/#post-16932278"]here[/url].[/font][/color]

[Qlank]

Another cool Sub 4.

[tom1946]

Colin that's a great looking bass and with those low cost mods why spend more on an expensive model?

well done sir.

[ColinB]

Thanks guys.