My Sterling SUB Ray 4

[Funky Dunky]

Gone back to Thomann to have the preamp fixed.

Can't decide whether to keep it and pay for a decent set up or sell it and get a Jazz bass. I'm definitely leaning toward the latter, but I feel like I haven't given it a fair crack of the whip. That said, it'll still need at least a hundred quid to get it right (cost of a set up plus a Stinger preamp). I could lower the pickup and see if that helps the farting (when you boost the bass it's horrific - apparently not all SUB Rays do it, but the ones that do should be fixed free of charge - this is unacceptable!) But I would still need to shell out on a set up.

Wonder what the turnaround will be on the repair from Thomann. Anybody had a bass repaired by them?

[HowieBass]

Hope you get the preamp sorted but don't be afraid of learning how to do a set-up yourself - it's really quite straightforward. The bass should come with tools (hex keys) to adjust the truss rod and the saddles you then need (ideally) a steel rule with at least 32nds of an inch markings (64th is better) and/or millimetres. I tend to favour the Fender recommendations and it takes less than half an hour for me to get everything dialled in. http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide/

[Funky Dunky]

I have followed some cracking guidelines from BC members and given it a try myself but I can't get the action low (even spec low) without fretbuzz above the 12th

[Funky Dunky]

Plus, I think in truth that it needs the nut filed down a tad. The advantage of paying an expert is that they can look at it and see, "yes it needs this and that, or no it doesn't need that but it needs this" etc.

[Qlank]

Lowering the pups on mine cured the overload.
And altering the truss-rod with that wheel thingy is a doddle.

[Funky Dunky]

Indeed it is, and so is adjusting the saddles. Quite why it's still not right escapes me. I will lower the pickup and try adjusting the set up again when I get it back, but if I'm not happy with it I'll move it on.

[tom1946]

Our John (Kiogon) made this for me:

Your sub wiring is MusicMan Passive, 2 volumes + tone, CTS Premium 250K Audio Log pots .047uF cap. with a "Jimmy Lloyd Rea signature 4 string MM bassbucker" from Warman.
MM 4 string bass humbucker 13.2k 4 wire overwound pick up

It now sounds absolutely great now. I'll have to sell it though as it's too heavy these days.