Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar Black
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A solid 4-string with amazing tone shaping, a loud humbucking pickup and quality construction.
The S.U.B. Series family of instruments introduce a new level of quality, features and value for the beginning or intermediate player. Part of the esteemed Music Man & Sterling by Music Man family of instruments, Sterling by Music Man feel all players should have access to affordable guitars & basses that feel, sound and play like a refined, crafted professional instrument. The best components, hardware and designs all work in harmony to give you the best user experience as you discover your sound. The goal is to deliver an instrument, at a price that surpasses your expectations.
The Ray4 and Ray5 basses are the cousins of the Music Man StingRay 4 and 5 basses. Classic, iconic instruments that defined a generation of bassists since the late 70′s. Active electronics, low noise hum bucking pickups, rock solid hardware and a simple, uncluttered look that is instantly recognizable and respected. They start with a solid hardwood body. Light, airy bodies full of tone are attached to a slim, easy to play full scale maple neck. A narrow 38mm nut width was created for easy playability. Medium jumbo frets allow for effortless fretting. The slim neck and narrow nut feels at home with small or large hands.
S.U.B. Series Bass Boast Great Tone Shaping Features.
The tone is shaped by the onboard active 2 band preamp. Controls for volume, bass and treble offer maximum flexibility in finding your sound. Full cut & boost of bass & treble frequencies. The wide range of tones, guarantee you will find your sound, for any musical situation.
Quality Construction
Sterling by Music Man wants your bass to last a lifetime. Superior design and construction are key to delivering a solid instrument that will accompany you on your long musical journey. All S.U.B. basses employ a superior 6 bolt neck joint. The 6 bolt neck joint, designed by Music Man, offers strength, stability and great tone transfer. The neck stays in position and won’t shift under heavy load. The neck heel allows easy access to the higher end of the fingerboard and is unobtrusive, allowing your hands to freely move about the neck with ease. Rest assured, your neck will stay put while your fingers roam about.
High Output Humbucking Pickup
The high output humbucking pickup was designed for clarity and true reproduction of the basses natural tone, with minimal coloration. 2 rows of large magnetic pole pieces pump the strings information into the pickup, feeding the 2 band active preamp. Tones can be aggressive, wild or mild. Its up to you to find your sound. 3 screw adjustment allow for more accurate positioning of the pickups angle & height, allowing for more precise adjustments to match the strings angle.
Satin Finished Neck
The feel of the neck is everything. Your fretting hand is touching the neck 100% of the time you play your bass. Sterling by Music Man developed a super smooth satin finish for the back of the neck. This finish is non glossy, never get’s sticky and always feels fresh. The tinted satin finish looks great and gives the instrument a classic look and feel.
Neck Adjustments
All stringed instruments need some basic adjustments from time to time. Neck adjustments can be intimidating for some. S.U.B. makes it easy and simple. S.U.B. Series guitars & basses have an easy to adjust neck. No specialized tools are needed. The small thumbwheel located at the end of the fingerboard makes it easy and simple. You can use a small screwdriver or the included chrome bar to easily and quickly adjust the neck to your preference. No need to remove the neck or strings, you can make the adjustments on the fly. Easy, quick, convenient. More time to play, less time making adjustments.
Top Mounted Output Jack
No more fumbling trying plug in the cable. The output jack is conveniently placed on top of the body. Located on the control plate, the jack is secure and won’t easily pull out or get damaged when placed in a guitar stand. Sterling by Music Man uses a heavy duty jack that is designed to withstand plenty of use and abuse.
Battery
The 2 band active preamp is powered by a 9 volt battery. The easy to open battery compartment makes battery changes easy and simple. Simply flip up the battery door, unclip the 9 volt from the clip and clip in your new battery. Takes no time at all. The battery is easily accessible on the back of the body. Your battery should last for several months under normal use. Sterling by Music Man recommends you unplug the cable when not in use, to conserve on the batteries life span.
Features
- Solid hardwood body
- 34″ full scale maple neck
- Medium jumbo frets
- Satin tinted neck finish
- Narrow 38 mm nut width
- Low noise humbucking pickup
- 2 band onboard active preamp, cut & boost
- Large heavy duty bass bridge with full adjustments
- Easy access truss rod adjuster
Step up your set up today!
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 22 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fun to play (20)
- Good feel (19)
- Good tone (19)
- Solid electronics (18)
- Good pick up (16)
Cons
Best Uses
- Practicing (19)
- Jamming (16)
- Recording (16)
- Small venues (15)
- Rock concerts (14)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (16), Professional musician (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
I Own it I use it!!
I bought this bass on Friday and played a 3 hour gig with it on Saturday. Don't let the low price fool you this bass is the real deal. The pickup is strong and ...Read complete review
I bought this bass on Friday and played a 3 hour gig with it on Saturday. Don't let the low price fool you this bass is the real deal. The pickup is strong and has a great output. The two band EQ allows you to dial up a wide varitity of sounds. Lows are warm and full and the high end cuts through like a champ. I have smaller hands so the neck plays like a dream for me, plus I have found no fret snag. This is a bonus considering the price point. This bass is marketed towards beginners and intermediate players, but I've been playing for over 25 years and I absoultely love it.
I have a big outdoor gig next weekend and this will be the bass I choose to play.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Beware
I purchased this bass after reading the reviews on here and on other sites. After receiving it i was less than impressed. The nut was to big and hanging over on both sides of ...Read complete review
I purchased this bass after reading the reviews on here and on other sites. After receiving it i was less than impressed. The nut was to big and hanging over on both sides of the fretboard. The fret ends were very sharp.and the pickup wire was shorted to the volume pot.one of the strap button screws was stripped out as well as 2 of the control cavity screws. Maybe i got a bad one
Reviews
Reviewed by 22 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Great For Slapping
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- Mediocre Wood Quality
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
For the price, it doesn't get much better. The electronics are solid, if a little hot (you'll keep your volume in the bottom 1/4 most of the time). My bass had some small blemishes in the wood that are only noticeable by someone looking for it, and some of the screws for the pick guard came in at an angle so they're not quite flush (both are not shocking in a cheaper bass). The neck is smooth and quick (jazz style), and it's fantastic for slapping. It's the best mass market bass you can get in it's price range.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- Fret Buzz
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
Easy to play jazz style neck, hot electronics, light and well balanced.
I have been playing for 27 yrs. Struggled to find that sound and feel that this bass offers. I have owned Fender Jazz bass's, Ibanez, Gretsch, Spector, Steinberger. All good bass guitars but the Sterling comes through.
I play a variety of styles of music. Classic Rock, Country, Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Salsa, Merinque, Blues & a little smooth Jazz
Needed a slight set up and new strings. No problems, no complaints. My intentioned ratings are 4.75
Looking for a second. I own the maple fretboard now I will get the rosewood fretboard.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
Cannot believe the quality at this price!!! I am used to Jazz basses and the Sub Ray4 neck is very close to it. What i like best is there are no dead spots on the neck. The volume and tone is so consistent throughout the whole neck. It came very well set up, just a few tweeks to make it mine. It sounds great either practicing solo or playing live with a group. Highly recommend the Sub Ray4!!!
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
I was amazed with the quality, playability and sound that you get from this bass. I've owned more expensive basses from Fender and even Musicman that weren't this great. But for fairness sake I will compare it to something in the same ballpark price wise. The cost is similar to the OLP line Musicaman licensed a few years back, but quality wise it blows away my OLP bass. It has been a very long time since I have been this pleased with parting with my hard earned money. I am really glad I opted for a new Sterling SUB Ray4 rather than buying a used something else.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Perfect Feelballsy Sound
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Great all around
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
I had one of these before and loved the way it fit my hand the first time I picked it up. I ended up selling that one and playing a couple others in the meantime. With arthritis a major factor I was not happy with the others and longed for another MM. I love everything about them especially the way they feel and sound. Getting straight to the point.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
Great feel and action. I had to adjust the intonation on the E & G strings, but other than that it played great out-of-the-box. Active pickup is very versitile. I usually do not like bridge pickups, but with the active preamp it can sound like a nice deep neck pickup. An excellent investment for years to come.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Practicing
- Recording
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
I bought this bass as a replacement for a bass I bought from a pawn shop that broke, everything about it is infinitely better than my old one, you will not be disappointed if you buy this bass
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Slap
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
This bass is really fun to play. Beware on getting a used condition 3 product though. The first one I had sent to me had a huge chip in the back that was an obvious deal breaker. They gave me a break on a new one and I still wanted this bass. I'm glad I'm upgraded. This bass was fun to play right out of the box. It is slaptacular! I changed the strings and did a few minor tweaks and it is pretty much set up now. I have a mim J bass and this bass is lighter and feels more comfortable to me. The J bass has a better neck but it is a bit bigger than the sterling, not longer though. The electronics are easy to use and toneful. I have a feeling the sterling is going to progress my playing in a positive way. Great instrument!
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
- Well balanced
Cons
Best Uses
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
I own the Walnut Stain version and it is probably the best bass I've owned (and in 38 years of playing, I've owned plenty. The neck is fast, the balance is perfect, the hardware is solid, the active electronics give high output and a lot of tonal versatility to a one pickup instrument. The truss rod needed NO adjustment. The strings were too light (.045-.100) for me, so I put on a set of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.050-.105), adjusted the bridge saddles accordingly for height and intonation and it's perfect now. The sound is tight, punchy, and well balanced. Fit and finish are very good, especially for this price point. The Musicman lineage is clearly carried on here.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar:
I own a Peavey Millenium 5 string and A Fender P-Bass and this bass is incredible. I've played real music man stingrays and this one is practically identical. The electronics are a bit cheaper, but they still have the stingray sound and sound great. The neck has more of a satin finish so your hands don't stick and the neck is really thin which is incredibly comfortable to play. I got the white and it looks stunning the other colors are probably pretty cool too, but I think white looks the best. The bottom line is if you want a stingray get this bass. The only real difference is in the electronics, but this is minor. Personally it's not worth the extra 1,100$ to get the American made one.
