True Sterling S.U.B bass review

Susan Fernandez May 05 2022

The Sterling S.U.B bass is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable bass guitar. With its unique design and superior craftsmanship, the Sterling S.U.B bass is sure to turn heads and make a statement. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Sterling S.U.B bass is a great addition to any collection.

Here we will tell you about some of the features that make the Sterling S.U.B bass so special and describe why it's such a great choice for bass players of all levels.

Music Man company

Have you ever heard of the Music Man brand? If not, then you're in for a treat. Music Man is a well-respected name in the music industry, known for its high-quality instruments and superior craftsmanship. The Sterling S.U.B bass is no exception. With its sleek design and attention to detail, the Sterling S.U.B bass is a cut above the rest.

In 1971, six years after the Fender name was sold to CBS, luthier Leo Fender established a new musical firm alongside Tom Walker and Forrest White, who were then Fender executives. In January 1974, because apparently part of the agreement that Leo made with CBS was for him to stay in the background for four years after selling his original business, "The Music Man" became known.

What is the S.U.B. series Sterling?

Sterling by Music Man is a subsidiary of Ernie Ball, which began selling cheap guitars and basses in 2008. Sterling by Music Man is a company that caters to hard-working musicians. They provide the chance to play a high-quality instrument with a sophisticated design at a reasonable price. The Ernie Ball brand of basses is produced in Indonesia and China, but they are designed in Los Angeles, California, or Canada.

The Sterling S.U.B series is a line of inexpensive bass guitars with several variations. Overall, the S.U.B. basses are lighter, smaller, and more player-friendly than other brands' models in this price range.

Nowadays the company is known for its guitars, including the Sterling S.U.B bass, which is inspired by the original Music Man designs from the 1970s. Musicians all over the world loved their Music Man instruments for their unique sound and build quality, and the Sterling S.U.B bass is no different.

Superior craftsmanship

The Sterling S.U.B bass is made with superior craftsmanship, making it a high-quality instrument that will last for years to come. The body of the bass is made from alder wood, which is known for its durability and good tone. The neck is made from maple, providing stability and strength. The fretboard is made from rosewood, which is a smooth and comfortable material that is perfect for playing fast passages.

The hardware on the Sterling S.U.B bass is top-notch, as well. The bridge is made from zinc, which provides excellent intonation and sustains. The tuning machines are made from die-cast zinc, which keeps the strings in tune and makes it easy to change them.

The pickups on the Sterling S.U.B bass are also of excellent quality. The bridge pickup is a Music Man humbucker, which is known for its clear sound and great sustain. The neck pickup is a single-coil, which provides a warm and vintage sound. Both of the pickups can be controlled with the three-way toggle switch, allowing you to get the perfect sound for any situation.

Sterling is a company that makes inexpensive high-end gear under the Music Man license. The Sterling S.U.B. Series Ray4 model is an excellent option for novice bass guitar players seeking for more expertise. It's also a fantastic value if you're on a budget. The design of their guitars and basses is based on classic Leo Fender models.

Body and neck

They use high-quality components, including alder wood for the body, maple for the neck, and rosewood for the fretboard. The bridge is made from zinc and the tuning machines are die-cast zinc. The pickups are a Music Man humbucker and a single-coil. You can control them with a three-way toggle switch.

The Sterling S.U.B. Series Ray4 model is available in four different colors: Black, Brown Sunburst, Natural, and Seafoam Green. It has a vintage white pickguard and chrome hardware. The nut width is 1-11/16 inches and the scale length is 34 inches. The neck is constructed of a single hard maple piece, while the fingerboard is made of rosewood and has black inlays. Furthermore, the fingerboard has 21 medium jumbo frets.

The body and neck are both excellent. It's the sort of craftsmanship you'd anticipate from a high-quality bass guitar, so there's nothing further to do before playing right out of the box. In particular, the back of the neck is very smooth and comfortable to grip. Even in low light, the dot markers are quite visible.

Great sound

The Sterling S.U.B bass sounds as good as it looks. With its unique design and superior craftsmanship, the Sterling S.U.B bass is able to produce a wide range of sounds. Whether you're playing jazz or rock, the Sterling S.U.B bass will have no problem delivering the sound you need.

The bridge pickup provides a clear and powerful sound that is perfect for any style of music. The neck pickup gives the bass a warm and vintage sound, making it ideal for genres such as jazz and blues.

This isn't an elaborate setup by any stretch of the imagination. It simply eliminates the need for a dedicated preamp, while also saving money and offering increased simplicity of use. Additionally, it works well with a few different types of bass pedals. The lows should be pulled down for a groovy sound, while the mids should be boosted to take you into a pop-rock/”jazz” (as in versatile) zone. Slaps sound wonderful when they're boosted as well, with a zingy snap to them, but fingerstyle playing sounds balanced across the entire fretboard.

The three-way toggle switch allows you to choose between the two pickups, giving you even more control over your sound. So, if you are like going to play some hard rock tunes you can switch to the bridge pickup for a heavier sound. Or, if you're feeling more mellow, you can switch to the neck pickup for a softer and smoother sound. No matter what style of music you play, the Sterling S.U.B bass is sure to deliver the perfect sound.

Electronics

This is an active bass guitar, which means it has active electronics and requires a separate 9V battery. To access the battery compartment, you'll need another screwdriver. The electronics include an active custom Music Man hot output humbucker, a 2-band EQ (bass and mids) with volume knob, and a passive 5th position pickup.

The electronics for Sterling S.U.B basses are made by Music Man, so you can expect the highest quality possible. The active custom Music Man hot output humbucker provides a clear and powerful sound that is perfect for any style of music. The 2-band EQ (bass and mids) with a volume knob gives you even more control over your sound. The passive 5th position pickup gives the bass a warm and vintage sound, making it ideal for genres such as jazz and blues.

All StingRay basses have a similar three-level switch as their most prominent visual characteristic. It's also an important element of the sound since it allows the humbucker to operate as a single coil. Instead, we've got something rather simple. It's nothing more than something to anticipate at this price range, but it's also nothing beginners will mind much.

Playability

Sterling S.U.B bass is a very playable bass. The SUB Ray4 is available in four distinct body styles and five fingerboard options, but the most essential feature about it is its neck width of 12 inches. This makes it ideal for individuals wanting to move from a guitar to bass because it's the same length as all Gibson and Epiphone guitars.

The body style is available in four different options: Standard, Vintage, fretless, and left-handed. The neck options are also available in five different varieties: maple, rosewood, ebony, pau ferro, and maple with block inlays. For beginners the playability is superb. The intonation is great, the action can be low without fret buzz, and the string tension can be easily adjusted with the truss rod.

Hardware

As regards the hardware of this bass guitar, we should admit that it's very good for its price. The bridge is made of chrome-plated steel and the machine heads are die-cast. The tuners are sealed, making them resistant to corrosion and providing increased stability. The nut is also made of chrome-plated steel, which ensures durability and prevents wear. The instrument comes with a gig bag, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

On the other hand, there are three 3:1 die-cast tuning machines. A 3:1 arrangement allows you to change one tuner without affecting the rest of the strings. It also ensures that the strings are as stretched as possible in order to preserve intonations. Additionally, the tidy headstock has classic StingRay "elephant ear" tuners on it. Overall, these are traditional, efficient, and stylish.

So, if the hardware is good, what's bad about this bass guitar? The main issue is that there are no strap buttons included. You'll have to buy them separately or get creative and find a way to attach your strap without them.

FAQs

-Are Sterling basses good for metal?

As a musician, you may wonder whether Sterling S.U.B bass guitars are good for metal music or not. There is no simple answer to this question since it depends on your personal preferences and playing style.

If you're looking for a powerful and aggressive sound, then the Sterling S.U.B bass is definitely a good choice for you. The active custom Music Man humbucker provides a clear and powerful sound that is perfect for any style of music, including metal.

The 2-band EQ (bass and mids) with a volume knob gives you even more control over your sound, so you can create the perfect tone for metal music. The passive 5th position pickup gives the bass a warm and vintage sound, making it ideal for genres such as jazz and blues.

-Are Sterling basses active?

The Sterling 4-string bass is known for its somewhat smaller body and neck profile, which allows it to project a huge sound. The Sterling comes standard with a 9-volt active 3 band EQ preamp, three-position pickup selector switch, and a ceramic humbucker with a hum-canceling phantom coil that cuts through any mix.

The pickups can be switched to single-coil mode to give the bass a more vintage tone. The 3-band EQ allows you to shape your sound exactly the way you want it, and the volume knob gives you even more control over your sound.

Whether you're looking for a powerful and aggressive sound or a warm and vintage sound, the Sterling 4-string bass is a great choice for you.

-Can a jazz bass play metal?

In conclusion, jazz bass may be employed in metal music. It's a flexible instrument that can play all forms of music, including heavy metal, punk, and rock. Its two single-coil pickups configuration enables you to produce a variety of metal bass sounds, and the slim neck allows small-handed bassists to play.

The three-band EQ gives you even more control over your sound, allowing you to create the perfect tone for metal music. If you're looking for a powerful and aggressive sound, then the jazz bass is definitely a good choice for you.

Conclusion

Sterling S.U.B bass guitars are good for metal if you're looking for a powerful and aggressive sound. The active custom Music Man humbucker provides a clear and powerful sound that is perfect for any style of music, including metal. No matter whether you are a professional musician or just beginning to play the bass, Sterling S.U.B bass guitar is a great choice for you.