Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

[Xeromus]

I'm thinking about buying one. I played one briefly at guitar center about a week ago. I may buy one of those or a white Schecter C-1 Elite.

any thoughts/experiences/suggestions?

also, since the pickups mount inside the body of the MM (no pickup rings), is fitting duncans in there an issue?

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

No issue with Duncans. I'd get a Schecter C-1 Classic over the SUB, but not the elite. But...Schecters speak to me, so I'm biased.

 

[bearballz]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

I own a sub 1 and it's a sweet axe! Awesome quality (Made in the USA), the neck is one of the best I've ever played and the sound is great to boot to.

Mine has 2 humbuckers which are really good (although I'll probably change them eventually) and the trem is a standard music man 2 point bridge, plus it has locking tuners.The body is poplar which gives it really good sustain.

For the price and quality (got mine at GC for $525.00) I'm surprised these aren't flying off the shelf. I've really never had any experience with Music Man before I bought a sub 1 but now I am a customer for life!! I like it so much that I'm thinking of selling my MIA strat and picking up another Music Man (probably a Silhouette model)...........

 

[big_black]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

They are good if you don't mind a poplar body.

...beat me too it!

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

No issue with Duncans. I'd get a Schecter C-1 Classic over the SUB, but not the elite. But...Schecters speak to me, so I'm biased.

I love schecters too, awesome ass guitars.

Bear - are those 500k or 250k pots in there? and how are the pickups?

 

[bearballz]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

I love schecters too, awesome ass guitars.

Bear - are those 500k or 250k pots in there? and how are the pickups?

I believe they are 250k pots. The PUPs are pretty good for stock, the bridge PUP is very gritty sounding when distorted which is good for hard rock or blues. The neck PUP is fairly warm but a little too bassy for my taste.

I know most MM guitars are fitted with Dimarzios but I'm not sure who makes them for the Sub 1's.

 

[Dodger]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

They are good if you don't mind a poplar body.

...beat me too it!

Poplar is a perfectly fine tonewood quite similar to alder and great for guitars. Just ask Steve Morse his Music Man signature model is made of poplar.

 

[B2D]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

I love those subs! They're affordable and they're killer guitars. Not too crazy about the pickups but I'd change those anyway. The necks on them are The Sexy... I have small hands so EBMM necks are like a dream come true to me. They feel great, the fretwork is nice, smooth action. GREAT axe.

 

[itbepopples]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

dont know about the SUB but id steer clear of schecter. theyre QC aint great. i owned a schecter c-1 plus which had no character at all. just a plank of wood with a nice top. changed pickups the whole deal still sounded crappy. to make matters worse the neck broke when it fell onto a blanketed floor. i have to admit this has happened to several of my guitars in the same stand and none of them had any damage. my friends guitarist in his band has a c1 classic on which the frets are caving in and there are several other issues with it. the warantee on the schecters is garbage too because they wouldnt fix a guitar despite the fact that 3 long time luthiers thoroughly explained to them that it would not have happened had the guitar not been defective. ive played other music man guitars and have been floored by all of them. id stick with mm cuz their support is truly top shelf.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

Update:

I went to guitar center. The music man felt and sounded cheap, doesn't seem worth the $649 they want for it.

The Schecter by comparison felt and sounded good for $50 cheaper.

I also tried a lot of american strats that were extremely disappointing.

I just don't know anymore.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

BTW, some guitar centers are selling the SUB for $549. And it certainly is worth that...hell Id take an EB/MM over a Schecter anyday.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

BTW, some guitar centers are selling the SUB for $549. And it certainly is worth that...hell Id take an EB/MM over a Schecter anyday.

if it was that price I'd seriously consider it, but for what it is, it's not worth $650

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Ernie Ball Music Man S.U.B. 1 guitar, who's tried one?

I think MM and G&L are two under-recognized companies.

If you're looking around the $600 mark I'd take a look at the used G&Ls on Buffalo Bros site too.