2004 Ernie Ball Music Man USA SUB 4 - In Need of Repair- Please read the Description - *SOLD* £450 Leicestershire

[Eldon Tyrell]

I am selling this 2004 Music Man USA SUB 4 bass in black. A you probably know, the SUB basses were made for only a few years back in the early 00s and were EBMM’s “no-frills” Stingray, made in the same factory in California as the regular Stingray. Apparently EBMM stopped making them as they were losing money on them. Some differences: poplar body, slab body (like the pre-EBMM Stingrays and the Classics nowadays), a less expensive textured finish, and a metallic pickguard. As far as I know, the pickup and the 2 band EQ are the same as on the regular SRs.

 

I was very happy to win it in an auction on Ebay a few weeks ago (Jan 2024). I cleaned it thoroughly, oiled the lovely looking rosewood fretboard and at first it sounded great. However, after some time, it suddenly sounded distorted, like having a built-in distortion pedal (like the DarkRay). I checked online and found out that a weak battery can cause it. I checked the battery only to find out that it had expired in 2012! Could not believe it. The battery had clearly leaked and one of the wires had come off. The battery lid is damaged as well. There are also some scratches (mostly on the back of the neck, difficult to photograph but please check the photos), a dent and several touch-ups. Fortunately, apart from the issues described above, it plays well (no fret buzzing, noisy electronics, neck issues etc.). The bass weighs 4.1kg, which is not too bad either for a SUB.

 

I was able to clean the inside of the battery box, but I cannot fix the battery issue and do not have a luthier nearby (i.e., I would not only have to pay the luthier but would also have significant taxi costs for dropping off and picking up the bass as I do not have a car). Maybe it is an easy fix (e.g., just resoldering the black wire), worst case scenario could be routing the cavity for the battery box a bit bigger to fit a different type of box in. Moreover, I am not really a fan of the slab body and will rather get a 2 EQ SR with a contoured body instead (maybe trade?). Therefore, I rather sell it to someone who has the skills and equipment to fix the issue and who can bag themselves a great bargain. We all know how much new SRs go for nowadays (£3k plus!) and I am only asking for what I paid for it. I am even throwing in a new hard case for safe transport. The case itself cost £80 (https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Electric-Bass-ABS-Case-Rectangular-by-Gear4music/FM7) 

 

Collection would be recommended but I can also ship it (UK only, sorry!) using a decent courier. Shipping would of course add some costs (approx. £20/30).

 

 

Edited February 20 by Eldon Tyrell

[TheGreek]

Is there any BCers on the list of "BCers able to help fix.. " list nearby?

Personally I'd send somebody like@Andyjr1515 a PM to see if he could squeeze it in his busy schedule. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

3 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

Is there any BCers on the list of "BCers able to help fix.. " list nearby?

Personally I'd send somebody like@Andyjr1515 a PM to see if he could squeeze it in his busy schedule. 

Thanks but the slab body is just not my cup tea. So, I would end up selling it anyway. 

[SimonK]

Honestly that's a five minute fix. It's a bit of a design fault on the Musicmans. I've had the same happen to both my stingrays and just replaced them with:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322826391603

 

The main thing is to make sure none of the battery acid leaked into the preamp, but even that is not too hard to replace.

[Eldon Tyrell]

Just now, SimonK said:

Honestly that's a five minute fix. It's a bit of a design fault on the Musicmans. I've had the same happen to both my stingrays and just replaced them with:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322826391603

 

The main thing is to make sure none of the battery acid leaked into the preamp, but even that is not too hard to replace.

Thanks and good to know. Well, grab yourself a bargain, so I can get myself a 2EQ with a contoured body 😉 

[dmc79]

Folks, buy with confidence from a great Basschatter! GLWTS

[SimonK]

I'd love to but don't quite have the cash flow - still hopefully someone else will see both your great deal and how to fix the problem (although the battery compartment I linked to fits the full fat stingrays with 3EQ, so you might want to just measure the compartment before purchasing)!