S.U.B. X02 Review

The selected poplar body is tightly fitted to the neck with 6 bolts for enhanced resonance. Egg-shaped diamond plate aluminum pickguard looks way cool and resists marring. Chromeplated steel bridge plate with stainless saddles. 34" scale and 11" radius fretboard.

Features:	9.8
Sound:	9.3
Action:	9
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	9.1
Comments:	6

overall: 9

Featured review by: UtBDan, on december 02, 2005

Purchased from: Musiciansfriend

Features: The MusicMan Sports Utility Bass (SUB) has basically a Stingray minus 2. Now, that doesn't mean score is going be an 8 instead of a 10, that means I'm going to explain the two that's missing. A MusicMan Stingray has a custom paint job that makes it more expensive (no big deal). A MusicMan Stingray has a 3 band EQ while the SUB has a 2 band EQ. Other than that, they are just about the same bass. You can get the SUB with either active or passive electronics; either way the tone controls are volume, treble, and bass. Only one pickup, a MusicMan humbucker. The tuners work really well, as do all the ones that come on MusicMans, but I just feel the need to point out that it was the second thing I noticed with this bass. I've owned this bass for some time now, but when I first got it, I noted how much more playable the SUB's neck was than my old bass; and I noted how much easier it was to tune and how much better the tuners kept it in tune. 10 out of 10 for features, absolutely nothing I'd really change. // 10

Sound: Odds are, if you're looking at MusicMan basses, you know what the MusicMan sound is. The MusicMan pickups make it so the bass already has a large amount of bottom end, and its nice. However, this does limit your sound. This means you can basically either crank up the highs and turn down the lows and go for a funky sound that comes naturally with the bass in a balanced volume or keep the highs fairly neutral and keep it lows for a great metal or hard rock sound. My band plays a mix of funk and hard rock, voila, the perfect bass. However, if these sounds aren't yours (if you're a typical jazz bassist, for example), then this is not your bass. It's not a versatile bass, but it is a great slap bass. It is a great funk bass. It is a great fingerstyle and pick bass. It is a great bass. It's just not for everyone. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The factory sent this one all set up nice, and I'm not just saying that. I've played poorly set up Fenders from the factory, and I'm telling you this isn't one of those basses that you need to configure. It comes in, and its yours. The action and string height were perfect which I was very happy to know because I'm not very good with 2 mm philipshead screwdrivers to lower strings and I'm not very good at wiggling a rod to make the action better. Don't know anything about this in a bass? Then don't worry about it. Because with the SUB, it comes ready so you don't need to worry about it. The finish is also stainless, which I don't see when I would stain, but its nifty to know. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I've never had the EQ battery die. I can depend on it, I don't feel I'd need to break a backup with it. If you pop fast enough you can pull the strings off the bridge, which can be a bit of a pain; and it is a bass so it can hit things. But overall, it's more durable than your average bass, especially your average bass in the price range that sounds like a high end bass. The strap buttons aren't that solid, but if you're gigging that much, buy a straplock. It withstands live playing, my abuse, and environmental struggles all the while. A solid 8. // 8

Impression: As I said earlier, I play a hard funk rock. This bass is meant for metal, hard rock, or funk. Anything else, and you MIGHT be able to get your tone out of it; but it's not a J-Bass that is capable of thousands of different tones. This is a MusicMan: It sounds like a MusicMan. That sound is right on for me. I love it so much. I've been playing for well over two years; I don't rush to reviews like some people (I didn't review my last bass till I had owned it for more than a year, had gotten a new bass for comparison, and went to the store several times each time trying several others so I got a feel for more than just the basses I own). The product this should be compared with is ofcourse the Stingray. The Stingray does provide a better sound. To the untrained ear, it will sound the same. To the trained ear, you'll want a Stingray. Now now, I wouldn't say choke up the extra $400 for a new Stingray. I'd say if you can find a used Stingray for $700-800, buy a used Stingray. If you can't, or if you absolutely must have a brand new bass, buy the Ernie Ball MusicMan SUB. // 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 19, 2005

Price paid: $ 700

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: // 10

Sound: // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: No flaws except the treble knob came off and I had to seal it back on. Everything was perfectly adjusted and routed. I love the bass more than any other. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This is the toughest, strongest, most durable bass on the planet (ok a little exaggeration there). The hardware will last forever aside from the occasional need to replace the pickup or bridge like on any other bass. I would most definatley gig with it, but since I thumb and try to tap, I'd bring my J Bass to the gig also. The textured finish needs no polishing, and it looks awesome. // 10

Impression: This is perfect for every rock genre, and I play every rock genre. If it were stolen, I'd kill the guy who stole it and buy another to be safe. The humbucker is the best bass pickup I've ever played. I'd compare it to the Stingray which is more popular. This bass is cheaper and better. I'll save you some cash, if you want a Musicman, get the S\.U\.B\. X02, and save yourself at least $500. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on may 03, 2005

Price paid: $ 700

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: Humbucker, carbon/composite body and neck, 21 frets, rosewood fretboard, 2-band EQ, textured black, teal, red, and white. 2004 model. The selected poplar body is tightly fitted to the neck with 6 bolts for enhanced resonance. Egg-shaped diamond plate aluminum pickguard looks way cool and resists marring. Chromeplated steel bridge plate with stainless saddles. 34" scale and 11" radius fretboard. // 10

Sound: // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: // 8

Reliability & Durability: This bass is very durable and I think the only design flaw was with the first volume knob. It kept coming off. // 8

Impression: Even though it had a few kinks, it is hands down my favorite bass. I would reccomend it over the pricy Stingray. // 10

overall: 9.4

Reviewed by: Benjirob, on august 27, 2007

Purchased from: soundslive.co.uk

Features: My Ernie Ball S.U.B. 4 bass is an American made bass made in 2006. It is made from selected poplar, has a musicman chrome plated steel bridge and has a Diamond plated aluminium pickguard. It has 21 wide profile frets, acitve electronics consisting of one volume and the two tone controls. The bass came with a voucher for a free set of Ernie Ball strings which was a good offer and quickly used due to price of bass strings but other than that, no case, cables etc came with the bass which considering the price, is annoying. The finish on the bass is a textured colour blue and although this isn't the best paint job in the world (my MIM Fender Strat has a better paint job), it's all about the sound which means you're paying all the money for a fantastic sounding bass. // 9

Sound: This bass fits in my style of music perfectly. I play mainly ska, punk and ska-punk so the bright sound of the bass cuts through the mix of guitars, brass and percussion perfectly. I am using it with an Ashdown MAG210 Combo amp and the sound is phenominal. It is very hard to tell that this bass isn't actually an Ernie Ball Musicman Sting Ray and considering the price, this is fantastic. The only difference between this bass and the Sting Ray is that the Sting Ray has a 3 band active EQ and it has a custom paint job. The only way you can tell it isn't a sting ray is to play both basses through the same amp at the same time. This bass has a vide variety of sounds and works best when I'm playing ska but also works well for rock, metal, power punk and just about any other genre of music. The bass sounds best when played agressively with a pick and a bit of treble rolled on but sounds good with both fingers and slap bass. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The bass was set-up near perfection. The action was a just a little bit too low and the E string would rattle ever so slightly when played but after a few minor adjustments all was well. The instrument did not contain any flaws or imperfections and is still in working order. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This bass has and will easy withstand live playing in front of an audience. The hardware seems that it will last longer than I will and the strap buttons are solid and easily replaced with strap locks. I would easily gig without a back up bass, I would still however take my first bass, a Squier P Bass, just as a preacaution in case some horrid accident happened to my bass or a string broke during a song. I would also take a spare battery in case the one in it ran out during the set! The finish on the bass despite being low quality hasn't chipped or become damaged despite me hitting it against objects. // 10

Impression: This bass is perfect for the styles of music I play, it was deffinitely the best bass I tried (I tried various other models such as Fender Highway One Jazz and Precision basses as well as Fender Active basses) and this one came out on top everytime. I am exceptionally pleased I bought one. This bass has been discontinued so if it was stolen, I would search ebay or save up and get a Sting Ray model. I would be able to sell it for near it's original price due to them being discontiued. I love the sound of the pick up and I love the ease of playing it, the only thing I dislike is the weight but I've become used to it. All in all, this is a fantastic bass made by a fantastic company, I reccomend this bass or any other Musicman product to any bassist. // 9

Comments

[nicklopeke]

such a heavy bass

[Rebus]

nice though

[mikeiscool]

WOW. I've owned this bass for about 6 months now. I paid $480 for it. (used) When i first plugged it in i was surprised at how quiet it was. My other bass buzzed and hummed when plugged in. (Of course this bass was the replacement for a squire p bass so anything was better than what i had) As for the price you can't get better than the SUB. I was also surprised at the tone it can achieve. THIS THING IS A TONE MACHINE!!! Whether you want your punchy low-end, or great treble filled highs, this is the bass for you. The single MM humbucker needs some getting used to but other than that this bass is amazin'! I highley recomend it.

[Chrisiphone]

Hey guys can I ask your opinion?
Saw this in my local music shop secondhand for £299
its got quite a few dents on it and a 2cm chip in it, around the headstock mainly has taken quite a bit of punishment
im a guitar player and dont play bass much, but it caught my eye, any good for someone to learn for fun for the price? cheers guys

[mikeiscool]

Chrisiphone,
It really depends on what type of music you'll be playing. I personally wouldnt buy any bass with a 2cm chip in it. I got this bass used in great shape for $480. I did a search on your currency to US currency and 299 THERE is about 469 HERE. Now i would'nt buy this bass.You should try to find another for a little more cash. If not this bass try anything Fender.
Good luck,
Mike

[Pollyboi]

It's a good bass, but I bought Jaguar Bass instead.
When I got enough money to buy (3-5 years maybe) that bass I would like to buy it