Finally a member of the MM club - Teal Sub 1

[sapientia85]

Hi all,

Been looking to get my hands on a Musicman for a while now and yesterday I finally managed to get my hands on a Musicman Sub 1 for next to nothing. Plays great, but I am really not liking the industrial looking pickguard. Anyone have a teal sub with another colour pickguard, or suggestions on what colour I should get?

(I will have to think of how I will get a replacement in the Uk at some point, but for now some options would be great)

Also, I am not the greatest fan of the bridge pickup, anyone replaced this aswell?

- Jarrod

 

[Sticky1973]

Woo-hoo! It's a Sub frenzy today

I'm new round these parts too, also a Sub1 owner.

My little one, bless , has some pics on the official pics-o-my-guitar Thread.

Spookily I just responded to a similar query on pickguards.

I totally recommend the mod. I wasn't happy with the look or feel, or strange resonance, of the aluminium pickguard.

Interestingly although my Sub is loaded with a single humbucker, the cavity is routed in the neck position for a 2nd pickup.

With regards pickups, I am still researching some mods too. I like the idea of an Air Norton in the neck for some variety (and go all JP-like with a D Sonic in the bridge at the same, perhaps), but I was surprised how much I really do like the bridge pickup in the Sub.

I am also looking at Bare Knuckle pickups if I were to add a pair. Choices, choices

I say welcome to ya Jarrod, but i'm probably too new to suggest i know my way around yet!

 

[paranoid70]

My SUB1 came with a matte pickguard and I prefer it to the aluminum one.

As far as the pickups go, I really like them. I personally think that both of the PUPs in the SUB1 are great. Maybe give it a little more of a chance and you will like it?

 

[Sticky1973]

My SUB1 came with a matte pickguard and I prefer it to the aluminum one.

As far as the pickups go, I really like them...

Gotta agree....

.... and your blue Sub screams "play me"

I was really quite taken with the stock pickup. I bought mine thinking I would change it; but was pleasantly surprised to find she actually sings very well.... well, she would, if someone with better hands were playing it!

He he he, reminds me of the mighty 'Tap:

Nigel Tufnel : The sustain, listen to it.
Marty DiBergi: I don't hear anything.
Nigel Tufnel : Well you would though, if it were playing.

Classic

 

[sapientia85]

The black definately is more to my taste. I really like the look of the black ice pickguard ive seen on other musicman guitars...dont think it would be possible to get that on my SUB though .

Is getting a custom scratchplate made the only way forward? (considering I am in the UK)

I definately won't be changing the pups anytime soon as I always give new guitars a few months grace period to grow on me, but I am tempted to make this into a metal beast and throw in some emg's....

I've attatched a pic of "uggo" (as named by my girlfriend), I will hopefully post better pics later this week.

Any suggestions on pickguard colour?

 

[Sticky1973]

Is getting a custom scratchplate made the only way forward? (considering I am in the UK)....

.... I am tempted to make this into a metal beast and throw in some emg's....

And a metal beast Uggo shall be

I think black pearloid would look gorgeous on the teal. In fact, white pearloid would look rather nice with white EMGs.

I got mine made by a local luthier. Fantastic result, and a perfect fit using the original as a template.

The solid colour of the Sub really stands out when a patterened pickguard is presented next to it, I reckon.

Hark me getting all Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on the axe

 

[mb99zz]

Congrats!!!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

^
Welcome to the forum - sounds like you had a good deal?

I agree with a white pearloid pickguard - would look good.

Show us what it looks like when you have done the mod?

 

[Slingy]

I rather like the diamond plate on my bass and my guitar came with the black one. Stock pickups sound really good.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I think a black pearloid, black ice, or moonstone pg would look good.

Check out this site. www.pickguardheaven.com . They make a pickguard for the SUB guitars.

I don't know if EBMM still makes PG's for these.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Welcome dude! I do think you should give yourself a little bit of time to bond with the pickup. What kind of music do you play generally? As for pickguards, I'm considering a grey 3ply, or plain white guard for mine.

Best guitar ever made

Hooyah!!!

 

[marduke]

i nearly bought a sub1 yesterday.... was a very nice guitar indeed! but im saving my pennies for a BFR JP6

 

[fbecir]

The SUB is great !

Mine has an aluminum pickguard. At the beginning, I felt it was strange but now I am very fond of it. Remember the Zemaitis ...

 

[sapientia85]

Welcome dude! I do think you should give yourself a little bit of time to bond with the pickup. What kind of music do you play generally? As for pickguards, I'm considering a grey 3ply, or plain white guard for mine.

Best guitar ever made

I was thinking something slightly lighter than black for a pickguard...ideally i would like the black ice...but white or some sort of lighter pearloid might be an idea.


I generally play progressive metal and rock, but like to have a balanced guitar that can play more than just all out metal.

 

[Charvelguy]

I located one here same as Sub1zero. Whats the going rate on these lately?

I recall they blew out at MF for a reasonable price but seem to be going for a bit more than what they sold at thru them.

 

[pjc812]

on top of it all, those pups are 4 conductor. you could have a hey day with wiring! those were awesome guitars for the bucks, worth well more than the MAP price IMO.

 

[SubMariner61]

Here's mine...though I am contemplating putting it up either here or eBay because my custom guitar looks like it's going to be finished a LOT sooner than I thought. When that arrives, my latest Sub will probably end up in the corner of the room. I gave my other one to my brother as a gift and he loves it (I had three Subs at one point).

I added pearl tuners and black chrome ringo knobs with iron cross tops to the EMG85/60 combo. Really nice figured rosewood on this one too.

Sub love! These are fantastic guitars!

 

[Sub1 Zero]

^ Do you have the original pups? If you do, whould you want to sell them?

 

[SubMariner61]

nope.....those went quick awhile back. They don't last long in the used market! I actually prefer the EMG's for the industrial metal...they're much quieter and really throw the Bogner Line 6 valve amp into hysteria. For some reason, I've always had great results with poplar bodied guitars and actives.

 

[sapientia85]

Here's mine...though I am contemplating putting it up either here or eBay because my custom guitar looks like it's going to be finished a LOT sooner than I thought. When that arrives, my latest Sub will probably end up in the corner of the room. I gave my other one to my brother as a gift and he loves it (I had three Subs at one point).

I added pearl tuners and black chrome ringo knobs with iron cross tops to the EMG85/60 combo. Really nice figured rosewood on this one too.

Wow that sub looks pretty evil. What are the Emgs like? I have played a few ESP's with the 85/81 combo in them and was quite impressed, but have not had much other exposure to active pickups.