Fresh love for my USA fretless sub 5

[donkelley]

Just had to post the praise for my early 2000s USA sub 5 factory fretless. Tracked a cover of Every breath you take last night, direct to board, not even my always on ebs multicomp this time, eq knobs more or less in the middle..... Sounds so good and sits perfectly.

This and my fretted version (also USA sub 5) are ideal basses to me. 11 inch radius that I prefer strongly to the rounder classic radius, slab body made from outstanding tone wood but ugly so painted over at factory, smoothest fretboard around, tone and pickup that we all crave, super versatile sound that is more varied than my Carvin icon with two pickups, three band eq with variable mid frequency, piezo pups, 2 blend controls, active passive modes. The subs are more versatile with super powerful 2 band eqs.

I suppose I'm essentially raving about similar features that stingray 2 band and classic ray owners praise.... But I paid something like $450 for this bass a couple years ago.

Amazing Axe.

Thanks EBMM for making these outstanding instruments even if they were a huge financial failure for you due to build costs.

Those of us in the know will always be grateful.

 

[sanderhermans]

Amen to that! Price/quality these basses are so awesomme. Too bad they are ugly as hell. Thats why i did a DIY paintjob on mine. I defretted mine and really like how it sounds fretless!

 

[donkelley]

If I had time, expertise etc I'd love to get both of mine stripped and painted with some cool metal flake green or red or whatever... But the industrial black/black/black fretted one I own is very metal looking (a style I rarely play but cool all the same) and apparently I'm the only person who likes my wine vomit purple fretless look LoL.

But yes I've seen some amazing repaints of these and wow I'd totally love to get that done...

 

[donkelley]

Honestly, quality wise I'd put them as getting close to my Warwick (mrsp $3500 or something crazy like that) and usefulness-wise I'd put these equal to anything made by any company.

Price wise I'd say these were tragically under priced and way before their time... After all IMHO they are the predecessor to the classic ray, aside from radius, finish and exotic fanciness.

 

[donkelley]

I guess it's just the two of us sanderhermans. At least we know how lucky we are ;-)

 

[jlepre]

I see no bass...do you?

 

[Tollywood]

I see no bass...do you?

Thank you, sir. +1 pics, please, my good man.

 

[T-bone]

Hey I've got a fretted sub 5 and absolutely love it. 5 strings typically scare me (I'd love a 3 string bass), but I'm playing her more and more.

Let's see some pics of that fretless bad boy. Don't think I've seen many of those.

tbone

 

[donkelley]

Wow, never thought of pics! On my way to work right now but have pics around here somewhere.... If I can't find any I'll take fresh ones tonight.

 

[donkelley]

Ah yes, found them!

Here you go

Hope their decent quality

Think I did this wrong.... Let me try another way...

 

[Tollywood]

Awesome, Don. I really like the color of yours. I love the look of a fretless bass...and the feel with flat wounds. Enjoy!

 

[five7]

A red 5 string fretless, very rare! I have owned 13 subs, most of them 4's but one fretted red sub 5 and one grey fretless sub 5. I should have kept those two, lol. Would love to find another fretless one.

 

[donkelley]

Yea it's amazing. Actually have Dr hibeams on it right now, never sure what strings I like best on fretless. Probably sunbeams are my favorite but that could be psychosomatic due to my knowledge that Tony Levin likes them on at least one of his Ernie Ball fretlesses.

 

[donkelley]

Although I don't dislike the pg as much as many do, I'm also looking for ideas for a new pg for her. So please post ideas.... Or I could start a new thread I suppose. I have read that these work with classic ray 5 string pgs... Yet another clue about how these subs are the cranky uncouth uncle of the current classic rays. LoL

 

[five7]

I flipped mine over and painted it to see what color I liked. It will mount on that way. Kind of cool. I covered one with black leather, that one fit the band I was in at the time, an acdc tribute band.

 

[nurnay]

I like the red, I've just never liked the PG's on these.

 

[phat5]

I actually like the feel of the textured finish.....feels good on the forearm.

 

[donkelley]

interesting idea to make my own by reversing the current one....

 

[Tollywood]

Although I don't dislike the pg as much as many do, I'm also looking for ideas for a new pg for her. So please post ideas....

What about getting one made at Pickguard Heaven? Pickguard Heaven: Prices - Music Man

I see a Sub 4, but not a 5. He can make you one if you send in a tracing of your original.

The material choices are almost limitless...

 

[donkelley]

the classic ray 4 and 5 use the pattern of these older usa subs apparently. i dont know if his sub pattern is usa or import but classic ray 5 is supposed to fit... or so ive read.