Just became a member of the SUB Club

[Elmer Imperial]

Picked a SUB1 up on ebay for cheap, I just couldn't pass it up! It's as plain as they come - blue, single humbucker, no trem, diamond plate pickguard. I've been playing it for the last few hours, and I'm amazed at the quality and workmanship in this relatively inexpensive guitar. It just blows away my MIM Strat that I paid MORE for back in 1989!

Although the guitar is considerably less costly, the family resemblance to my Axis SS is apparent. This guitar sounds, feels, and plays great. Things that are sometimes lacking in a budget guitar such as intonation, tuning stability, and decent hardware are all present and accounted for in the SUB1. I'm particularly impressed with the quality of the pots, they feel smoother and work better than pots on many guitars I've played. Nice!

For now, I'm pretty satisfied with the stock pickup. I've been jamming to a bunch of 70's - 80's rock and some early 90's grunge and I'm digging the sounds I'm getting. There may come a point when mods will be made to it, but just bone stock it is one heck of a good guitar. I'm a happy dude!

 

[robelinda2]

you have a collectors item now....congrats!

 

[Elmer Imperial]

Thanks! I guess technically it's a collector's item since they're not being made any more, but I bought this one to play and eventually mod.

Speaking of mods, any thoughts as to the feasibility of adding a single coil in the neck spot? I believe that I read that all SUB1's are routed for dual HB's, even if they've only got one. Hmmmm....

 

[jamminjim]

I saw that

Yup I saw you win it, was watching the auction. I just won a blue one with twin hummers and a hartail myself. The Sub 1's are routed for twin hummers and you could easlily have pickguard made to add a SC in the neck slot. Another guy here on the forum, Raz, took one of his Subs and routed out a middle single coil slot, then applied a Silhouette Special HSS pickguard along with the two single coils. I'd like to do that to one of mine some day...

Nice acquisition. Congrats!

 

[Elmer Imperial]

Hey Jim, thanks for the info. I'll have to search the forum to find details about Raz's mods. Congrats on yours too!

Yeah, I had my eye on the other SUB1 that the same ebay seller had with the trem, but I convinced myself that I didn't really need it. When I saw how cheap it went for, I started anglin' for the other one. The guitar was brand new, still in the box. The seller said it had been in storage for a few months and it shows - the stings were oxidized and the fingerboard was a little dry. Fresh strings and a little lemon oil took care of that. Otherwise, the setup on it as it came from the factory is pretty darn good.

I still can't get over how nice the SUB1 is, especially considering that it's more of a budget guitar.

 

[surrealforreal]

Congrats on the purchase. I too bought a Sub1 a few weeks back and after spending many hours on it I've come to the conclusion that is is the best 'under a grand' guitar I know of. It is a shame that they are not continuing the series.

What EBMM doesn't know is that they will be bringing the model back out soon. My longtime progressive fusion band is doing a CD this winter and when we get signed and I play the Sub1...Big Poppa will be forced to bring the model back...

 

[jamminjim]

What EBMM doesn't know is that they will be bringing the model back out soon. My longtime progressive fusion band is doing a CD this winter and when we get signed and I play the Sub1...Big Poppa will be forced to bring the model back...

I feel that's a chicken that ain't never gonna hatch

sorry to say

 

[Elmer Imperial]

What EBMM doesn't know is that they will be bringing the model back out soon. My longtime progressive fusion band is doing a CD this winter and when we get signed and I play the Sub1...Big Poppa will be forced to bring the model back...

I gotta agree with jamminjim on this one, but hey... keep the dream alive!

 

[claysails]

I just received my Sub1 today

I bid last week on Ebay and won. It cost me $250 from a pawn shop. It has a few dings but they are far less obvious than I thought they would be from the picture. Needless to say, I'm psyched. The guitar feels very solid and sounds great.

Question: does anyone know where I can get a pickguard to fit a Sub? (Something with color. Mine is black on a black guitar. Looks good but doesn't have any flare.)

 

[robelinda2]

subs galore!

 

[Elmer Imperial]

They're Subalicious!

Welcome, claysails! I hope your wallet's fat, because the SUB1 is like the "gateway drug". Next thing you know, you're strung out on Silos, Lukes, and JPs, and the only thing that'll cure the shakes is another Axis.

For pickguards, have a look at http://pickguards.us/ - they've got more pickguard options than you can shake a stick at.