Refinish Musicman SUB

[koentje_bassist]

Hi there,

Does anyone got some pictures of refinished subs?
I like to refinish mine. I found some pics of a natural one, with just the finish sanded down and oiled. Pics of the rarely seen white sub are also welcome!
I like natural musicmans, but I know the wood of a sub doesn't compare to a stingray. I've only seen 1 refinished sub, and it looked very decent. I want to know if this could be the wrong idea.
If it turns out at a green wooden body, I will probably refinish this one in Lake Placid Blue. Fender jazz basses are very nice in this color (sorry for the F-word).

Cheers

 

[Figjam]

Being what they are, theres a very good chance it wont be pretty underneath, but I also dont like the textured finish that is on there, so I can see your motives. I have not seen anyone who has refinished one yet, though.

 

[kompressaur]

if youre maybe going to have to have it sprayed lake placid blue would you not be better off just selling the SUB and saving the paint costs and picking up a used natural SR4? looking at used prices the SUBs(since being discontinued) are creeping up on the regular Rays.maybe in a year or two they'll be worth the same....
just my 2 bobs worth.
Komp

 

[Colin]

I have seen a few refinished subs and they have looked great. Go for it

 

[Rano Bass]

I think going natural is not a good idea, but a nice color would be a great option to do and not very expensive.

 

[sloshep]

I don't think you want to try a clear or translucent finish. Poplar can have a funky green tinge to it. This is a photo from musicmanbass.org of SUB bass bodies unfinished. The Stingray basses you have seen are Ash. Bongos don't go naked because they are Basswood. Which looks pretty pasty and not much grain pattern. Some woods just don't look good naked . Just my 2 cents.

 

[ibanez2005]

How sexy is this bass.

 

[Dees]

I didn't know SUB's were discontinued. Maybe is picking up a 2nd hand SR the best option, a bit more expensive, but well worth the cost (I have a natural SR myself, bought new in 2003, it 's worth it )

 

[koentje_bassist]

I won't be picking up a used stingray. I really like the sound of my SUB. I'm very pleased of the active 2-band EQ. But I want my guitar to be mine completely. It was a used SUB and she's got a charcoal black finish with a black scratchplate.
It's nice, but it could be better with lake placid blue.
In a few years, I will probably buy a used natural stingray, no doubt about it.
Here are some pics of a natural SUB:
Bassworld.co.uk :: View topic - Final pics: removing finish from MM SUB
I appreciate your input

 

[silverburst]

Hmm. The wood looks alot better than I thought it would. Lake Placid Blue is one of my favorite vintage colors. I have a p-bass and a strat in that color.

 

[SLUGGO]

I gotta say....that natural looks pretty good for a home done project. The guy was smart in doing the "relic" thing. It helped hide the fact that SUBs were not originally meant to be transparent. Very cool unique looking bass....

That said, my personal opinion.....leave the SUB's finish stock. There is nothing else out there like 'em! If you do re-finish, no matter, it will still sound bada$$!

 

[Disquieter]

why would he strip what is quite possibly an extremely rare musicman?


he should have sold it and bought a basic one...


oh well, i think the natural looks hideous, but LPB would be nice.

 

[Baird]

looking at used prices the SUBs(since being discontinued) are creeping up on the regular Rays.maybe in a year or two they'll be worth the same....

I agree. I am watching the 4 and 5 string SUBS selling in the $600-800 range on eBay lately.


I have a white SUB4 that I would gladly unload for a Stingray or Sterling if the price difference was fairly close.

I hate the textured finish as well, but I wouldn't dream of refinishing it myself and a professional job would cost a fortune.

It seems like a lot of sanding and painting IMO and who knows what the bare wood is going to look like?

 

[bovinehost]

why would he strip what is quite possibly an extremely rare musicman?

I wouldn't have done it, either. Would have made more sense to see what it would bring on the market and keep it collectable, but....I routed out more than one old (and now valuable) P bass in the old days, adding a J pickup....and other stuff.

So yeah, I know, but it's his bass.

 

[Baird]

Look at my baby. I wouldnt dream of attacking it with a belt sander.

 

[koentje_bassist]

Where do you guys get your new pickguards? I've seen stingray pickguards on the ebay, but I don't now if I can trust these powersellers. I'm from Belgium (Europe). LPB would be nice with White Pearl.
And are the pickguards of a stingray the same as on a SUB?

Thanks for the input!

 

[MingusBASS]

White is my favorite color on the S.U.B.s

 

[NoFrets80]

You are justified in your apprehension regarding the pickguards. I have purchases 2 pickguards from a seller named Bryan Boots (SN: dazbootman) and both of his have worked just fine. However, I tried putting one of those very same pickguards on my newest SUB and it did not fit quite right. I ended up buying my tort guard directly from Ernie Ball, which other overseas folks have done in the past, if memory serves. If you're at all apprehensive, call or email EBMM customer service and they'll hook you up.

 

[koentje_bassist]

Thx, I will contact EBMM. Dazbootman doesn't return my emails.

 

[trunkshope6]

3 years later the sub is selling around 500