Jim Roseberry
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 20
Went to my local GC about 4 different times looking for the new Sterling by Musicman basses.
Finally, on my last visit, they had just opened a black (with black PG) SB14.
I went hoping to find/play a Ray35 in natural finish... but I sat down with the SB14.
First thing I noticed is that this particular SB14 is pretty darn heavy.
It's a little heavier than my SR4. The SB14 might be basswood, but it's solid/sturdy!
Plugged into a relatively clean amp... and had a listen.
I tend to prefer Alnico magnet pickups... as I perceive them to have more punch/thump.
That said, the SB14 packs a lot of punch... and sounds like a MM. The upper mids are a just a bit more controlled than my SR4 with maple neck. That's not a bad thing...
The tone is excellent. I almost prefer the tone over my SR4.
Don't know if it's the basswood, rosewood, pickups/preamp, etc... but I know I like it. So much for my bias against ceramic magnet pickups...
Regarding the finish, it's a nice looking instrument.
If you look extremely close, the finish isn't quite as flawless as the US models... but it's not far off.
Playability: To me it's right on par with my SR4.
Setup was darn near perfect...
In spite of any preconceived notions I had about basswood/ceramic PUs, the SB14 won me over.
Needless to say... the SB14 came home with me.
Thanks to BP and Musicman for creating a less expensive option... that's not too far from their top models!
Still want to play a Ray35... and also have my eye on a Big Al.
The G.A.S. never ends
Finally, on my last visit, they had just opened a black (with black PG) SB14.
I went hoping to find/play a Ray35 in natural finish... but I sat down with the SB14.
First thing I noticed is that this particular SB14 is pretty darn heavy.
It's a little heavier than my SR4. The SB14 might be basswood, but it's solid/sturdy!
Plugged into a relatively clean amp... and had a listen.
I tend to prefer Alnico magnet pickups... as I perceive them to have more punch/thump.
That said, the SB14 packs a lot of punch... and sounds like a MM. The upper mids are a just a bit more controlled than my SR4 with maple neck. That's not a bad thing...
The tone is excellent. I almost prefer the tone over my SR4.
Don't know if it's the basswood, rosewood, pickups/preamp, etc... but I know I like it. So much for my bias against ceramic magnet pickups...
Regarding the finish, it's a nice looking instrument.
If you look extremely close, the finish isn't quite as flawless as the US models... but it's not far off.
Playability: To me it's right on par with my SR4.
Setup was darn near perfect...
In spite of any preconceived notions I had about basswood/ceramic PUs, the SB14 won me over.
Needless to say... the SB14 came home with me.
Thanks to BP and Musicman for creating a less expensive option... that's not too far from their top models!
Still want to play a Ray35... and also have my eye on a Big Al.
The G.A.S. never ends
