SUB1 in Guitar Player

[Mincer]

The newest issue of Guitar Player has the SUB1. Said mostly good things, except there was a gap in the neck joint of their guitar. They did describe it, as I saw it- a great utilitarian guitar, with a modern/industrial design. They didn't seem to compare it to other EB/MMs and fell short of giving it an Editior's Pick, as I recall.

Has anyone from EB/MM read it?

 

[nobozos]

I had a chance to play one recently, and I thought it was a pretty great feeling guitar. Some have been bothered by the painted neck, but it has kind of a satin finish, so I don't thinks it is that dissimilar feeling from the unfinished maple. The only complaint I have is that I don't care for the pickups. Maybe it's just me, but the pickups didn't impress me that much.

Overall, I like the feel of the guitar, and will probably end up getting one eventually.

 

[Bassplyr]

I read the article as well, and thought they talked pretty favorable of it. OF course those publications can't bash anything too hard for fear of losing advertising. For a USA made instrument, it's hard to beat.

 

[kbaim]

I read the article as well, and thought they talked pretty favorable of it. OF course those publications can't bash anything too hard for fear of losing advertising. For a USA made instrument, it's hard to beat.

Yeah, how many times have you seen an ad for a product a few pages after they do a review on it. Gotta keep the advertisers happy. Note that eb doesn't advertise their guitars in GW or GP, but usually has the page opp the inside front cover for their strings, and now is featuring a cartoon drawing of the axis.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I remember the old 'Guitar Shop' magazine, which had the most non-committal reviews ever. They would always say something like 'If you are looking for a Tele-style guitar you may just want to check this one out'. Yeah, thanks. These days, reviews are more like spec sheets than actual reviews. GP did give the SUB1 a good review, although it was high on listing features than comparing to other well known guitars.

I always thought magazines should put out a 'Gear that Sucks' kind of review.

I wonder if someone from EB/MM could let us know what the review process is like, from their end? Is it really because of advertising? Does GP request a guitar? And if they did, why did EB send one with a gap in the neck pocket?

BTW, I *hate* to see full page ads facing the review- it is like the 'reviews' in the Musician's Friend catalogs. EB didn't do this, but there are full page EB ads in GP.

 

[Bassplyr]

Maybe the more money the advertisers spend, the better review they get!

 

[eliot323]

The SUB1 has got good reviews here in the UK in both Guitarist magazine and Total Guitar. The review in Guitarist compared it very favourably with the usual EBMM guitars and thought it was a good value rock guitar. It got a similar praiseworthy review in Total Guitar and was given an editor's choice award for value and performance.

eliot323

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" or she would if she weren't at the repair shop...

 

[Raz]

I just bought one and for the money, it has the fastest neck ever...and it has a nice rich tone...beautiful guitar!

 

[SBlack]

Ditto, Raz. My SUB 1 HH TR is amazing in all aspects except the pickups. The pickups are good, however, but not amazing. I think a $100.00 Dimarzio upgrade will send the tone of this guitar through the roof, but I am waiting until I tweak the guitar four or five more times before I make any decision to swap the MM pickups. I might not have the right hight/adjustment for my ears yet. I have had it for about a month now, and it compares highly with any American or Japanese made guitar I have owned. The tremolo stability on this guitar is amazing.

 

[Raz]

Ditto, Raz. My SUB 1 HH TR is amazing in all aspects except the pickups. The pickups are good, however, but not amazing. I think a $100.00 Dimarzio upgrade will send the tone of this guitar through the roof, but I am waiting until I tweak the guitar four or five more times before I make any decision to swap the MM pickups. I might not have the right hight/adjustment for my ears yet. I have had it for about a month now, and it compares highly with any American or Japanese made guitar I have owned. The tremolo stability on this guitar is amazing.

Cool, bro. I'm always in for improving. I raised the pickups on the bridge to Max height, then I started screwing around with the low E string (lots and lots of vibrato), and I got this sound that blew my mind...so like you I will wait, but I will consider dropping in some screamer pups! Can you suggest which Dimarzio's?

 

[OrangeChannel]

Raz...

A Tone Zone and an Air Norton will work perfectly....


LAte!

Jon

 

[Hookpunch]

The Sub 1 looks like a great candidate for customizing yourself with pickups , hardware etc. The next step up I guess is the Silohuette, but the hardware on that is first class so I hesitate to mess with mine too much.

A Sub 1 however, I would likely start experimenting with.

 

[OrangeChannel]

I'd consider two things....maybe...

New Pups.
Schallers M6 locking machines.

 

[Raz]

Raz...

A Tone Zone and an Air Norton will work perfectly....


LAte!

Jon

Ohh baby, man I am excited now...thanks...better hide some cash away though...man did i tell you how much I love this guitar of mine...

oh I thought the Tone Zone was an effects pedal
http://www.geocities.com/rickgramstudios/

but on Ebay I see its a PUP...and I might snag one for under 30.00!

As far as getting into other models, someday, but for now, this SUB 1 is perfect...it came at the right moment, i just want to tell everyone about it...its like when I discovered Mattias IA Eklundh...I couldn't stop raving about his guitar playing...maybe I'll email him and tell him to stop playing those Caparison Guitars, and play an EBMM!

 

[OrangeChannel]

just make sure it's F-spaced for the bridge. Air Norton for the neck in standard spacing is fine.

 

[Raz]

just make sure it's F-spaced for the bridge. Air Norton for the neck in standard spacing is fine.

I have no idea what that means?

 

[OrangeChannel]

The F Spaced DiMarzio's lineup the pole pieces with the strings a bit better on trem guitars....

 

[Raz]

The F Spaced DiMarzio's lineup the pole pieces with the strings a bit better on trem guitars....

Oh cool. I just learned something...its like being in school again!

I can't seem to find this F-spacing Tone Zone...there's only the DP-155, one for a 7 string and one for a soapbox cut out (this is at the Dimarzio site)...

 

[OrangeChannel]

It's an option. Trust me. All the MM bridge pups are F Spaced. When you order one, just order it w/ F spacing.

 

[Raz]

OK I trust you, again, later on Ebay I noticed some pick-ups had the F spacing prefix.
Thanks bro!