What is poplar??? And MM bridge direct replacement???

[syxxthmunky]

Hi all,

Very close purchasing a SUB sterling bass, but i have two questions that i cannot seem to find the answer to (Been searching this forum and another bass guitar only forum)

What is poplar??? I mean i heard of mahogany, alder, ash etc... but POPLAR??? What tonal characteristics does it give and is it a cheap wood?

Are there any bridge's out there that can be a direct replacement? Such as Hipshot? Gotoh? Schaller bridges? (take off the existing bridge and just screw in the new bridge with the existing holes)

The bridge on the SUB and SUB sterling looks very cheap because of it's *UNSTAMPED* bridge and it's *STANDARD* chrome-plated steel bridge plate with stainless steel saddles, as opposed to the better "hardened steel bridge plate with stainless steel saddles" bridges that a REAL SR and SR Sterling has.

Thanks all!

 

[dlloyd]

What is poplar??? I mean i heard of mahogany, alder, ash etc... but POPLAR??? What tonal characteristics does it give and is it a cheap wood?

Poplar is a tree. There are a few different species that are sold as poplar, including black poplar and tulip tree. It's got great tonal characteristics similar to alder, but doesn't look all that great unfinished. Some stingrays are made from poplar.

Are there any bridge's out there that can be a direct replacement? Such as Hipshot? Gotoh? Schaller bridges? (take off the existing bridge and just screw in the new bridge with the existing holes)

Nope. But you don't need to. It's a solid bridge and you won't see any improvement with an aftermarket replacement. You would be kissing your warranty goodbye, however.

The SUB is a great bass.

 

[skabassist13]

The bridges are one and the same, no?

 

[syxxthmunky]

Poplar is a tree. There are a few different species that are sold as poplar, including black poplar and tulip tree. It's got great tonal characteristics similar to alder, but doesn't look all that great unfinished. Some stingrays are made from poplar.



Nope. But you don't need to. It's a solid bridge and you won't see any improvement with an aftermarket replacement. You would be kissing your warranty goodbye, however.

The SUB is a great bass.

Thanks for the reply.

Is poplar a strong and stable wood? As in will screw's that to unscrew itself, i have an ibanez 5-string made of basswood and the strap pins keep unscrewing themselves due to the softness of the wood so i had to tape up the upper horn to avoid it completely screwing out :\

skabassist13:

SUB/SUB-sterling bridge bridges have...

"Standard - Music Man® style chrome-plated steel bridge plate with stainless steel saddles"

Stingray/sterling bridges have...

"MusicMan® chrome plated, hardened steel bridge plate with stainless steel saddles"

 

[Moondog]

i have an ibanez 5-string made of basswood and the strap pins keep unscrewing themselves due to the softness of the wood so i had to tape up the upper horn to avoid it completely screwing out :\

FYI,
you can break off a few toothpicks in the strap=screw cavity
and a add a little wood glue . . . it's a good fix.

However, duct tape on the upper horn looks cool

 

[Darth Tater]

Poplar is very popular (say that 5 times fast) for guitars because of it's strength and tone. If you've never heard of it it's because you haven't been around guitars very much!

Why are you wanting to replace the bridge?

 

[skabassist13]

I thought they were the same. But if MM designed it, I wouldnt worry.

 

[phatduckk]

Honestly .. everything MM makes is awesome. I dont get paid to say that ... its just my experience (same with all the rest of the guys here).

You should be VERY happy with the SUB.

 

[syxxthmunky]

Poplar is very popular (say that 5 times fast) for guitars because of it's strength and tone. If you've never heard of it it's because you haven't been around guitars very much!

Why are you wanting to replace the bridge?

It just looks like a third party bridge that the builders of the SUBS just bought in bulk for like $2! I guess imo without the musicman engravement on the bridge really makes the bridge look cheap lol

 

[Mobay45]

It just looks like a third party bridge that the builders of the SUBS just bought in bulk for like $2! I guess imo without the musicman engravement on the bridge really makes the bridge look cheap lol

There's got to be at least a couple of reasons to buy a Stingray instead of a SUB.

 

[syxxthmunky]

There's got to be at least a couple of reasons to buy a Stingray instead of a SUB.

I can think of another one! Just give me £1000

 

[Mobay45]

I can think of another one! Just give me £1000

I owned a SUB5 for a while and I really thought that the bridge was the same as a Stingray sans the MusicMan imprint. It seems just as solid.

Oh, I don't have anything but American dollars on me or I would consider it.

Look here for an explanation of poplar.

EB does a lot of testing before deciding on any wood for one of it's basses. The Bongo has gotten some criticism because of the use of basswood in the construction. If you had been at the open house last September, you would have been educated on the process that they went through before choosing that particular wood for it.

 

[tkarter]

If EB decides to build basses out of balsa I would buy one and be confident in it being playable for a lifetime.

IMHO

tk

 

[Randracula]

Honestly .. everything MM makes is awesome. I dont get paid to say that ... its just my experience (same with all the rest of the guys here).

You should be VERY happy with the SUB.

+1

 

[Randracula]

Looks Pretty Solid To Me.........

 

[Figjam]

The SUB sterling intrigues me greatly, im sure you'll like it.

 

[todd4ta]

I've had dozens of Stingrays, and a couple of SUBs. The bridge on a SUB doesn't need replacing. It's very solid, is easy and smooth to adjust, and holds its adjustments fine. Sounds great, too.

Now if you were comparing an OLP to a Stingray, there is some noticeable difference that may affect the ease of adjustment and tone.

 

[Samingo]

SUB's are amazing basses, but it has little to do with the type of wood or look of the bridge.

Craftsmanship, that's what makes the big difference. EB has it and it's the big reason everything they put out is top notch. Hell, I bet they could even make a bass made of basswood sound good... Wait...

I understand your concerns, but even more concerned than any of us could be, is EB. They care about their products and reputation, and if they had any reason to believe something they put out wouldn't work, they wouldn't put it out in the first place.

So I guess my point is, EBMM is one of the few companies worth trusting so you shouldn't worry about anything falling off. If this sounds ranting excuse me, I mean well I swear. I've played and owned SUBs and there's absolutely nothing less than par on/in them.




PS Todd, your band rocks.

 

[strummer]

Thanks for the reply.

Is poplar a strong and stable wood? As in will screw's that to unscrew itself, i have an ibanez 5-string made of basswood and the strap pins keep unscrewing themselves due to the softness of the wood so i had to tape up the upper horn to avoid it completely screwing out :\

The uncrewing strap pin shouldn't be a wood problem. Get a washer (felt or plastic) between the body and the strap pin after you fix the hole with a stick of wood and some glue.

Also, poplar is a good wood, the only bad thing is it doesnt look too hot so you won't find it on instruments with translucent colours.

 

[Hutton]

I currently play a SUB4. There is no doubt in my mind that it is made of quality components and well put together. This is an Ernie Ball bass after all. I would never dream of replacing the bridge. There is no need. If you want a SUB Sterling buy one, live with it, then decide if you want to change things. Also, have you ever wondered why you never see replacement bridges on EB basses. It seems to me however that money is the overall consideration here. Why then would you spend extra on replacing things? If you have doubts about the SUB Sterling why not wait until you can afford the more expensive guitar. The SUB Sterling however would be an excellent buy and give you many years of trouble-free playing. All the best with your decision.