Musicman Sub 5

$399.99 to $477.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (5)

1 Review

All time low price

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Page last updated Jun 08, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated June 1, 2026.

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Price

$459.99 $399.99 $60.00 · All time low

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4.5 (14)

$399.99

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4.3 (163)

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4.0 (5)

$399.99

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4.0 (21)

$459.99

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$481.00 $477.00 $4.00 · All time low

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£472.00

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Average Price: $429

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Musicman Sub 5 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Musicman Sub 5". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Musicman Sub 5 is the quintessential choice for bassists seeking both power and precision in their sound. Designed to capture the iconic Music Man tone, this 5-string electric bass brings versatility to your fingertips, regardless of your playing style. Crafted with an alder body, a sturdy maple neck, and a smooth rosewood fretboard, the Sub 5 delivers a rich, full-bodied sound that can cut through any mix with ease.

What truly sets this bass apart is its dual ceramic humbuckers, which offer exceptional output and clarity. These pickups are designed to faithfully reproduce the nuances of your playing, while the humbucking design minimizes unwanted noise for a cleaner signal. Whether you're switching between the warm tones of the neck pickup or the punchy definition of the bridge, the Sub 5 offers a sonic palette that suits genres from rock to jazz.

Further enhancing its tonal versatility, the Sub 5 features an active 3-band EQ. This allows you to precisely shape your sound, from a thunderous low end to a sparkling treble, offering up to 12dB of boost or cut across bass, mid, and treble frequencies. Combined with the robust hardware, including a heavy-duty bridge and smooth open-gear tuners, the Sub 5 is built to withstand the demands of both studio and stage.

Key Features:

Alder body with maple neck and rosewood fretboard
Dual ceramic humbuckers for high output and clarity
Active 3-band EQ for precise tonal shaping
Heavy-duty bridge with adjustable saddles
Open-gear tuners for precise tuning stability
Durable metal control plate for long-lasting performance

Product specs

Shape	Not specified
Wood	Maple
Neck joint	Bolt-on
Scale length	34 in.
Truss rod	Standard
Active or passive pickups	Passive
Pickup configuration	H
Neck	Not applicable
Middle	Not applicable
Bridge	Low-Noise Humbucker
Brand	Sterling by Music Man
Active preamp	Custom Ibanez
Special electronics	2-band EQ
Material	Rosewood or Maple
Radius	12"
Fret size	Medium Jumbo
Number of frets	21
Inlays	Pearloid dot
Nut material	Info not available
Nut width	45mm
Cutaway	Single cutaway
Construction	Solidbody
Body wood	Basswood
Body finish	Satin
Orientation	Right handed
Control layout	Volume 1, tone, EQ
Pickup switch	No
Coil tap or split	No
Tone switching	No
Special switching	EQ
Bridge type	Fixed
Bridge design	Fully adjustable heavy duty
Tailpiece	Not applicable
Tuning machines	Open gear
Number of strings	5
Pickguard	No
Special features	Not applicable
Case	sold separately
Accessories	None
Country of origin	Indonesia

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Musicman Sub 5's pickup configuration?: The Musicman Sub 5 features a low-noise humbucking pickup, delivering a powerful and clear tone suitable for various music genres. The passive pickup configuration provides a warm, full-bodied sound with minimal interference.
Is the Musicman Sub 5 suitable for slap bass techniques?: Yes, the Musicman Sub 5's 34-inch scale length and 12" radius make it well-suited for slap bass techniques, offering a smooth playability and responsive action.
How does the 2-band EQ on the Musicman Sub 5 affect its sound?: The 2-band EQ allows you to adjust the bass and treble frequencies, providing versatility in shaping your tone. This feature enables you to tailor your sound for different musical styles and performance settings.
What is the neck profile like on the Musicman Sub 5?: The Musicman Sub 5 features a bolt-on maple neck with a comfortable profile that facilitates easy playability, especially for bassists transitioning from a 4-string to a 5-string bass.
Is the Musicman Sub 5 suitable for beginners?: The Musicman Sub 5 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, manageable weight, and versatile tonal options, making it easy to learn and play across different music genres.

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Sample of Musicman Sub 5 USA Bass (Discontinued)

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Musicman Sub 5.

Setup and maintenance

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Initial out-of-box setup may require significant adjustments; one owner had to fully release truss rod tension to correct neck hump and address low B string buzz.
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Owners suggest lowering the pickup as low as possible to enhance playability and achieve a nearly perfect setup with LaBella flatwound strings.
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User experience

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A wide, comfortable strap is recommended due to the bass's heavy weight, enhancing on-stage comfort and playability.
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The midrange tone offers distinctive sound control on stage, making it a favorite for dynamic performance environments.
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The textured finish on American SUBs can be divisive; some owners don't prefer it, but it doesn't detract from playability.
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Despite being the lower-end model, the SUB Ray5's preamp is praised for its quiet operation, allowing players to maintain clear tone control in multi-band show environments.
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Comparisons

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Considered comparable to higher-end Mexican Fenders in quality but priced significantly lower, providing a budget-friendly alternative.
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The USA-made SUB models are often compared to Stingray Classics, offering similar sound profiles but with different finishes and body contours.
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The Ray5 SUB is noted to outperform Mexican Fender models in playability and sound quality, at a more affordable price point, making it a strong contender in its class.
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Build quality

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Early 2000s SUBs feature a textured paint finish similar to a rhino lining, making them distinct from the smoother finishes of other models.
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Features and functionality

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The USA-made SUB models are equipped with a 2-band EQ and share the same hardware and pickups as regular Stingrays, contributing to their strong tonal character.
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The Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray5 is equipped with double humbuckers, a 5-way switch, and an active EQ, allowing for versatile tone shaping without amp adjustments.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners often sand down or refinish the painted necks for a smoother feel, enhancing playability without impacting intrinsic quality.
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Installing a John East MMSR preamp is a recommended mod for those seeking active electronics, providing an easy upgrade for richer sound options.
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Value and pricing

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Despite being made in the USA, SUBs are priced significantly lower than new Stingrays, offering a more budget-friendly option with similar quality components.
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