SOLD!!!!!!
Help me! I’m having GAS pains for a 5 string passive jazz bass. I started out on one and now I want to get back to that sound. I’m just a caveman – I don’t understand the tiny demons you call “preamps” except that they control stuff like “hertz” and “db”.
[Taken from previous thread] The limited-run, only 150 imported into the USA, SR655PB has a 5-piece SR5 wenge/bubinga neck topped with a rosewood fingerboard that features classy abalone oval inlays. Providing its impeccable low-end sound are two MK1-5 pickups. Its mahogany body has a poplar burl top and glossy finish for an incredibly attractive piece of natural artwork. [end plagiarism]
Since it is winter time, I had the bass setup by Locals Guitars in Apex, NC earlier this month. The action was lowered, truss rod adjusted, and pickups raised up a bit.
The Bartolini preamp upgrade was money well spent. Please forgive me as I am not real knowledgeable about this stuff – I just knew that I wasn’t fond of the MK1 preamp’s range of tones and research on TB indicated that the NTMB was a worthwhile upgrade.
The sound went from dark and somewhat thin and harsh to smooth, dark, mean, and articulate. That isn’t to say it doesn’t have a soft side. The NTMB really woke up the bridge pickup from being an afterthought to actually something I use regularly. When I pull the mid push/pull switch and boost it ever so slightly, it is like unleashing hell – the sound gets huuuuuuge. I couldn’t get much out of it with the MK1 preamp but with the NTMB, I am able to dial in a tone that I like. Again, apologies if this is vague, but I can assure you that the NTMB improved the sound and versatility tenfold.
Pricing:
I am lowering the price to $849 OBO.
I checked some previous threads and the trade value is around $900 without the preamp upgrade or ibanez case. Here is a link to the most recent thread:
FT: IBANEZ SR655PB (That awesome one you love)
I spent $150 on the preamp and $85 for professional installation by Mark King at Fat Sound Guitars in Cary, NC. I also have the Ibanez branded hard shell case which I think it made by TKL.
Trades:
As far as trades go, I am only looking for 5 string passive (or switchable active/passive) jazz basses. I am not looking to add cash on my side to any trades since I do not have said cash.
I do not see any significant nicks or blemishes save for at the neck pocket. The wood seems…discolored like someone sneezed on it between the B and E strings. Pictures are below.
Now…on with the specs, features, and pictures!
Ibanez SR655PB 5-String Bass Guitar Features:
* Neck: 5pc SR5 Wenge/Bubinga neck (Warwick feel, but with a much slimmer neck profile)
* NeckType: SR5
* Body: Mahogany body/ Poplar Burl top
* Frets: Medium frets
* Fingerboard: Rosewood
* Inlay: Abalone oval
* Bridge: Accu-cast B20 bridge
* Neck Pickup: Bartolini MK1-5 neck pickup
* Middle Pickup: Bartolini MK1-5 bridge pickup
***** EQ: Bartolini NTMB 5.2*****
* Hardware color: gold
String spacing @ Bridge is 17.5mm.
String spacing @ Nut is 9.5mm.
34 inch scale
Weight is 8lb, 7oz... Postal scale.
Bart Preamp specs
Volume - Blend - Mid(push/pull) - Treble - Bass
NTMB-918F 3-band Preamp/ Tone Control Module - 9 or 18 volt EQ (setup for 9 volt currently) Replaces entire harness with prewired harness - Volume, Blend, Mid (push/pull) Treble, Bass
What are the frequency centers for the EQ controls?
A: Bass - 30 HZ (+/-14db) | Mid - 250, 500, 800 Hz (+/-10db) | Treble - 10 KHz (+/-16db)
Preamps with a push/pull mid selector allow for changing between 250 and 800 Hz.
Features Include:
• 9 or 18 volt Configuration (setup for 9 volt)
• 3-Way EQ
• Midrange Push/Pull Pot
• Bass Pot
• Treble Pot
• Volume Control
• Blend Control
For the pics, I used a couple of different flash settings since the poplar burl top looks different depending on the amount of light.
