I want to do a pickup upgrade on my two Ibanez basses. One active one passive.

TUEP · #1 02-18-2010, 10:19 PM

The active bass that I have is a 99 or 2000 Ibanez SR 485 5 string bass guitar. I love the playability of this bass. I got it used for a good price and I am enjoying it. yet, the pickups are kinda of weak especially when I play the D and G. Plus a lot of times when I want to cut down on the mids depending on the tune it has that Fieldy kind of sound which seems to haunt a lot of 5 string Ibby's from that era. Is it the wood, pre-amp, pickups or what? I used to run my Fender MIM J bass on the same amp setting and didn't get that Fieldy thing. Anyway would upgrading the pups help, or do I need to upgrade the pre-amp too?

My other bass is a passive Ibanez GSR 200. It has a simple PJ configuration. I want to get it a bit hotter. The P has some thump, but the J pup doesn't have the growl I want.

Would could you guys suggest basslines, seymour duncan. I don't know much about the different after market companies. The only thing I can say is that I am not a fan of those EMG HZ soap bars. Please educate me.

TUEP · #2 02-20-2010, 12:06 AM

akmusicfreak · #3 02-20-2010, 01:25 AM

I'm not into active so I don't have any input there, but as far as the passive side goes...... the Dimarzio PJ set might be right up your ally. You could try a forum search here for more info on these, lots of threads about them here.

Agito · #4 02-20-2010, 01:59 AM

The GSR200 is active as well

TUEP · #5 02-20-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agito

The GSR200 is active as well

This one is a 2001 model and they didn't make them active till like 06 or 07 I believe.

NewLaw83 · #6 02-25-2010, 01:51 PM

i upgraded my 06 sr400 ibanez pickups and preamp. I went with EMG P/J and preamp. That helped my tone alot.

mrpackerguy · #7 02-25-2010, 01:56 PM

I'm not sure about the active, but Fralin makes great pups for passive. The P pup on my Glaub kills - I like it better than the stock Lakland pup.