Actives to compare with the Ibanez SR500?

tbassist4 · #1 07-06-2011, 10:42 PM

Hey everyone,
So I tried out an Ibanez SR500 and really enjoyed it. However, when I looked them up here on TB, it seemed like there was a lot of hate regarding the electronics and sometimes the pickups. I don't know actives, but I do know basses, and this thing sounded really great, and I definitely know what I'd be using it for. Neck was fast as hell and it felt great too.

Is there anything in the $500 - $1000 price range that will blow this thing away? If there's so much hate it seems like there should be a myriad of other choices in the same price range that do it better. Ultimately my ears will tell me which bass to buy, but I'd love to either hear reasons why the SR500 can hold its own or why you think there's something better in this range.

Thanks!

GizmoTheOne · #2 07-06-2011, 11:29 PM

My SR500 feels and plays great. I really dig the sound of it, but it seems the love goes away when I play it with my band. I just can't find a tone I like out of it in a band setting. I don't know why this is happening...

In fact I don't care all that much since I use it only as a home/practice bass, and never play really loud with it (that's where it shines most IMO).

In the end, if it felt good in your hands and you liked it's sound, you can't be really disappointed, but if you could try it with your band, I'd say do it so you don't end up being surprised by it's "mixed" tone.

Jay Ralston · #3 07-07-2011, 10:58 PM

Ibanez really upgraded the SR 500 in 2010 and seems to have solved the problems of previous year models. They added the mid frequency switch and that really did something extra to the tone. I personally love these basses and have no complaints about the ones that I own. With the people on here that don't like them, that is there opinion. Go play the SR 500 and then form your own opinion if you like them or not.

As far as your other question goes, that too is opinion based. Obviously for $500.00 - $1,000.00 there are a lot of choices. For me, I also prefer Music Man basses and would get a used Music Man or SBMM bass for that price range.

Solarmist · #4 07-07-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Ralston

Ibanez really upgraded the SR 500 in 2010 and seems to have solved the problems of previous year models. They added the mid frequency switch and that really did something extra to the tone. I personally love these basses and have no complaints about the ones that I own. With the people on here that don't like them, that is there opinion. Go play the SR 500 and then form your own opinion if you like them or not.

+1

The 2010 SR500 through SR700 sound better with the new EQB-IIIS EQ, and mid freq switch. I recently purchased an SR600, and just love it.

Kwesi · #5 07-07-2011, 11:31 PM

Blow it away under at $1000 or under? Not likely. If you like the tone of the Soundgears then the only way to get a "better" but similar tone at $1000 or under would be a higher end Soundgear. However, if you were to push your budget to around $2000, I would say Roscoe. To me, Roscoe falls in line with the inherent tone of the Soundgears and just makes everything about it better.

Strat Hater · #6 07-07-2011, 11:48 PM

I have a SR370 and returned a SR505 (Electronic Problems) The SR370 I love the feel and sound, but I find the bridge can be very funny depending on what strings you use. However I think that the BTB's blow the Sound Gears out of the water. I was not crazy on the look of the extended horns when I got mine, but boy does it make the higher notes easier to get at.

I might also suggest the Peavy Grind. I am considering the 5 string model Or an LTD D5NS. I just love the look of those Botiquish but still affordable basses

oniman7 · #7 07-07-2011, 11:55 PM

There's always the option of the Soundgear Prestige...

I actually played an SR506 recently and LOVED It. I've been GASing for one really hard ever since I did. Didn't try the Prestige, but it is the higher level.

What kind of music are you into? I'm into metal and would use it to play Dream Theater, Symphony X, stuff like that. I love a growly, snappy tone that just sounds like it's made from pure steel and awesome. The Soundgear has that tone for me. I hear a lot of things about not being able to get multiple tones out of it, but I've seen bassists I very much respect get several usable tones out of it, and all sounded great.

pnut166 · #8 07-08-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbassist4

Hey everyone,
So I tried out an Ibanez SR500 and really enjoyed it. However, when I looked them up here on TB, it seemed like there was a lot of hate regarding the electronics and sometimes the pickups. I don't know actives, but I do know basses, and this thing sounded really great, and I definitely know what I'd be using it for. Neck was fast as hell and it felt great too.

Is there anything in the $500 - $1000 price range that will blow this thing away? If there's so much hate it seems like there should be a myriad of other choices in the same price range that do it better. Ultimately my ears will tell me which bass to buy, but I'd love to either hear reasons why the SR500 can hold its own or why you think there's something better in this range.

Thanks!

If you like it, why should you care what I think ?

tbassist4 · #9 07-08-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoTheOne

My SR500 feels and plays great. I really dig the sound of it, but it seems the love goes away when I play it with my band. I just can't find a tone I like out of it in a band setting. I don't know why this is happening...

In fact I don't care all that much since I use it only as a home/practice bass, and never play really loud with it (that's where it shines most IMO).

In the end, if it felt good in your hands and you liked it's sound, you can't be really disappointed, but if you could try it with your band, I'd say do it so you don't end up being surprised by it's "mixed" tone.

Interesting, I'll have to make sure I do that then. I'd be getting it for playing with pop and rock groups, and recording at a local studio, so its ability to sit well in a mix is crucial. Hopefully I can get the store too let me bring it for a test drive...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Blow it away under at $1000 or under? Not likely. If you like the tone of the Soundgears then the only way to get a "better" but similar tone at $1000 or under would be a higher end Soundgear. However, if you were to push your budget to around $2000, I would say Roscoe. To me, Roscoe falls in line with the inherent tone of the Soundgears and just makes everything about it better.

Thanks for the info. I'm definitely looking to stick within that range for now, but will probably use it to trade up progressively if I end up not being perfectly happy with it. Never played a Roscoe so I'll try to check one out just to see how they feel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat Hater

I have a SR370 and returned a SR505 (Electronic Problems) The SR370 I love the feel and sound, but I find the bridge can be very funny depending on what strings you use. However I think that the BTB's blow the Sound Gears out of the water. I was not crazy on the look of the extended horns when I got mine, but boy does it make the higher notes easier to get at.

I might also suggest the Peavy Grind. I am considering the 5 string model Or an LTD D5NS. I just love the look of those Botiquish but still affordable basses

Thanks! I'll make sure to take the Peavey and BTB for a spin as well. Once again, I'm new to actives, so this will all be part of figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oniman7

There's always the option of the Soundgear Prestige...

I actually played an SR506 recently and LOVED It. I've been GASing for one really hard ever since I did. Didn't try the Prestige, but it is the higher level.

What kind of music are you into? I'm into metal and would use it to play Dream Theater, Symphony X, stuff like that. I love a growly, snappy tone that just sounds like it's made from pure steel and awesome. The Soundgear has that tone for me. I hear a lot of things about not being able to get multiple tones out of it, but I've seen bassists I very much respect get several usable tones out of it, and all sounded great.

I'd be using the soundgear for something entirely different, haha. I play pop and rock - so I'm looking for a bass where I can dial in a great deal of focus, tightness, punch, and clarity without much grind, if any. You'd think a P-bass would do this, but I just don't like the character - just a personal thing. In general my passives generally do a great job of filling this role, but I still feel like there's some sounds I can't cover with what I have. A nice active would round out an already (pretty) complete stable. (Fender Jazz w/ flats, modified Yamaha P, Peavey Foundation, and Peavey Patriot)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnut166

If you like it, why should you care what I think ?

Sheesh. Ask a question and someone will always come along and try to piss on it. Begone ye troll!

oniman7 · #10 07-08-2011, 08:37 PM

I like my Ibanez BTB. If you want to try one, I'd suggest it. However, it's super long scale (meaning, hard to find strings), fret spacing is huge, chunky neck, wide string spacing... too much for my tiny hands. I think it will have the sound you like better. It may be less comfortable.

pnut166 · #11 07-08-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbassist4

Sheesh. Ask a question and someone will always come along and try to piss on it. Begone ye troll!

lol. I apologize profusely - I wasn`t trying to be a smart aleck. I merely meant if you like it, go for it !

oniman7 · #12 07-09-2011, 01:51 AM

Also, for what it's worth, I got my BTB 5 string (custom re-finish) for $230 used at a GC. Granted, it's an all natural finish, and it's from a pre-Bart year (2003) I think, but it will definitely run you less than a Soundgear. Try one out. I think you'll like it.

Nobody · #13 07-09-2011, 08:43 AM

You should check out the SRT800. It's in your price range and should do what you want and more.

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El-Bob · #14 07-09-2011, 08:55 AM

If you want a better active bass than the Ibanez in the same price range, get an ESP.

coltonbass · #15 08-30-2011, 10:27 AM

I recently purchased the SR500, after lots of test-time with many basses. If you're budget is $1000, I would get the SR500, easily under $500, and throw the rest of it towards active pickups. The barts that come stock aren't even bad. The onboard EQ works great...

This is basically what I wanted from a bass: Neck-thru, heavy wood, 24-fret, active, easy to play with the tone...

I didn't get all of that in my $1000 budget, but this was the best in my range... and only half of the budget... I ended up getting a loop station, and new cables...

metlman72 · #16 08-30-2011, 11:42 AM

Wow...... I would think you were able to get what you need out of just your Peavey's. The Fury and the Patriot are Fender destroyers. Then a foundation also, doesnt get much better then where you are now.

Kwesi · #17 08-30-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metlman72

Wow...... I would think you were able to get what you need out of just your Peavey's. The Fury and the Patriot are Fender destroyers. Then a foundation also, doesnt get much better then where you are now.

Fender destroyers? They sound nothing alike.

jrfrond · #18 08-30-2011, 01:42 PM

I just tried the SR500 the other day and thought it was pretty darn amazing and would love to purchase it. One minor criticism: hardware color. It's not that I don't like it, but if you want to install a Hipshot, it doesn't match. They only do chrome, black or gold. Yeah, it's a stupid little cosmetic thing, but it just irks me.

darkstorm · #19 08-30-2011, 01:57 PM

SR500's are nice. I'm just not a big fan of the barts they use in them. Still, the SR500 can be a great choice even with pup replacement. I prefer the ESP Ltd's 154dx's and up though sound wise stock.

grendle · #20 08-30-2011, 02:02 PM

I've owned a few sdgr's. IMO the stock pups sound good in the mix and recorded. I would defiantly go with US Barts for an upgrade. I would also stay away from EMG's in those basses. I'm an emg fan but they sound WAY too thin and way too trebly in those basses. That was one mod I Highly regretted, really ruined the sound of an other wise great bass. They are great players though, and I think Ibanez did their homework pretty well on the pups in them with respect to the woods used.