The Ibanez Club (Part 5)

[PDGood]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

Thanks

You'd think it's the same instrument, just with a different finish on, but in reality there are all sorts of changes made from one year to the next

Do they all serve different tonal purposes or are some similar?

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by PDGood

Do they all serve different tonal purposes or are some similar?

Well I play metal so any tone nuance would get lost in the wall of sound But there are differences:

Weight
- the K5 and the SR505 with maple neck are featherlight. Since I do have back problems, it's very important (actually it was one of the reasons why I've switched back from Wicks to Ibbys).
- the 905DX is made of concrete
- surprisingly the 705 is heavy as well (considerably more than a current SR; this is a 2008 model).

Neck
- the 705 neck feels shorter because the neck to body joint is deeper than normal. It's also narrower and chunkier.
- the 505/605 have a flatter neck profile (like a D flat in the middle - like Warwick 5ers have) and they're thinner front to back.
- the 505M's neck is a notch chunkier (2010 model) and wider; though still a flatter profile. Maybe they decided the 2009 models had too thin necks that could lead to stability issues so they changed it again, I don't know.
- the K5 neck feels really shorter, almost like a 32" scale bass and is narrower than a SR neck (it's a 2007 MIK model).
- the 905DX has a fat chunky neck, but very comfy to play.

Tone
- the 705 has a dark raw & grunting tone; sounds almost brutal. Since it's an older model, the different preamp might have something to do with it.
- the 505M has a more open tone than the normal 505. Sounds very guitarish. It also cuts better in the mix.
- the 605 has a mellower & warmer tone with deep wooly lows (prolly due to the ash body). If you need a bass to fill a lot of bottom end, this is the best choice because no matter the EQ, it tends to sound a bit bassy. It doesn't have quite the same note clarity as a SR50X though.
- the 905DX is a completely different beast; sounds nothing like a SR. Back when I had a W Thumb BO I did a couple of A/B tests and the SRT was very close tonewise. The only difference was that the SRT sounded like it had a compressor onboard, while the Thumb sounded more woody and natural. Overall it has a VERY growly voice with in your face mids (quite Warwicky).
- I still need to test the K5 in a band situation to actually see how different it sounds from the other basses...

[PDGood]

Hey, thanks. It's always fun to read the perspective of someone that owns a number of basses and compares them.

[stingray69]

Why, oh why, didn't I wait to see if any new models where coming out in 2013? I probably would have held off on the SR-705 last month if I had known about the new SR-805 Lol:

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by PDGood

Hey, thanks. It's always fun to read the perspective of someone that owns a number of basses and compares them.

Np, it's always fun to talk about 'em

[flashboom]

That SR805 is sweet! So is the SR800 for us 4-string lovers. I've been looking at getting an SR700 which seems to have the same electronics. I wonder if the extra $100 for the SR800 would be worth it. Aren't you just buying a prettier piece of wood? Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[addictedtonoise]

Do you guys happen to know what I should ask for my '94 SR405 bass? It has a few pick scratches, but other than playing the heck out of it since I bought it new, it's in great condition. I replaced the stock pickups with some Seymour Duncan BassLines. Nothing wrong with the OG ones...and I still have them.

[addictedtonoise]

Originally Posted by addictedtonoise

Do you guys happen to know what I should ask for my '94 SR405 bass? It has a few pick scratches, but other than playing the heck out of it since I bought it new, it's in great condition. I replaced the stock pickups with some Seymour Duncan BassLines. Nothing wrong with the OG ones...and I still have them.Attachment 315347

I posted it on Craigslist for $250. Hopefully that is a fair price.

[AndroWal]

I recently received my SR1205e. It has neck-dive! I find I can balance it by adding about .7 lbs. of counter-weight.

Anyone else have this issue?

[Epitaph04]

Really? I remember I had an sr305 and not only was it light...it balanced perfectly! I'd expect their premium 5ers to do the same......

[rudedog]

I got my SR 1205e about a month ago and don't have any neck dive problem. I have a 4" Levy leather strap on it. To a degree I think that helps hold the bass in place.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by AndroWal

I recently received my SR1205e. It has neck-dive! I find I can balance it by adding about .7 lbs. of counter-weight.

Anyone else have this issue?

Use a wide leather strap and replace the upper strap button if needed.

[christle]

Originally Posted by AndroWal

I recently received my SR1205e. It has neck-dive! I find I can balance it by adding about .7 lbs. of counter-weight.

Anyone else have this issue?

I have this bass and I don't have this issue. I use a NeoTech UltraStrap and it sits very comfortably on me when playing.

[PDGood]

Wood of the same species varies in weight. My guess is that it's just the wood in the neck of that particular one. I must say this is unusual though. I don't have that model, but most of the Ibby's are a similar design and don't have neck dive.

[IngerAlb]

SR balance perfectly...normally. I agree with PDGood, it must be something related to that specific instrument, 'cause I've tested Premium 5ers and no neck dive issue whatsoever.

[Toptube]

Originally Posted by AndroWal

I recently received my SR1205e. It has neck-dive! I find I can balance it by adding about .7 lbs. of counter-weight.

Anyone else have this issue?

and again will echo that you must have gotten a bass with a heavier neck and a lighter body, than usual. Every SR variant I've tried has balanced with the head-stock at about 2 o'clock. Maybe you can return it for a different one?

[anandogs]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

The K5 arrived yesterday The only thing left on my wishlist now is a Premium SR

Wow! How long have you been playing and what made you buy so many basses? I'm assuming you have more..

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by anandogs

Wow! How long have you been playing and what made you buy so many basses? I'm assuming you have more..

He he, I used to own more, then sold all of them to get a Warwick Thumb (followed by a pair of Corvettes) and then finally switched back to Ibbys because - simply put - we click. The W were nice tone wise, but hated everything else, while the SRs always felt like home.

Why so many? I've learned (the hard way) to always have a backup so after buying the 1st SR I had to get its pair; then curiosity and a couple of lucky chains of events got me the rest of the herd (most of them were bought at discount prices and stuff). Unlike others, I don't like (nor need) to own different sounding instruments and I feel comfortable playing on basses with the same specs (especially the neck) so I'd be able to rotate them without any adjusting period. That's what works for me

[danomite64]

Originally Posted by nick g.

Here's my RKB900. Can I have a number?

You already have a number:

#226 nick g.

As for the rest of you:

#1025 Canon Fodder
#1026 mglinski
#1027 Shardik
#1028 Reprise
#1029 jbd5015

[Diesel Kilgore]

Just wanted to post an updated photo of the GSR 200. Hope you all enjoy the budget dress up. Spent about $40 for black tapes, shamrock decal and green pearl fretboard inlays. The tapes were more for tone but the black added a nice look.