The Soundgear club, part 2

[mtshaw]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

Cool bass Another of those "not available in EU" SRs....dang life is sad

Thanks! I always wonder a company such as Ibanez would not ship such a product to an entire region. Bizarre.

[Spatial]

My Main Bass is an SR505, and I Love it!
(sorry about crappy photo quality, camera phone

[jeffmensch]

There are some fine looking basses on this thread. Here's my first, and so far, only bass. It's an SR1000EWN that I picked up used for a reasonable price. Feels and plays great, but the preamp is a real weak point. That will be replaced with an Audere Pro Z soon as it arrives in the mail.

Specifications
Neck: 5-piece SR4 Maple/Bubinga Prestige thru-neck
NeckType: SR4 Prestige neck-thru
Body: Mahogany body/ Walnut top
Frets: Medium frets
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlay: Abalone Off-set Dot
Bridge: Mono-Rail IV bridge
Pickups: Bartolini USA Custom
EQ: Vari-Mid III HQ 3-band
HWcolor: CK (dark chrome)

Please sign me up, and keep those pictures coming.

Jeff

[mtshaw]

Originally Posted by jeffmensch

There are some fine looking basses on this thread. Here's my first, and so far, only bass. It's an SR1000EWN that I picked up used for a reasonable price. Feels and plays great, but the preamp is a real weak point. That will be replaced with an Audere Pro Z soon as it arrives in the mail.

Sweet ride man. I'll have to look at the Audere as I understand the preamp on the SR750 is the weak spot.

[PDGood]

Does anyone know what cases are made specifically to fit standard SR basses? I've checked Sweetwater, GC, ZZounds, and Musician's Friend. The closest thing I can find is the MB100C that says it fits Prestige and SRX's.
It seems logical that the Prestige would be the same shape, but the fact that it doesn't mention the others is odd.
And what about the five stringers? Same case fit?

[jeffmensch]

Yes, the MB100C is the correct case for the SR basses.

Check out this search on the Ibanez site. It lists the SR models and a few others, including 5 string versions.
http://www.ibanez.com/search?s=MB100C

Jeff

[PDGood]

Thanks, Jeff. And my local music store thanks you because now they are going to get more of my money.

[kleinenenten]

Originally Posted by mtshaw

Sweet ride man. I'll have to look at the Audere as I understand the preamp on the SR750 is the weak spot.

I've heard the preamps are the weak point in Soundgears in general. I've got one that buzzes. Had a tech look at it and he said it was a noisy preamp. Thought about getting a Bartolini NTMB to put in mine. Can anyone confirm that the preamps are the weak points before I (we) spend our cash for some?

[mtshaw]

Originally Posted by kleinenenten

I've heard the preamps are the weak point in Soundgears in general. I've got one that buzzes. Had a tech look at it and he said it was a noisy preamp. Thought about getting a Bartolini NTMB to put in mine. Can anyone confirm that the preamps are the weak points before I (we) spend our cash for some?

Indeed, that has been my experience, and I would also love to know views on the NTMB.

[PDGood]

I own four and have never had any pre problems. I bought two of them new and two already had some miles on them. Only issue I've had is a loose wire in a new SRX. Easy fix.

[kleinenenten]

I don't mean they're bad, or malfunction more than others, but just that that is where Ibanez saves some money. In other words, changing the preamp is the easiest way to improve the sound since the pickups are supposed to be pretty good. Any input on that?

[mtshaw]

Originally Posted by PDGood

I own four and have never had any pre problems. I bought two of them new and two already had some miles on them. Only issue I've had is a loose wire in a new SRX. Easy fix.

Not to imply they are really noisy, but there is some through really sensitive headphones. Of course, unnoticeable once I start playing.

Always looking for perfection.

[kleinenenten]

Mine has a hum unless I'm touching a metal component. I initially thought grounding issue, but a repairman told me noisy preamp after checking through everything. Obviously not a problem while playing, but this bass is the quietest I have by far, and I'd love more tonal flexibility as well. So I figured I could solve all these issues with a new preamp.

[PDGood]

The pre to me is just a way of tweaking the tone that is created by the pickups. No complaints there. My 700 has two mid points and the 755 only has one but it seems to be the right frequency for my needs. The SRXs are amazing in that they have no mid control and yet you can lower the bass and treble and bring out the mids nicely.

I think what's most important is how does it work in relation to the amp and cab. For instance, I had an Eden and a Little Mark amp. I wound up selling the Eden because the EQ points were in the same place as my main basses and that meant I had less tonal control. I kept the Little Mark amp because it's EQ points are different from those on the bass and between them I can cover a lot of ground.

The cabinet is a big factor too. Do you have one with strong mids or bright highs? How does that work with the amp and bass? If you're happy with the amp and cab you can change the pre on the bass.

[IngerAlb]

I have 5 SRs and all have very quiet preamps, no issues whatsoever

[Righteous Thunderer]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

I have 5 SRs and all have very quiet preamps, no issues whatsoever

I've been through the SR505, 506, 600, and 755 (still have the 755) and have had nothing but quiet preamps and no issues.

[FerK]

Can I have a number ? Here's my newest SG (the other one is an SR800 behind my new 1200 VNF):

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by kleinenenten

I don't mean they're bad, or malfunction more than others, but just that that is where Ibanez saves some money. In other words, changing the preamp is the easiest way to improve the sound since the pickups are supposed to be pretty good. Any input on that?

Not in my opinion. I've noticed no problems with mine. And I would not want to change my sound from how it is now. But that said, let me also say that I very much doubt Ibanez selects any electronic parts for low noise. That means that you get what luck says you get. If your preamp is nice and quiet, then like me, you are happy. If it seems to be noisy unless you are playing, then you might start thinking about some kind of change.

[gleneg61]

How can I check if I've already got a number? Got lefty 505, 506 & 645s. Thnx

[kleinenenten]

Originally Posted by bassbenj

Not in my opinion. I've noticed no problems with mine. And I would not want to change my sound from how it is now. But that said, let me also say that I very much doubt Ibanez selects any electronic parts for low noise. That means that you get what luck says you get. If your preamp is nice and quiet, then like me, you are happy. If it seems to be noisy unless you are playing, then you might start thinking about some kind of change.

I have 3 Ibbys, and only one makes noise when not playing. The third, and oldest one, has noise. I like the sound of it, it's 1997 SR 406, but it is a bit quiet and dull compared to my 2006 SR 505 with Bartolini electronics and SR 300DX. I'm looking for a mix between my first two basses, the thump and heaviness of my SR 300DX, and the brightness and clarity of my 505. I realize that it's likely impossible to get both from the same instrument, so realistically I'm wanting thump with definition. The woods are the same, so the body will provide the thump, and I'm hoping the electronics can give a little definition. Think that's possible? I'm sure if my bass was as quiet as the other two, I'd be perfectly satisfied. But I figure if I am replacing something that old, I might not be able to get the stock part easily so I might as well upgrade. Thoughts?