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Anyone with experience replacing the preamp in a Ibanez SR?

S

stiman

Jul 5, 2005
14
6
40
Ontario Canada
#1
I have an Ibanez SR405 which I really like, it plays great with low action, minimal buzzing, but I find the output a little weak, almost like there's a blanket over the sound.

I'm looking at replacing the preamp with the Bartolini HR5.4AP/918 for a few reasons:
- active/passive push/pull knob. Current electronics don't support passive mode
- the 3-way toggle would become a mid frequency selector instead of a power tap feature which, frankly, is underwhelming. I only use the series mode.
- there's an internal gain knob that can set a always-on boost.

From my research, the Ibanez PowerSpan pickups are generally considered good, it's the preamp in these basses that is weak.

Anyone have experience with this preamp or have replaced their Ibanez SR preamp and have found the results to be good?
 
#5
stiman said:
Alright, well I purchased the preamp. For the sake of providing information to help others in the future, I'll post clips of before/after and photos once I get it installed.
Click to expand...

Would have gained more traction in the "Soundgear Club" thread but that's okay. The Bart is a known quantity and great choice overall. I have more experience with the Audere preamps but there is no passive option per se....it's essentially an active mixer.

Riis
 
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#6
I purchased a SR300E that was basically a parts project. Original owner decided to experiment with it, then bought some parts from Ibanez to return it to stock. He tired of the project, and I bought it cheap. He did not have all of the parts needed, so I decided to install a Tone Monster wired preamp assy. It sounds great (to my ears). I recently traded for a SR500 (same preamp as the SR300, except it has Bartolini pickups. In my opinion, the SR300 with the Tone Monster sounds better that the SR500 with factory preamp and Barts ! There is nothing wrong with the factory pickups, you should have a good result with the preamp upgrade !
 
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#8
UPDATE

The preamp arrived this week and I got it installed. I wanted to follow up to talk about the results and provide a sound clip.

Here is the sound clip: bass preamp comparison

The first and third parts are the stock preamp, the second and forth are the new preamp.

In both cases, I had the bass with all EQ set to 0 (no boost or cut), the pickup blend knob set in the middle (both pickups), volume on max.

Results:

- The original preamp sounds more hollow sounding, less full and less naturally compressed

- With the Bartolini preamp, it's fuller and more compressed. This is especially apparent in the feel while playing.

One of the great benefits of this upgrade is that it provides an active/passive switch (volume push/pull pot) which allows you to play the bass without a battery (or if the battery dies).

Another big benefit is the 3-way selector, it allows you to choose the mid frequency that the mid knob can cut or boost. This gives the bass a ton of ton options. The original provided 2 coil taping options which frankly, were completely useless. It just made the bass even more weak sounding.

Overall I'm fairly happy with the upgrade. It's added a ton of tonal versatility and improved th tone and feel in general.
 
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#11
stiman said:
UPDATE

The preamp arrived this week and I got it installed. I wanted to follow up to talk about the results and provide a sound clip.

Here is the sound clip: bass preamp comparison

The first and third parts are the stock preamp, the second and forth are the new preamp.

In both cases, I had the bass with all EQ set to 0 (no boost or cut), the pickup blend knob set in the middle (both pickups), volume on max.

Results:

- The original preamp sounds more hollow sounding, less full and less naturally compressed

- With the Bartolini preamp, it's fuller and more compressed. This is especially apparent in the feel while playing.

One of the great benefits of this upgrade is that it provides an active/passive switch (volume push/pull pot) which allows you to play the bass without a battery (or if the battery dies).

Another big benefit is the 3-way selector, it allows you to choose the mid frequency that the mid knob can cut or boost. This gives the bass a ton of ton options. The original provided 2 coil taping options which frankly, were completely useless. It just made the bass even more weak sounding.

Overall I'm fairly happy with the upgrade. It's added a ton of tonal versatility and improved th tone and feel in general.
Click to expand...
I have an sr405eqm and bought the same preamp. Installation was a little more difficult than I was expecting. Had to use the original input jack due to thickness of the wood, so I had to figure out wires. A couple other minor issues, had to extend the battery connector wires, etc. When I got it all in, the mid toggle switch in one position all the way up or down cuts the sound completely. Working on getting a response from sweetwater or bartolinin.

This is not a "drop in" replacement, or at least it wasnt for me.
 

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