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Do I Need to Upgrade My Ibanez SRX?

S

sc2071

Apr 5, 2012
1
0
#1
Hi,

I'm doing music/home recording as a hobby now, but I do wish to get the best sound I can. Right now I'm playing an Ibanez SRX400 with a single neck pickup. I don't have any real gear, just going direct and using Guitar Rig. I'm tuned down to CGCF (120-95-75-55) and play mostly rock/grunge.

I'm having a couple issues, and wondering if it's time to get a new bass... or if getting a new setup and new pickup might be enough.

(1) Fret Buzz. Don't know if I will always get fret buzz with strings this thick, or if it's down to setup or quality of the bass. As far as I can tell the bass seems to be alright. I tried following a video by Elixir Strings on setting up your bass (as far as I can tell, I've done this correctly). Don't know if anybody has experience with these Ibanez Indonesian basses and know this is a quality issue.

(2) Muddy Tone. Strings are fresh, battery has just been recharged, so I should be good there. I'm limited to a neck pickup, given the design of the bass. Don't know if a new pickup, perhaps a Bartolini, would help clean things up, but still give me a good deep sound with some growl. Maybe it's just my imagination, and my trouble is in how I'm setting up Guitar Rig.

I'm considering upgrading to a Fender Standard Jazz Bass (debating between Mexican and American), but only if it's really going to solve my problems... and assuming they are problems that can't be solved on my current bass. I'd also hate to dish out for either Fender only to have to upgrade the bridge and pickups, like I've read so many do... what's the point of paying extra for the American made bass if you need to swap the hardware anyways?!

Anyway, I guess I'm just looking for some advice. I've got money to spend, but this is a hobby, and I don't want to spend lots of money if I don't have too.

Thanks in advanced!
-SC
 
#2
a bartolini would help as would a bartolini preamp. elixers imo are warm sounding strings and might add to the muddyness of the sound. personally i like using dean markley skull busters for a bright tone. as for the buzz at c, i put the top 4 strings from a 5 string set on my 4 string bc rich bich and tuned it up to c which tightened the strings. ive had this tuning for a year or so and the neck it fine.

the muddyness most likely it cuz you have a basswood ibanez, changing the preamp and pickup will help and different strings will help to but a fender would probebly be pricey. ibanez has quite a few basses thall sound great at a better price like a btb or a mahogany (nato most likley) bodied bass.

hope that helps, these things work for me. try the top 4 of the 5 string set first it might be the cheapest route to the sound you want and what ever set u use (i recomend dr) use stainless strings as they are brighter.
 
#3
SC, you can follow Pillgrimm's for good.

I had SRX models and, as even on a SRX725 (check my profile for previous gear) which low B tuned a full step down to low A was almost unplayable, Elixirs are long lasting for they're not tight, furthermore a 34" scale bass is not enough to support downtuning (that's why you'll possibly suffer almost like that on Fenders as well).

I follow on suggestin' you a BTB, for it's a 35" scale bass and 470/570/670 series are all neckthru and sport Bartolini (mk2, if memory serves) both pickups and pre, so with brighter sound. BTB700, still neckthru, sports EMG40 pickups and VariMid eq (worth 5 string basses, get what I'm sayin') burgundy red finish is fine and you can swap a B, E, A, D set in, for they're in store with no G string at all. Just ask for it, my friend;)

Cheers,
Wallace
 

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