hello all! ID help?

[fthrof4]

hi all, i'm chris and i'm new here. i've been playing music, on various instruments, for a little over 25 years but haven't really played the bass in like 20. a guy i did some work for gave me a bass today so i'll be playing bass a little more from here on out. anyway, i'm trying to accurately identify the bass he gave me and am hoping someone here can help. it's an ibanez 4 string. it has 3 pick-ups that say "active full range" on them. one (the bridge) has an "AFR-J" LOGO and the other two have "AFR-P" on them. it still had a clear tag (which i removed) around the 4 knobs that says "VMIII vari-mid 3 band EQ" as well info on which knob does what. i tried to search the serial number on line and had no luck. i also tried to find a way to email ibanez as well, again...no luck. the serial # is f505239. it says made in japan under the serial on the back of the head stock.

gentleman, any insight or info you can give me on this bass or finding more detail on it would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

 

[mikezimmerman]

It's an old SoundGear (SDGR), possibly from the 90's, which is when I first remember seeing those AFR pickups and the Vari-Mid. Hard to know specifically which model without more details about the woods and construction, since that description covers a bunch of SoundGear models starting from about 1992 or so. Or you can have a look at the Ibanez catalogs at Vintage Ibanez Guitar Catalogs - 1971 through 2007 to see if you see a model that's a match. (It's cool to look back at these things I used to drool over as a kid!)

 

[Jmac66]

by the serial number it a 1995 made in Japan model. I think that combo of eq and pups was on the SR 800 and higher models.

 

[fthrof4]

thanks guys. i really appreciate your input and help. yeah it does say sdgr on the front of the head stock. as far as wood type, i have no idea. the neck is bolted on. i really like the way it feels and plays. the action is a little high for my taste but still...it's nice and light too. i have yet to here how it sounds plugged in, i leave my amp at church. the guy said he always liked the way the bridge pick-up sounded, i can hardly wait. in the meantime, i'll check out that catalog to see if i can find anything. again, thanks guys!

 

[mikezimmerman]

I think Jmac66 probably has it right. If the Soundgears that match your description, I believe the SR 800 was the most common by a long shot, if it has a rosewood board and painted neck and body.

 

[Ayce]

Thanks for that link. I had an Ibanez LP Gold top copy several years ago, but could never date it. I was talking to an Ibanez salesman at the store I got it from, and all he could tell me was early- mid 70's. I hope my memory hasn't faded so much I forget what it looked like, but I think I remember most of the details.

Just as an fyi,I found it. 1976 Model. Too bad I no longer have it.