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Some things I've noticed with this bass:
It sounds absolutely amazing to pluck/play on the lower part of the neck. It almost sounds like it's halfway between a stand up bass and an electric fretless bass (depending on how I mix the pickups). It sounds like absolute vrsp through a Fender Rumble 15 amp. For context, my SR405 doesn't sound too, too bad through Rumble; whereas the Portamento sounds like a guitar using an octave pedal, running through a guitar amp (ok, that's a bit of hyperbole, but it does sound balls less through that amp). Thankfully, I'm able to run the Portamento through my audio interface and through Brainworx VST which gives me an infinitely better sound (until a proper practice amp arrives).
It sounds absolutely amazing to pluck/play on the lower part of the neck. It almost sounds like it's halfway between a stand up bass and an electric fretless bass (depending on how I mix the pickups). It sounds like absolute vrsp through a Fender Rumble 15 amp. For context, my SR405 doesn't sound too, too bad through Rumble; whereas the Portamento sounds like a guitar using an octave pedal, running through a guitar amp (ok, that's a bit of hyperbole, but it does sound balls less through that amp). Thankfully, I'm able to run the Portamento through my audio interface and through Brainworx VST which gives me an infinitely better sound (until a proper practice amp arrives).
Welcome Yamarolorg, #89 is yours.
Ibanez Portamento Club
1. vmabus #0
2. tellheryousawme #1
3. Jazzbrew #2
4. PaulNYC #18
5. aproud1 #4
6. Idle Plucker #5
7. Awesome Sauce #7
8. ransombass #8
9. Gee Phil #9
10. Ibby #10
11. Marcel66 #66
12. hiredlenz #12
13. Grand Moff Tim #13
14. brossmac #14
15. steelbed45 #15
16. audionut36 #16
17. MethodsofDance #17
18. Kico #19
19. Stellvia #20
20. Bassconbeatz #21
21. Dum Bass #22
22. bherman #23
23. Flabzilla #24
24. gary m #25
25. slap2much #26
26. cchorney #27
27. Aidil #28
28. BassJuju #29
29. Jezza #30
30. thirtyhz #31
31. Christoph #32
32. Coriolis #33
33. Guittarman10 #34
34. Dana R Gregory #35
35. web824 #36
36. mike4bass #37
37. kirkdickinson #6
38. newb #38
39. raphaeld #39
40. Hunter34 #40
41. sinewavemattic #41
42. Michael Jewels #42
43. xshawk #43
44. Adam Blaknovski #11
45. B-Mac #45
46. animus.terry005 #46
47. Spblat #47
48. BritFunk #48
49. Todd McIntosh #49
50. JCKA #50
51. rbbrnck #51
52. EnVico379 #52
53. GlueKill #53
54. rickster4003 #54
55. Supadope #55
56. Guitarman59 #59
57. JC Vallejo #57
58. Ghook #3
59. Spherical Cube #44
60. HangryBassMan #60
61. McThumpenstein #61
62. Papazita #62
63. P A U L #63
64. Hansi91 #91
65. Face_east #64
66. cbdriver #65
67. Bill Clifton #67
68. Lebowitz #68
69. comatosedragon #69
70. xKingfisher #70
71. W3DW #71
72. Jbjam #72
73. Johno Dunn #73
74. syncword #74
75. CraigL #75
76. Esteban Garcia #76
77. Zombierockstar #77
78. etnoo #78
79. standalone #79
80. Ryan L. #80
81. Ephford #81
82. MikeInProcess #82
83. J-Loe #83
84. FretlessTodd #84
85. BassChap #58
86. Phr014 #85
87. Shanannigan #87
88. Stedkey #88
89. Yamarolorg #89
Available numbers: #86
Assigned numbers: #91
Hello, this is my SRF 705… very happy with it !!!
May I get a number ?
Thanks
May I get a number ?
Thanks
Does anyone else have a bit of a noisy preamp in their Portamento? Well, mine is a tad noisy - nothing absolutely unreasonable - but definitely not unnoticeable, either. Seems I was able to remedy this with an easy fix -- a $35 USD Donner compressor pedal off of Amazon. I also purchased a similar priced Donner noisegate, but the compressor on its own does a much better job. Maybe over time I will notice some artifacts from this pedal and turn hateful towards it, but for now -- so far, so good.
Congratulation for your Portamento! #90 is for you!
Ibanez Portamento Club
1. vmabus #0
2. tellheryousawme #1
3. Jazzbrew #2
4. PaulNYC #18
5. aproud1 #4
6. Idle Plucker #5
7. Awesome Sauce #7
8. ransombass #8
9. Gee Phil #9
10. Ibby #10
11. Marcel66 #66
12. hiredlenz #12
13. Grand Moff Tim #13
14. brossmac #14
15. steelbed45 #15
16. audionut36 #16
17. MethodsofDance #17
18. Kico #19
19. Stellvia #20
20. Bassconbeatz #21
21. Dum Bass #22
22. bherman #23
23. Flabzilla #24
24. gary m #25
25. slap2much #26
26. cchorney #27
27. Aidil #28
28. BassJuju #29
29. Jezza #30
30. thirtyhz #31
31. Christoph #32
32. Coriolis #33
33. Guittarman10 #34
34. Dana R Gregory #35
35. web824 #36
36. mike4bass #37
37. kirkdickinson #6
38. newb #38
39. raphaeld #39
40. Hunter34 #40
41. sinewavemattic #41
42. Michael Jewels #42
43. xshawk #43
44. Adam Blaknovski #11
45. B-Mac #45
46. animus.terry005 #46
47. Spblat #47
48. BritFunk #48
49. Todd McIntosh #49
50. JCKA #50
51. rbbrnck #51
52. EnVico379 #52
53. GlueKill #53
54. rickster4003 #54
55. Supadope #55
56. Guitarman59 #59
57. JC Vallejo #57
58. Ghook #3
59. Spherical Cube #44
60. HangryBassMan #60
61. McThumpenstein #61
62. Papazita #62
63. P A U L #63
64. Hansi91 #91
65. Face_east #64
66. cbdriver #65
67. Bill Clifton #67
68. Lebowitz #68
69. comatosedragon #69
70. xKingfisher #70
71. W3DW #71
72. Jbjam #72
73. Johno Dunn #73
74. syncword #74
75. CraigL #75
76. Esteban Garcia #76
77. Zombierockstar #77
78. etnoo #78
79. standalone #79
80. Ryan L. #80
81. Ephford #81
82. MikeInProcess #82
83. J-Loe #83
84. FretlessTodd #84
85. BassChap #58
86. Phr014 #85
87. Shanannigan #87
88. Stedkey #88
89. Yamarolorg #89
90. Frank Kreber #90
Available numbers: #86
Assigned numbers: #91
Thank you, I am honoured !
Ok, just for clarity....
It wasn't the bass guitar that was making the hissing sound; it was a faulty, rechargeable battery. Long story short, the battery ran out of charge so I replaced it with a regular old Duracell and the hiss was gone, even without the compressor or noise gate. Damn, I had not idea a bad battery could cause that much aggrevation.
Are rechargeable batteries a general no go inside a bass, or, did I have the misfortune of just getting a bad battery at the wrong place and time?
It wasn't the bass guitar that was making the hissing sound; it was a faulty, rechargeable battery. Long story short, the battery ran out of charge so I replaced it with a regular old Duracell and the hiss was gone, even without the compressor or noise gate. Damn, I had not idea a bad battery could cause that much aggrevation.
Are rechargeable batteries a general no go inside a bass, or, did I have the misfortune of just getting a bad battery at the wrong place and time?
Supadope
Supporting Member
- Nov 30, 2015
- 850
- 2,889
- Disclosures
- My goal is to leave the world a cooler place than when I arrived.
Rechargeables are hit or miss. I generally use Duracell or Energizer in my basses because they are reliable and predictable. But I have a couple of wireless mics that use 9v's. I'm using some unknown brand of rechargeables from Amazon. I bought a 4 pack and one dies after 10 minutes while the other 3 last for hours. So it might just a turd.
Hey folks. Guess I'm part of the club now, can I get a number? 
SRF700. Basically brand new (2023 model, kinda wish I had one of the older models with rosewood board and more exposed wood on the back), but got it for nearly 50% off from Guitar Center 's (USA) used section. It had 2 pots that were cutting out the signal when used, and the store probably thought it was defective. I opened it up, noticed that the pots' locknuts were loose and therefore causing the pots to turn and short each other out. Realigned the pots, tightened the nuts, and it's good as new.
I was a bit intimated at going fretless (it's my first), but I think I picked up on it quickly and already used it for a few songs at my last gig a few days ago. Going to put on a set of Labella white nylon tapewounds as some of you have done.
It won't replace my main bass (Yamaha BB734 which I love) but I am already digging the tonal possibilities of this.
SRF700. Basically brand new (2023 model, kinda wish I had one of the older models with rosewood board and more exposed wood on the back), but got it for nearly 50% off from Guitar Center 's (USA) used section. It had 2 pots that were cutting out the signal when used, and the store probably thought it was defective. I opened it up, noticed that the pots' locknuts were loose and therefore causing the pots to turn and short each other out. Realigned the pots, tightened the nuts, and it's good as new.
I was a bit intimated at going fretless (it's my first), but I think I picked up on it quickly and already used it for a few songs at my last gig a few days ago. Going to put on a set of Labella white nylon tapewounds as some of you have done.
It won't replace my main bass (Yamaha BB734 which I love) but I am already digging the tonal possibilities of this.
Attachments
Welcome quasiXBL, #86 is for you!Hey folks. Guess I'm part of the club now, can I get a number?
Ibanez Portamento Club
1. vmabus #0
2. tellheryousawme #1
3. Jazzbrew #2
4. PaulNYC #18
5. aproud1 #4
6. Idle Plucker #5
7. Awesome Sauce #7
8. ransombass #8
9. Gee Phil #9
10. Ibby #10
11. Marcel66 #66
12. hiredlenz #12
13. Grand Moff Tim #13
14. brossmac #14
15. steelbed45 #15
16. audionut36 #16
17. MethodsofDance #17
18. Kico #19
19. Stellvia #20
20. Bassconbeatz #21
21. Dum Bass #22
22. bherman #23
23. Flabzilla #24
24. gary m #25
25. slap2much #26
26. cchorney #27
27. Aidil #28
28. BassJuju #29
29. Jezza #30
30. thirtyhz #31
31. Christoph #32
32. Coriolis #33
33. Guittarman10 #34
34. Dana R Gregory #35
35. web824 #36
36. mike4bass #37
37. kirkdickinson #6
38. newb #38
39. raphaeld #39
40. Hunter34 #40
41. sinewavemattic #41
42. Michael Jewels #42
43. xshawk #43
44. Adam Blaknovski #11
45. B-Mac #45
46. animus.terry005 #46
47. Spblat #47
48. BritFunk #48
49. Todd McIntosh #49
50. JCKA #50
51. rbbrnck #51
52. EnVico379 #52
53. GlueKill #53
54. rickster4003 #54
55. Supadope #55
56. Guitarman59 #59
57. JC Vallejo #57
58. Ghook #3
59. Spherical Cube #44
60. HangryBassMan #60
61. McThumpenstein #61
62. Papazita #62
63. P A U L #63
64. Hansi91 #91
65. Face_east #64
66. cbdriver #65
67. Bill Clifton #67
68. Lebowitz #68
69. comatosedragon #69
70. xKingfisher #70
71. W3DW #71
72. Jbjam #72
73. Johno Dunn #73
74. syncword #74
75. CraigL #75
76. Esteban Garcia #76
77. Zombierockstar #77
78. etnoo #78
79. standalone #79
80. Ryan L. #80
81. Ephford #81
82. MikeInProcess #82
83. J-Loe #83
84. FretlessTodd #84
85. BassChap #58
86. Phr014 #85
87. Shanannigan #87
88. Stedkey #88
89. Yamarolorg #89
90. Frank Kreber #90
91. quasiXBL #86
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Hey folks. Guess I'm part of the club now, can I get a number?
SRF700. Basically brand new (2023 model, kinda wish I had one of the older models with rosewood board and more exposed wood on the back), but got it for nearly 50% off from Guitar Center 's (USA) used section. It had 2 pots that were cutting out the signal when used, and the store probably thought it was defective. I opened it up, noticed that the pots' locknuts were loose and therefore causing the pots to turn and short each other out. Realigned the pots, tightened the nuts, and it's good as new.
I was a bit intimated at going fretless (it's my first), but I think I picked up on it quickly and already used it for a few songs at my last gig a few days ago. Going to put on a set of Labella white nylon tapewounds as some of you have done.
It won't replace my main bass (Yamaha BB734 which I love) but I am already digging the tonal possibilities of this.
I come from a 25 year guitar background but had never played a bass until about 2 months ago. I bought a fretless almost immediately (like less than a month of playing) and have never found it intimidating in any way. Congrats on your purchase!
All that's left are the tuning machines!
Upgrades:
Nordstrand Big Split
Preamp from ibanez EHB series
Emg knobs
Ibanez B305 bridge
3d printed Gary Willis style tuning pegs
Labella White tapewounds
I ditched the piezos because buying a preamp and stuff was too much effort and this preamp I have has so many wires and there's no space.
If anyone wants the files for the tuning pegs I can provide them. I really like the feel of these and they look pretty cool and unique.
Also, if anyone needs a working bridge I have one lol
Cheers guys, really great community you have here.
Upgrades:
Nordstrand Big Split
Preamp from ibanez EHB series
Emg knobs
Ibanez B305 bridge
3d printed Gary Willis style tuning pegs
Labella White tapewounds
I ditched the piezos because buying a preamp and stuff was too much effort and this preamp I have has so many wires and there's no space.
If anyone wants the files for the tuning pegs I can provide them. I really like the feel of these and they look pretty cool and unique.
Also, if anyone needs a working bridge I have one lol
Cheers guys, really great community you have here.
I love my GWB-35 tuners. Always wanted them on my SRF-706. I don't have a 3D printer, but have two friends with them. Can I PLEASE have the files?
I like the idea of Nord Big Splits on a Portamento. I am going to put some Nordys on a custom 5 string that I am building. I don't think I would want to sacrifice the Piezo on my Portamento though. I love that tone for certain songs.
My current plan for my custom is leaning toward a Nordy Big Splitman in bridge positon and Nordy P in Neck position. P/MM setup. With switches to turn off 1/2 of the Big Splitman to make it into a P/J. Audere ProZ Pre, Graph-Tech Ghost piezo.
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These might need some scaling by +-2% they will probably not fit immediately so I recommend bringing your bass along and doing some test prints. If you need something or have issue let me know. Good luck!
Link to download: Printables
I'm another one who would never get rid of the piezos; to me, they give this bass its upright tone.
But, to each their own.
But, to each their own.
On my custom bass that I am planning, I have Graphtech Ghost piezo/pre to put into it. I have never seen a youtube video of someone comparing those to the Aerosilk pickups that Ibanez uses. The control board for the Ghost is not very large compared to what is in my Portamento.I'm another one who would never get rid of the piezos; to me, they give this bass its upright tone.
But, to each their own.
Hello,
I ordered a set of DR Legend flats for my SRF 705. Did any of you made experience with these strings? The chromes my Portamento came with are ok but IMO
too bright
I ordered a set of DR Legend flats for my SRF 705. Did any of you made experience with these strings? The chromes my Portamento came with are ok but IMO
too bright
I'm a big metal guy so the piezo didn't really fit in with what i'm playing. I also didn't lose any money becuase I listed the piezo system on reverb for $60 and it sold in an hour. So anyway, I get the appeal of the piezo but I am content without it. I do definetly also recommend checking out fretless metal bassists, some of them are really amazing.I'm another one who would never get rid of the piezos; to me, they give this bass its upright tone.
But, to each their own.
I just got a Portamento as my first electric bass guitar after years of not owning one. I've always played the acoustic double bass, and I've only played 2 or 3 gigs on electric bass in my life. I do have an electric upright bass, but it doesn't really sound like an acoustic upright - I just use it for rehearsals sometimes. But I eventually realized that if I want something that doesn't sound like an upright, and is easy to carry, then an electric bass guitar does that way better than an electric upright bass. And with a bass guitar, I might actually be able to play some of that "rock and roll" music that the young kids listen to.
I'm having a lot of fun with it so far! I put LaBella Deep Talkin' flats on it, and raised up the action so I can dig in more, like I'm used to. I'm not expecting it to sound like an upright, but I want a thumpy, percussive attack since the vast majority of what I play is jazz walking lines. I like the sound with all 3 pickups blended approximately equally, magentic high EQ rolled off, and piezo tone at about 50%. I also dial down the mids around 700Hz, just like I do when I amplify my upright. I think if I played with that tone in a jazz rehearsal nobody would be angry
My least favorite thing about the bass is the extended fingerboard - the area above the double G is not very useful musically, and it makes it harder for me to dig in when playing in that area above the neck pickup. I might end up getting a different bass with a shorter fingerboard, but I like everything else about the Portamento so maybe I'll just learn to live with it. I'll be honest ... most of the reason I bought this bass is because I think it looks really cool. I don't know of anything else in this price range with a piezo pickup (which I'm used to from upright), electric pickups, and an unlined neck, and without an extended fingerboard.
I'm having a lot of fun with it so far! I put LaBella Deep Talkin' flats on it, and raised up the action so I can dig in more, like I'm used to. I'm not expecting it to sound like an upright, but I want a thumpy, percussive attack since the vast majority of what I play is jazz walking lines. I like the sound with all 3 pickups blended approximately equally, magentic high EQ rolled off, and piezo tone at about 50%. I also dial down the mids around 700Hz, just like I do when I amplify my upright. I think if I played with that tone in a jazz rehearsal nobody would be angry
My least favorite thing about the bass is the extended fingerboard - the area above the double G is not very useful musically, and it makes it harder for me to dig in when playing in that area above the neck pickup. I might end up getting a different bass with a shorter fingerboard, but I like everything else about the Portamento so maybe I'll just learn to live with it. I'll be honest ... most of the reason I bought this bass is because I think it looks really cool. I don't know of anything else in this price range with a piezo pickup (which I'm used to from upright), electric pickups, and an unlined neck, and without an extended fingerboard.
