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I've gone and taken out the main preamp board and all associated electronics, and am currently experimenting with other options. One of the reasons for doing so was that the piezo doesn't seem to be properly buffered and isolated from the mags. The eq's are definitely separate, but all three volumes seem to be run in parallel, causing some very unwanted interactions and tone suck.
Anyone else experience this, or did I get a dud pre, and it's time to call Ibanez CS?
Rob
Anyone else experience this, or did I get a dud pre, and it's time to call Ibanez CS?
Rob
What is spacing ? 16.5- 17.5- 18- 19.
Is it tight like most Ibanez. If it were 19mm I would be all over a 5-string.
Is it tight like most Ibanez. If it were 19mm I would be all over a 5-string.
Not as tight at the nut end as the other soundgears. Matches GWB35 at the nut, i.e. with a bit more room. Much better to play than standard SR, IMHO - I have an SR 505 fretless and that's pretty tight at the nut, not enough room (pity because otherwise it plays beautifully).
Bridge end is the same as other soundgears, I think. Spacing is good for me, I have small hands and would struggle at the bottom end of 5 if nut end was much wider.
Mine doesn't do that, they're all independent.
Something wrong there, I'd call Ibanez.
45mm nut, 16.5mm string spacing
Edit: But it's a full 2mm thicker than the GWB, which I surprisingly found much more comfortable.
Edit: But it's a full 2mm thicker than the GWB, which I surprisingly found much more comfortable.
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No need. After reading vmabus' earlier post, I took everything apart, including the 'permanent' headers on the main board, rewired it, and it's perfect now. Absolutely LOVE this freaking thing now! Ironically, I was just hopping on to post the update.
It seems like quite a hard rosewood, (at least mine is, others may vary) but I've only used flats on it. Not sure how well rounds would work with the piezo, it's quite bright even with flats on. I had rounds on all my basses till I got this one, they worked so well it convinced me to start working with flats. But that's probably at least partly down to the type of gigs I'm doing these days (Big band, jazz trio etc.).
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So here I am playing with the Tony Greenwood Big Band last Tuesday. If you blink you'll miss me and my Portamento! (sorry about the hat)
So here I am playing with the Tony Greenwood Big Band last Tuesday. If you blink you'll miss me and my Portamento! (sorry about the hat)
Hello, quick question for you guys, what is the difference between the Portamento and the Workshop versions? They both have the same price and features but for some reason it's called different on different websites. Thanks!
The difference is the website. Seriously, no snark. The Portamento is part of Ibanez' new "Workshop" line, and like most things bass related, most people, dealers included, just aren't hip to the differences.
Got my portamento 5 a couple of days ago. Loving the feel so far, but the electronics seem out of whack:
- with all volumes off, I still get sound (from the bridge PU it seems) and
- the PU bass boost is counter-clockwise (boost is towards bridge, cut towards neck.)
Is it supposed to be this way? I'm curious as to what you did, how you rewired yours? Did you get a wiring schema somewhere?
The bass being new, I guess I could talk to Ibanez, but the thought of being without the bass… You know…
Thanks in advance
Bernie
No, none of that's right at all. Personally, I'd return it if it's New new, not just new to you. There is absolutely no reason to keep a brand new item that is defective and under warranty and/or the return window, imo. That said, here's the wiring diagram. If you know your way around electronics, it's no sweat, but I strongly urge you NOT to mess with the headers and PCB as they are permanently joined, and not meant to be user-serviced. If you're not comfortable playing around at the pot-end of things (Ibanez' wire does seem to be quite fragile), then I would again recommend returning it, or taking the bass and this diagram to a qualified tech.
Cheers,
Rob
Cheers,
Rob
Awesome! Thanks, you carry your name well… and with sauce...
Yes, I figured this wasn't right. I do agree that nobody should put up with these QC issues, but the portamento is in small supply, so it's not going back. You also love it, so you know...
I'll talk to the store with your advice and if I have to I'll put the iron to it myself. The schematic your posted will definitely help. Thanks so much for that.
I'll post back here with an update when there's any progress.
Cheers and thanks again
Bernie
