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Ibanez Portamento Club

#161
No problem, and thank you. Another suggestion: take it in, show them them it's defective and ask them to either bring in another bass or OEM preamp, but allow you to keep the current bass until the replacement arrives.

Now, honestly, this isn't really all that complicated. The wires on the outer lugs on the bass pot got switched at install, and there's a small short on the volume pot- either a microscopic wire strand or a prodigious solder bulb. The only reason I keep suggesting not to mess with it is *any* modifications to the bass could, unfortunately, void the warranty. I had to deal with a similar experience, so just an FYI.

Rob
 
#162
Awesome Sauce said:
No problem, and thank you. Another suggestion: take it in, show them them it's defective and ask them to either bring in another bass or OEM preamp, but allow you to keep the current bass until the replacement arrives.

Now, honestly, this isn't really all that complicated. The wires on the outer lugs on the bass pot got switched at install, and there's a small short on the volume pot- either a microscopic wire strand or a prodigious solder bulb. The only reason I keep suggesting not to mess with it is *any* modifications to the bass could, unfortunately, void the warranty. I had to deal with a similar experience, so just an FYI.

Rob
Click to expand...
Sound advice! :thumbsup:

It's such a pity they produce a great bass like this then let it down with indifferent quality control. Hope you get yours sorted soon.

The electronics on mine are fine, just having a bit of trouble with the neck moving. I've now got the truss rod right off, and there's still very little by way of a relief curve. general opinion at this end is that it's the humidity changes as we move toward winter, and it'll settle down sooner or later. Still plays well, although the lower end is definitely growling a bit! I'm resisting raising the action for now, that will be a last resort.
 
#163
Here are some sound samples of my bass with Labella Copper White Nylon Tapewounds (750C) on my SRF705. I kept the EQ flat, and the Piezo tone, open. I recorded through my amp direct into a Tascam recorder.

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i hope it is helpful.
 
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#164
Hi folks,

Just got my 705 yesterday and absolutely love it. I do have one question: Does the piezo only work in tandem with the magnetic pickups? That is, with both mag pickup volume pots set to minimum, I get no output with the piezo pot set to maximum. It adds great tone when used with the mag pickups, though.
 
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#167
Awesome Sauce said:
No problem, and thank you. Another suggestion: take it in, show them them it's defective and ask them to either bring in another bass or OEM preamp, but allow you to keep the current bass until the replacement arrives.

Now, honestly, this isn't really all that complicated. The wires on the outer lugs on the bass pot got switched at install, and there's a small short on the volume pot- either a microscopic wire strand or a prodigious solder bulb. The only reason I keep suggesting not to mess with it is *any* modifications to the bass could, unfortunately, void the warranty. I had to deal with a similar experience, so just an FYI.
Click to expand...

Yes, the warranty is the choker.

I popped the hood to check for a short on the bridge volume pot. Yikes! It's snake's pit in there and overall very disappointing. The soldering on that pot is nasty: massive blob on one side; ugly, pitted, "cold" solder on the ground lead. One of the ribbon leads (going to highs boost) is burned through with wire exposed. Things look like they were fixed up in the cavity with burn marks to several leads.

I don't understand the manufacturing and quality controls here. I was considering a 6-string BTB, but that kind of BS has really soured me on the idea.

Anyway, it's going back to the store for a fix, but as you suggested I will request a new harness/pre-amp.

Thanks again for your help and suggestions.
Bernie
 
#168
lamateur said:

Yes, the warranty is the choker.

I popped the hood to check for a short on the bridge volume pot. Yikes! It's snake's pit in there and overall very disappointing. The soldering on that pot is nasty: massive blob on one side; ugly, pitted, "cold" solder on the ground lead. One of the ribbon leads (going to highs boost) is burned through with wire exposed. Things look like they were fixed up in the cavity with burn marks to several leads.

I don't understand the manufacturing and quality controls here. I was considering a 6-string BTB, but that kind of BS has really soured me on the idea.

Anyway, it's going back to the store for a fix, but as you suggested I will request a new harness/pre-amp.

Thanks again for your help and suggestions.
Bernie
Click to expand...
Hey, Bern- I took it upon myself to look into it a bit in the interim since I last posted. Get ready- according to my Ibanez contact, the preamps are currently OOS with a 90-120 day wait time! Here's to a positive resolution for ya! \m/. .\m/
 
#169
Awesome Sauce said:
Hey, Bern- I took it upon myself to look into it a bit in the interim since I last posted. Get ready- according to my Ibanez contact, the preamps are currently OOS with a 90-120 day wait time! Here's to a positive resolution for ya! \m/. .\m/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up. Man, you're a fount of knowledge on this issue…

I'll talk to the store and see what can be worked out in a reasonable way. Will keep you posted.

Cheers
Bernie
 
#172
Finally, an update and conclusion.

Another bass I had lusted for just showed up in good shape and for a great price, so instead of getting the portamento fixed, I took it back to the store. I will miss the fast neck and the beautiful and smooth feeling fretboard of the SRF, but the smallish size of the body was not the perfect fit for me so it was easier to let it go when the other bass showed up.

Yes, the problems with the electronics were frustrating, but as Awesome Sauce explained, not that big a deal. From experience, I know these issues are rare, so don't let that turn you off this unique instrument. The bass itself, fit and finish, hardware and design, are top notch in that price range, I just wish Ibanez had paid a bit more attention to quality control. I never got to fully explore the sound palette because the bridge PU was always on.

So, I won't be part of the portamento club after all, but if someday both means and space allow it, I'll absolutely give the SRF another shot.

Bernie

PS: Thanks again A.S. for the awesome help.
 
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#173
I have one!
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#175
I have a question to you Portamento lovers. I got mine last Friday, but I think it is broken. When I use the magnetic picks the bass eq dial does nothing, I hear no difference when I turn the knob. Treble works fine.

I also have the feeling the sound is much thinner, using the magnetic picks, compared to my sr600 and sr5005.

I guess I have to send the bass back, or is it normal?
 
#179
FYI I am a very very happy person. I exchanged the bass for another one, came home and was stunned by the sound. It is even better then I expected and easy to play (she is my first fretless).

And so versatile... It seems she likes almost all kinds of music from ballads to loud rock (the piezo's seem to give some extra percussion when I play RHCP). Didn't try slapping yet.

Too bad I have to have some quality time with the family now... She is calling...
 

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