Ibanez SR 1805 electronics aren't working (/w photos)

[moreeze]

Hi everybody,
I recently bought an Ibanez SR 1805 Premium bass which I absolutely love! Since I bought it in used condition and didn't have the chance to try before buying, I noticed that the electronics aren't working as they are supposed to and I'm whondering what might be the issue.
According to the Ibanez control sheet on their website, the mid-switch is supposed to have three positions, mine only has two and it actually doesn't work at all. In passive mode the treble knob should be for tone controle which also doesn't work either. Now, I'm whondering what might have happened and if the electronics are even original at all or what else might be in my bass. I already contacted the Ibanez support but didn't get a response yet.
I attached two photos of the electronics hoping that someone who also ownes or has owned an Ibanez Premium SR bass is able to tell me if this is original. If not, maybe somebody knows what this electronics might be.
Best greetings from Berlin
Maurice

 

[laklandplayer]

Did you check the battery and / or the battery clip leads?
These are pretty reliable preamps and they sound fine with good pickups.

 

[yakmastermax]

I don't have an SR1805 but I do have a 2014 SR1400E and I think that they have similar electronics.

On all of the premium SR basses there are two switches, an active/passive switch, then a middle frequency selector.
On earlier model year SR1400s and SR1405s the middle frequency selector only has two settings. On newer model year SR1300s, SR1305s, and SR1400s/05s the middle frequency selector has 3 settings. On most model year SR1400s, SR1200s, and SR1300s going back to at least 2013 up to current year, the active passive/switch only has two settings, active and passive.

According to the Ibanez control sheet on their website, the mid-switch is supposed to have three positions, mine only has two and it actually doesn't work at all. In passive mode the treble knob should be for tone controle which also doesn't work either.
Maurice

Ibanez's website probably has the more recent tech specs for the newer model year SR basses with the three position middle frequency selector. Your bass might be like mine, a 2014/2013 and only have two middle frequencies to select from.

There is no single tone control knob on these premium SR basses other than the blend knob. The blend knob is affective regardless if you're in active or passive mode. The treble knob, along with the bass and mid knob will not have any affect on tone/sound unless you're in active mode. The middle frequency selector switch with either 2 or 3 settings depending on what year your bass is will only affect the mid frequency EQ boost/cut knob.

Good luck.

 

[moreeze]

On earlier model year SR1400s and SR1405s the middle frequency selector only has two settings. On newer model year SR1300s, SR1305s, and SR1400s/05s the middle frequency selector has 3 settings. On most model year SR1400s, SR1200s, and SR1300s going back to at least 2013 up to current year, the active passive/switch only has two settings, active and passive.

Thanks, I guess that might be it, it'll probably just be an older model. Same with the mid frequency switch, thanks!

There is no single tone control knob on these premium SR basses other than the blend knob. The blend knob is affective regardless if you're in active or passive mode. The treble knob, along with the bass and mid knob will not have any affect on tone/sound unless you're in active mode.

On the Ibanez page for the 1805 the say the following:

Precision tonal control, including a switch to choose passive-only operation. When the EQ bypasses activated, the treble tone control knob becomes the global tone control for the passive circuit.

I guess this might also refer to the newer models where they probably redesigned the circuit for that.
After all, the only thing that's left as a problem is that the two-way mid switch isn't doing anything, neither in passive nor in active mode. I'll see if a little bit of soldering will solve the issue...

Thanks guys!

 

[BigBear77]

There is no single tone control knob on these premium SR basses other than the blend knob. The blend knob is affective regardless if you're in active or passive mode. The treble knob, along with the bass and mid knob will not have any affect on tone/sound unless you're in active mode. The middle frequency selector switch with either 2 or 3 settings depending on what year your bass is will only affect the mid frequency EQ boost/cut knob.

Good luck.

I have a ‘17 SR1800. When in passive mode the treble pot does act as a time knob.

 

[Aidil]

I have a ‘17 SR1800. When in passive mode the treble pot does act as a time knob.

tick tock tick tock... boom!!!

 

[Janus98]

Hi everybody,
I recently bought an Ibanez SR 1805 Premium bass which I absolutely love! Since I bought it in used condition and didn't have the chance to try before buying, I noticed that the electronics aren't working as they are supposed to and I'm whondering what might be the issue.
According to the Ibanez control sheet on their website, the mid-switch is supposed to have three positions, mine only has two and it actually doesn't work at all. In passive mode the treble knob should be for tone controle which also doesn't work either. Now, I'm whondering what might have happened and if the electronics are even original at all or what else might be in my bass. I already contacted the Ibanez support but didn't get a response yet.
I attached two photos of the electronics hoping that someone who also ownes or has owned an Ibanez Premium SR bass is able to tell me if this is original. If not, maybe somebody knows what this electronics might be.
Best greetings from Berlin
Maurice

I have exactly the same problem with SR1805 I just bought. How did you solve the problem?
From what I have seen in middle department looks like someone in the past changed original 3 way toggle switch (On-C-On) for easily available 2 way On-On switch.
But I have no idea what is going on with the treble/tone control.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I have exactly the same problem with SR1805 I just bought. How did you solve the problem?
From what I have seen in middle department looks like someone in the past changed original 3 way toggle switch (On-C-On) for easily available 2 way On-On switch.
But I have no idea what is going on with the treble/tone control.

Just off the top of my head: the earlier (~2012?) Premium basses have a 2-way switch...maybe 250 and 600?...and the treble control does NOT act as a passive tone roll-off when the EQ is bypassed. The preamp is the EQB-IIIS or should be.

Riis

 

[Bassdirty]

tick tock tick tock... boom!!!

The 'Time Knob" is actually so you are in perfect time ALL the time. So, if something in the band is off, definitely NOT the bass player.

 

[Janus98]

Just off the top of my head: the earlier (~2012?) Premium basses have a 2-way switch...maybe 250 and 600?...and the treble control does NOT act as a passive tone roll-off when the EQ is bypassed. The preamp is the EQB-IIIS or should be.

Riis

That is true. My SR705 from 2011 have that but SR1805 was produced between 2014-2017 and all the Ibanez parts sheets mentions 3 way switch.
Currently 2 way switch on 1805 works more like very mild volume boost than middle frequency shift.

 

[Zooberwerx]

That is true. My SR705 from 2011 have that but SR1805 was produced between 2014-2017 and all the Ibanez parts sheets mentions 3 way switch.
Currently 2 way switch on 1805 works more like very mild volume boost than middle frequency shift.

Yeah, both my 755 and 1405 had the 2-ways. Hate to make work but can you check the preamp board for the model / revision? Both of mine are "EQB3S v 1.1".

Riis