FWIW my SR 505 doesn't make this noise, so it's likely something fixable not inherent to the bass itself. Dunno if that's much comfort, I know how frustrating it is to isolate a problem like this.
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Ibanez SR-505 string rattle
- Thread starter SwiftyTom
- Start date
It's more or less fixed now, and I don't want to diss Ibanez, but the same problem was on the first (brand new) SR-505 I got and I returned it and got this second one. It took a while to manifest but it was there. Judging from other people's responses, these bridges are very prone to this issue happening, so I'd say it's inherent to the bass. But like I say, doesn't matter now, it's fixed and I love it again 
It provides a great counterpart to my new fretless ESP LTD B-205, so it's all good.
It provides a great counterpart to my new fretless ESP LTD B-205, so it's all good.
Anyone know how one could tell if their bass had a similar issue? And options for fixing it?
Howdy
My beginner bass is an Ibanez GSR 190, now i've had an SR 500 for a few months.
I've had loads of buzz issues with my 190 and did practically everything humanly possible to get rid of it. At one point a luthier fixed the neck which was warped, it got better but it's still an issues.
The 500 had it in the beginning, untill I fixed my set-up to the way I like it, now it's just a dream to play!
One of my solutions was raising the action, but also bringing the pickups closer to the strings. You see, the reason I had fret buzz was not just bad set-up, but also the fact that I played really hard. Untill I read the great advice "your fingers aren't amplifiers". That basically solved most of my problems. And with the pickups being close to the strings, there was no need to play hard.
I also like the advice some dude mentioned before that the ultimate setup (super action and playability and so on) is a myth. Took me 2 years to figure that out for myself
My beginner bass is an Ibanez GSR 190, now i've had an SR 500 for a few months.
I've had loads of buzz issues with my 190 and did practically everything humanly possible to get rid of it. At one point a luthier fixed the neck which was warped, it got better but it's still an issues.
The 500 had it in the beginning, untill I fixed my set-up to the way I like it, now it's just a dream to play!
One of my solutions was raising the action, but also bringing the pickups closer to the strings. You see, the reason I had fret buzz was not just bad set-up, but also the fact that I played really hard. Untill I read the great advice "your fingers aren't amplifiers". That basically solved most of my problems. And with the pickups being close to the strings, there was no need to play hard.
I also like the advice some dude mentioned before that the ultimate setup (super action and playability and so on) is a myth. Took me 2 years to figure that out for myself
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
It is the bass, I have said it before on these forums and I'll say it again, the Ibanez SR series are awful, you cannot set them up, they won't intonate and they seem to be impossible to get without fretbuzz.
So sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will not remove the buzz. You can polish a turd but it is still a turd.
I love my Ibanez BTB 676, I do think the bolt on vs neck-thru has something to do with it.
So sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will not remove the buzz. You can polish a turd but it is still a turd.
I love my Ibanez BTB 676, I do think the bolt on vs neck-thru has something to do with it.
Whoa. I think it's a bit harsh to judge a whole series of basses, especially one that's sold as well and been around as long, plus has such a wide range of models. My one and only is an SR300DX, a cheap and almost bottom of the barrel model. But with some time and effort it's been good to me.
I can understand if maybe some or possibly most of the basses come from the factory improperly set up, but beyond that again I think it's difficult to judge an entire series. There are people who love and hate everything, I guess.
I don't want to put myself in a super defensive position or anything similar - I've only tried a relative few number of basses at all, including a few Ibanez. I'm just speaking from my experience of having what I feel isn't much trouble with an SR series bass, and a low model at that.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Granted I have not played and set up every type of SR bass, but I have done SR-506, SR-405, and SR-1204 (I think, not sure on the prestige off-hand, was a student's) they all exhibit the same issues. I am sure there are some in there that are fine, but I doubt it. I have had an easier time setting up Yamaha basses I got for less than $100.
So basically until I play an SR that doesn't suck, I have officially given up on the line. This is coming from a proud Ibanez owner.
So basically until I play an SR that doesn't suck, I have officially given up on the line. This is coming from a proud Ibanez owner.
I haven't tried to set one up but I've never played a bass that was more comfortable than an Ibanez SR. The ones I play at the shop rarely have any buzz or rattle and they play super smooth, more so than anything else on the shelf.
I owned one for a while that I believed was a lemon, because the B string had a bad rattle even after getting it set up on 3 separate occasions. But that's the only time I've experienced such an issue with them.
I wonder if a simple bridge replacement would alleviate these issues.
I love Ibanez. Smooth models, super playabilty and a wide versatility (for the price!). But I think you should be realistic, if there's so many problems with it, it's no longer a matter of bad luck. Which, on its own, shouldn't even happen at all, either.
But, what I was trying to say: it can be avoided, or at least minimized. It's actually the only problem I have, and that's just on my 190 (which was like 150 euros or so, can't remember). My SR 500 is awesome with my current setup. But it took a long time a lots of trial and errors to get there! I think it's up to everyone individually to decide if it's worth the effort. And the risk!
But, what I was trying to say: it can be avoided, or at least minimized. It's actually the only problem I have, and that's just on my 190 (which was like 150 euros or so, can't remember). My SR 500 is awesome with my current setup. But it took a long time a lots of trial and errors to get there! I think it's up to everyone individually to decide if it's worth the effort. And the risk!
I think the issue the OP described is the same issue I had with my Ibanez SR.
If I were to get another Ibanez SR and I had this issue, what would be the best way to fix it?
If I were to get another Ibanez SR and I had this issue, what would be the best way to fix it?
I have an Ibanez SR-605 which has a couple frets I call "buzz frets" only on certain strings. I haven't been able to fix it. I do think saying that all Soundgears are awful is pretty harsh. I've gotten numerous comments on my tone, and its neck is highly playable (and the Barts definitely make me happy). Is it exactly what I want? No. For one thing, the B string sound like crap on it. However, I do know that it's been a reliable fricken bass playing across multiple states in the Southeast and everyone I've let try it has been impressed with how much bang you get for the buck from it.
Going back to the topic on hand: do you hear the buzz coming out of your amp much? Fortunately, I don't really hear all the buzz I'm getting out of my amp to a very noticeable degree.
Going back to the topic on hand: do you hear the buzz coming out of your amp much? Fortunately, I don't really hear all the buzz I'm getting out of my amp to a very noticeable degree.
An Ibanez SR is real easy to setup; been doing it for years. If you have excessive rattle on your lower frets - it may be that there's not enough neck relief. Check, and set your relief first (about a credit card's thickness is good). Second - set the action height.
I'd like to point out again that the thread isn't focused on fret noise, it's about the rattle coming out of the bass when played on both open and fretted strings, and it definitely isn't the metalic fret buzzing.
I now use my SR-505 for my first steps with pick learning (and keep ESP-LTD B-205 fretless for finger playing), and so I needed to raise the action a little bit, because the harder playing with pick now actually did cause the string to hit the frets. Raised the E string by half a screw turn, boom, rattle on open string. Gave it half a twist more, rattle's gone. Fun stuff.
I still love the tone of the bass, the neck and the low weight, but if I could swap it for something equivalent without these rattle problems (and without losing money), I would.
I now use my SR-505 for my first steps with pick learning (and keep ESP-LTD B-205 fretless for finger playing), and so I needed to raise the action a little bit, because the harder playing with pick now actually did cause the string to hit the frets. Raised the E string by half a screw turn, boom, rattle on open string. Gave it half a twist more, rattle's gone. Fun stuff.
I still love the tone of the bass, the neck and the low weight, but if I could swap it for something equivalent without these rattle problems (and without losing money), I would.
I have had a few Ibanez 5 string basses. The geometry is off on the truss rod. They do not allow any neck relief at the 1st to 5th frets. This is a major production flaw. Therefore, if you have any fret buzz in these frets it cannot be eliminated. I ask to, that anyone with an Ibanez 5 string confirms this themselves via truss rod adjustment. You can visibly see that the neck does not relieve by sighting down it. Back the truss out all you want..no change where it is needed. I have almost always played Ibanez basses. My 4 string is fine, it does relieve. Very sad though, as overall they are my favorite basses for playability. The last two I had were an SR775, and then a 4005e. Both are unplayable due to the tell tale buzz at the 2nd and 3rd frets of the A and D strings.
Can you back the truss out and report back if it relieves the 1st through 5th frets? There may not be buzz, but I want to know if it relieves properly. The problem lies in the first 5 frets... The rest of the neck is fine on them.
I know the bass inside out, have been adjusting it as I like for 14 years - the truss functions properly, bowing or straightening the expected lower/middle range of the neck in the normal way.
Honestly, few and far between are complaints about MIJ instruments - they did and still do good work.
