Ibanez SR owners: string suggestions, please

[Zooberwerx]

That's correct. But in order to get the 12 fret to = open string, it can take some fiddling with the tuning on the open string, making it sharper in tiny, tiny increments until I find the sweet spot where both the open string and 12 fret are in tune.

Does your open string match the 12th harmonic?

Riis

 

[Jhass]

Does your open string match the 12th harmonic?

Riis

Yes.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yes.

...and the 12th harmonic matches the 12th fretted?

 

[Jhass]

...and the 12th harmonic matches the 12th fretted?

Yes

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yes

If all 3 components already match, I'm confused why you're having to tune one component sharp to compensate.

Riis

 

[Jhass]

If all 3 components already match, I'm confused why you're having to tune one component sharp to compensate.

Riis

I'm not having to tune it sharp. It's just that it takes a lot of fine adjustments to get everything to match. For example, the tuner will show that the open string is in tune but the 12 fret is slightly flat. If I tweak the tuning on the open string every so slightly, so little that it doesn't even register on the tuner (i.e, the tuner still shows the open string to be in tune), that tiny bit of extra tension on the string will bring the 12 fret in tune also.

 

[Groovin1122]

Is this inotation issue common with the premium line? And is it something that can be fixed with a setup?? This is the first i have heard of this issue...

 

[Zooberwerx]

Is this inotation issue common with the premium line? And is it something that can be fixed with a setup?? This is the first i have heard of this issue...

Not sure as to how common this is but I have seen a number of complaints / issues as of late which do not respond to conventional remedial measures related to set-up. In my case, it can very well be a string issue (Dunlop SuperBrights)...I'll be using something different in the future. As it now stands, my set-up is passable 0-12 frets but flattens significantly 12-24. This is with 3 saddles in full-forward position. Next go-round I'm going with the D'addario Nickel XL's or DR Nickel Lo-Riders.

Riis

 

[Jhass]

Please report back on your experience with the new strings.

Apologies for my muddled description yesterday. I see now how my inaccurate use of the word “sharp” led to confusion.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

I own an SR2605. It has the Big Singles so probably very similar sound. I've tried LOTS of different strings on this bass. I never quite liked the tone I got from this bass until I tried Thomastik Jazz Flats. These strings sound amazingly fat on this bass and they somehow cancel out the signature Ibanez honky mids that I'm personally not a huge fan of. With the TI flats it feels like a kick in the gut every time I dig in on low notes. Really powerful!

I noticed that the SR1100B has the same mono rail saddles as the SR2605. Does it have any intonation issues? The SR2605 (and also the 4-string SR2600) have SEVERE intonation issues. They've mounted the saddles too far from the neck, making these models impossible to intonate with most strings. The only way to get SOME strings working with these basses is to replace the intonation screw with a longer one and adjust the saddle so far forward that it's out of it's "rails". Moving the entire "bridge" isn't an option as the individual saddles are recesses into the wood. The SR2605/SR2600 should have been recalled IMO. Ibanez is 100% aware of the problem as I've made several complaints. It's a disgrace that they still sell these seriously flawed models. There are certain other big manufacturers where something like this wouldn't surprise me but I honestly expected better with Ibanez

I've played 3 different sets of strings on my Sr2600 and they all sounded fantastic. Whatever the stock strings they use, Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and DR Pure Blues (which are on it now). They each had their own color tone-wise, but nothing I found unpleasant. I know everyone has their own taste in the tone they like, but my SR2600 through my Aguilar AG700 / SL410x / SL210 is everything I personally have been looking for and for my taste is tonal bliss. I have gotten lots of compliments at gigs (indoor & outdoor) on my tone - even from other bassists. As far as intonation - it has been spot on with all three sets of strings. I opened up for a touring tribute band last weekend and let the bass player try my bass through his Markbass rig because he said that he's been on the fence about getting an Ibanez Premium bass. After he tried it he said that he loved how it played and sounded and that he was definitely going to get one. I became friends on facebook with a few members of the tribute band and one of them messaged me 2 days later and said all their bassist has been talking about was how much he liked my bass. I'll share a couple videos of the Ibanez SR2600 - One outdoors, one indoors and one improv jam in my buddy's studio. It's improv, so there are mistakes and some parts that kinda loose the groove a bit. There are two parts to the improv jam. There is a Funk jam that starts around 24 min 50 sec into the video if you want to hear some slap tone. Please be kind as I am just a hobby bassist. Also, the keyboardist is actually a guitarist, but wanted to get in on the jam. I hope this posts helps out anyone that is on the fence about this bass. I was bummed when I had to sell off my Pedulla Thunderbass several years ago when there was a mass layoff where I worked, but this bass has most definitely been a fine replacement since I couldn't afford another Pedulla.
Burning Love (Indoor - Stock Strings)

Sweet Home Alabama (Outdoor - Ernie Ball Super Slinky)

Studio Improv Jam (Funk Jam starts at 24 min 50 sec - DR Pure Blues)
Please give my buddy's studio channel a like and subscribe if you could. His studio is new and he could use the support. Thanks!

Thanks for watching and be kind

 

[J. ChRiot]

I own an SR2605. It has the Big Singles so probably very similar sound. I've tried LOTS of different strings on this bass. I never quite liked the tone I got from this bass until I tried Thomastik Jazz Flats. These strings sound amazingly fat on this bass and they somehow cancel out the signature Ibanez honky mids that I'm personally not a huge fan of. With the TI flats it feels like a kick in the gut every time I dig in on low notes. Really powerful!

Before the TI flats I testet several different types of roundwounds (all too honky for my taste with those characteristic Ibanez mids) several different types of flatwounds (too muddy/boomy for this bass IMO) and the GHS Pressurewounds (very stiff and unresponsive and the mids were just wrong for me).

The TI flats have an amazing punch and just enough presences in the upper mids to cut through. The TI flats also have slightly slimmer lows than most strings which works GREAT with a tiny bit of low boost on this Ibanez preamp. With every other string it got too boomy with even the slightest boost. I generally don't like the eq points on Ibanez preamps but for some reason they work better (for MY taste) with the TI flats.

I should probably mention that I'm really more of a vintage P-bass person so for MY taste I was actually trying to make the Ibanez sound less like an Ibanez. If you love the slightly honky Ibanez mids you might like other strings better.

I noticed that the SR1100B has the same mono rail saddles as the SR2605. Does it have any intonation issues? The SR2605 (and also the 4-string SR2600) have SEVERE intonation issues. They've mounted the saddles too far from the neck, making these models impossible to intonate with most strings. The only way to get SOME strings working with these basses is to replace the intonation screw with a longer one and adjust the saddle so far forward that it's out of it's "rails". Moving the entire "bridge" isn't an option as the individual saddles are recesses into the wood. The SR2605/SR2600 should have been recalled IMO. Ibanez is 100% aware of the problem as I've made several complaints. It's a disgrace that they still sell these seriously flawed models. There are certain other big manufacturers where something like this wouldn't surprise me but I honestly expected better with Ibanez.

Still, once it's set up right and with a set of strings I like it's a seriously good bass for the money. The design is a bit of a "guilty pleasure" for me. I'm not sure whether I love the looks or find it hideous... but the craftsmanship/woodwork is outstanding!

It's not just yours.
There are others who have a same problem as you.

Hello

I have been trying to intonate my Ibanez SR1405E and it is not working. Have read a couple threads about intonation issues but not certain how to proceed. I am using a Boss TU-3 tuner as I have done with all my other instruments (successfully). Adjusted the saddles all the way out on every string and it only moved the intonation slightly (all strings still slightly flat when tested at the 12th fret, and B string very flat). I checked the amount of "relief" in the neck and it might be a bit excessive, but not really sure since I am not a luthier. I just put new Elixir Nanoweb Nickels on the bass.

I have a 14 day return policy, but really hoping this is just user error since I got an amazing deal and it feels and sounds fantastic.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

Thanks

View attachment 898660 View attachment 898658

My Ibanez 1205 has the original Elixir strings on it so I thought I would put a set of Dunlop Super Brights on it for a change . These basses have the single bridges for each string and are pretty good quality . After putting the new strings on I went to adjusting the intonation and discovered all the strings but the G string needed to be shortened because they were all flat at the 12th fret . When adjusting the saddle towards the headstock to shorten the string all the saddles got to the end of their travel and were still flat at the 12th fret . I ended up raising the saddles pretty high just to get it close and it was getting pretty frustrated by then , it still wasn't quite right and the action was quite a bit higher than I like . I even shimmed the neck with a business card to see if that would help .

I was wondering why on such a great bass Ibanez would mount the bridges so far back that intonation adjustments were at the end of the travel . All the individual bridges are routed into the body so moving them to a usable position isn't an option . A normal flat plate bridge could be moved a little towards the headstock and fix the problem . I ended up putting the Elixirs back on and the bass intonated fine much to my relief but I know for sure the bass won't work with the Dunlop Super Bright 45/125 nickels that I like so much . I love this bass but it seems I'm stuck using the Elixirs which isn't a bad thing except the price .

So on my Ibanez premium the intonation is shown as being flat, so I gotta move the saddles up as far as they go, although they are set in a way that the lowest string saddle is back the farthest etc. My low B keeps telling me it's flat and to move the saddle forward, meanwhile on my standard ibanez 405 the saddles act normally (B string says to move saddle back etc).

I swear that my 4 string premium was acting regularly before so I'm not sure why the change now, and my 5 string premium has been this way since i got it. Not sure what could be making the bass say they are flat, cause I have the neck set right and the strings aren't old. Pickups are set a good distance away from the strings etc (factory specs but also moved to eliminate buzzing)

Hi, everyone, I am new here, 1st post. I got the forum address from the Marshall Amp forum from Sam. Great help.

My issue my bass, 5 string BTB had intonation problems on the B E (A was ok) D G. I set up the intonation on the strings, open tuning, 12th fret harmonic and fretted.
Using the E string G note was good, A note was good. F# note was sharp enough to hear it while recording.

The strings are in visually good shape and sound good, they are elixers. Could the age of the string 1-1 1/2 years old be the problem?

I also was getting weird overtones on the G note, E string. The wave on protools looked like an upward swoop on the bottom of the wave instead of the even > shaped wave.

Is there another long scale string to use that works well? I use 45-130 gauge and was looking at slinkys. I don't change the elixers unless they sound bad, maybe I need to change them more often and a lesser cost string would be more affordable.

Any comments or Ideas?
Thank you in advance, TBW

Well they're all Monorail II or IV but...

Check your witness points, make sure the pickups aren't so high that the magnets interfere with things, etc., but...

I have a BTB33 Volo. Great bass. Almost couldn't set the intonation on it. I'm not sure if it is a function of the Elixir strings (I like the sound; they last a long time; I haven't changed them) or the positioning of the bridge, but I had to let the intonation screws almost all the way out in order to get the intonation right. The saddle on the D string extends forward past the base of the bridge. In the end, the intonation is spot-on, but I had to go to the mechanical limits of the bridge to get it there.

I can easily believe Ibanez makes a bass that, with a particular set of strings, might be impossible to properly set the intonation.

This one has Monorail V, same bridge as yours.

I think they are all 5ers or 6ers which has Low-B.

And also, there are another SR2605 user who has the same problem as you.(He is not in here but I can forward you to him.)

Maybe they are all just QC issues, but if there is a problem with the design, Ibanez should recall them and must take reasonable steps.

Maybe they should use normal plate bridges instead of QC-struggling monorail bridges?

 

[panzerfaust]

i have chrome flatwound on one of mine and labella tapewound on another. i like them. tapewound sound fatter but duller than chrome flats.

Agree with this man.....try chrome flat....or cobalt flat if you donr have sweaty hand (it's rusty so easy).....

Or if wanna get zingy warm...try dr fatbeam......

My bass is also ibanez premium line that same pickup with you...SR1400MLG

 

[Feel_my_bottom]

Thanks for the TI flats recommendation. More of a p-bass sound is exactly what I want. Maybe I should sell the Ibby and get a p-bass!

I’m not having intonation issues with the NYXLs. I do find that I have to fiddle with the tuning a bit, though. Once the open string is tuned, the octave will often be slightly flat, and I will have to make tiny adjustments to tune the string slightly higher, still keeping it within the “in tune” range on my Boss tuner, until the octave also falls into place. This often takes several tries. But so far, I’ve been able to

Somewhat old thread, but fyi your “tiny adjustments to keep it in tune” is an intonation issue. If the octave is slightly flat then move the saddle forward (turn the intonation screw counter clockwise) until the open string and octave are in tune.

 

[ojutan]

hi all, some days ago I got an SR2600 and SR2605. 4 string or 5 string? But at the end I like the more slim neck of the 2600, and the 2605 just had an incomfortable fretboard. Sire M7 can do better. Cant say if it's by make or transport damange, there were two big holes in the Ibanez box.... no confidence in it. Subject of the 30-day-money-back-for-no-reason policy.
And... you're talking about strings, but I talk about what I found about the sound. In an EL84 tube amp the SR2600 was quite nasal in the higher mids, and the lows were there but not too obvious. Then game change... preamp with ECC83 and quite flat EQ on it the "nasal" sound disappeared, got many lows and mids without the "Ibanez honk" someone cited here. And without tube in EQ (my preamp just in Tru Bypass) into Markbass Little Mark 2, 2x 15" cabs... wow that's where I am going to.
For singlecoils the Nordstrand is quite goog insulated, to avoid hum when not playing take a cheap noisegate. The Humdoctor from EHX destroys the sound because it runs on too weak CPU so finally the computed sound souds like a synth.. the Boss NS2 supresses noise from effect loop, not from git.
Anyway, take care what preamp you have what cab you have, I thought already aobut getting the Big Split, but now... the git is delivered with NYXL most likely or EXL165, can't say and dealer doesnt know... but with the Markbass amp / cap it's just fine. Hum is noticeable, but very low. Neck PU delivers full bassy sound, maybe no low-lows like the Sire M7 swamp ash but the "Yamaha" lows from the TRBX 504, mainly becaues the body is mahagony with poplar.
And the sound... on bridge pickup close to swamp ash, quite hollow as it should be, better than Sire M7 in singlecoil mode, better than a Sire V7 jass base...