• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez SR300EL: "Powertap" Why?

alaskaleftybass

alaskaleftybass

Will Hanbury, Jr.
In Memoriam
Mar 21, 2012
9,920
22,352
Sitka, Alaska
#1
Greetings TB'ers. I recently purchased an Ibanez SR300EL lefty. The bass, once set up, plays like a dream. I love the Ibanez tone and fast neck. I have an older SR500 nearly identical, and I've grown so accustomed to using V/B/B/M/T configuration. Now with this newer bass, they've thrown in a "power switch." I found the center position is default, and down is thin sounding and opposite is muddy boosted.

Can someone explain to me what Ibanez was trying to accomplish with the switch and if I can remove it completely? I've lived 7 years without the switch and probably can do without it on the new bass. I'm hoping to hear from some of you SR300E owners out there.

By the way, the Powerspan pickups sound awesome. They are more modern, crisp, and powerful sounding compared to the Bartolini's on my SR500.

Thanks in advance.

~Will

sr300 power tap.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#2
It is a drawback of having that particular model. It turned me off to the SR370E, especially after I got a look at the wiring of a SR400EQM.

To find out if you can just remove the switch, find where the leads go to. They should connect to a PCB (printed circuit board).

That connection should be easily removed, they're attached in slots.
If it works fine w/o being connected, then you're golden to just remove the switch.

If you're up for modding it, you can put in a passive/active switch or get a different preamp & install a mid frequency selector switch in that spot.

BTW, I've seen no explanation by Ibanez as to what the Power Tap position does, but maybe you can figure it out by tapping the poles of the pickups (with a screwdriver) & see which ones are active in Power Tap mode.
I suspect they're just switching the coils to be in parallel with one another.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass
#3
Killed_by_Death said:
It is a drawback of having that particular model. It turned me off to the SR370E, especially after I got a look at the wiring of a SR400EQM.

To find out if you can just remove the switch, find where the leads go to. They should connect to a PCB (printed circuit board).

That connection should be easily removed, they're attached in slots.
If it works fine w/o being connected, then you're golden to just remove the switch.

If you're up for modding it, you can put in a passive/active switch or get a different preamp & install a mid frequency selector switch in that spot.

BTW, I've seen no explanation by Ibanez as to what the Power Tap position does, buy maybe you can figure it out by tapping the poles of the pickups & see which ones are active in Power Tap mode.
I suspect they're just switching the coils to be in parallel with one another.
Click to expand...
@Killed_by_Death ! Good to see you! Missed your knowledgable and humorous responses lately. Thanks for the input!

Will
 
  • Like
Reactions: dralionux, LowActionHero and Killed_by_Death
#4
alaskaleftybass,

The purpose of the Powertap switch is to give the bass more useful tones. The tap position is single coil, the center is humbucking and the power tap position is single coil with boosted lows. The tones are each very different and useful for different genres of music. Combined with Powerspan pickups and preamp previously used in the SR50X series, the 3XX and 4XX E series basses are very versatile, and very reasonably priced.

Enjoy it!

All the best, Bob.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Conkal, bongostealth, wintremute and 1 other person
#5
Bobster said:
alaskaleftybass,

The purpose of the Powertap switch is to give the bass more useful tones. The tap position is single coil, the center is humbucking and the power tap position is single coil with boosted lows. The tones are each very different and useful for different genres of music. Combined with Powerspan pickups and preamp previously used in the SR50X series, the 3XX and 4XX E series basses are very versatile, and very reasonably priced.

Enjoy it!

All the best, Bob.
Click to expand...

Thanks @Bobster ! As I mentioned earlier, the sound compared to my more expensive SR500L/Bartolini's is much better with the SR300EL/Powerspans. And using the center switch it sounds perfectly fine. Must be the OCD in me, wanting to remove it. But I will try different tapping positions with the tone controls. Would be cool if I could get a P bass sound out of it! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBlueFalcon
#6
alaskaleftybass said:
By the way, the Powerspan pickups sound awesome. They are more modern, crisp, and powerful sounding compared to the Bartolini's on my SR500.
Click to expand...

I've picked up a lot of SR models & even BTB models with Bartolini blackouts in them & I put them back down quickly. Those Power Span pickups are superior IMHO.
They might not last, because Ibanez did something similar with their SRX series & PFR (Passive Full Range) pickups, which is now obsolete. It's a shame, because they're the best pickups I've found in a budget model bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBlueFalcon, exidor and alaskaleftybass
#7
Killed_by_Death said:
I've picked up a lot of SR models & even BTB models with Bartolini blackouts in them & I put them back down quickly. Those Power Span pickups are superior IMHO.
They might not last, because Ibanez did something similar with their SRX series & PFR (Passive Full Range) pickups, which is now obsolete. It's a shame, because they're the best pickups I've found in a budget model bass.
Click to expand...
How hard would it be to switch the Barts for the Power Spans? Two wires each pickup ya think?
 
#8
I use mine mostly in the center humbucking position. Just because I like it better. But it is nice to have the other positions available in case you want to get different tones, especially the single coil position which I have used a few times. I don't think I would ever want to remove the switch, just leave it in the center position and forget about it if that is the one you like.
Glad you are liking the bass. I really enjoy mine. I play in a cover band and find that this bass really lets me get any sound I need when switching between styles of music.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass
#9
Killed_by_Death said:
It is a drawback of having that particular model. It turned me off to the SR370E, especially after I got a look at the wiring of a SR400EQM.

To find out if you can just remove the switch, find where the leads go to. They should connect to a PCB (printed circuit board).

That connection should be easily removed, they're attached in slots.
If it works fine w/o being connected, then you're golden to just remove the switch.

If you're up for modding it, you can put in a passive/active switch or get a different preamp & install a mid frequency selector switch in that spot.

BTW, I've seen no explanation by Ibanez as to what the Power Tap position does, but maybe you can figure it out by tapping the poles of the pickups (with a screwdriver) & see which ones are active in Power Tap mode.
I suspect they're just switching the coils to be in parallel with one another.
Click to expand...
Hey KBD, nice to see you back. You were missed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass and Killed_by_Death
#10
alaskaleftybass said:
How hard would it be to switch the Barts for the Power Spans? Two wires each pickup ya think?
Click to expand...

The Power Span pickups most likely have all 4 wires available, for the single coil mode & Power Tap modes, but they'd be easy to install in the SR500, assuming they fit physically.

If you really want to upgrade, get some Nordstrand Dual Coils.
BTW, they look almost exactly like Power Span & I'm curious:

View attachment 2775221
DOH!
Nevermind, those are over $250/set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP, alaskaleftybass and OldFunBass
#11
Killed_by_Death said:
The Power Span pickups most likely have all 4 wires available, for the single coil mode & Power Tap modes, but they'd be easy to install in the SR500, assuming they fit physically.

If you really want to upgrade, get some Nordstrand Dual Coils.
BTW, they look almost exactly like Power Span & I'm curious:

View attachment 2775221
DOH!
Nevermind, those are over $250/set.
Click to expand...
Hmmmmmm... they look suspiciously like the Power Spans don't they....? And probably 1/2 the price... hmmmmm....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Killed_by_Death
#14
OldFunBass said:
I use mine mostly in the center humbucking position. Just because I like it better. But it is nice to have the other positions available in case you want to get different tones, especially the single coil position which I have used a few times. I don't think I would ever want to remove the switch, just leave it in the center position and forget about it if that is the one you like.
Glad you are liking the bass. I really enjoy mine. I play in a cover band and find that this bass really lets me get any sound I need when switching between styles of music.
Click to expand...
Thanks @OldFunBass . I already did a show with the SR300EL and it was really enjoyable. Not only the sounds but the neck is rock solid and I was able to get the action very low. Plus I put on a brass nut from Nutmasters on eBay and the strings ring like a bell... yes. loving the new bass a lot...
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeithAlanK, TheBlueFalcon and OldFunBass
#19
I recommend not removing the option of the switch. Play with it a lot first. It doesn't hurt anything at all to have there. Experiment with HB in the neck, and single in the bridge, makes for a great growly tone I found you can't get from a dual HB setup.

Vice versa is also a cool setup. Just a different flavor. One beautiful aspect of this pickup is its ability to be tapped. Truly adds a boat load of tonal options.

Edit: didn't realize the single switch controlled both pickups. Forget my recommendations.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Nashrakh

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back