Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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?
- Thread starter alaskaleftybass
- Start date
I'm glad someone has asked this question. I bought an SR300E on Wednesday and have been struggling to work out what the mystery switch does. The terms "Tap" and "Power tap" mean nothing to me, but "Series" at least makes some sense.
Ibanez's web site has this page...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
...which gives some examples of how to get particular types of sounds with various combinations of EQ, pickup balance and switch settings. But I'm none the wiser (nor better informed) as to what the switch actually does under the covers.
Ibanez's web site has this page...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
...which gives some examples of how to get particular types of sounds with various combinations of EQ, pickup balance and switch settings. But I'm none the wiser (nor better informed) as to what the switch actually does under the covers.
I'm just guessing but it looks like a parallel/series/single switch for the humbuckers. If you hardwire it you'll still need to choose one of those 3 options, therefore becoming less functional. I'd leave it alone, switched to your preferred position.
I got a SR300E, and one of the reasons I bought it was that switch. I use it reasonably often, albeit not in the power tap mode.
I decided to get the bass after seeing this review video of it. The switch and the different modes is explained in there, so take a look if you have any questions.
I decided to get the bass after seeing this review video of it. The switch and the different modes is explained in there, so take a look if you have any questions.
Thanks everyone for chiming in. I used my bass live and actually did very little tweaking. I left the switch in center detent and the controls flat. No, I take that back. I boosted the bass a couple times on a reggae type song, but went back to flat on everything later. Do other owners feel like the pickups are pretty excellent-- providing a nice punch, good crisp highs, etc?
TBH the first time I picked up a SR370E it reminded me of my 4004 Rickenbacker.
I HATE THIS SITE!!!!!
I just bought two basses in the past month and now I'm already GASsing for one of these!
On topic, I would just leave the switch, don't need to remove it if you don't see a need for it unless you want to use the hole in the bass for a different switch like an active/passive - which I think would be more useful personally.
I just bought two basses in the past month and now I'm already GASsing for one of these!
On topic, I would just leave the switch, don't need to remove it if you don't see a need for it unless you want to use the hole in the bass for a different switch like an active/passive - which I think would be more useful personally.
I foolishly got rid of mine! I had a white one and loved it, now I want it back, I just might have to order another one!!
Smiling... the first time I played it one of the songs I tried was 'Roundabout' and it sounded soooo sweet... Crisp, almost piano-like with growl... likin my new bass!
I had posted this information on other threads but I'll re-post as it's topic specific. The combination of the Power Span pickups and the switch give the bass a tremendous variety of sounds. Although most of the time I use the switch in center mode, I liked using the switch in "down" position-- it gave the pickups a thumpy sound-- very very similar to a P-bass, which is a sound I need for playing "Waiting for a Girl Like You." The song needs that deep girth that only a P will deliver. So there are two positions. I'm going to have to learn how to use the single coil setting which is "up" position on the power switch. I didn't find it very usable but I need to force myself to use it while playing live so I can take advantage of a single-coil tone.
About the Nordy's on my SR500 (earlier discussion)-- I'm going to A/B the two basses at my next show. I've always gotten a lot of compliments on the SR500 with Nordy's-- and by other bass players. Just because they're older doesn't mean they don't sound great. I guess right now I'm just having a little love affair with the new Ibanez Power Span pickups.
About the Nordy's on my SR500 (earlier discussion)-- I'm going to A/B the two basses at my next show. I've always gotten a lot of compliments on the SR500 with Nordy's-- and by other bass players. Just because they're older doesn't mean they don't sound great. I guess right now I'm just having a little love affair with the new Ibanez Power Span pickups.
Try play solo bridge pup with power tap + increase some amount of treble.
Or play solo neck pup with Tap + decrease some MID and add some bass.
Hope help.
Or play solo neck pup with Tap + decrease some MID and add some bass.
Hope help.
Hey,
So I actually have an SR405EQM which is in the same series but it is a different bass, but it has the same power switch. That's the second bass that I have bought my first was an SR370 which does not have a power tap switch. Upon buying my new bass last year I love the power tap switch. But that is just simply because I play a lot of different styles of music. But I would agree with the people who have told you to keep the switch on. You never know when you might want or need it. Plus you will not have to worry about a hole in your bass. I tend to use the Power Tap side for more rock type of music and the tap for worship style music. Then I use the series part for anything that sounds like a mixture of the two. Hope this helps.
So I actually have an SR405EQM which is in the same series but it is a different bass, but it has the same power switch. That's the second bass that I have bought my first was an SR370 which does not have a power tap switch. Upon buying my new bass last year I love the power tap switch. But that is just simply because I play a lot of different styles of music. But I would agree with the people who have told you to keep the switch on. You never know when you might want or need it. Plus you will not have to worry about a hole in your bass. I tend to use the Power Tap side for more rock type of music and the tap for worship style music. Then I use the series part for anything that sounds like a mixture of the two. Hope this helps.
So it's a G&L OMG switch? That seems unlikely as Ibanez puts single/parallel/series on guitars as a "the base model is $X, better 'ibanez' pups and paint model is $x+150, that one with figured top is $X+250, that one with name brand pups is $X+400, but with 'ibanez' pups and funky switching it's only $X+300". It would be cool though if it is an OMG circuit- it's a useful set of tones though you have to work the Bass knob to tune each switch setting.
Hi,
Not sure what you're asking. Here's the page for the SR400. Both it and the SR300 have the same pickups and preamp: Invalid Link Removed
From the page:
I suggest trying one out for yourself locally.
All the best,
Bob
Not sure what you're asking. Here's the page for the SR400. Both it and the SR300 have the same pickups and preamp: Invalid Link Removed
From the page:
- neck pickup
- PowerSpan Dual Coil neck pickupPassive
- bridge pickup
- PowerSpan Dual Coil bridge pickupPassive
- equaliser
- Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ w/3-way Power Tap switch
I suggest trying one out for yourself locally.
All the best,
Bob
Just bought the the 305e and already love it.
The power tap seems to have the whole pickup engaged but no humbucking unless the balance is in the middle, as it's the case for the single à la Jazz switch position.
About the video above, nice to see how skilled is Level 42 leader, wouldn't guess Lessons In Love singer would play like this, thumbs up !
The power tap seems to have the whole pickup engaged but no humbucking unless the balance is in the middle, as it's the case for the single à la Jazz switch position.
About the video above, nice to see how skilled is Level 42 leader, wouldn't guess Lessons In Love singer would play like this, thumbs up !
About the Nordy's on my SR500 (earlier discussion)-- I'm going to A/B the two basses at my next show. I've always gotten a lot of compliments on the SR500 with Nordy's-- and by other bass players. Just because they're older doesn't mean they don't sound great. I guess right now I'm just having a little love affair with the new Ibanez Power Span pickups.
I'm quoting myself from an earlier post. My SR500 Mahogany has 2 x Bartolini pickups on it and no switch. The Bartolini's sound much more classic i.e. soft with a lot of sustain. That's a nice sound but more and more I'm preferring the Nordy's. I'm thinking of switching out the pickups on my SR500 to the Nordy's and I'll have two very reliable basses I enjoy playing.
I'm quoting myself from an earlier post. My SR500 Mahogany has 2 x Bartolini pickups on it and no switch. The Bartolini's sound much more classic i.e. soft with a lot of sustain. That's a nice sound but more and more I'm preferring the Nordy's. I'm thinking of switching out the pickups on my SR500 to the Nordy's and I'll have two very reliable basses I enjoy playing.
The guy in the video is Nathan King, the younger brother of Mark King.
Do you mean the PowerSpan pickups? Or do you have another bass with Nordy's?
I'd love to get one of the higher Ibanez models with the Nordy CND P/J setup, but I guess next year there will be an SR670E and SR870E with them in, so will wait to see what finishes they offer.
Sorry. I was mistaken thinking the pickups in my SR300EL had Nordy's in it. It's actually Ibanez Powerspans. A guy from Nordy responded earlier in this thread, and had two recommendations. I'm looking for a Nordy replacement for my SR500L to sound more like my SR300EL. I'm not particularly interested in a single coil pickup due to the noise issue sometimes occurring onstage under lights.
