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Ibanez SRFF805 or Ibanez SR Premium 1405E 5 string

Which one is better?

  • Total voters
    46
#21
Personally I'd shy away from the SRFF805. The fanned frets are nice but I'm not sure I trust the first iteration and like others here I'm a little worried about the sound of the pickups. I find the Bartolini MK1s to have a great sound but for those prices the Nordstrand pickups are simply the way to go. I just picked up an SR1800E and the difference is amazing. The EQ is so much better, too. I know the SRFF805 has a different EQ and different pickups but I don't see how they could be as big a jump up as going to the Big Singles for that price. It seems that you are really paying for the fanned frets. I could be wrong and I'm certainly looking to pull one of these off the wall in a guitar store whenever I can. Unless there is something magical about it I probably won't be buying one, though. I'll also second the vote on the upgraded neck. The neck on my SR1800E is very solid and easy to play on and the fingerboard and fretwork are superb.
 
#22
I would lean towards the sr1405.
Mainly because of electronics and neck construction.
the fanned frets are cool but as I don't use a B they'd be less advantageous for me. But they may be perfect for you.
If it were me I'd choose a sr1206.
 
#34
The premium FF comes with nordys for just a tiny bit more (ok, $2k more:D). I looked on the ibanez store and they have part numbers for the pu's but not the price. It's conceivable these could be dropped into the 'budget' model.
 
#35
Dr. C, very nice range. Sounds very usable to me.

nutdog, looking at the two basses, I'm not certain (at all) that the Nordstrands would be a drop-in. But I suppose you could have a custom set made. Probably a lot easier to get a set of US Barts with bar magnets.

Bob
 
#36
Bobster said:
Dr. C, very nice range. Sounds very usable to me.

nutdog, looking at the two basses, I'm not certain (at all) that the Nordstrands would be a drop-in. But I suppose you could have a custom set made. Probably a lot easier to get a set of US Barts with bar magnets.

Bob
Click to expand...

That's my point. It is a very usable sounding bass. It is also very comfortable to play. I think the Nordstrand versions will be great basses. I just feel that the less expensive version is very good in its own right.
 
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#39
Jim777, I would think any set with an extra-long B and possibly E would work.

If I had my "wishes' it would be that the neck had the KDS rods like the Premiums. My SR1400 is rock solid. I'm sure this 5 piece will be solid too, but the 1400's neck just doesn't move.

Just so you know which side of this I come down on, I'm really seriously thinking about getting one of these.

Bob
 
#40
Bobster said:
nutdog, looking at the two basses, I'm not certain (at all) that the Nordstrands would be a drop-in. But I suppose you could have a custom set made. Probably a lot easier to get a set of US Barts with bar magnets.
Click to expand...
You're right, they look like p4 size in the 805. Maybe the B in BH1 stands for blade.

Dr. Cheese said:
I just feel that the less expensive version is very in its own right.
Click to expand...
I concur, it is very very.:D
 

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