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IBANEZ SRX-505 Pickups / Tone Circuit Question

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by bannedwit, Dec 5, 2005.

  1. Dec 5, 2005 #1
    bannedwit

    bannedwit

    May 9, 2005
    Buffalo, NY
    Anyone throw aftermarket pickups in their Ibanez SRX-505's?

    I like how the bass sounded with stock stuff. No complaints. Well here is my background:

    I bought a Duncan / Basslines STC-3A pre-amp / Tone Circuit for my Thumb Bolt On 4 String. Whoops, I messed up and forgot all about the blend control (for pickup switching). That would have left me to drill into my Thumb or put it in my Streamer Stage 2... I am not going to do that because the sound is amazing IMO. I bought it on Ebay and really didnt want to go through the hassle of returning it. So I ordered a STC-2A and will use that for my Thumb. The right one now!

    I have my Ibanez SRX-505 which had 4 knobs already so I put the STC-3A tone circuit in there. Sounds even beefier now!
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    Well now that I modded the guts of the Ibanez, I was wondering what pickups would go in there easily and if anyone even changed the pickups on their SRX series basses.

    These pickups are kind of original and the only thing I would think about fitting in there are nicely are Music Man style pickups.

    It sounds sweet how it is and even how it was. I just did something different because I had the stuff laying around. I would only change the pickups if i have money laying around or get a deal on pickups that would fit.
     
  2. Dec 5, 2005 #2
    XIbanez4lifeX

    XIbanez4lifeX

    Nov 15, 2005
    Ohio,USA
    I just bought an SRX505 about 5 weeks ago, it is a nice bass.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2005 #3
    bannedwit

    bannedwit

    May 9, 2005
    Buffalo, NY
    Yes it is. I got mine on ebay for $220 shipped with a gig bag.
    Of course it came with a couple strawberries and coffee stains... yeah dont ask...

    Well it cleaned up nicely and I am a fan of it.
     
  4. Dec 5, 2005 #4
    i_got_a_mohawk

    i_got_a_mohawk

    Feb 9, 2005
    Edinburgh & Dundee, Scotland
    Why do you want to change the sound?

    MM style pups would be the wrong size im sure, i think the SRX just has a couple soapbars with visible pole pieces
     
  5. Dec 5, 2005 #5
    bannedwit

    bannedwit

    May 9, 2005
    Buffalo, NY
    Like i mentioned before. I had a Tone Circuit that i bought on ebay (and got the wrong one). I was curious, so I replaced the pre-amp in the Ibanez with it. Plus it was practice for when I do my Warwick pickup / pre-amp mod with the similar products.

    I was just wondering what the possibilities are and if anyone did it.

    My main concern is not having to make any adjustments on my amp settings when I play live. I want my basses to basically be set up where nothing major would need to be changed. As of now, I have to do some annoying things on stage that takes a while to setup. Ideally I would like 3 versions of the same bass or at least a 4 and a 5 string version of it so the overall volume and EQ remains the same. Last show I played, i got a little too giddy and changed from the hotter Ibanez SRX to my more mellower Thumb Bass without changing my stuff around and my volume was non-existant for a 1 anda half songs until I realized what I forgot to do.

    But yeah, i dont want to go too crazy. Usually Ibanez stock pickups are too clicky for me but they did a nice job on these. With this new tone circuit, this thing screams!

    Lots of people say this is a bass for pick players, which Ido see where they are comming from. Picks really cut through the mix on this bass.

    I would like to explore making it the same way for fingerstyle players that too...
     
  6. Dec 15, 2005 #6
    danis

    danis

    Jun 7, 2005
    Athens/Greece
    I would be interested too,if there was a possibility to improve the fingerstyle sound for the srx505.
    I love the sound from it,but if i could get rid of the clicks,that would be near perfect.

    Maybe a solution is to use the stock pick-ups from the srx705 which according to the Ibanez site are Alnicos PFR-AL5N?I don't know though if they are any better...The 505 says that has PFR5N which is probably not Alnicos.
    Anybody knows something about that or had tried something that worked better than stocks?
     
  7. Dec 15, 2005 #7
    XIbanez4lifeX

    XIbanez4lifeX

    Nov 15, 2005
    Ohio,USA
    I posted in this thread earlier, I mentioned the fact that I just bought an SRX505, the other night my preamp "fried"!! It just stopped working. I took it back to the store and they contacted Ibanez and they are sending me another preamp...
     
  8. Dec 16, 2005 #8
    danis

    danis

    Jun 7, 2005
    Athens/Greece
    I have this bass for almost 3 years with no problem at all and i am overall very happy.No problem with the pre amp or strings that getting out of tune...the opposite,the strings stay on tune forever(i'm reffering to this because someone posted that had problems with his srx705...)

    I just wanted,if possible to get rid of the clicks without raise the strings higher.That's why i was thinking of better pups...
     
  9. Dec 16, 2005 #9
    62bass

    62bass

    Apr 3, 2005
    I have a 4 string SRX 300. I love it. I use TI flats and a bit of foam mute under the strings and with the controls set flat and using only the neck pickup it's so close to my old Fender P I don't think the most rabid Jamerson fan could tell the difference by sound alone. It's much nicer to play than the P and balances beutifully when standing. My neck and back appreciates that. Once I set up the action there was no problem with clicks or buzzes. It never goes out of tune unless I bump the tuning pegs, it's also more stable in climate changes. A great neck to play on. It records just as nicely as my Fender. This is heresy to Fender fanatics of course.

    I've tried the 500 and the 700. The 700 is really a nice bass and I'll probably pick one up once I sell of some of my other basses. The Alnico pickup does sound a touch different.

    Give the foam mute idea a try. About 1 1/2 " wide strip under the strings at the bridge, and just touching the strings. Experiment a bit until you get it right for you. I do that with all my basses. You might like it.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2005 #10
    danis

    danis

    Jun 7, 2005
    Athens/Greece
    Thanks for the advise,i will try it,but what kind of foam do you mean?Where can i find it?
     
  11. Dec 16, 2005 #11
    62bass

    62bass

    Apr 3, 2005
    I just use a medium density foam rubber. I never buy it. Some I've found in electonics packaging; other times from an old pillow. Foam supply stores would probably give you a piece for free if you ask nice. Craft stores sell it too. You don't need much. You can cut it with scissors or a utility knife.

    I cut mine a bit tapered-1 1/2" wide at the bass sting to 1" wide at the treble string.

    Bob Babbett has used a cut up kitchen sponge, but the ones I've tried have been a bit too soft.