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Ibby SR505, Pup's Inquiry

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Count Bassie, Jun 23, 2019.

  1. Jun 23, 2019 #1
    Count Bassie

    Count Bassie

    Jun 10, 2006
    Smithfield, RI
    I've got this Korean, Cort-era 5 string, with a Duncan pre installed. Original pup's. My question is how can I get a bit more aggro out of it? It is, as it is now, very polite and kind of compressed sounding- very much 'under control'. That's generally ok, but I wish it were a little 'woolier', a bit more like my Epi Thunderbird Classic Pro. That's a 2013, sounds thick and low-mids-y, has a good dose of growl, yet sits nicely in a band mix... has enough personality to stand up, but doesn't upstage the band sound.
    The Ibanez is pretty new to me, but I do think I've got a line on its sonic character. I've put a set of D'Addario Half Rounds on it, which I like... now I know that strings have a wide range of flavor to contribute to tone, so we're talking about layers of sonic character here. But as a base-line of the overall character, I'm looking for a little more grumble, something with more teeth.

    Any ideas? Thanks for your time!

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  2. Jun 23, 2019 #2
    Zoobiedood

    Zoobiedood Commercial User

    Sep 1, 2015
    Writer/Ambassador/Artist/Resident Bass Expert for Seymour Duncan
    What do the trim pots on the board do? You can always add an external pedal for the aggressive stuff.
     
    Count Bassie likes this.
  3. Jun 23, 2019 #3
    Reedt2000

    Reedt2000 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2017
    Central New Jersey
    I'd throw some new PUs in it. I've been impressed with the Ibbys that have the Nordstrand big singles in em. There are a ton of threads here about proper sizing for Ibanez 5 strings and Nordstrand has a great rep for being helpful.
     
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  4. Jun 23, 2019 #4
    Count Bassie

    Count Bassie

    Jun 10, 2006
    Smithfield, RI
    That's not the first rec I've had about those.
     
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  5. Jun 23, 2019 #5
    Count Bassie

    Count Bassie

    Jun 10, 2006
    Smithfield, RI
    I avoid pedals, things become suddenly complicated with a pedal. I do have a chorus I use for song... the trimpots might be worth looking into, but I tend to think that's not going to change the character of things much. Gain structure I spose, but I should investigate it.
     
    Reedt2000 likes this.
  6. Jun 23, 2019 #6
    Keger Jupit

    Keger Jupit Inactive

    May 10, 2018
    The Great PNW!!
    @Count Bassie, I feel your pain. I've had some correspondence with Stew at Nordstrand about the Big Blades. I'm looking to replace the EMG setup in my Schecter. I'm liking what I'm hearing & I'm going to pull the trigger.
     
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  7. Jun 23, 2019 #7
    rojo412

    rojo412 Sit down, Danny... Supporting Member

    Feb 26, 2000
    Cleveland, OH.
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but this era of Ibby had kind of an off size from standards. They looked like EMG, but were bigger. I'd seen a few upgraded basses like this with EMGs that were kinda swimming in the cavity.
    What do these pickups measure?

    As @Zoobiedood pointed out, give the trim pots a tweak and see what they do. You may be able to coax enough signal out of there to get you where you need... and it's free to try!
     
    Zoobiedood and Count Bassie like this.
  8. Jun 24, 2019 #8
    Reedt2000

    Reedt2000 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2017
    Central New Jersey
    Looks like those trim adjustments inside affect the "slap mode" option, a preset EQ that's engaged by pulling up the vol knob. I couldn't find specs on what exactly slap mode is but typically those kind of settings are a mid scoop.