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Improving an Ibanez SR506?

How would you improve the Ibanez SR506?

  • Change the Bart MK-1 pickups for REAL Bartolini Soaps.

    Votes: 7 15.6%

  • Change the electronics.

    Votes: 4 8.9%

  • Change the pickups AND electronics.

    Votes: 26 57.8%

  • Leave 'well enough' alone.

    Votes: 8 17.8%
  • Total voters
    45
  • Poll closed .
DaveCustomMade

DaveCustomMade

Apr 23, 2004
945
3
58
Southwest Missouri
www.geocities.com
#1
The Ibanez SR506 has been recognized as a great instrument for the money, . . . perhaps even a better instrument than some basses that are more expensive.

However, if you wanted to improve this bass even moreso, . . . would you, in order to improve the sound and functionality of this bass:

1.) change out the Bartolini MK-1 pickups for REAL Bartolinis?

2.) change the electronics?

3.) change out both pickups AND electronics?

4.) or just leave well enough alone?

What is your opinion?
 
#5
I bought a good,used Ibanez SDGR 905NT(neck through,all maple/rosewood fretboard) via ebay for $550.00.
The first thing I did was took the Bart pre and pups out,and installed some active S.D./Basslines ASB-5 pups.They've got enough output by themselves,that I didn't need to add an active preamp.
This bass just kicks but now.I highly recommend the Basslines aftermarket products.
 
#6
Thanks for the input so far.

As of now, it seems as though the majority would say to change out the pickups AND electronics. So with the price of a new bass (say I get a break on price and get it for $600), throw a Bartolini 4.6 a/p for $150 and a set of Bartolini pickups for about $250 for the set, that brings the cost of the SR506 to about $1,000 . . . . . . . minus the cost of having the electronics put in. It would probably be a much better sounding bass, though.
 
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#9
Most of the American Bartolini preamps add a switch for midrange frequency selection, and some even have active/passive switching.

I've been considering a new pre and pickups for my SR506 (2004 model with the light oil finish, not the new darker oil). The only problem I've run into is that the MK-1 pickups are a unique size to the Bart line. I think they measure 4.5 x 1.5". Bestbassgear sells some direct replacements, but I'm still looking into other options (EMG, Nordstrand, etc.)
 
#10
TheEmptyCell said:
Most of the American Bartolini preamps add a switch for midrange frequency selection, and some even have active/passive switching.

I've been considering a new pre and pickups for my SR506 (2004 model with the light oil finish, not the new darker oil). The only problem I've run into is that the MK-1 pickups are a unique size to the Bart line. I think they measure 4.5 x 1.5". Bestbassgear sells some direct replacements, but I'm still looking into other options (EMG, Nordstrand, etc.)
Click to expand...

Are you saying that the MK-1 pickups measure 4.5" x 1.5"?
Because bestbassgear.com has that size, the "EMG 45" shape.

To other board members....Please continue to vote if you haven't. :) And if you chose "leave well enough alone" could you explain your justification? Thanks! :)
 
#12
DaveCustomMade said:
Just curious, what Bartolini preamp does the SR506 use? In what way would a Bartolini preamp from bestbassgear.com improve the sound over the orignal equipment (the NTMB - 3 band)?
Click to expand...

All basses that have Bart's MK1 pups have a foreign made preamp system that Bill Bartolini designed.The craftsmanship,and components are of a slightly lower quality than his U.S. stuff,in order to help make the bass more affordable.
I couldn't even find a model # on the preamp that I took out of my Ibanez SDGR905NT.According to the Ibanez website,your bass's preamp is called the MK1 just like the pups.I suppose it's the same one that's in all basses that have MK1 pups.
 
#13
TheEmptyCell said:
Most of the American Bartolini preamps add a switch for midrange frequency selection, and some even have active/passive switching.

I've been considering a new pre and pickups for my SR506 (2004 model with the light oil finish, not the new darker oil). The only problem I've run into is that the MK-1 pickups are a unique size to the Bart line. I think they measure 4.5 x 1.5". Bestbassgear sells some direct replacements, but I'm still looking into other options (EMG, Nordstrand, etc.)
Click to expand...


Be sure to check out Seymour Duncan's Basslines ASB-6 pups as well.They should fit fine,but measure your pups to make sure,and compare them to the ASB-6 pups's at the Basslines site.
I was an EMG user for years before I installed some active Basslines pups into my fretless 5.After that I never went back to EMG.
The Basslines were superior in sound all along the frequency spectrum.The lows are deep,but more focused and defined,the mids more musical,and the highs are WAY less brittle than the EMGs.
Try these pups w/o an active preamp in your control cavity before you spend the money on one.I think you'll be impressed enough with the preamp that's built into the pups,that you'll run your bass like that from now on.I do that with my Ibby,and I couldn't be more happier with the output and tone.

Here's a link.The ASB-6s should be at the top of the page when it comes up.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/bassesdescr.shtml#asb5

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