Looking to upgrade from an Ibanez

[G-Unit 01]

My current bass is an Ibanez SR405 5 string.

It has a nice action, light weight, reasonable build and plays well overall.

The downer is the sound is not to my liking.

It is a somewhat clanky and lacks real power or puch.

I'm unsure if this is down to the Ibanez DX5 pickups, the active electronics or something else.

I am wondering if one of the newer SRs with the Bartolini pickups on it would be a major improvement, alternatively I am considering moving it on and buying a different bass that sounds better.

I am not wedded to a 5 string and would definitely consider a 4 as I am more concerned with getting the right sound then the odd time I use the low B.

I would like more warmth, punch and sustain but not mud.

As I have small hands, the Ibanez neck is nice, I have tried a couple of Warwicks and quite liked the flat profile fingerboard but the neck was a bit chunky. The newer neck profile was not available to try.

I am in New Zealand so price is a very real consideration.

To give you an idea a Fender American Standard P bass has a retail price of around $2,900 so what you might consider mainstream is hitting Boutique prices.

Ay suggestions are welcome.

I am open to second hand options as well as new but don't want to spend anymore then NZ $1500-2000.

Music played is mainly rock, funk, jazz, blues.

Thanks.

 

[Razorjack]

You can always order the slim neck profile from Warwick.

 

[Crystalman85]

At your price range, I would say go for the musicman basses. Those basses provides warm, punchy sounds. if you want a more affordable bass guitar the has good quality sounds, the schecter stiletto basses would be a good choice.

 

[5string5fingers]

I'd just buy the barts and throw them in the ibanez.

 

[Relayer71]

I'd just buy the barts and throw them in the ibanez.

Same here - that being said, not sure if they'd fit, thought I read somewhere the Barts are a bit shorter.

But if you're already happy with the SR405, you should just go for SR505 (or the Barts if they do fit, although the 505 is Mahogany I believe so that will contribute to a warmer sound as well).

The Barts do make a difference, I have the SR400QM and the sound is good but not great - I agree it's a little bit clanky, nasally even, the trick is setting that fingerstyle/slap knob somewhere in the middle but closer to fingerstyle and equing a bit. I do love the look and feel though.

But I've played the SR500 (4 string version) and it required less tweaking, tended to sound warmer, with better low end so I'll probably end up springing for one of the higher tier SR models eventually (the SR600 seems like a great deal and the Prestige models are beautiful) .

 

[G-Unit 01]

You can always order the slim neck profile from Warwick.

I like the look of the Corvette, but there appears to be so many options in timber, pick ups, electronic configurations and now neck profiles that I would want to try before I buy.

 

[G-Unit 01]

At your price range, I would say go for the musicman basses. Those basses provides warm, punchy sounds. if you want a more affordable bass guitar the has good quality sounds, the schecter stiletto basses would be a good choice.

I quite like the look of the Musicman basses but they are outside my budget. There is a 2001 Sterling on our local auction site with a starting bid of NZ$2400.
They are way expensive new over here.

 

[G-Unit 01]

Same here - that being said, not sure if they'd fit, thought I read somewhere the Barts are a bit shorter.

But if you're already happy with the SR405, you should just go for SR505 (or the Barts if they do fit, although the 505 is Mahogany I believe so that will contribute to a warmer sound as well).

The Barts do make a difference, I have the SR400QM and the sound is good but not great - I agree it's a little bit clanky, nasally even, the trick is setting that fingerstyle/slap knob somewhere in the middle but closer to fingerstyle and equing a bit. I do love the look and feel though.

But I've played the SR500 (4 string version) and it required less tweaking, tended to sound warmer, with better low end so I'll probably end up springing for one of the higher tier SR models eventually (the SR600 seems like a great deal and the Prestige models are beautiful) .

This is most likely the option I will consider. A better Ibanez is doable from a price perspective.

I would be interested to know where the sweet spot is with the better SRs before you reach the prestiege models.

Warmer and better low end is exactly what I'm after.

Your description of the SR400 seems to be similar to my own experience with the SR405.

I had thought of throwing some Barts and a new pre in the SR 405 bass but I would rather just move it on and put the money toward a better model.

 

[leftyduder]

5string5fingers I'd just buy the barts and throw them in the ibanez.

i agree. if you like the feel and overall playability of your ibanez, save your money and order some barts. my personal opinion, hope no warwick lovers out hear take offense, warwicks are pricey and high maintenance. the exotic woods they're usually constructed from are very touchy to changes in humidity and weather in general.

 

[kjpollo]

You want to upgrade from an Ibanez??
No problem- buy a First Act at Walmart!!!


JUST KIDDING people!!!!!

Seriously though, 2 years ago when I re-entered the bass market after a long absence, I a/b'd an Ibanez with a full Bart system against an ESP LTD with a full EMG setup and IMHO, the ESP/LTD sounded better. I thought the EMGs were more responsive and I felt I got a bigger variety of tones out of it so I got the LTD.

I'm not knocking Bart products (I have a Bart pre in my Clement custom) but I dont think they are a cure-all.
I'd recommend broadening your horizons and trying whatever your local music shops have available in your price range.