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Love / hate relationship with a bass.

#21
After playing many Ibanez basses "thin sounding" is the feeling I get from the SR series. I think they are pretty good for slap but I don't like their tone for heavy finger style, I much prefer the bulk of the BTB line (I have 2).

You can try changing the pick ups and/or pre amp section but if the natural sound of the bass is thin then that is what it will pretty much be.
 
#23
I kind of recognize the problem. I own a SR1000 prestige, wich plays simply wonderfull, but indeed sounded a little thin. I'm not sure about the specs of your bass, but I suspect they're quite similar.

With my SR1000 the sound is allready thin, when played without amplification. I guess this is simmilar to what you mean by 'resonating with harmonics or good low end'.
To adres this problem I tried a lot off different strings too. For now I've found marginaly satisfying results with thick gauge DR Bootzilla's (0.50-1.10).

The main improvement of it's sound however was initiated by bad luck.
The EQ board of my bass for no apparent reason completely burned out.
My local shop suggested it was best to completely change the electronics, but to keep the DAMN GOOD BARTOLINI's (wich luckaly were not harmed; they are pretty expensive).
The result: a MUCH better sound, in fact, perhaps the best overall sound of all my basses.
Unfortunedly for you and the story: still no resonating, thunderous low end.
Offcoase you can adjust some on your amp, but I think that's not the real deal; I want to FEEL the low end of my bass (like with my Tobias Stardard 4, or my IBANEZ EDA900).

Anyway what I'm trying to say:
-Don't change the PU's. That simply is not the cause off the problem.
-Ibanez basses are great! I love the sound of my SR1000, but it still is a bit thin.
-So... I'm in for suggestions for other strings.
 
#24
Damn, I wish I could just replace the electronics, It's a good bass and very comfort, I really don't want to say goodbye...
Harmonics are pretty much important to me cause first of all that's how the bass "resonates" (not by the musical term, more like how it sounds and feels in your ears) and secondly because I play a lot of solo stuff and this bass is for it (for me at least), I don't see any other options with 24 frets that will sound as an Ibanez and will feel good...

I wonder if the old SR's had that problem with the PJ configuration, something tell me they didn't.

Another option is to replace the PUP's to Singles (Big Singles :3) I'm mainly a Jazz Bass player so it can be a great option, what do you guys think?
 
#25
PSPookie said:
I believe the "custom" Barts they put in these are MK5s which are pretty nice pickups.
Click to expand...

Yup ... MK5's are very nice US made Barts.
If they are ... it's most likely not the pu's.

Perhaps you just don't like Barts. They aren't for everyone.

Maybe you should test out some new basses. I think a lot of folks have been in the same boat ... they dig the bass, but the tone just isn't what they are looking for. Personally, I've gotten rid of a fair share for that same reason.

Sometimes, even electronic changes can't get you the tone you are looking for. Sometimes it's the bass itself.
 
#26
most bass players imo over/under eq ....try a total flat eq and play it for about 20 min or so before you touch anything(keep the flat eq).....you should be able to fix your problem if you adjust one thing at a time and do its in small amounts..(give it a min or 2 before you change each time)and how old are your strings by the way...dead strings will sound dead no matter what the eq does..
 
#27
The strings are not that old, I only replaced them 2 months ago and their stainless steel, regarding the EQ, I'm aware of that.

The problem is I live in Israel the variety of basses here is crap and sometimes people overprice their basses, about the Bartolinis, I'm thinking about replacing the Hums to Big Singles, it should make a huge difference don't you guys think?
 
#28
It's really hard for anyone else to give advice when your bass isn't here to see and hear. You could have an obvious setup or repair problem, like the pickups too close to the strings, or a bad trussrod. Or not.

One possibility, is that it's simply not a good instrument. Ibanez' quality is pretty consistent, but EVERY brand has the odd bad one. Can you find similar basses to play back-to-back with yours? It would be interesting to know if you have an average, a good, or a bad one.

Another thought, which you probably won't find helpful- I'm not familiar with your particular model, but people who like the SR series often mention the skinny, "fast" necks as a plus. Unfortunately, the best tone, resonance and sustain generally comes from a relatively chunky neck.

Sometimes you have to decide which is more important- the feel or the sound...
 
#29
I've played another SR Prestige in a store here in Israel and they sound the same though the other bass felt much faster and better, so now that I think of that first of all I need to set it up.

But it still doesn't solve the Thin sound problem, the sound is OK acoustically (I think, lol) but I just hate the sound through the amp and the harmonics aren't pronounced right, as I mentioned I'm a Jazz Bass player, Nordies Big Singles look like a good option to me and I might replace the Preamp someday as well...
 
#30
steve_rolfeca said:
It's really hard for anyone else to give advice when your bass isn't here to see and hear. You could have an obvious setup or repair problem, like the pickups too close to the strings, or a bad trussrod. Or not.

One possibility, is that it's simply not a good instrument. Ibanez' quality is pretty consistent, but EVERY brand has the odd bad one. Can you find similar basses to play back-to-back with yours? It would be interesting to know if you have an average, a good, or a bad one.

Another thought, which you probably won't find helpful- I'm not familiar with your particular model, but people who like the SR series often mention the skinny, "fast" necks as a plus. Unfortunately, the best tone, resonance and sustain generally comes from a relatively chunky neck.

Sometimes you have to decide which is more important- the feel or the sound...
Click to expand...


Absolute true, except for one fact: Prestiges are double checked, so unless they are screwed up afterwards they are all O.K.
 
#32
Agito,

I'm a bit confused here: you're using stainless steel strings, and it sounds OK acoustic?? (I'm using stainless steel as well, but like I said my tone is also a bit thin)
Wow, but if it sounds OK acoustic, you must adress the problem later in the chain. My experience was that the PU were good and changing the electronics made the difference, but like is said here already without the bass in our hands we're just guessing.

Ever tries lowering the PU's? (could be a very cheap sollution)
 
#33
Unplugged - the harmonics sounds hollow as well
I lowered the pickup not a real big change, but the problem is not the electronics though I'm not a big fan of the current one...

I don't know what to do.... Grrr
 
#34
ime it's a rare bass that can be all things to all people in all situations...eventually you'll find a scenario where your favorite instrument just Isn't Quite Right.

Now, if you're always encountering that scenario, perhaps your bass really is a dog.

But I've found some instruments where context affects my perception of quality immensely: E.G., my Lakland Skyline 55-02D completely sucks for playing jazz or experimental music where I need a high degree of dynamic sensetivity and/or articulation throughout a wide register...yet it is a complete badass killer machine for rock, my absolute #1 go-to instrument when I need a fat aggressive sound.
 

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