NBD: 1991 Ibanez SR886

[Dean N]

If I ever get a six, it would be exactly that, an early 90s Soundgear, MIJ. Early 90s Ibanez basses are extremely high quality and high bang-for-buck.

Request... can you shoot a pic of the preamp? I have a 92 5er (CT, not SR) and can't find any info on the preamps. Long shot. But maybe it's a match.

 

[Standalone]

Nice bass, OP. In the early 2000's that Ibanez 6 string headstock was my absolute favorite, even though I had never played a 6 string then. There was just something about it that got me super stoked. Ended up getting a GSR 5er eventually to scratch the itch. These days I'm really only playing vintage short scale 4 stringers, but it made me feel super nostalgic to see your new addition

Thanks man. My favorite headstock is the midsized 2+2 on my ‘85 (I think I posted it in the family pic on page one it’s the white bass.) It’s a smaller version of that big boat paddle on top of my Roadster and my Musician. I think the SR headstock just took the side curves from that and angled them in, and then changed the top to a smaller version of the same curve. Beautiful.

If you end up not liking the pickups later, you can always upgrade to Barts CBC and any number of preamps.

They seem uniquely long and skinny. Right now the straight up old school 2 band active jazz sound isn’t something in my collection and I am really liking it. The AFR’s in my ‘92 885 aren’t quite as much to my liking. But I’m all about keeping my collection on a reasonable budget, and starting down the electronics rabbit hole would get me in trouble!

If I ever get a six, it would be exactly that, an early 90s Soundgear, MIJ. Early 90s Ibanez basses are extremely high quality and high bang-for-buck.

Request... can you shoot a pic of the preamp? I have a 92 5er (CT, not SR) and can't find any info on the preamps. Long shot. But maybe it's a match.

If I open her up, I’ll snag a pic and post it here or message you.

 

[BurlyLemur]

Congrats on the bass! I have been keeping my eye out for one of those for awhile now locally but no luck. The only one I found some guy had sanded the whole thing down and made a mess of the neck

 

[SunByrne]

Pretty! Love the color.

Just love NBD...

 

[Standalone]

Congrats on the bass! I have been keeping my eye out for one of those for awhile now locally but no luck. The only one I found some guy had sanded the whole thing down and made a mess of the neck

Right on. There is one well loved one here in Connecticut for ya with a Les Claypool autograph from the same seller if you ever come down from Ont.

 

[Standalone]

If I ever get a six, it would be exactly that, an early 90s Soundgear, MIJ. Early 90s Ibanez basses are extremely high quality and high bang-for-buck.

Request... can you shoot a pic of the preamp? I have a 92 5er (CT, not SR) and can't find any info on the preamps. Long shot. But maybe it's a match.

Ibanez Fugigen IBZ J6 Six String Bass Pickups with preamp | A.V.'s Gear Outlet | Reverb

Found this on Reverb. Pics might help you in your quest.

 

[Standalone]

It sounds like those pickups may be single coils; do they hum when soloed? A six string with Jazz tone sounds like a lot of fun!

I was doing more research on the IBZ Lo-J6 pickups from this bass and sure enough they are the same as the pickups in the Heartfield Basses, where I confirmed what my ears told me, that they are hum cancelling pickups.

The Heartfield pickups were made by EMG and also used in Ibanez 886 basses. They are called IBZ LO-J6. They are split pole pickups and thus, like a Precision bass, hum-cancelling.

Heartfield Guitars - DR-4/5/6(C)
There is a nice DR-6 on reverb right now

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I was doing more research on the IBZ Lo-J6 pickups from this bass and sure enough they are the same as the pickups in the Heartfield Basses, where I confirmed what my ears told me, that they are hum cancelling pickups.



I still covet the white Heartfield Six on reverb....

Heartfield Guitars - DR-4/5/6(C)

Cool, you are on the verge of inflicting needless on GAS on me!

 

[Standalone]

Cool, you are on the verge of inflicting needless on GAS on me!

DR Heartfield DR-6 1991 Mystic White | Rose's Curiosity Shoppe | Reverb

 

[Dr. Cheese]

DR Heartfield DR-6 1991 Mystic White | Rose's Curiosity Shoppe | Reverb

Only my empty wallet is saving me!

 

[JRA]

i'm all in on the idea that you did really well on this piece, OP! it's good looking, too. congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[Standalone]

Man I don’t know why there aren’t more straight ahead jazz bass sixes out there. Even just playing the opening harmonics of “Birdland” on the frets is a treat. (Putting that particular cheat in the guilty pleasure column.)

 

[TolerancEJ]

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I still own my 1992 Ibanez SR885 with a padauk top. Still an excellent instrument that sounds and plays great. At the time I placed my order, I originally wanted the SR886. As much as I tried, I just couldn't come up with the extra money for the 6-string version. (I think that probably contributes to my obsession the last few years, mostly buying 6-string basses.)

 

[feschyn]

So now that you've had this bass a while, what's your verdict? Were you able to put new strings on it and set it up to your liking? I ask because there is one for sale and I am thinking about pulling the trigger. Thanks!

 

[Mr Ralph]

I was also wondering. Was trying to decide between the old SR's or a newer BTB
anybody played both? I know one is 34" and one is 35".

 

[Standalone]

So now that you've had this bass a while, what's your verdict? Were you able to put new strings on it and set it up to your liking? I ask because there is one for sale and I am thinking about pulling the trigger. Thanks!

I love how it plays and sounds.
The neck is SR thin but solid and stable. I’ve done zero setup on it and haven’t yet had the chance to put new strings on. I like dead rotos or dead slinkys and am happy until they don’t intonate well.

John Spignesi Band Live at QuaranSTREAM on 2020-06-13 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Here is a recording from a backyard outdoor livestream — we had vocal PA issues and had to run a small portable so forgive the pa. But you can hear the basic tone of the bass very well in the opening tune. Burpy and j-bassish to my ears, with a B string that speaks deeply with articulation.


Only one (correctable) downside to the bass is that it is relatively low output compared to my main bass is an 850 which is the hottest bass I’ve ever played, even hotter than my RS924’s P pickup.

I play a heavy handed double bassist’s pluck to get a driving rock tone in my current jam band. The 886 is not necessarily the bass for that hot humbucker tone. It is the bass for a clear vocal Jaco Jazz tone for sure. Listening to the link of our streamed concert though, I think it fits the band really well, and still gets the drive and grind I like through my GK/Bag End setup.

So basically that’s zero flaws - I can’t ding a jazz bass for not being a double buck.

It’s brother is still for sale in my area — a black one with a Claypol “Bass Sucks” autograph lol. Same seller.

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I still own my 1992 Ibanez SR885 with a padauk top. Still an excellent instrument that sounds and plays great. At the time I placed my order, I originally wanted the SR886. As much as I tried, I just couldn't come up with the extra money for the 6-string version. (I think that probably contributes to my obsession the last few years, mostly buying 6-string basses.)
View attachment 3884105
View attachment 3884106

That is gorgeous. I have a black 885 from the same era. Great tone once I get comfortable with the mid sweep of that particular preamp. Pickups and preamp are different on the 886.

I was also wondering. Was trying to decide between the old SR's or a newer BTB
anybody played both? I know one is 34" and one is 35".

I have. More than the scale length difference, I find that the flatness of the fretboard radius of the BTB makes it less comfortable for me to play. I prefer a fairly tight radius, meaning more curve, not as flat. The BTB’s are 35” scale.

I’m a big Ibanez fan overall and recommend checking out both for yourself but the SR is such an ergonomically and musically great design, I can confidently recommend whichever SR is at your price point. That is also a general consensus on Talkbass, that value for the $, Sound, and playability are all very good at every price point.

Also, you’re not limited to old SR’s — they are still alive and well and timeless modern bass design. The new SR2400 with the Aguilar pickups is AMAZING if you want a four and are looking to buy new. I haven’t tried the wide spaced 2405w. (I think I have the numbers right). People like the Nordstrand equipped ones but the Aguilar ones really blew me away. I sold my Nordstrand Pickup SR1200 a few years ago.

Feel free to message me for advice on the SR line and options out there. Seek out an older Ibanez from 1976-92 if you can.

 

[feschyn]

I love how it plays and sounds.
The neck is SR thin but solid and stable. I’ve done zero setup on it and haven’t yet had the chance to put new strings on. I like dead rotos or dead slinkys and am happy until they don’t intonate well.

John Spignesi Band Live at QuaranSTREAM on 2020-06-13 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Here is a recording from a backyard outdoor livestream — we had vocal PA issues and had to run a small portable so forgive the pa. But you can hear the basic tone of the bass very well in the opening tune. Burpy and j-bassish to my ears, with a B string that speaks deeply with articulation.


Only one (correctable) downside to the bass is that it is relatively low output compared to my main bass is an 850 which is the hottest bass I’ve ever played, even hotter than my RS924’s P pickup.

I play a heavy handed double bassist’s pluck to get a driving rock tone in my current jam band. The 886 is not necessarily the bass for that hot humbucker tone. It is the bass for a clear vocal Jaco Jazz tone for sure. Listening to the link of our streamed concert though, I think it fits the band really well, and still gets the drive and grind I like through my GK/Bag End setup.

So basically that’s zero flaws - I can’t ding a jazz bass for not being a double buck.

It’s brother is still for sale in my area — a black one with a Claypol “Bass Sucks” autograph lol. Same seller.



That is gorgeous. I have a black 885 from the same era. Great tone once I get comfortable with the mid sweep of that particular preamp. Pickups and preamp are different on the 886.




I have. More than the scale length difference, I find that the flatness of the fretboard radius of the BTB makes it less comfortable for me to play. I prefer a fairly tight radius, meaning more curve, not as flat. The BTB’s are 35” scale.

I’m a big Ibanez fan overall and recommend checking out both for yourself but the SR is such an ergonomically and musically great design, I can confidently recommend whichever SR is at your price point. That is also a general consensus on Talkbass, that value for the $, Sound, and playability are all very good at every price point.

Also, you’re not limited to old SR’s — they are still alive and well and timeless modern bass design. The new SR2400 with the Aguilar pickups is AMAZING if you want a four and are looking to buy new. I haven’t tried the wide spaced 2405w. (I think I have the numbers right). People like the Nordstrand equipped ones but the Aguilar ones really blew me away. I sold my Nordstrand Pickup SR1200 a few years ago.

Feel free to message me for advice on the SR line and options out there. Seek out an older Ibanez from 1976-92 if you can.

So, I didn't pull the trigger on the SR886 that was for sale, and it sold. For some reason, that and your description now have me jonesing even harder for an SR886. I played a 4-string Japanese Ibanez SR800 all through high school jazz band in the late 80s and early nineties. Part of it is surely nostalgia.

BTW, I have a Japanese Fernandes Gravity 6 that I upgraded to Bart G66 pickups and a Noll preamp. I am reasonably certain that those pickups will fit you SR886. Unfortunately they are not very high output, but the onboard preamp should compensate for that.

 

[feschyn]

Here is the Gravity 6 with Bart G66s . . .

 

[Standalone]

So, I didn't pull the trigger on the SR886 that was for sale, and it sold. For some reason, that and your description now has me jonesing even harder for an SR886. I played a 4-string Japanese Ibanez SR800 all through high school jazz band in the late 80s and early nineties. Part of it is surely nostalgia.

BTW, I have a Japanese Fernandes Gravity 6 that I upgraded to Bart G66 pickups and a Noll preamp. I am reasonably certain that those pickups will fit you SR886. Unfortunately they are not very high output, but the onboard preamp should compensate for that.

My dream 6er is my Ibanez but with higher output passive pickups. It's not about volume, it's about how my fingers and the strings interact with the magnetic field of the pickups, it feels more expressive to me. My skills tend to be in the rhythm and tone department more than melodic and harmonic structure and ornamentation. That's how I manage to sound passably listenable and still slack on my theory study and woodshedding

Yes you would have loved the SR -- it's like your Fernandes, but tighter spacing -- just a more svelte axe. I have very large slim hands and play double bass, but on a six string I like medium, tight ish spacing. I had a Tune whose sound I ***LOVED*** but the bridge spacing and relatively wide surfboard (but still nicely crafted) of a neck left me feeling slowed down and pretty tired after, say, a three set two-gig summer day. Your Gravity reminds me a bit of my Tune

 

[feschyn]

The spacing on the Gravity 6 is not what I would consider wide. I owned a Yamaha TRB 6 and a Roscoe SKB 3006 and those basses had a noticeably wider string spacing.

BTW, I picked up a Fernandes Gravity 4 yesterday. I think I felt the need to get another bass after losing out on the SR886 and this was available locally. It was really dirty and the strings were gross. I cleaned it up and adjusted the bridge and truss rod, which might be maxed out as the nut is very difficult to turn clockwise. Here’s a pic....