Just wanted to do a brief NBD on this incredible instrument (SR1345B). I've been playing mostly passive instruments the last few years and have been wanting to get back into an active instrument. I've tried a few actives over the last couple of years, and they've been "okay" but I've always remembered the comfort and tone of a couple of previous SR basses that I shouldn't have gotten rid of in the past.
Ibanez has always made fantastic basses and their Premium line has always been some of the best playing & sounding active basses I've had. These days, they are using Nordstrand pickups more & more, whereas in the past it used to be Bartolini's. In any case, I love the HUGE single coil tone of the Big Singles. They are clear, punchy, growly and with exceptional clarity. The Big Singles are some of the best sounding pickups I've yet to hear - ever.
Sorry to be gushing over the Big Singles, but they are unreal. They are still single coils at the end of the day though (although massive in tone). So it's par-for-course, that there is some amount of hum at loud volumes to contend with but nothing louder than any standard single coil I've heard. I mostly stick to both coils at a time, but I do use the neck pickup solo occasionally. However, I understand Ibanez is using Nordstrand Big Breaks on some of the current Premium models. Those are hum-cancelling, so that might be an option for those concerned with hum when playing solo.
Also, I think Ibanez has been taking the most popular user complaints to heart lately - "neck is too thin" & "string spacing is too tight" seem to be the biggest 2 grievances. I think they've been adding a little more thickness (front-to-back) than they used to in prior years. At least it feels that way to me. It's not bulky by any stretch, but it does feel thicker than my older model SR-705), IIRC. I'll have to use a digital caliper in the future to tell for sure.
Also, the Mono-Rail S bridge on some of the newer models (including this one) has the ability to increase the string spacing from 16.5 to anywhere up to +1.5mm wider. Ibanez says that would be 19mm, but if 16.5mm is the stock setting, that would only be a true 18mm maximum in my mind. IDK, but it's good to have the option.
As always, the Atlas 5-piece neck with the dual KTS Titanium Reinforcement rods are always rock-solid any simply don't budge on you set your favorite relief. Maybe this is why every Ibanez SR Premium I've owned or played has always played like a dream with super low action, and this SR1345B in no exception. The bass plays effortlessly & with that massive tone behind it - it's a fine instrument!!
Thanks for looking!
Ibanez has always made fantastic basses and their Premium line has always been some of the best playing & sounding active basses I've had. These days, they are using Nordstrand pickups more & more, whereas in the past it used to be Bartolini's. In any case, I love the HUGE single coil tone of the Big Singles. They are clear, punchy, growly and with exceptional clarity. The Big Singles are some of the best sounding pickups I've yet to hear - ever.
Sorry to be gushing over the Big Singles, but they are unreal. They are still single coils at the end of the day though (although massive in tone). So it's par-for-course, that there is some amount of hum at loud volumes to contend with but nothing louder than any standard single coil I've heard. I mostly stick to both coils at a time, but I do use the neck pickup solo occasionally. However, I understand Ibanez is using Nordstrand Big Breaks on some of the current Premium models. Those are hum-cancelling, so that might be an option for those concerned with hum when playing solo.
Also, I think Ibanez has been taking the most popular user complaints to heart lately - "neck is too thin" & "string spacing is too tight" seem to be the biggest 2 grievances. I think they've been adding a little more thickness (front-to-back) than they used to in prior years. At least it feels that way to me. It's not bulky by any stretch, but it does feel thicker than my older model SR-705), IIRC. I'll have to use a digital caliper in the future to tell for sure.
Also, the Mono-Rail S bridge on some of the newer models (including this one) has the ability to increase the string spacing from 16.5 to anywhere up to +1.5mm wider. Ibanez says that would be 19mm, but if 16.5mm is the stock setting, that would only be a true 18mm maximum in my mind. IDK, but it's good to have the option.
As always, the Atlas 5-piece neck with the dual KTS Titanium Reinforcement rods are always rock-solid any simply don't budge on you set your favorite relief. Maybe this is why every Ibanez SR Premium I've owned or played has always played like a dream with super low action, and this SR1345B in no exception. The bass plays effortlessly & with that massive tone behind it - it's a fine instrument!!
Thanks for looking!
Seriously, it's a beauty.
