NBD - Ibanez SR505E

[alaskaleftybass]

I've read that before elsewhere...but it's weird that their web site doesn't mention it at all. I'll give it a shot. I bought a set of DR Pure Blues which aren't as bright as Hi Beams but should be bright enough to let me know the difference.

The concept of Elixers was that musicians tend to sweat a lot during performance, which killed the brightness and sustain of the strings--thus, the 'nano' coating that would prevent an early death of the strings. The unmentioned given is that the strings won't be as bright sounding as brand new strings but will last a lot longer because the strings won't get corroded like bare metal. I had a set of nanowebs on my SR500L for years knowing that. Once I switched to Hartke extra light brights the bass took on a different character. The bass by nature of the pickups still sounds more mellow and 'woody' but I have the SR300EL for really aggressive rock and the SR500 is a great recording bass and does acoustic sets well. I really should try it for more aggressive rock to, I might surprise myself.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Okay, okay. Here you go...

View attachment 3539306

Beautiful bass, BTW! Great looking and I'm hoping you love how she performs!

 

[sstillwell]

Okay, switched strings to DR Pure Blues (.045-.125). Was getting more rattle than I like on the B string (.125 vs .130 factory) and started drilling down into things.

Action was REALLY low, like less than 1.5 mm. Factory specs are for 2.5 mm on bass strings to 2.0 on treble. Easy fix, just remember to reset intonation after. Neck was also adjusted so there was like NEGATIVE relief...maybe because the DRs have lower string tension? Anyway, a bit over a quarter turn of the truss rod looser and all is well. I may have to tighten it back slightly after the neck finishes settling in after the adjustment, but that's easy enough.

It is definitely more bright with new uncoated strings, but the Barts are still darker than what I'm used to. I may just decide I like it that way after listening a bit.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

or get the Stainless Elixirs:

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The BH2 are definitely dark, & even darker than the old MK1 which was what they were putting in SR505 until the SR505E model.

 

[sstillwell]

It is definitely more bright with new uncoated strings, but the Barts are still darker than what I'm used to. I may just decide I like it that way after listening a bit.

Yeah, adjusted the EQ a bit at the amp and it sounds pretty decent. Set the amp (practice amp at that location is a MarkBass CMD102P) completely flat, then boost treble to about 2:00 and high mid to about 1:00 and with those Pure Blues it gets nice and growly and still has plenty of top end. Using an MXR M87 set as a limiter that just hits maybe 3-4 dB gain reduction when I dig in hard.

Maybe I don't need to replace the pickups after all...

 

[sstillwell]

A little thread necromancy, but it's okay since it's MY thread.

Yeah, the BH2 are darker than I like, period. It gets close to okay with brand-new strings, but I get unhappy with it quick.

Ordered a set of Nordstrand Big Split 5 with Ibanez 16.5mm spacing. They should be here in a few weeks and maybe I can find some time to swap them shortly after that.

Fingers crossed!

 

[A9X]

Ordered a set of Nordstrand Big Split 5 with Ibanez 16.5mm spacing. They should be here in a few weeks and maybe I can find some time to swap them shortly after that.

I'll be interested to hear your opinion post installation.