Need a new bass (Ibanez?)

[Bass3Ment]

Hi I am new here

I recently sold my MIJ Ibanez SR800. I had that bass for almost 20 years and always wanted to try something different.
I am an instrument teacher. Primarily a guitarist but i do play other stringed instruments.
I teach both guitar and bass.
So I mostly use the bass for recording and teaching.
What I liked about the old SR was the neck and the 3,3kg weight.
What I did not really like was the electronics and the fact I had to have
the bridge re-glued back onto the body because it just just fell apart.
The wood on that bass is super soft.

Tonally, that bass was kinda weak. Muddy. There weren't a lot of natural mids due to construction(?) I guess.

When I sold my old SR800 I thought finding a new bass would be easy but boy was I wrong. Turns out my small hands do not like big necks.
I had bought a JB style (MOOER copy) bass and that neck was way too thick. Just a pain to play.

I foolishly thought that any neck would do but now I am looking for a narrow nut thin neck bass.
My attention again turned back to Ibanez basses.

My problem is there aren't any available for me to try before buying.
There is an SR300 in a local music store but my thinking is: if i am getting a bass it should be better than the one I have owned.
Plus, I have never played a bass with humbuckers. Always preferred the Fenderish hollow tone kinda sound.

I also see that, in the higher price range, Ibanez no longer offer an SR bass tih a PJ pup combo.
Why Ibanez??
I also noticed that the neck on that SR300 is thicker than on my MIJ800.

What recently caught my attention is the SR500 and SR600 series.
Of course the premium and the prestige line are attractive but I feel it's kinda crazy for me to spend
all that money on a bass I have never had the chance to play and also I mainly teach and record so it seems like overkill.

Those of you who prefer thin neck and narrow nuts, what would you recommend?
What would be a step above the SR800 when it comes to a new(er) Ibanez bass?
Are there any alternatives out there? Yamaha? Schecter?

To sum it up, I would like to spend up to 800eur and get a lighter weight bass with a thin neck and noiseless electronics.

Thank you.

 

[ardgedee]

It's a shame you sold that old SR800. Electronics in those were not good and often a preamp replacement is all that's needed to liven them up. I'm curious what you mean about gluing the bridge -- those are always screwed down, not glued.

The preamps in recent Soundgears are much better than the old days. The electronics in lower-end Soundgear models are still not as capable as the better models, but that should be expected. Some Soundgear models (like the SR300EB) have switches that let you alter the pickup wiring for more tone options.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

The new Ibanez Mode Series looks great and gets great reviews so far.
I'd totally check those out, they could be perfect, and you might find a deal in your range.
Yamaha TRBX are also great value skinny neck basses. The newer BBs do not have the thin necks you're looking for.

 

[RBC64]

Look at a schecter stealth 4. Out of all my basses it’s neck is very small but I don’t know the measurements.

 

[Bass3Ment]

It's a shame you sold that old SR800. Electronics in those were not good and often a preamp replacement is all that's needed to liven them up. I'm curious what you mean about gluing the bridge -- those are always screwed down, not glued.

The preamps in recent Soundgears are much better than the old days. The electronics in lower-end Soundgear models are still not as capable as the better models, but that should be expected. Some Soundgear models (like the SR300EB) have switches that let you alter the pickup wiring for more tone options.

Sorry I meant that the bridge had to be reinforced because the screws would not hold. I just got tired of that bass. The frets were worn and I did not wanna risk a bad ret job and invest more money into it.
What is the verdict on those SR 300 humbuckers? tnx

 

[Bass3Ment]

Look at a schecter stealth 4. Out of all my basses it’s neck is very small but I don’t know the measurements.View attachment 7501160

There one for sale in my local store. No battery in it so I kinda gave up on it. I do remember liking the neck but at that point I was thinking....I am not getting another active bass Also my Ibby was black so a change in color would be nice too.
Right after I sold my bass I was on a hunt for a P bass. But everyone I tried had a tree trunk for a neck.
Dunno, maybe a super light gauge of strings would do the trick.
Also the last time I played a P bass I felt like I missed having options ; D

 

[Zooberwerx]

It's a shame you sold that old SR800. Electronics in those were not good and often a preamp replacement is all that's needed to liven them up. I'm curious what you mean about gluing the bridge -- those are always screwed down, not glued.

The preamps in recent Soundgears are much better than the old days. The electronics in lower-end Soundgear models are still not as capable as the better models, but that should be expected. Some Soundgear models (like the SR300EB) have switches that let you alter the pickup wiring for more tone options.

True on all counts. I'm of the impression that gear on the other-side-of-the-pond is far more expensive. Nothing wrong with the budget-conscious Soundgear options AND the newer pickup / pre configs are not that bad.

Riis

 

[Aloe]

IME Warwick’s modern default profile is pretty close to Ibanez, at least on 5 strings. but the weight of those is usually substantial. it’s possible to find an ash Wette under 4 kg tho.

if weight is priority, also try a headless like Ibanez EHB.

pickups and preamp change on Ibanez basses definitely changes the sound. I own a newer Sr675 and while it doesn’t have the same pickups or pre as yours, I think, my experience would be helpful. replacing stock pre for a Bart 3-band made it much less mid-shy, and replacing BH2s with Aguilar DCBs removed the muddiness and added definition.

I didn’t play an SR300, but it has a reputation of being on aggressive side. also some folks adore the Nordstrands on newer Ibanez basses.

 

[Aloe]

The newer BBs do not have the thin necks you're looking for.

but a used bb414 could be a great find.
except for being lightweight tho, mine was 4 kg, but I’ve also seen ones almost at 5kg.

 

[Bass3Ment]

this one caught my eye

IBANEZ SR500E-BM BASS GUITAR

The SR Standard series incorporates all the staples the Ibanez brand is famous for, such as fast necks, floating terms, and high-octane distortion in a package that is available and accessible to most players.

www.bam-music.com

also the price is reduced so...
The only thing is that the color is kinda bland. I dunno why Ibanez does this. At least they can get away with crazy finishes.

What would you say is the main difference between the nordstrands and the bartolinis?

 

[Aloe]

What would you say is the main difference between the nordstrands and the bartolinis?

I’d say, barts are rounder and softer. they’re heavy at low mids and very open at high mids as well. they tend to sound not very definite, but pretty woody. example in my hands:


nordstrands are more aggressive and maybe a bit old-schoolish.

from your description it looks to me like you won’t like barts, so I’d suggest to choose between an sr300e and nords.

 

[BassicJazzy]

In terms of the requirements you stated, most of the basses are going to be active. Some like the SR300 are always active, have no passive option. The SR500 and 600 series are solid choices, if you can accept an active bass. Some people find the tone on the Ibanez Preamps not to their liking, it's really a matter of personal choice and preference. Barts are usually softer sounding than either the Ibanez PowerSpan or other p'ups you will find on the SR series, especially if they are using the Bart preamp.

You might also consider the Cort basses, very similar in weight, neck, tone. Made in same factory as the SRs. If you want to spend a little more, the Premium series SRs are still very light weight, have better necks, better fret treatments, and usually better preamps. Here's a side comparison of my SR370EF fretless (300 series) versus my SR1350B Premium, which I usually play in passive mode.

 

[Bass3Ment]

Are the 4 string humbuckers directly replaceable? Has anyone tried EMG's in their SR? tnx

 

[BassicJazzy]

Are the 4 string humbuckers directly replaceable? Has anyone tried EMG's in their SR? tnx

Some TBrs have swapped out p'ups in the SR300. You will need to search to find their posts. As I remember, had some problems fitting other p'ups, but nothing is impossible. Here's the control cavity of the SR370EF.

 

[yngwiewho1]

Are the 4 string humbuckers directly replaceable? Has anyone tried EMG's in their SR? tnx

I’ve replaced the barts in my SR with… better Barts. The USA Barts are a very different animal to the ones that come stock on most Ibanez basses. Nordstand also fit, and maybe EMG. Delano might be an option as well.

Also, you sounded like you don’t like active basses, and most EMGs are active pickups.

Most preamps on the new Ibanez basses have a switch to put them in passive mode.

 

[Aloe]

Are the 4 string humbuckers directly replaceable? Has anyone tried EMG's in their SR? tnx

for 5-stringers there's definitely a wide choice of compatible pickups. Nordstrand, Bartolini, Aguilar and EMG (the new E-series) are made in compatible size, no need to re-route. there's a guy on youtube named 'fat bass tone' that tested a lot of pickups in his sr305e, from even more manufacturers than I listed.

I believe, the 4-stringers also use a common size, but not sure if you need an EMG E5W or E4W. maybe depends on exact model you have.

the EMGs in this shape are relatively new, so no tons of demos yet. I've considered ones before settling on Aguilar DCBs tho.

 

[Wyvern]

Used ESP STREAM-1004 Natural Electric Bass Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used ESP STREAM-1004 Natural Electric Bass Guitar and get a great deal today!

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I recently got the 1005 version, these will have slightly wider necks compared to the SR which is the narrowest I know of ( 40mm vs 38)

EMG's are silent, these are set in P/J doesn't look like it but it sounds like it, incredibly punchy and clean.

Spector Performers are another option, many with P/J, necks are going to be thicker but still narrow spacing.

 

[Meaculpa]

From my own experience, the Ibanez SR design is peak in terms of ergonomics, weight, and neck profile (for me, as I said). Go get another SR, lol!

 

[Pings Bass]

SR series are great bang for the buck IMO. I'm not picky about electronics, but the preamp and split could barts in my SRF706 produce easily usable sounds.

 

[tom once dead]

If you like the thin neck of your old Ibanez nothing else will compare apart from a new Ibanez SR. I'm a massive fan of Nordstrand pickups so I would recommend the SR500N or SR600E. I've got Nordstrand pickups in my SR1206 and it sounds incredible. I like to solo the neck pickup and turn off the preamp for that P bass-esque tone.