Need a new feeling [Ibanez SR485 (basically a 405)]

[my_mud]

Hey, I've had this bass for about 2 years now and its treated me well. Its my main squeeze and I've appreciated it but I don't always feel super in love with how it sounds.
It is my ugly hunk and I believe it regards me as the same.

It has a grounding issue so its a good excuse to rip it apart, I'd like to swap the preamp and pickups. The bass is all original and has the soap bar pickups. Even when I have new strings, it sounds kind of dead, dull and hollow.

I'd like to add an active/passive switch or go passive only.

The pickups I was looking at were the g&l ones or seymour duncan (they're local to me so that would be cool) and maybe the darkglass tone capsule preamp.
I'd like some more recommendations and thoughts on how to liven it up and let me know if more information would help!!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Not a big fan of those pickups either, I'd say either swap would be a positive one....I'd also go with swapping out the preamp too, as those are a notorious tonal bottleneck for Ibanez basses.

EMGs are a pretty solid option and I believe the EMG40 size should fit (having trouble finding the DX5 dimensions at the moment). You can get J, P, and Dual Coil configs in the same size housing as well. They're also dead quiet. Nordstrands are in higher-end Ibanez basses and would work great too.

I only say that because I don't have much experience with the G&L or SD pickups, but they could be great as well.

 

[my_mud]

Ok super sick, I'll listen to the EMGs today! Would be very nice if they fit well lol

 

[crazycloud]

The bass is all original and has the soap bar pickups.

What are the dimensions of the PUs? Soapbar is a generic name for a shape, and there are a lot of sizes for them - see here. When the readers know what specific size they are, then others can be recommended. Unless you're willing to rout for a new shape.

 

[funkinbottom]

I'd like some more recommendations and thoughts

I would probably go with Bartolini PU's and a John East preamp.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Hey, I've had this bass for about 2 years now and its treated me well. Its my main squeeze and I've appreciated it but I don't always feel super in love with how it sounds.
It is my ugly hunk and I believe it regards me as the same.

It has a grounding issue so its a good excuse to rip it apart, I'd like to swap the preamp and pickups. The bass is all original and has the soap bar pickups. Even when I have new strings, it sounds kind of dead, dull and hollow.

I'd like to add an active/passive switch or go passive only.

The pickups I was looking at were the g&l ones or seymour duncan (they're local to me so that would be cool) and maybe the darkglass tone capsule preamp.
I'd like some more recommendations and thoughts on how to liven it up and let me know if more information would help!!

EMGs and the EMG Preamp are a pretty commonly used alternative, even some of the higher level SRs use that configuration. Unless your present p'ups are something unusual for Ibanez, the EMGs should fit.