I have an early 90s Ibanez SR800 as my second backup bass. To be honest, I never use it. I dont want to sell it since its not worth much anymore, and also because its nice to have a backup for just in case. So I have thought cleaning it up, putting new knobs, tuners, bridge, and pickups on it. Does anyone having any suggestions for pickups? The bass is made out of basswood and it has a rosewood fretboard. It currently has the original regulated lo-z Ibanez pickups. I would like to stay in a low price range. Any input is appreciated.
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New Pickups for Ibanez SR800
- Thread starter bkk130
- Start date
I have an sr400 with EMG PJ active pickups and EMG BQC system(active pre-amp). I replaced all electronics and pickups and the bass sounds awesome. The low end does not "fart" anymore like it did with the factory electronics and pickups. I am also running 18v setup. For about $230 for everything I think its well worth it! I forgot to mention that my bass has a ton of "balls" to it now.
My early 90's SR800 has one Bartolini and one Carvin pup. It looks like the battery was added to the electronics compartment (The bass was not active to start with?). I'm looking to start fresh as well. This is my drop tuning heavier rock bass.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
Interesting....I opened up the back panel of my bass at lunch today and really looked over where the wires were going. The pups are not active. All the pots, except the volume, have mini boards attached. The battery runs to each pot. I have an active eq system, not active pups.
How much do I gain with active EQ? Would I be better off replacing the tone pots with originals?
How much do I gain with active EQ? Would I be better off replacing the tone pots with originals?
Your electronics might be original, based on your description. The Bart and Carvin pickups might not be active, but the original pickups were. Here's a pic of an original SR800 control cavity/preamp:
I also have a early '90 SR800 and I was thinking of replacing the pickups. I have two questions:
1) What's the actual size of the Ibanez bridge pickup: like a standard j-bass bridge or neck pickup? I found different opinions on this; I also tried measure it and it seems smaller than the standard j-bass bridge pickup. I guess you guys who replaced the pickups know it for sure.
2) Anyone tried to keep the original active Ibanez pickups and got rid of the Ibanez electronics switching to a passive setting?
1) What's the actual size of the Ibanez bridge pickup: like a standard j-bass bridge or neck pickup? I found different opinions on this; I also tried measure it and it seems smaller than the standard j-bass bridge pickup. I guess you guys who replaced the pickups know it for sure.
2) Anyone tried to keep the original active Ibanez pickups and got rid of the Ibanez electronics switching to a passive setting?
I've got all passive Di'marzio Modal P/J pups in my SR950, which is basically the same bass as the SR800 but with an ash body, ebony fingerboared. Sounds absolutely killer! Just make sure to really lower the P pups compared to the J pup to get some nice balance. Oh and no battery needed!
I was told at a local shop that lots of guys are replacing active with passive. You wouldn't know it from all the new active stuff for sale. 9 volts isn't good enough. It's all 18 now.
Your electronics might be original, based on your description. The Bart and Carvin pickups might not be active, but the original pickups were.
QUOTE]
Have I learned a bunch in the past 2 months!
Got my bass back yesterday after having the whole harness replaced with a Bartolini HR-4.5. The bass sounds fantastic. There was clearly something wrong before. With the prior eq, the tone controls seemed to only roll off frequencies, they didn't boost. The range of adjustment now is huge. I can clearly distinguish the tonal qualities between the P and the J pups. Before, going from the P to the J was more like rolling off some highs but it didn't change the character or feeling of the tone. The volume is now 10db louder. I can turn off the 10db+ switch on my SansAmp. The new harness can do 18v but I can only fit one battery in the cavity.
My guy said the chips were fried on the original tone pots caused by heat/carless soldering when the J pup was replaced and the switch was added. That was the first clue. Removing your guitar cord from the jack IS the switch. No switch is needed.
Harness: Bartolini HR-4.5
P Pup: Bartolini 8S
J Pup: Carvin J99
9v
I'm in love
Stock? You have active (AFR) pups and active eq. My 92 only had active eq.
I think you will like the Bartolini pups and you can hear them by playing a number of the new Ibanez basses. Take a look at the Ibanez specs. You may be able to hear exactly what they will sound like in your bass. You don't often get to do that.
I think you will like the Bartolini pups and you can hear them by playing a number of the new Ibanez basses. Take a look at the Ibanez specs. You may be able to hear exactly what they will sound like in your bass. You don't often get to do that.
i actually love the sr500 bass i was amazed at how killer it sounded imo..... very close to my sr-800 i have some basses ive put together not too long ago, a jazz bass with barts in it and an MEC preamp in it from a warwick that sounds pretty good, but i always go back to the sr800.... i also own a gibson les paul bass,epiphone thunderbird that im installing a preamp in it few options on that squier p bass with barts in it another p-bass with emg's in it ...jaguar too.....i want to get a hold of a sr800 preamp to install in a future project prob squier special
Old thread.
I gutted my SR800's and put in an Audere Classic 4-band preamps and Bartlolini pickups... BARK BARK!
I gutted my SR800's and put in an Audere Classic 4-band preamps and Bartlolini pickups... BARK BARK!
Yeah, I hear ya-
I prefer a little dog (serious) growl, big dog (don't mess) growl, or gator talk to 'barks',
Just my pref...
I prefer a little dog (serious) growl, big dog (don't mess) growl, or gator talk to 'barks',
Just my pref...
I realize this is an old thread but if any SR800 owners are still out there I'd appreciate any insight into this question. I've got an early 90s SR800 with the "regulated lo-z" pups. Is it possible to remove the electronics and just run them as 100% passive? I find references to doing this but they're all a bit vague.
