SRSC805 on order!

[vindibona1]

I took a chance and ordered this bass today. I really agonized over it. The pickups are the Bartolini Mk I pups, the same as in my BTB675, but I expect, the Soundgear series sounding generally more "snappy" than the BTB it will be somewhat different. Will I love iit? I don't know.
I think the appeal is that the scale and spacing is just a bit smaller than my BTB675 with a 34" scale and 45mm as opposed to 35" scale and 48mm nut on my BTB.

Sweetwater got 3 units in a day or two ago and one was already sold. My rep gave me a good deal and I didn't want to lose it. The other remaining bass was just shy of 9 pounds and this one weighs about the same as my TRBX 605. I had thought about a Yamaha BB735a, but I hear those tend to be a little on the heavy side.

This top on this particular bass isn't quite as uniform as the heavier one and resonance is always something you have to compare side by side. I figure it was worth the risk of having to pay return shipping to try it out.

Fingers crossed.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I played one of these a few years ago and really liked it…a lot.

 

[vindibona1]

I played one of these a few years ago and really liked it…a lot.

Hmm... I think this one is a new model. Ibanez had a single cutaway BTB, but I think this is the first SoundGear model that is a single. I hope the finish is more durable than the SR505 which would scratch right down to the bare wood if you looked at it funny. I think Ibanez just came out with a new single cutaway BTB recently as well.

My SRSC805 looks like it is out for delivery. It's all in the hands of the FedEx guy. I have a gig tonight and I have to leave at 4:30. If he comes early enough I might be able to do a quick unboxing, quality and setup check and bring it with. That might be pushing it, but I would love to hear it in a performance. We're going out of town next week so I might not be able to play it outside of the house until near March.

 

[VegetarianBass]

Hmm... I think this one is a new model. Ibanez had a single cutaway BTB, but I think this is the first SoundGear model that is a single. I hope the finish is more durable than the SR505 which would scratch right down to the bare wood if you looked at it funny. I think Ibanez just came out with a new single cutaway BTB recently as well.

My SRSC805 looks like it is out for delivery. It's all in the hands of the FedEx guy. I have a gig tonight and I have to leave at 4:30. If he comes early enough I might be able to do a quick unboxing, quality and setup check and bring it with. That might be pushing it, but I would love to hear it in a performance. We're going out of town next week so I might not be able to play it outside of the house until near March.

The single cut SR came out in 2016. I believe when they began the “Bass Workshop” line. They do have some new finishes on the singlecut BTB this year

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Hmm... I think this one is a new model. Ibanez had a single cutaway BTB, but I think this is the first SoundGear model that is a single.

This SR “Cerro” came out in 2016. Here is the original Ibanez video for it (they used to offer an un-colored version of the Poplar burl top):

 

[vindibona1]

Well it came... and it's going back. Overall it is very nice though it has a little neck dive which seems manageable. But it's got a major hum issue like single coil on steroids. It's got Bartolini Mk I pups, the same as on my BTB675 which is absolutely silent in the same amp in the same exact playing space. All my other basses including an Ibanez Gio with a cheap Chinese preamp are silent. I tried fiddling with the knobs and settings and the only thing that stopped the hum was turning the treble down 100% and the mids down a good amount too. It had nothing to do with front, back both pickups. No matter what I tried the hum wouldn't go down to a reasonable level.

I'm a little sad. It's really cool bass and the nut width, string spacing, neck shape and overall feel are like it was all meant for my hands. But sadly not for my ears. Interestingly, it sounds very similar to my Jazz 5 with an Audere preamp.

I have to wait for my Sweetwater rep to get back to me, but it will be back at FedEx on Monday before there is any possibility of doing any damage. It's really too bad. Its a beautiful instrument, but just not meant to be .