The Soundgear Club

[Relayer71]

So this is the SR500 I saw in WHITE... pretty nice looking, I'd get this if seller was closer to me...

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[Thomas Kievit]

Another question: what string gauges would I use for a 4 stringer tuned BEAD? Would I buy a 5 string set and just omit the G string, or what?

Thanks again for the help, guys! Obviously I'm hard to please.

It's the best thing to do, if you want a 4 string bass guitar tuned BEAD. Since you will be down tuning all strings, you don't have to worry about the neck, cause the tension of the strings will decrease.

I don't know if you like Stainless Steel strings but try the X-Heavy Low Bottom 5 pack from Pyramid strings.

It has a .140 Low B, great for doing A standard. Like Drop C and such it's good as well.

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[SGD Lutherie]

There is an entire world besides the Pickups & Electronics forum

I know. See I'm even a member of a few clubs here. What I said was I didn't know there was a Soundgear club.

I'm also in the lutherie section quite a bit.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Haha yes I know that. Just teasing you

I know. See I'm even a member of a few clubs here. What I said was I didn't know there was a Soundgear club.

I'm also in the lutherie section quite a bit.

 

[Solarmist]

And I'm going to ask this question again, since it originally didn't get any responses (probably because we were all drooling over the green/blue photoshops )...

Yes - I missed the part about being "fakes".

Long question short: what is the best Ibanez for metal?

All

So, I'm thinking of picking up either a 5 or 6 string Ibanez because I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to be in my friend's metal band. They play in lower tunings like Drop B flat/C Standard etc...I don't think my four stringer (SR600) would cut it as is, and I don't want to set it up for higher gauge strings.

So, any recommendations for an Ibanez fiver? I'm looking for something on the cheaper end of the spectrum, and I'm not opposed to buying used.

I have an 08' SR405 with the EXF pickups, and a 12' SR705 with the Bart system. Aside from the different EQs - I think they sound quite similar, and the EXF 3band is not at all inferior to the Bart system. I'd say that the EXF has a bit more high end, and a little less middy, but with equal (thunderous) lows. The Bart system is a bit more clear sounding, and more powerful. Both kinds have 3band active EQs.

The SR305/375/405 have the same system (EXF) as do the SR505 & up (Bart). I wouldn't go lower than the SR305 - which is a really nice bass for the money.

 

[PDGood]

I'm also open to suggestions for another four stringer that I can setup exclusively for drop tunings (I think the lowest this band goes is A standard...God help me ).

Long question short: what is the best Ibanez for metal?

Ibanez SRXs have the slim SR neck, a very aggressive treble frequency, no mid range knob (surprisingly not needed), and are dirt cheap. They are only available used. I can't imagine drop tuning any four stringer from an E to an A so I can't speak for how that would work.

 

[teptep]

Sounds good about stripping the finish of your bass guitar. About that maple top... Well, I wouldn't do it. Thing is, it will be very expensive. Of course a luthier has to take off the paint that's on the bass and after that the luthier has to mill the front side of your bass guitar and that will take about 2 - 3 man hours (average price of a luthier is about 50 bucks). Then, the luthier has to order a piece of maple and make it fit. So that will be another 2 man hour you have to pay for. Pickups aren't cheap either and if he will install them for you, then you pay another 1 man hour...

So all with all it's about as expensive as a new bass guitar. You might as well buy a new bass.. Maybe the SR 1206e is something what you like

Haha, you got me on the SR1206. I really liked that bass but I grew to love the one I have now. Well I was thinking of those mods because I wanted to bring out the jazz bass tone in the SR 506 without having to buy another bass. I'd be glad if it's possible,

 

[Relayer71]

Ibanez SRXs have the slim SR neck, a very aggressive treble frequency, no mid range knob (surprisingly not needed), and are dirt cheap. They are only available used. I can't imagine drop tuning any four stringer from an E to an A so I can't speak for how that would work.

I thought the neck on the SRXs were a little thicker than the SRs? Or is that the BTB I'm thinking of? And you're right, they always sell for pretty cheap, been tempted a few times but something minor that shouldn't bug me, does: the way the knobs are all in a diagonal line! It just bothers me big time, heh.

 

[PDGood]

Knobs in a row? That's a new one on me.
The necks are very slender, my only complaint is that the frets don't get enough dressing being a cheaper model. But I took mine to a luthier and he rounded them down nicely for not much money.

 

[IngerAlb]

IMO SRXs don't come even remotely close to SRs. They're bulky & sound b(l)a(n)d. Why would anyone prefer a SRX over a SR is beyond me This is a bass line that should have been pulled out years ago because it's failing top to bottom. But that's just my opinion

 

[Hevy T]

I used to have an srx360. I never liked the knobs in a row either lol. Also i remember the neck being like a fender jazz in profile. I used to keep it tuned in std d to lessen the tension on the bridge because the basswood could not hold the tension from the strings. But yeah i agree that the sr is a far better quality bass

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Changing the pickups should be enough then, if you want a jazz tone Don't go for the maple top, it's a waste of your money, seriously. If you would refinish it, that would be awesome, but nothing more than that.

Haha, you got me on the SR1206. I really liked that bass but I grew to love the one I have now. Well I was thinking of those mods because I wanted to bring out the jazz bass tone in the SR 506 without having to buy another bass. I'd be glad if it's possible,

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Like I said eariler, just string it BEAD Down tuning all te way down doesn't make sence ( to me atleast )

Ibanez SRXs have the slim SR neck, a very aggressive treble frequency, no mid range knob (surprisingly not needed), and are dirt cheap. They are only available used. I can't imagine drop tuning any four stringer from an E to an A so I can't speak for how that would work.

 

[verycoolname]

I have an 08' SR405 with the EXF pickups, and a 12' SR705 with the Bart system. Aside from the different EQs - I think they sound quite similar, and the EXF 3band is not at all inferior to the Bart system. I'd say that the EXF has a bit more high end, and a little less middy, but with equal (thunderous) lows. The Bart system is a bit more clear sounding, and more powerful. Both kinds have 3band active EQs.

The SR305/375/405 have the same system (EXF) as do the SR505 & up (Bart). I wouldn't go lower than the SR305 - which is a really nice bass for the money.

Thanks for the reviews! I have the Barts on my SR600 and dig 'em, but I wouldn't say I "have to have them." So, the EXF system is not out of the question. The lowest I was thinking of going was an SR305, but I didn't want to go higher than a SR505, because I don't want to throw that kind of money at what's pretty much a side project that I'm joining to help my buddy out. I'm saving up for a car, and college, so basses are on the back burner right now (I know, blasphemy!)

Ibanez SRXs have the slim SR neck, a very aggressive treble frequency, no mid range knob (surprisingly not needed), and are dirt cheap. They are only available used. I can't imagine drop tuning any four stringer from an E to an A so I can't speak for how that would work.

Thanks, I'll look for them on the 'Bay. And someone on here (MrMusic, I think) suggested filing the nut and stringing it B-E-A-D, so I'd be able to tune a whole step down to A if needed. I have no experiences modding basses in any manner though...I know a kid whose dad's a luthier, but I don't feel like paying for that...a five string is my first choice right now.

 

[verycoolname]

Update: Looking at this online...

1990's SRX505, $375 (with free shipping). Includes a hard case...and it's black/gray, hence more metal.

And why does eBay not allow you to select "5 Strings" in their drop down menu? They have 4 and 6...

 

[Relayer71]

Update: Looking at this online...

1990's SRX505, $375 (with free shipping). Includes a hard case...and it's black/gray, hence more metal.

And why does eBay not allow you to select "5 Strings" in their drop down menu? They have 4 and 6...

That's a pretty nice finish.

 

[verycoolname]

That's a pretty nice finish.

Thanks! I'm concerned by everyone's "anti-SRX" posts above though...would an SR305 really be better quality than an SRX505? Hmmm...and I don't mind if the neck isn't "as slim" as an SR600, I just don't want it to be "chunky." The other bass I have now is a Fender Kingman, which has a 1.5 nut width and a "Jazz" taper. It's thicker than my SR600, but still very comfortable.

 

[PDGood]

I don't get anti-SRX. I think they are the best kept secret in the bass world. Oh well, this just means lower prices for me. I don't think I've paid over $199 for either of the two I own and they are my main players.

 

[Toptube]

The SRX neck is pretty nice. It serves people well who want something a bit thicker, but still not Pbass fat. While not THE SAME, It reminds me of the neck on my Fender Jaguar from the original run (the newer ones are said to have more of a standard Jazz neck, which is a little thicker.), albeit with a little flatter fretboard radius.

The other nice thing about the SRX is that if you don't end up liking the pickups, I believe they will accommodate typical EMG size/shapes. and there are a few pickup makers out there that offer pickups in that style, besides EMG. So you should have options.

 

[CoarseBass]

I've never been an SR fan... there were always a dozen cheap ones on the wall when I was learning to play and wondering around GC and local stores. As the years went by, I just kind of ignored them. I'm not a fan of how the body looks, and I like chunky necks - like my ATK.

I picked up a SR505 and a SR700 for grins at GC the other day...wow, I was blown away, especially the 700, which was set up better and had slightly more worn strings for less clank.

I still don't like the looks, and I don't dig dual humbucker basses in general, and the neck was thin...but wow. Sounded fantastic, thick, warm and bassy with a nice smooth mid range and a practical, clear high end coming out of a SVT Cl and a 410HLF. The neck was just so easy to play...intellectually I knew it was 'too thin' and if I stopped playing and felt around, it struck me as a skinny little neck in my big hands, but when I was actually playing, I completely forgot about the neck except to marvel at how easy it was to get around and find any note on the fretboard. The raw jatoba felt great, kind of waxy and slightly lubricitous while still having a raw and subtle grain feel to it...reminded me of the ovangkol in my Warwick.

Fit an finish were flawless...better than any bass I currently own, including a German Warwick Corvette Standard 5. The Corvette has a seem you can see and feel where the neck pieces are joined between the 1st and 6th fret...no such imperfections on the Ibanez.

The SR700 is calling me. I don't need it, I need to get a pay check and buy a Little Bastard first, but...I want it. Makes me really want to try the Premium and Prestige models, or a new BTB...I owned a first gen BTB, it was kind of a dud, but these SRs got me thinking...