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The Soundgear Club

#4,521
I just got this bass today but won't be able to have some real time with it until mid-week. Here are some initial thoughts:

1. Very well made. Looked over the entire instrument and the quality is very nice!
2. B string feels and sounds great.
3. Not too heavy...I'd say it's just over 9 pounds (comparing it to my Fodera).
4. Sweetwater did a nice setup but I was able to tweak it to my liking. The action is low but all notes ring clear.
5. The top and headstock veneer are stunning! Again, Sweetwater listened to my request for an outstanding top and they delivered.
6. Not a fan of Elixers...
7. REALLY digging the 18mm spacing. I prefer 19mm but this is definitely manageable. Much better than the standard SR 5 string spacing (at least for me).
8. I won't be able to plug it in until mid-week (bummer).

I'm really loving it so far. Here she is just lounging on my couch:

34B8445A-264E-4E34-A666-5C722BC07BBE_zpsfm9knk1r.jpg
 
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#4,523
I have to admit, I've never been a fan of "singlecut" basses-- but the more I look at that, the more it "grows" on me. I'm starting to shop around for a 5-string, was considering the BTB 1400 series, but they got discontinued, and the BTB 1600's aren't exactly inexpensive. I took a look at that new SR Singlecut on Sweetwater, and it looks like a real bargain. That it has an 18mm string spacing instead of the usual SR series' 16.5mm spacing is also a major selling point for me...

The pickups are Bartolini, correct? Let us know how she sounds!
 
#4,525
I am pretty sure I already posted in this thread and got a number, although I forgot and can't seem to find my original post.

Anyway here's a picture of my visually upgraded Ibanez Sound Gear Mikro (the Om sign is a bit smeared out, due to the fact I used a normal "permanent" marker which seemingly couldn't handle my sweat and rubbing from my right wrist. The plan is to remove it with some alcohol that wont damage the paint and then draw it up again, this time applying a thin layer of varnish to avoid it smearing out)

As soon as I get my pay the 1st of March I am planing to upgrade the pickups too with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds.

So, here it is:

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#4,526
my Ibanez 505ZW - although I've read a lot of mixed reviews on this bass, especially over the imported Bartolini MK-1 and preamp as not being too good.. I must say, this is a great sounding bass, I have it now strung with Dean Markley Flats, and I still love this bass - it was a present from my wife..
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bass 2.jpg
 
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#4,532
Kinda late to the game but i'm new to Ibanez but love the two i have know. a gio soundgear mikro short scale. for the cost imho best in it's class. and i have a SDGR soundgear SR500
love the neck on it for sure. and it sounds really good.with the new NYXL strings on it.
 
#4,533
My SR535. This bass actually has a weird history to it. I bought it back around 2008. I lost my job shortly after, and was a broke college student, so I hocked it to a nearby pawn shop to get a few bucks to pay the bills. I ultimately wound up losing it to them. Just last week, my brother wanted to buy me a bass as a birthday gift, admittedly, I was wanting a 5 string jazz bass again, so we started looking to see what the pawn shops might have. When we got to the place I lost the 535 to, I saw it hanging on the wall, so we went back to my house and dug up the original receipt for the bass, and went back. Turned out it's the exact same one I lost to them, so my brother said "it's meant to be you own this one." So he bought it for me. The pawn shop owner was pretty cool about it too. Only charged the original price of the loan, and 2 months interest.
 

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#4,534
Ok, so I got a chance today to plug in my new Ibanez Cerro 5. I'm playing through a GK MB Fusion 800 head through a GK NEO 2-12. Gave it an honest listen for the last hour:

1. I'm REALLY satisfied with the sound - Ibanez got it right! I'm pretty sure it has mostly to do with the preamp they're using (more on that below).
2. I'm now not sure that that MK-1's are all that bad - now this for me was tough to admit. The MK-1's in my SR650 sound so bad, almost plastic sounding. And it's not something I can dial out with the stock EQ. BUT, in this bass, the MK-1's sound pretty darn good. I remember reading here on TB that on some of the older SR models the Neck and Bridge PUPs were swapped, so that may add to the horrible sound I get on the 650. BUT, the sound from the MK-1's in the Cerro are very nice - even across the strings and none of that fake sounding top and bottom end. The passive sound with the tone rolled off slightly is growing into my go-to sound on this.....so, I won't be looking to replace these anytime soon.
3. I'm loving the preamp - very versatile, tons of sounds, and organic sounding. NOTHING like the older MK-1 preamp! The mid switch is a nice touch. Right now, I cut the Treble slightly, boost the Lows and the Mids slightly with the Mid switch in the bottom position....for me, this is a VERY satisfying sound.

I'll be using this for my next gig (on the 5th), so more to come....
 
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#4,538
Herrick said:
I bought a new SR655 on eBay for $585 shipped. It's being sold by a music store. Does anyone know if these come with a gig bag?

The price was low because the box is damaged but the bass itself is supposed to be in mint condition.
Click to expand...
bogie1519 said:
I doubt it will come with a Gig Bag. Hope it does enjoy.....
Click to expand...
Yep, only Premium lines come with gig bags (and Prestige lines come with hard shell cases). SR655 is a Standard SR.
 
#4,539
Thanks guys. I'll order a gig bag then. Any recommendations for a decent one under $50? I don't intend to take the bass anywhere. When I'm not playing it, it's just gonna stand between my amp and the wall where it will be out of the way.

Edit: I ordered a Gator gig bag.
 
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