The Soundgear Club

[wolfkeller]

Hey guys whats up! I've been a long time Thunderbird player and I'm board. Live on stage i play Thunderbirds and sometimes fender P&J's. I've owned several spectors and Warwicks. So, my first bass was a SR300 lefty. I got it new in 97 cuz it was the only one either MF or AMS had lefty. I learned everything on that bass, it was my only bass for a good 15 years. It has had every kind/brand of strings and gauge. It's been in standard and A tuning. It had DiMarzio P/j for years. One day I stripped it and painted it flat black, new hardware and emgs. I actually painted inlays on. So, all these years later I picked it up, still sounds better than my "fancy" basses. Still plays perfect and it's just awesome. So much so, I'm looking around for an old 400 or 800, even fretless if I find. Awesome basses period. I will say, I do not like the sleeker modern bodies and I'm not at all a fan of soap bar pickups hence my looking for an old one.

 

[Bobster]

Wolfkeller,

Just as an fyi, the SR65X and SR75X basses currently in production, have a licensed Nordstrand reverse P/J pickup set. Also, there are frequently used SR400 AND SR800 basses on the Guitar Center website.

Best of luck with your search,

Bob

 

[wolfkeller]

Wolfkeller,

Just as an fyi, the SR65X and SR75X basses currently in production, have a licensed Nordstrand reverse P/J pickup set. Also, there are frequently used SR400 AND SR800 basses on the Guitar Center website.

Best of luck with your search,

Bob

Not lefty and thanks, I'll keep my eyes open. Spotted a 400 on reverb and a fretless 300 (for the neck) too.

 

[edumerino]

I also want to have the arsenal to cover 'acoustic and upright' scenario though I'm not an upright player. I thought the SR Portamento was 'it', cause with some dialling of the magnetics and piezo knobs, the Portamento can produce upright like tone. But it's still lacking of something. Even after changing the strings to nylon tapewound and swapping the stock licensed Bartolini magnetic pickups with USA Bartolinis, I still feel that there's something missing.

After watching the Ibanez official video of the SR Aerium, I'm sold, this should be 'it'. Although, for me personally, there's still problem. I haven't been 4 string player since... maybe... like 25 years ago. Sure the Aerium is available also in 5 string model, but for us who live outside America, it seems that Ibanez isn't selling this option. And... bummer for me that those Aeriums are actually being made in the same country (and even in the same island) where I live.

Hey, just knock on the Factorys door and try to buy one! Come on! hehe
Well, here in Brazil is even worse... The Premium line is coming here, but Prestige and Worskshop is something that you basicly can´t see in stores (street or online). I had to import my SR 5000e back in 2013 and I think I´ll have to do it wth the Aerium as well. So, maybe with an international dealer you should found it in the 5 string version.

 

[Achille]

Surely nobody can deny that Ibanez is the most innovative brand out there, others keep making the same bass over and over for 50 years with very little changes and every year try to sell the "new" model which is identical to the one of the year before

 

[Aidil]

Hey, just knock on the Factorys door and try to buy one! Come on! hehe
Well, here in Brazil is even worse... The Premium line is coming here, but Prestige and Worskshop is something that you basicly can´t see in stores (street or online). I had to import my SR 5000e back in 2013 and I think I´ll have to do it wth the Aerium as well. So, maybe with an international dealer you should found it in the 5 string version.

For me, in a way, I don't have much problem with ordering any Ibanez products. The BTB7 that I've got was also never been displayed in any local stores. Lucky for me local dealer always willing to communicate with local distributor to make specific model purchase, but... as long as it is marked as available to order (in this case, usually what goes to the Asia Catalog). So in case of the Aerium, I might not be able to get the 5 sring Aerium since they are not in the current Asia catalog. Only the 4 strings available. I can only hope the principal of Ibanez would include them in the following years.

Regarding international order... I do it occasionally, but never for buying guitar or other heavy weight products, cause the shipping cost would likely make the total price worst. Not to mention import duties that I have to pay... And kinda silly for me to purchase Indonesian made Ibanez from USA seller and shipping back it to Indonesia.

Surely nobody can deny that Ibanez is the most innovative brand out there, others keep making the same bass over and over for 50 years with very little changes and every year try to sell the "new" model which is identical to the one of the year before

This is why I've never been interested in, sorry to say, Fender (bass) guitars. But when Ibanez makes the ATK or the Talman, which kinda resembles Fender's, don't know why I like them.

 

[yakmastermax]

Okay, the hunt for a 5 string continues.

I went to GC today and played an SR1305 and an SR655. Both necks and bodies felt fine, but the electronics and pickups in the SR1305 were clearly above and beyond the SR655. I'm a little skeptical that the SR655 truly has a Nordy big single near the bridge, but maybe it is just the difference in preamp. The SR1305 sounded miles ahead of the SR655. The SR655 sounded like a cheap toy in comparison, no offense to anyone that has the SR655, since the SR1305 is basically double the price. I've got an SR1400E right now 4 string, and I just don't see myself playing the SR655 because it simply doesn't have the fullness and character of tone that the higher end SR bass has.

The salesperson at GC was quick to say I should bring in my SR1400, trade it in, and buy a new SR1305 or SR1405, but I'm hesitant to let go of my 4 stringer (I've never had a fiver before), and I also am sure they'll give me about $300 less than I could sell the bass for on craigslist.

Anyway, I'm still looking for a 5 string, and I want to sound as close as possible to my SR1400.

Any idea if they're going to make this color in the 5 string SR1405?
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Also does anyone know if Ibanez is going to keep the hard gloss finish on the higher end SR series? I really like the increased durability as my SR1400 in flat red has some wear marks and nail marks.

Also does anyone know approximately what time of year last years model basses start going on sale? I bought my SR1400 for around $800-$900 brand new, almost $300 below the normal sale price when it was first released, simply because it was the previous model year and retailers are trying to make space.

 

[Bobster]

yakmastermax,

The SR1305 has a US manufactured Big Single. The SR65X and 75X series have licensed Nordstrands manufactured outside the US with Cary's involvement and approval.

Can you give more specifics on the sound issues you had with the SR655? Was it noise, or something else? Also, did you try bypassing the preamp and using the 655's passive tone control (treble pot)? That should plainly let you know if you don't like the pickups or preamp.

I've got both an SR650 and an SR756 and when I received the 756 it made a lot of noise. I quickly discovered someone at the factory had forgotten to install the bridge ground wire (which the 650 had). A little solder, and short piece of wire later, and the 756 sounded great (at least to me).

All the best

Bob

 

[yakmastermax]

yakmastermax,

Can you give more specifics on the sound issues you had with the SR655? Was it noise, or something else? Also, did you try bypassing the preamp and using the 655's passive tone control (treble pot)? That should plainly let you know if you don't like the pickups or preamp.

Bob

I didn't have any particular issues with the SR655, it just didn't sound as good as the SR1305. I was hoping to find a 5 string with the same tone as my SR1400 but it is proving difficult.
The SR655 sounded thin and underdeveloped in comparison to the SR1400. It didn't have the same breadth of harmonics, and not nearly the same fullness. Both basses were in active mode with the 3 bands set flat.

I'm shopping around for an SR1405 right now, and I guess I may just have to sell my 4 string to afford it. I'm a college student and simply can't afford to have multiple $1k basses.
I like the new SR1405s as they have this nice gloss finish, but I'm not a fan of the grey or white colors. That mojito green color for the SR1400 is awesome, but it doesn't look like the SR1405 comes in that color. The previous years SR1405s came in the red and blue, and I might get a blue, but I'm still smarting from the nail marks and "polishing" wear that my red SR1400 developed after maybe 1 month of play.

Waiting to hear back from some Denver area luthiers about a possible spray finish. Otherwise I guess I might consider putting a poly coat on it myself.

 

[Bobster]

Well, a Nordstrand P is definitely going to have a different sound than a Big Single. But I would think it would be darker and rounder, rather than thin, so not sure what to say there...

I understand about the finish issues, I had an SR1400 with the violin finish and if you looked at it, it made a mark. SR500's have the same issue.

Best of luck w/your search!

 

[mstraus]

I'm shopping around for an SR1405 right now, and I guess I may just have to sell my 4 string to afford it. I'm a college student and simply can't afford to have multiple $1k basses.
I like the new SR1405s as they have this nice gloss finish, but I'm not a fan of the grey or white colors. That mojito green color for the SR1400 is awesome, but it doesn't look like the SR1405 comes in that color. The previous years SR1405s came in the red and blue, and I might get a blue, but I'm still smarting from the nail marks and "polishing" wear that my red SR1400 developed after maybe 1 month of play.

Waiting to hear back from some Denver area luthiers about a possible spray finish. Otherwise I guess I might consider putting a poly coat on it myself.

I was thinking the same thing , was going between a 1305 and a 1405, but then I saw a 1405 in real life (a red one, maybe a2014) and the finish is nowhere near as glossy as it looks in most pics, so I went with a Sweetwater special 1305 with the black hardware. Should be here early April.

I also was thinking about refinishing it,aybe adding a slight tint so it doesn't look like wood straight off the shelf from Lowe's. let me know if you end up doing it.

 

[Bobster]

.BumeStik,

Wanted to let you know I picked up a 2016 SR405EQMTGB in the Transparent Gray Burst. The quilted maple top makes it sound a little brighter than my SR406's with the claro walnut top. But both still have a very wide range on tones. So it depends on what you prefer.

All the best,

Bob

 

[kesslari]

I just picked up a demo model SR655. I'm really looking forward to getting it.
<edit> I must *really* be looking forward to it. Not due until Tues and I've checked the UPS tracking page 2x already today.
She's made it to Texas! Halfway, baby!!

 

[MichaelT]

An Ibanez was my first decent bass. It was passed down to me from my mom's boyfriend when I was a teenager. I believe it was a RD series (yellow), played great, fast neck, low action. It was so much better than the $150 beginner bass I had. Something ended up breaking down with the RD bass and it had no output. Shortly after, kinda as a gift, I got a SR305DX (in silver) as my first active, 5 string bass and thought it was more my style. I sold the RD to a friend and had the SR as my main for 15 years. Just recently I bought a new SR505 (2016) and fell in love with the amazing playability, beautiful woods and great tone. I love the look and feel of the wood grain on the 5pc Jatoba/Bubinga neck.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Just recently I bought a new SR505 (2016) and fell in love with the amazing playability, beautiful woods and great tone. I love the look and feel of the wood grain on the 5pc Jatoba/Bubinga neck.

Nice! The 505 is my everyday workhorse. I got one about five years ago. Mainly for the light weight and the super playable neck.

 

[kesslari]

The SR655 arrived today. Nice instrument! It's got a bit of fret sprout but I'll take care of that. I'm going to let her acclimate for a day or three before I see if a setup is needed.

 

[Bobster]

Very nice!

 

[MichaelT]

Nice! The 505 is my everyday workhorse. I got one about five years ago. Mainly for the light weight and the super playable neck.

The 505 is the lightest bass I ever picked up, and I thought my old bass, SR305DX, was lightweight. Definitely a huge plus. I love the playability of the SR505 so much that I decided to put some money into it and soup it up. I put the replacement USA Bartolini pickups and preamp with active/passive push/pull volume knob switch. I'm also getting Hipshot ultralite tuners, matte black and some black plastic or rubber knobs to match. It already feels like a bass that cost twice what I paid ($1000), with all the mods it will feel like a $3000 instrument. Great value

 

[hypercarrots]

The 505 is the lightest bass I ever picked up, and I thought my old bass, SR305DX was lightweight. Definitely a huge plus. I love the playability of the SR505 so much that I decided to put some money into it and soup it up. I put the replacement USA Bartolini pickups and preamp with active/passive push/pull volume knob switch. I'm also getting Hipshot ultralite tuners, matte black and some black plastic or rubber knobs to match. It already feels like a bass that cost twice what I paid ($1000), with all the mods it will feel like a $3000 instrument. Great value

Be sure to share pics when you're done

 

[scottfeldstein]

I love the playability of the SR505 so much that I decided to put some money into it and soup it up.

I'm interested. For all the things I don't like about it, I love the light weight and the playability. I would put money into it, too, if I thought I could improve it. Share your results!