I been side by side compare both rosewood board iron pewter vs jotoba board weather black at GC. I can't hear tone different from both like 2008 MIK SR505 Vs MIK SR705, but the weather black is lighter.
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The Soundgear Club
- Thread starter THE DANiMAL
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I been side by side compare both rosewood board iron pewter vs jotoba board weather black at GC. I can't hear tone different from both like 2008 MIK SR505 Vs MIK SR705, but the weather black is lighter.
I been side by side compare both rosewood board iron pewter vs jotoba board weather black at GC. I can't hear tone different from both like 2008 MIK SR505 Vs MIK SR705, but the weather black is lighter.
The SR500 also has a Mahogany body so they're basically the same bass other than the electronics/cosmetics, and it looks like the same type stained finish - also on the former SR600 (Ash body). Both Ash, and Mahogany are very close in density, but I prefer Ash because it has much nicer looking wood grain ... not sure if it has any bearing on the sound, but I think having a stained body rather than glossed does. My Sr600 weights in at 7.5 lbs, and I really like the light weight with all the problems I've got with my left arm. The one bass I'll never part with.
So I'm looking for a "beater bass". I'm looking at used SR500s because they seem to be the most bang for the buck. Has anyone noticed a difference between the Korean models and the Indonesian models? I know that the Korean models don't have the mid-freq switch, nor the scooped out neck pocket. Other than that, do they feel, play, and sound pretty much the same?
The ones with the mid freq switch most likely have the new preamp.
I strongly encourage you to look for that new preamp. I don't know when it was introduced, but it's way way better than the older MK1 preamp.
I strongly encourage you to look for that new preamp. I don't know when it was introduced, but it's way way better than the older MK1 preamp.
best bang for the buck are 1988-2003 SR800 which can always be found at guitar center used online for under $250-300
Yes, the 2010 models like Hypercarrots said. I've got the 2-way on my SR600/SR705, but I'm not sure what year (15' ?) they started using the 3-way on the standard models. I like the 2-way better because to me - the 700Hz is just a bit too middy sounding, and I switch between the 250/600Hz settings depending on which pedals I'm using.
I have no issue with the "old" preamps, and really can't tell a difference between the new ones. But maybe that's just me.
Hey, thanks to EVERYONE on their opinions of the Korean or Indonesian SR500s. I truly value you guys (and gals if present) for your views and why you think as you do. I didn't doubt that either SR500 was a "bad" bass. They just show, as is typical for Ibanez, progression. I looked at a number of them on the GC website and, truth be told, most had chewed up fronts, the Achilles' Heel of these models if there ever was one. These ran about $350 plus tax and shipping ($400 all in for me). All of them were, as far as I could tell, the newer Indonesian version with the freq switch. New is about $600 and I didn't want to spend that for a beater. But then I found a guy local on CL that was willing to sell me his MiK SR500 for 3 clams and I couldn't resist. It is a 2007 model but has no finish wear (a miracle), and no fret or fingerboard wear. Almost pristine except for a missing battery cover, which I used my Dremmel tool, drill, and some hard, black plastic to create. It also came with a new Road Runner gigbag, so I think I did good on this beater. Thanks again, all!
Okay, so I know how you Clubbers are: "No pictures, it didn't happen!" Here's my beater with new strings, setup, and a little Howard's Feed N' Wax. $300, Hypercarrots. Yeah, turd brown, but I like it anyway!
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just my opinion, but I think the older pre-amp sounds pretty good, just a bit noisy.
2000 SR-405
2000 SR-405
I have to say guys, all the preamps, going from low to high end prestige models, they ALL take out a lot harmonics and low end.
I'll explain:
I have prestige since a few months, and sure it sounds great out of the box.
But, I had a feeling that the pickups were kind of better than it sounded, even when the preamp off.
So I took it to my local luthier and he explained me that even in passive mode, the sound still goes through that little printed circuit. And that's the problem, it take out a lot of frequencies given by the pickups!
So I asked him to take everything out, and put a simple passive circuit, volume, blend and tone.
And daaaaaamn the sound is really really better!
I have more harmonics, more bass, more definition, and most importantly more dynamics!
It just mind blowed my away, I was a bit uncomfortable for a moment even...
Though it's undeniable the output volume is lower than an active, it doesn't matter at all when you have good amp.
Now I can't wait to do the same to the premium to hear the real sound of the nordstrand pickups!
Have you guys already thought of doing this? Or done it?
Keep it groovin'
I'll explain:
I have prestige since a few months, and sure it sounds great out of the box.
But, I had a feeling that the pickups were kind of better than it sounded, even when the preamp off.
So I took it to my local luthier and he explained me that even in passive mode, the sound still goes through that little printed circuit. And that's the problem, it take out a lot of frequencies given by the pickups!
So I asked him to take everything out, and put a simple passive circuit, volume, blend and tone.
And daaaaaamn the sound is really really better!
I have more harmonics, more bass, more definition, and most importantly more dynamics!
It just mind blowed my away, I was a bit uncomfortable for a moment even...
Though it's undeniable the output volume is lower than an active, it doesn't matter at all when you have good amp.
Now I can't wait to do the same to the premium to hear the real sound of the nordstrand pickups!
Have you guys already thought of doing this? Or done it?
Keep it groovin'
Well, I have a Korean 2004 SR905, with the MK1 pickups and electronics.
I always thought the lows were kinda muddy, and the highs were harsh.
There are probably a dozen threads here that describe pretty much the same. Of course, there are people that don't see or hear a problem. This is all a matter of taste after all.
Anyway, I ended up replacing the MK1 preamp with one that was taken from a Cerro, and I'm very pleased with the results.
No more muddy lows, no more harsh highs.
I assume what's in the Cerro is the same that goes into the majority of the Soundgears (at least the EQ options are the same).
In my opinion, the new Ibanez 3 band preamp sounds better than the MK1 pre. I agree with Fatfunk in that the bass control is muddy and the highs sound artificial. The newer pre sounds higher quality than its predecessor...I would think that is one of the reasons why Ibanez has moved away from the MK1....better sound
