The Soundgear Club

[Clark W]

Well I now own two Soundgear basses, the first was my 2018 SR400EQM I bought new last August. The 2nd is a 2012 SRX2EX2(ser # I120622047) that I picked up today for $150 at a pawn shop. I borrowed an allen wrench from them, fixed two loose knobs and then said 150 and it's sold, they wanted 199. They tried 160, then 155, but I stuck to my guns. Told her I don't need another bass, but for 150 I'll buy another bass, especially one I just fixed for you

Is it a steal? Probably not, I found some going for 169 plus 40 shipping, and some for 300 with free shipping online. But for 150 and it's ready to play, like it will get gigged at a bar gig tonight. Already practiced with it for an hour getting my tone dialed in and just having fun. The 2 band EQ actually seems easier to dial in than the 3 band EQ on my other Ibby. The body on the 2012 is a tad thicker than the 2018 model. And the action doesn't seem like it will need any tweaking, actually better than my 2018 Ibby so I'm going to have to work on that one and get the action a little lower. But to be fair the 2018 model has been gigged every week since August, hot, cold, dry, wet, it's time for a new set of strings and some adjustments for that one.

 

[xbud]

Well I now own two Soundgear basses, the first was my 2018 SR400EQM I bought new last August. The 2nd is a 2012 SRX2EX2(ser # I120622047) that I picked up today for $150 at a pawn shop. I borrowed an allen wrench from them, fixed two loose knobs and then said 150 and it's sold, they wanted 199. They tried 160, then 155, but I stuck to my guns. Told her I don't need another bass, but for 150 I'll buy another bass, especially one I just fixed for you

Is it a steal? Probably not, I found some going for 169 plus 40 shipping, and some for 300 with free shipping online. But for 150 and it's ready to play, like it will get gigged at a bar gig tonight. Already practiced with it for an hour getting my tone dialed in and just having fun. The 2 band EQ actually seems easier to dial in than the 3 band EQ on my other Ibby. The body on the 2012 is a tad thicker than the 2018 model. And the action doesn't seem like it will need any tweaking, actually better than my 2018 Ibby so I'm going to have to work on that one and get the action a little lower. But to be fair the 2018 model has been gigged every week since August, hot, cold, dry, wet, it's time for a new set of strings and some adjustments for that one.

View attachment 3408427 View attachment 3408428 View attachment 3408429 View attachment 3408430 View attachment 3408426

I always wanted an SRX, I think you got a great deal....Those pickups have always sounded great to me

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Half of the output volume of the SRX comes from the pre-amp, which IIRC is attached directly to the bass-cut pot.

I used to have a BTB300 with the same pickups that was even louder, the pre-amp was really bumped up on that one:

 

[lesliegl]

I have a 87 sr800 that I received recently. It's a fantastic instrument, although ive not spent too much time with it yet.
I had a sr500 (Indonesia made) loved its playability, brilliant neck and I don't even mind the finish. However the tone was a bit bland/sterile for me.

The sr800 is imo better in every way and despite being a fairly old bass, its has zero issues. Quality of construction and parts are top notch.

I have really wanted a sr premium model, various ones over the recent years. For some reason never bought one, even when I've had the cash. I also really like the split p nordstrand equipped sr600.
I've noted that any sr model improves my playing even the sr300 feels good.
It's not just the thin neck it's the body ergonomics too.
Sr basses are too underrated in general.

I have a '87 SR800 as well...one thing is that the Basswood body is very soft...easily dented..one thing to look out for

Leslie

 

[Bubbascuba]

I have a 87 sr800 that I received recently. It's a fantastic instrument, although ive not spent too much time with it yet.
I had a sr500 (Indonesia made) loved its playability, brilliant neck and I don't even mind the finish. However the tone was a bit bland/sterile for me.

The sr800 is imo better in every way and despite being a fairly old bass, its has zero issues. Quality of construction and parts are top notch.

I have really wanted a sr premium model, various ones over the recent years. For some reason never bought one, even when I've had the cash. I also really like the split p nordstrand equipped sr600.
I've noted that any sr model improves my playing even the sr300 feels good.
It's not just the thin neck it's the body ergonomics too.
Sr basses are too underrated in general.

I had an '87 SR800 in candy apple red. It was the first Ibanez I'd ever bought and I have purchased many since. I switched out the pickups for EMGs. I loved that bass. Wish I still had it but I dont..

 

[Clark W]

I always wanted an SRX, I think you got a great deal....Those pickups have always sounded great to me

I think you may be right on that great deal.

I gigged it last night. Swapped back and forth between it and my '85 Epiphone "P Bass" copy that I recently bought ($65) and had just finished installing all new pups (EMG), wiring harness, pots, knobs and output jack in it the day before. Still have some neck / saddle adjustments to make on the '85 Epi, but the SRX didn't need a thing done to it even though I'm tempted to put a set of flats on it since my SR400 has rounds.

Out of curiosity about the SRX, I went looking around online some more and found...

SRX2EX2 (Parts only)

• Bare body, no hardware, no electronics - $159.99
• Neck, no tuners - $199.99
• 1 Pickup - $59.99
• Truss rod cover - $39.99
• Battery compartment - $59.99
• Tuners - $9.99 each for D & G string side and $11.99 each for E & A string side

Then I found a complete, beat to hell, Invalid Link Removed.

• No knobs, just the pot shafts sticking out.
• Not just dings, missing chunks in the body, the neck, and headstock.
• Has 3 different splits in the headstock on the back side.
• Is missing the "G" string.

Be sure to click on the "8+" under the thumbnails in the ad to view all the pics. What's been done to that bass and the fact they are now trying to sell it for that price is criminal.

Anyway my SRX is definitely a keeper. I feel really good about the buy, especially for only $150 and for the fact she went straight from the pawn shop to the house for a little "getting use to" period. Then tuned half a step down and out the door for a 3 hour gig all on the first day of owning it. She's a very easy bass to get dialed in and plays nicely with my Keeley Compressor and GK MB210 II

She is now officially a part of my small harem

 

[Solarmist]

I had an '87 SR800 in candy apple red. It was the first Ibanez I'd ever bought and I have purchased many since. I switched out the pickups for EMGs. I loved that bass. Wish I still had it but I dont..

What kind of EMGs did you get to fit?

 

[MrCash]

I had an '87 SR800 in candy apple red. It was the first Ibanez I'd ever bought and I have purchased many since. I switched out the pickups for EMGs. I loved that bass. Wish I still had it but I dont..

How would you describe the EMG vs the Lo-z pickups tone.

 

[MrCash]

I have a '87 SR800 as well...one thing is that the Basswood body is very soft...easily dented..one thing to look out for

Leslie

Yeah it has a few small dints. But pretty good condition for a used instrument that age.

 

[Bubbascuba]

How would you describe the EMG vs the Lo-z pickups tone.

Man, it's been a long time since I owned that as I bought it new in '87. I definitely did like the EMGs over the Low-Zs. But I play metal, so you should take that into consideration.

 

[lesliegl]

The Lo Z have full warm sound...I played in a Blues band with those..the EMG's more definition to the E and A strings..I like em'..I have EMG PJA in my Ash body SR800..they are good too..

 

[Skillet]

.....

Anyway my SRX is definitely a keeper.
.......I feel really good about the buy, especially for only $150 and for the fact she went straight from the pawn shop to the house for a little "getting use to" period.
She is now officially a part of my small harem

I have been singing to the heavens about my SRX2EX2. The neck is just amazing. A tad beefier than the SRs. I've gigged the heck out of mine. It's my go to bass when I'm undecided which axe to bring. You can pick these up for a song on Ebay and elsewhere. I also snagged an SRX300, which is much the same. I changed the pre in the srx2ex2 to an Aguilar, and surprisingly, the tone didn't change that much.

I will list the Red one for sale soon. I've got way too many basses.
Speaking of that. I just listed this for sale. SR1300 (with a SR1800 neck on it).
For Sale - Ibanez Premium SR1300

I play Rickenbacker, US G&Ls, Fender etc but I Love my Ibbys.

 

[Clark W]

I have been singing to the heavens about my SRX2EX2. The neck is just amazing. A tad beefier than the SRs...

The neck on it is amazing. I'm blown away by the quality of the bass and right now it's the one I have the least amount of money in, $150.

 

[thabassmon]

Hi can I have a number please.
Here's a couple of pics.
I've been playing the SR405 since 2000 switched the tuning to EADGC in 2005.
Got the 2012 SR1206 last year, I tune it EADGCF.
Because of that my SR405 is now in fifths CGDAE.
I've got a SRMS806 on order and I am also on the look out for a good deal on a SRF706.
Great basses.
The guitars that are also in the pics are a 2001 PF200 and a 2006 AF75.

 

[sdgrfan]

I've been wanting one of these since they first came out -- Ibanez SRH500 hollowbody. Well, to be honest it is truly a semi-hollow because it has a block running down the middle. You can put any kind of strings on her that you like. She came with D'Addario Chromes. I might switch those out for black nylon-wrapped. I just got her off the UPS truck yesterday. She is a looker, at least to me. Arm-rest cutout. Interesting piezo pickup that gives a very warm but old school thump (which I appreciate compared to my other SR500). There's only a volume and tone control. They work fine but this, it seems to me, is designed to fill a particular niche and not to be a rocker bass. Anyway, I love the looks and the sound for as little money as Ibby wants for them. It does not, however, fit in my regular Ibanez cases. Too thick. I guess I'll have to look for a gig bag for it.

 

[Spidey2112]

I have been singing to the heavens about my SRX2EX2. The neck is just amazing. A tad beefier than the SRs. I've gigged the heck out of mine. It's my go to bass when I'm undecided which axe to bring. You can pick these up for a song on Ebay and elsewhere. I also snagged an SRX300, which is much the same. I changed the pre in the srx2ex2 to an Aguilar, and surprisingly, the tone didn't change that much.View attachment 3413545
I will list the Red one for sale soon. I've got way too many basses.
Speaking of that. I just listed this for sale. SR1300 (with a SR1800 neck on it).
For Sale - Ibanez Premium SR1300
View attachment 3413549

I play Rickenbacker, US G&Ls, Fender etc but I Love my Ibbys.

I'm digging the white one!

 

[wintremute]

I've been wanting one of these since they first came out -- Ibanez SRH500 hollowbody. Well, to be honest it is truly a semi-hollow because it has a block running down the middle. You can put any kind of strings on her that you like. She came with D'Addario Chromes. I might switch those out for black nylon-wrapped. I just got her off the UPS truck yesterday. She is a looker, at least to me. Arm-rest cutout. Interesting piezo pickup that gives a very warm but old school thump (which I appreciate compared to my other SR500). There's only a volume and tone control. They work fine but this, it seems to me, is designed to fill a particular niche and not to be a rocker bass. Anyway, I love the looks and the sound for as little money as Ibby wants for them. It does not, however, fit in my regular Ibanez cases. Too thick. I guess I'll have to look for a gig bag for it.

Yeah, those things are gorgeous in person. Glad you're enjoying yours.

 

[Aidil]

It does not, however, fit in my regular Ibanez cases. Too thick. I guess I'll have to look for a gig bag for it.

I'm using Ibanez MRB500C hardshell case for my SRH505:

 

[Bubbascuba]

I'm using Ibanez MRB500C hardshell case for my SRH505:

View attachment 3417973

Do you like that case? I've heard mixed reviews about it and was just wondering.

 

[Aidil]

Do you like that case? I've heard mixed reviews about it and was just wondering.

Don't know whether I would use the word "like", cause it's just a hardshell case. But it sure does what it is meant to: providing good protection for safe keeping as well as transporting my bass. And best thing about the MRB500C, it has molded interior which compatible with lots of Ibanez bass models, including the SRH.