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The Soundgear Club

#6,441
fourstringbliss said:
How many of you have replaced the MK1 soapbars in a 4-string SR bass? I have an older SR1000EFM and want to replace the USA Barts that are in it, but they're an odd size.


You ever used a chisel? It is not that hard.
Otherwise any good carpenter or furniture guy could help out.

A good chisel is as sharp as a good knife, sharper even. You just mark out what need to go and scoop it out. Go easy and take your time.
A little at the time, a wide one for the long stretches and a narrow one for the corners.

2019-05-25-11_30_41-start-jpg.3441376


They're longer than BC shape and narrower than P2 shape so I'd need to get the routes enlarged to fit a P2 soapbar. I was thinking about getting some Nordstrand Big Blades put in P2 shells, but I don't know how that would look.

Have any of you replaced the MK1's in your 4-string SR with Nordy's in this way?
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#6,442
Just put a Nordstrand Big Split in the bridge position of my SR755 NTF. It's been in there for a week and a half but I haven't had a jam or a gig with it so the best I've managed is playing along to a loud record or three.

I really like it. Obviously the single coil buzz is gone but there is more to it than that. Both pickups are set at very conventional heights. Firstly, it seems to have changed the sound of the P soloed as well as when the PJ blend is 50/50. The P sounds a little darker and a actually a touch more aggressive in its attack. The PJ setting is also a bit darker and aggressive particularly in very start of the note. It is able to produce a Jazz tone but the description of being JBass on steroids is very apt. Personally I much prefer it to my now-sold Fender JBass. The bass sounds warmer when the preamp is engaged. Also, I rarely like a bridge pickup soloed and in this instance as a passive it is a bit sharp and thin but sounds very nice in active mode. There is no way I would say it is MusicMan-ish as it isn't but it can be thickened up pretty well.

Overall, it's a worthwhile investment IMHO and gets rid of one complaint of the bass whilst enhancing all its strengths. I'm stoked but would love to get it back in a band setting and really see how really goes.
 
#6,443
Outbush said:
Just put a Nordstrand Big Split in the bridge position of my SR755 NTF. It's been in there for a week and a half but I haven't had a jam or a gig with it so the best I've managed is playing along to a loud record or three.

I really like it. Obviously the single coil buzz is gone but there is more to it than that. Both pickups are set at very conventional heights. Firstly, it seems to have changed the sound of the P soloed as well as when the PJ blend is 50/50. The P sounds a little darker and a actually a touch more aggressive in its attack. The PJ setting is also a bit darker and aggressive particularly in very start of the note. It is able to produce a Jazz tone but the description of being JBass on steroids is very apt. Personally I much prefer it to my now-sold Fender JBass. The bass sounds warmer when the preamp is engaged. Also, I rarely like a bridge pickup soloed and in this instance as a passive it is a bit sharp and thin but sounds very nice in active mode. There is no way I would say it is MusicMan-ish as it isn't but it can be thickened up pretty well.

Overall, it's a worthwhile investment IMHO and gets rid of one complaint of the bass whilst enhancing all its strengths. I'm stoked but would love to get it back in a band setting and really see how really goes.
Click to expand...

How did you get this? I've been considering the same thing but found out the Nordstrand pickups in the bass are a custom fit.
 
#6,444
AppalachianBen said:
How did you get this? I've been considering the same thing but found out the Nordstrand pickups in the bass are a custom fit.
Click to expand...

It is a regular thing they do as They designed the pickups and I think the pre-amp for this bass. They do a special order for the 655 and 755 and after emailing them I got a reply from Adrian who led me through the whole thing. His email is

[email protected]
 
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#6,451
danomite64 said:
I don't have a Soundgear right now, but I've had several 800's in the past:

View attachment 1858564

Love that Baby Blue!! I just bought a SRF700 and a GSR105ex ( they are Sound Gear right?) I bought the fiver to mod but so far I'm thinking strings. I might go black hardware , wish I could find raw brass bridge and tuners. I'm in if it becomes a group thread

View attachment 1858565

View attachment 1858566

View attachment 1858567

I'm still on the lookout for a red one.
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#6,455
Ghook said:
Inspiring! I need to look at posting dates overall but glad your current.

I just bought the 105 and I'm wondering what black tuners you might recommend. Pretty sure the newer 305 bridge in black has the same string spacing that's easy to come by. So far I love how it sounds and feels.
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Thanks! I second the Gotoh's. Mine are Yamaha branded, I got them here on the forum for a great deal. So much better than the originals, not even comparable! If you're looking for a bridge, I'm really happy with mine. It's a Sung Il (the factory that makes Wilkinson stuff) I got on eBay. Big improvement in resonance and sustain. I'm pretty sure they come in black too. 17mm spacing though, which is slightly wider than factory specs....
 
#6,456
Oig said:
Thanks! I second the Gotoh's. Mine are Yamaha branded, I got them here on the forum for a great deal. So much better than the originals, not even comparable! If you're looking for a bridge, I'm really happy with mine. It's a Sung Il (the factory that makes Wilkinson stuff) I got on eBay. Big improvement in resonance and sustain. I'm pretty sure they come in black too. 17mm spacing though, which is slightly wider than factory specs....
Click to expand...

How does that 17mm effect playability? Is it noticable ?
 
#6,457
Ghook said:
How does that 17mm effect playability? Is it noticable ?
Click to expand...
I think standard spacing is 16.5, so it's not a huge difference. But it was definitely noticeable to me, and (I felt) a big improvement. Coming from a P bass, the standard spacing was a bit snug. This is still fast, but there's more room for your picking hand.

The more I play this bass the more I like it, which is awesome given that I had a hard time getting on with it when it was stock. Mission accomplished I guess...:)
 
#6,458
Oig said:
I think standard spacing is 16.5, so it's not a huge difference. But it was definitely noticeable to me, and (I felt) a big improvement. Coming from a P bass, the standard spacing was a bit snug. This is still fast, but there's more room for your picking hand.

The more I play this bass the more I like it, which is awesome given that I had a hard time getting on with it when it was stock. Mission accomplished I guess...:)
Click to expand...

Sounds like it (:

For me, personally , I can't get over how good that little 105 plays and sounds bone stock. I just bought a 700 Portamento a week before ( love it of course) and it is amazing but so is the fiver. I think I'm going Cosmo Black hardware ...mine was the oiled mahogany and light jatoba fret board on maple. Looks matter! Lol
 
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