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The Soundgear Club

#6,704
Question- i just got a '09 SR5005 Prestige and the output is 1/2 of the nordstrand 1206 (pictured) and the B string isn't as focused. Do the bart's need to be rewound, replaced or is the lower output not surprising to anyone? ... the 5005 looks and plays perfectly (and i've owned real steinbergers, statuses, spectors and warwicks) but i am hoping to get it to sound like a poorman's Smith... help!!
 
#6,705
nooffswitch said:
Question- i just got a '09 SR5005 Prestige and the output is 1/2 of the nordstrand 1206 (pictured) and the B string isn't as focused. Do the bart's need to be rewound, replaced or is the lower output not surprising to anyone? ... the 5005 looks and plays perfectly (and i've owned real steinbergers, statuses, spectors and warwicks) but i am hoping to get it to sound like a poorman's Smith... help!!
Click to expand...
Just in case it was overlooked, have you changed the battery?
 
#6,707
nooffswitch said:
Question- i just got a '09 SR5005 Prestige and the output is 1/2 of the nordstrand 1206 (pictured) and the B string isn't as focused. Do the bart's need to be rewound, replaced or is the lower output not surprising to anyone? ... the 5005 looks and plays perfectly (and i've owned real steinbergers, statuses, spectors and warwicks) but i am hoping to get it to sound like a poorman's Smith... help!!
Click to expand...
I got an SR 875 a few months ago and had a similar issue. When I played different basses, the output was less on this one and something just didn't sound right. I finally discovered that my instrument cable had a bad solder joint at one end. Different cable, great sound.
 
#6,708
Anybody with experience with a 1996 SR405? If I remember correctly, they were a step up (for the time) from the current run of 400 Series basses. Anything I should know or be aware of? Looking for a cheap second 5 string to round out my stable, and this one is listed for $250 including a mid-size Crate practice amp (which I'll likely sell or something to help with costs of the bass). So, thoughts?
 
#6,709
kleinenenten said:
Anybody with experience with a 1996 SR405? If I remember correctly, they were a step up (for the time) from the current run of 400 Series basses. Anything I should know or be aware of? Looking for a cheap second 5 string to round out my stable, and this one is listed for $250 including a mid-size Crate practice amp (which I'll likely sell or something to help with costs of the bass). So, thoughts?
Click to expand...

It's just the 5 string version of the 400. I personally wouldn't buy a bass that old without playing it first. If you like it is offer 150 for the bass without the amp

My humble opinion only
 
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#6,711
nooffswitch said:
Question- i just got a '09 SR5005 Prestige and the output is 1/2 of the nordstrand 1206 (pictured) and the B string isn't as focused. Do the bart's need to be rewound, replaced or is the lower output not surprising to anyone? ... the 5005 looks and plays perfectly (and i've owned real steinbergers, statuses, spectors and warwicks) but i am hoping to get it to sound like a poorman's Smith... help!!
Click to expand...

I've got the 4 string version of it: 2009 SR5000E-OL. Yes, the output is lower than other active Ibanezes. Perhaps that's why they switched to 9V from 3V in newer versions. You don't have to press the -15dB button on the amps when this bass is plugged in.
 
#6,714
kleinenenten said:
Anybody with experience with a 1996 SR405? If I remember correctly, they were a step up (for the time) from the current run of 400 Series basses. Anything I should know or be aware of? Looking for a cheap second 5 string to round out my stable, and this one is listed for $250 including a mid-size Crate practice amp (which I'll likely sell or something to help with costs of the bass). So, thoughts?
Click to expand...
I would keep looking, bass is old and for $250, you can find a better bass like a used SR505. There's one in my area in great shape I've had my eye on for a while, it's going for $275. Try to get a used SR500/5 or above for not much more- the neck and jump in quality imo is worth it.
 
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#6,715
Maxdusty said:
I would keep looking, bass is old and for $250, you can find a better bass like a used SR505. There's one in my area in great shape I've had my eye on for a while, it's going for $275. Try to get a used SR500/5 or above for not much more- the neck and jump in quality imo is worth it.
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While I agree, I already have and love an SR505 AND SR506! This is intended to be more similar to my SR300DX which I've recently become more fond of again - a little chunkier in the lows. Slightly more P-Bass-like, maybe? I'm not worried about weight as long as it's not a boat. I'll keep looking for one of these SRs or SRXs in the $200 or lower range.
 
#6,716
kleinenenten said:
While I agree, I already have and love an SR505 AND SR506! This is intended to be more similar to my SR300DX which I've recently become more fond of again - a little chunkier in the lows. Slightly more P-Bass-like, maybe? I'm not worried about weight as long as it's not a boat. I'll keep looking for one of these SRs or SRXs in the $200 or lower range.
Click to expand...

The other way to think of it is to change pickups in one of the basses you already have and presumably get on well with...
 
#6,717
Outbush said:
The other way to think of it is to change pickups in one of the basses you already have and presumably get on well with...
Click to expand...
I've had similar thoughts as well. I'll never change my SR300DX as it's my first bass and has rather high sentimental value. But I have updated my SR505's preamp and it made a huge difference. Might do the same to my SR506.

As for pickups, what would you recommend? I play mostly metal, but am the oddball who uses flats. I'd like more articulation to improve my clean tone. My initial thought goes to some sort of Bartolini, as I used the NTMB to upgrade the preamp and love it.
 
#6,718
kleinenenten said:
I've had similar thoughts as well. I'll never change my SR300DX as it's my first bass and has rather high sentimental value. But I have updated my SR505's preamp and it made a huge difference. Might do the same to my SR506.

As for pickups, what would you recommend? I play mostly metal, but am the oddball who uses flats. I'd like more articulation to improve my clean tone. My initial thought goes to some sort of Bartolini, as I used the NTMB to upgrade the preamp and love it.
Click to expand...

Maybe try changing strings? Have you tried GHS pressure wounds? Feel like flats but sound more like rounds.

They were on my SR1405e when I got it and I was surprised how good they were.

I still switched to DR hi beams but that's just my preference
 
#6,719
kleinenenten said:
I've had similar thoughts as well. I'll never change my SR300DX as it's my first bass and has rather high sentimental value. But I have updated my SR505's preamp and it made a huge difference. Might do the same to my SR506.

As for pickups, what would you recommend? I play mostly metal, but am the oddball who uses flats. I'd like more articulation to improve my clean tone. My initial thought goes to some sort of Bartolini, as I used the NTMB to upgrade the preamp and love it.
Click to expand...

I have Nordstrands, a PJ but the J is a Big Split not the more traditional single coil. I think it sounds a little fatter and has greater depth than the equivalent single coils. If it were me I would replace the Barts with 2 Big Splits as I like the Nordstrand tones and attack (the descriptions on their web page turn me off, but it's not my style of prose) and there are some very good videos including comparisons between their pickups. They also have a really interesting sidewinder(?) style of pickup which I thought sounded really good recorded.

but there are a heap of great pickup makers...

Maybe put up a thread asking for suggestions - this mob will give you a comprehensive list of alternatives and reasons why (tone attack price etc) in no time flat, I'd reckon.
 
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#6,720
PrimitiveMan said:
Maybe try changing strings? Have you tried GHS pressure wounds? Feel like flats but sound more like rounds.

They were on my SR1405e when I got it and I was surprised how good they were.

I still switched to DR hi beams but that's just my preference
Click to expand...
I'm the opposite - no rounds! I literally just swapped to rounds this weekend to try them again. No risk, as I had an old unused set lying around. Hated them. Right back to flats.
 

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