The Soundgear Club

[pbass74]

The trinity is complete!

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Been dreaming of adding the SR755 to my arsenal for awhile. There was one on Reverb for 750 USD, which was more than I'd want to pay, but put in an offer for 575 USD. I was expecting some back and forth offers but seller excepted the price and sent me this beauty.

Plan on running it passive with either flats or tapes (or maybe pressure wounds) for an old school sound. My SR5005 has the modern sound down, and I have SR375 F for fretless stuff. Very happy with all 3.

Just as a note I've played a few SR655, and borrowed one from a friend for a month. Great basses, and I was surprised how the SR755 feels more nicer, more like a premium model. I'm loving it!

You got a sweet deal on the 755! I have the four string version, SR-750 NTF and it's a great bass with lots of versatility. I'm surprised that they discontinued these basses, but perhaps the 650 and 655 were better sellers due to the price (wood & finish) differences. Enjoy!

 

[Pugosaurus]

Those 755s sound amazing in the demos on Youtube.

I got train tickets to the nearest bigger city which has an Ibanez reseller to check out the SRMS805 and the basic, lower pricepoint Soundgears like the 505 and the reverse PJ but in ash.

The 5-string Spector neck and overall dimensions are giving me much discomfort and I find the Yamaha TRBX mega-boring with a super unintuitive and wimpy preamp so I'm going to check the Ibbies out. They could be quite easy to get on the second-hand market here.

Are here people who prefer the lower pricetag models of the Soundgears, not the premiums? Asking out of curiosity.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Those 755s sound amazing in the demos on Youtube.

I got train tickets to the nearest bigger city which has an Ibanez reseller to check out the SRMS805 and the basic, lower pricepoint Soundgears like the 505 and the reverse PJ but in ash.

The 5-string Spector neck and overall dimensions are giving me much discomfort and I find the Yamaha TRBX mega-boring with a super unintuitive and wimpy preamp so I'm going to check the Ibbies out. They could be quite easy to get on the second-hand market here.

Are here people who prefer the lower pricetag models of the Soundgears, not the premiums? Asking out of curiosity.

Depends on the bass but for myself that has been the SR505 and SR650 series. I'm also a fan of the EHB's.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Congrats!

Now you're getting me excited . The 755 is a beautiful instrument. I played an SR1305 to see what I thought, after 90 minutes I knew it physically suited me . Then I played the the SR655 because I wanted a genuine Pbass sound which convinced me it had the sounds I wanted before buying my SR755 online. When I got the SR755 (same as yours) it felt more like the 1305 than the 655 to me, it definitely had the Premium feel.

I will throw my 2 cents in, wanted or not, because I really recommend the Nordstrand replacement Big Split for the bridge position. Mine had a significant single coil hum I didn't like coming from the Big Single but I liked some of the sounds I got when blending pickups. The Big Split replacement is slightly darker and somehow more muscular or more present than the original pickup. They need to be ordered from Nordstrand as they are a slightly different size to the regular Big Split and will be built to fit your bass perfectly but (apart from getting rid of the hum my bass had when favouring the bridge pickup) it is definitely an upgrade to the already excellent sound which gives you a range of Jazz bass and Aria SB1000 type sounds. I like the passive settings so much I haven't had a battery in it for ages - but I should 'cause active is fun to play around with.

The hum seems pretty minor so I don't think I will switch it out. I may change my mind of course if it seems nosier when I play it somewhere else. I think I'm going to shield it though.

I put on some gold LaBella tapes on and it sounds really good. Thinking of trying TI flats but hesitant to spend the money currently. I'll give the tapes a good go.

Yeah something about the feel of the neck on the 655 was cheaper feeling. The 755 doesn't have that feel. Not sure what it is. The finish on the 655 felt cheap too

 

[PrimitiveMan]

You got a sweet deal on the 755! I have the four string version, SR-750 NTF and it's a great bass with lots of versatility. I'm surprised that they discontinued these basses, but perhaps the 650 and 655 were better sellers due to the price (wood & finish) differences. Enjoy!

Yeah probably a price thing. With wood prices going up all the time, the bubinga on the 755 was probably not worth it for Ibanez.

The 650 series was discontinued last year too. Replaced by the 600e series which seem pretty similar

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Those 755s sound amazing in the demos on Youtube.

I got train tickets to the nearest bigger city which has an Ibanez reseller to check out the SRMS805 and the basic, lower pricepoint Soundgears like the 505 and the reverse PJ but in ash.

The 5-string Spector neck and overall dimensions are giving me much discomfort and I find the Yamaha TRBX mega-boring with a super unintuitive and wimpy preamp so I'm going to check the Ibbies out. They could be quite easy to get on the second-hand market here.

Are here people who prefer the lower pricetag models of the Soundgears, not the premiums? Asking out of curiosity.

The mid level standard ones (500 and up) are good basses. But some of the finishes and electronics are cheaper. If I went with a standard I'd go for one with the Bartolini BH2 or the Nordstrand import pickups.

Premium are really nice and have some awesome finishes.

Nice thing about ibanez is you can find great used deals on most models

 

[Outbush]

Those 755s sound amazing in the demos on Youtube.

I got train tickets to the nearest bigger city which has an Ibanez reseller to check out the SRMS805 and the basic, lower pricepoint Soundgears like the 505 and the reverse PJ but in ash.

The 5-string Spector neck and overall dimensions are giving me much discomfort and I find the Yamaha TRBX mega-boring with a super unintuitive and wimpy preamp so I'm going to check the Ibbies out. They could be quite easy to get on the second-hand market here.

Are here people who prefer the lower pricetag models of the Soundgears, not the premiums? Asking out of curiosity.

I think there are plenty of people who love them. The SR500/505 have a ton of fans as do the 650/655 judging by how quickly they sell secondhand out here. They are lighter too. I think the new SR600/605 will do really well with the split coil pickups in them and be very versatile. Plus they have a tinted timber finish.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Hello!

Does anyone here recognize the model number of this SR? It's for sale locally. The serial number suggests it's from October 2010. I looked at a couple catalogs from then but nothing really matched. I'm guessing 400 series? Ty.

Control layout looks like an SR700 from that era. Are you sure it's a 2010 model?

 

[TerribleTim68]

Hello!

Does anyone here recognize the model number of this SR? It's for sale locally. The serial number suggests it's from October 2010. I looked at a couple catalogs from then but nothing really matched. I'm guessing 400 series? Ty.

Okay, I did some digging thru Ibanez catalogs. I'm pretty sure it's a 2011 SR400QM (CNB to be exact). Look at page 38 -
http://www.hoshinogakki.co.jp/pdf/ibanez/catalog/2011USA.pdf

 

[ElBecko59]

Okay, I did some digging thru Ibanez catalogs. I'm pretty sure it's a 2011 SR400QM (CNB to be exact). Look at page 38 -
http://www.hoshinogakki.co.jp/pdf/ibanez/catalog/2011USA.pdf

You are correct SR400QM - we have a winner !!!

 

[fourstringbliss]

I just adopted one of these at church!

It has been sitting unused in a guitar rack in the back for more than 6 months. I asked our worship pastor if he knew who it belongs to and he couldn't figure it out, so it's mine. If the owner ever comes back for it or sees me playing it at church I'm happy to give it back, though.

It had the feel of an abandoned car. The truss rod was almost all the way unscrewed with a huge neck bow. I adjusted it carefully because the hex hole in the truss rod nut has been rounded out on one side, but now the action is fine.

Does anyone here know whether we can replace the preamps in these things and still use the pickup mode switch? Does the preamp control the pickup modes or is it a circuit board connected to the switch?

 

[ElBecko59]

I just adopted one of these at church!

View attachment 4440819

It has been sitting unused in a guitar rack in the back for more than 6 months. I asked our worship pastor if he knew who it belongs to and he couldn't figure it out, so it's mine. If the owner ever comes back for it or sees me playing it at church I'm happy to give it back, though.

It had the feel of an abandoned car. The truss rod was almost all the way unscrewed with a huge neck bow. I adjusted it carefully because the hex hole in the truss rod nut has been rounded out on one side, but now the action is fine.

Does anyone here know whether we can replace the preamps in these things and still use the pickup mode switch? Does the preamp control the pickup modes or is it a circuit board connected to the switch?

sr300E

I just adopted one of these at church!

View attachment 4440819

It has been sitting unused in a guitar rack in the back for more than 6 months. I asked our worship pastor if he knew who it belongs to and he couldn't figure it out, so it's mine. If the owner ever comes back for it or sees me playing it at church I'm happy to give it back, though.

It had the feel of an abandoned car. The truss rod was almost all the way unscrewed with a huge neck bow. I adjusted it carefully because the hex hole in the truss rod nut has been rounded out on one side, but now the action is fine.

Does anyone here know whether we can replace the preamps in these things and still use the pickup mode switch? Does the preamp control the pickup modes or is it a circuit board connected to the switch?

No clue but here's the wiring diagram - I have a new old stock one of those in champagne gold in my stash somewhere , Think I'll take it out hiding --- IBANEZ SR-300E-305E Wiring

 

[fourstringbliss]

sr300E

No clue but here's the wiring diagram - I have a new old stock one of those in champagne gold in my stash somewhere , Think I'll take it out hiding --- IBANEZ SR-300E-305E Wiring

Hmmm...

I know it's a 300e, but I'm used to the "single coil" setting being louder than it is on this one. From that wiring diagram I can't tell what wires are what coming from the switch.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I wonder, though, if one of the wires coming from the switch is the neck, one is the bridge and the other is ground. I'd like to install an Audere preamp in this bass and use the same switch, but maybe I'd need to recreate the switch somehow.

 

[ElBecko59]

I wonder, though, if one of the wires coming from the switch is the neck, one is the bridge and the other is ground. I'd like to install an Audere preamp in this bass and use the same switch, but maybe I'd need to recreate the switch somehow.

found a old post where member Gadget1964 describes the function of the switch in detail but not actual wiring - here's the link maybe it will help you ? that's all I got .. Ibanez SR300-E, Power tap Option solved?

 

[fourstringbliss]

found a old post where member Gadget1964 describes the function of the switch in detail but not actual wiring - here's the link maybe it will help you ? that's all I got .. Ibanez SR300-E, Power tap Option solved?

Thanks!

 

[Standalone]

I snagged that SRF706 that was on Reverb. It is on it's way.

 

[iTzPrime]

Those 755s sound amazing in the demos on Youtube.

I got train tickets to the nearest bigger city which has an Ibanez reseller to check out the SRMS805 and the basic, lower pricepoint Soundgears like the 505 and the reverse PJ but in ash.

The 5-string Spector neck and overall dimensions are giving me much discomfort and I find the Yamaha TRBX mega-boring with a super unintuitive and wimpy preamp so I'm going to check the Ibbies out. They could be quite easy to get on the second-hand market here.

Are here people who prefer the lower pricetag models of the Soundgears, not the premiums? Asking out of curiosity.

I love the Premiums. Their finishing, wood selection and hardware is nearly unmatched in that pricelevel. Add great pickups and the sound is awesome. Additionally, for whatever reason they can often be found quite cheap on the used market. Update the preamp and the Ibanez Premiums play in the league with basses that cost 5 times as much.
I have a custom made torillo 5-string. My favourite bass. I used to have a huge amount of different 4 string models as well. I have removed all but 2 4-string models: My Ibanez SR Premium 1200 VNF and a Sadowsky. I didn't sell the Ibanez due to being a birthday gift for my 17th birthday and all the great memories I had with it, but it was mainly standing around the corner. I upgraded the preamp and now this thing is all I play. The sadowsky isnt even close now.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I love the Premiums. Their finishing, wood selection and hardware is nearly unmatched in that pricelevel. Add great pickups and the sound is awesome. Additionally, for whatever reason they can often be found quite cheap on the used market. Update the preamp and the Ibanez Premiums play in the league with basses that cost 5 times as much.
I have a custom made torillo 5-string. My favourite bass. I used to have a huge amount of different 4 string models as well. I have removed all but 2 4-string models: My Ibanez SR Premium 1200 VNF and a Sadowsky. I didn't sell the Ibanez due to being a birthday gift for my 17th birthday and all the great memories I had with it, but it was mainly standing around the corner. I upgraded the preamp and now this thing is all I play. The sadowsky isnt even close now.

Okay, give...what preamp upgrades? We're always looking to swipe ideas.

Riis

 

[Pugosaurus]

Unfortunately the shop didn't have any of the models I went to try out and the vendor looked me a bit like a lunatic for being interested in multiscales. The Covid shortages are a bitch, another music store that sells Fenders didn't have any other 5-string strings than Slinkies and I would have wanted D'addarios, both XL and NYXL.

On the other hand I found that the Spector only gives me problems if I try to wear it higher.

I was surprised by how super light the Fenders were, the only more substantial feeling bass was the Squier Tele bass.