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#8,941
Back to SR talk - just finished re-stringing my 2005-ish SRX505. It had some dead rounds on it - at least 5 years old I'd imagine. I bought it used 2.5 years ago, and I've certainly never put new strings on it yet. I was hoping that a simple string change would re-invigorate the bass, but - though it did improve it significantly - it didn't make it anywhere near as strong tonally as my other bass. The highs and lows aren't as defined, and it just doesn't seem as "alive" as my other bass. I know that SRs often have the pre-amp as the weak link, so here we are.

I recently had my SR505 upgraded and am absolutely floored by the improvement in tone. For the SR505, I upgraded the stock pre to a Bartolini HR.54AP (I think? The naming conventions aren't very friendly - 3 band, blend, volume, push/pull active/passive, mid freq switch). I did this mostly because I didn't need to put any new holes in the bass (besides the switch, but newer SR505s already have that) and because it kept my familiar control layout. And also because the old electronics died, but that's a separate issue! For the new pre-amp in my SRX505, I'm strongly considering Audere, as I know they get rave reviews on this thread, and they're affordable.

Here's the question - would it benefit me more to upgrade my SRX505 to pre-amp with a similar layout (i.e. 3 band, blend, etc., but without the frequency switch or push/pull), or to keep the same stock layout with a new pre? Typically, I leave bass and treble flat, and bump mids - I can functionally do that with either pre-amp. If anybody has any input on the differences between pickups of the SR505 (Bart MK1s) and the SRX505 (Ibanez PFR) or on the differences between Bart and Audere pre-amps in general, I'm all ears. For what it's worth, I love my Bart MK1 pickups' clean tone (especially with the new pre), and I hear that many say the Ibanez PFR pickups are great as well. I'm willing to spend the extra money if it's worth it (not that we're talking tons anyway, but still).

Here are the two pre-amps I'm leaning towards:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require no additional purchases)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require me to buy at minimum a stacked knob - anyone got a lead on stacked gunmetal/smoky chrome ones?)

Also this one from the classifieds:
Audere Classic onboard preamp (would be closer to my SR505 with variable mids, I think? This has a hi and low mid stacked pot. I'd probably get a set of knobs to match my bass down the road too.)

Thanks for the input and help, everybody!
 
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#8,942
Him
kleinenenten said:
While that is true, I'm recuperating from a recent hospital stay. So I guess I'm stuck inside playing bass... Oh dear, what am I to do... ;) (Ok, maybe also watching the new Lord Of The Rings show too!)
Click to expand...
Wishing you a speedy recovery!!! But definitely take advantage of the time and get plenty of time in the woodshed! I'm going to be doing the same here after doing a little adjustment on my action. It went from monsoon humidity to very dry this weekend.
 
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#8,943
kleinenenten said:
Back to SR talk - just finished re-stringing my 2005-ish SRX505. It had some dead rounds on it - at least 5 years old I'd imagine. I bought it used 2.5 years ago, and I've certainly never put new strings on it yet. I was hoping that a simple string change would re-invigorate the bass, but - though it did improve it significantly - it didn't make it anywhere near as strong tonally as my other bass. The highs and lows aren't as defined, and it just doesn't seem as "alive" as my other bass. I know that SRs often have the pre-amp as the weak link, so here we are.

I recently had my SR505 upgraded and am absolutely floored by the improvement in tone. For the SR505, I upgraded the stock pre to a Bartolini HR.54AP (I think? The naming conventions aren't very friendly - 3 band, blend, volume, push/pull active/passive, mid freq switch). I did this mostly because I didn't need to put any new holes in the bass (besides the switch, but newer SR505s already have that) and because it kept my familiar control layout. And also because the old electronics died, but that's a separate issue! For the new pre-amp in my SRX505, I'm strongly considering Audere, as I know they get rave reviews on this thread, and they're affordable.

Here's the question - would it benefit me more to upgrade my SRX505 to pre-amp with a similar layout (i.e. 3 band, blend, etc., but without the frequency switch or push/pull), or to keep the same stock layout with a new pre? Typically, I leave bass and treble flat, and bump mids - I can functionally do that with either pre-amp. If anybody has any input on the differences between pickups of the SR505 (Bart MK1s) and the SRX505 (Ibanez PFR) or on the differences between Bart and Audere pre-amps in general, I'm all ears. For what it's worth, I love my Bart MK1 pickups' clean tone (especially with the new pre), and I hear that many say the Ibanez PFR pickups are great as well. I'm willing to spend the extra money if it's worth it (not that we're talking tons anyway, but still).

Here are the two pre-amps I'm leaning towards:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require no additional purchases)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require me to buy at minimum a stacked knob - anyone got a lead on stacked gunmetal/smoky chrome ones?)

Also this one from the classifieds:
Audere Classic onboard preamp (would be closer to my SR505 with variable mids, I think? I'd probably get a set of knobs to match my bass down the road too.)

Thanks for the input and help, everybody!
Click to expand...
This is going to be out of left field but I find that I really like the tonal character of MEC preamps that go in Warwicks. If I was going hunting for a pre I'd probably go for one of those. Especially the 3 band it really will do anything you want due to how versatile but since you say you like clarity I think the MEC will speak to you. Just from my experience messing with some Warwick electronics I noticed that you have clarity but still a lot of beef in there. I'm yet to do this in an SR but I think it's well suited. Also considering many Warwick guys have suited bartolini with MEC and had great results. Your sound chain might have something going on that could sound awesome with it or it could be too much. Everyone's taste varies. Personally I have my sr with the stock Ibanez in house electronics and it sounds good that way. But I definitely have a preamp pedal that really carves my tone more than anything.
 
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#8,945
kleinenenten said:
I'll have to look into some MECs, then. But this bass has the Ibanez PFR pickups - my previously upgraded bass had the Bartolini MK1s which I matched with a Bart preamp.
Click to expand...
Ok. Well I was kinda trying to say that MEC in general is fairly transparent so if you like the character of the pfr pickups which I like too btw, it should work well. Nobody seems to talk about MEC but I think they really are great for the clear modern tone and since you like mids it'll probably sound awesome to you.
 
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#8,946
kleinenenten said:
Back to SR talk - just finished re-stringing my 2005-ish SRX505. It had some dead rounds on it - at least 5 years old I'd imagine. I bought it used 2.5 years ago, and I've certainly never put new strings on it yet. I was hoping that a simple string change would re-invigorate the bass, but - though it did improve it significantly - it didn't make it anywhere near as strong tonally as my other bass. The highs and lows aren't as defined, and it just doesn't seem as "alive" as my other bass. I know that SRs often have the pre-amp as the weak link, so here we are.

I recently had my SR505 upgraded and am absolutely floored by the improvement in tone. For the SR505, I upgraded the stock pre to a Bartolini HR.54AP (I think? The naming conventions aren't very friendly - 3 band, blend, volume, push/pull active/passive, mid freq switch). I did this mostly because I didn't need to put any new holes in the bass (besides the switch, but newer SR505s already have that) and because it kept my familiar control layout. And also because the old electronics died, but that's a separate issue! For the new pre-amp in my SRX505, I'm strongly considering Audere, as I know they get rave reviews on this thread, and they're affordable.

Here's the question - would it benefit me more to upgrade my SRX505 to pre-amp with a similar layout (i.e. 3 band, blend, etc., but without the frequency switch or push/pull), or to keep the same stock layout with a new pre? Typically, I leave bass and treble flat, and bump mids - I can functionally do that with either pre-amp. If anybody has any input on the differences between pickups of the SR505 (Bart MK1s) and the SRX505 (Ibanez PFR) or on the differences between Bart and Audere pre-amps in general, I'm all ears. For what it's worth, I love my Bart MK1 pickups' clean tone (especially with the new pre), and I hear that many say the Ibanez PFR pickups are great as well. I'm willing to spend the extra money if it's worth it (not that we're talking tons anyway, but still).

Here are the two pre-amps I'm leaning towards:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require no additional purchases)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require me to buy at minimum a stacked knob - anyone got a lead on stacked gunmetal/smoky chrome ones?)

Also this one from the classifieds:
Audere Classic onboard preamp (would be closer to my SR505 with variable mids, I think? This has a hi and low mid stacked pot. I'd probably get a set of knobs to match my bass down the road too.)

Thanks for the input and help, everybody!
Click to expand...
What strings did you use to restring it? Maybe try a different type before gutting the beast?
 
#8,947
PDW30 said:
What strings did you use to restring it? Maybe try a different type before gutting the beast?
Click to expand...
D'Addario medium gauge. I have tried them on the other bass and quite like them. It's also what was already on the bass (but FAR too old!). I have no desire to try other strings, as these have worked well in every application I've used them for. I'm not one of those people who needs a completely different type of string for each bass - my needs are a bit simpler. But thank you for the suggestion - that's exactly why I started with a fresh set of strings!
 
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#8,948
kleinenenten said:
D'Addario medium gauge. I have tried them on the other bass and quite like them. It's also what was already on the bass (but FAR too old!). I have no desire to try other strings, as these have worked well in every application I've used them for. I'm not one of those people who needs a completely different type of string for each bass - my needs are a bit simpler. But thank you for the suggestion - that's exactly why I started with a fresh set of strings!
Click to expand...
I tried pro steel on a couple basses and wasn't a fan. They sounded ok on my Warwick but not the Ibanez. But if you're going to go through electronics it's probably a good idea to keep with what you're used to so you know what the new pre is doing vs that and a new eq curve from unfamiliar strings. I'm a big Blue Steels and Dunlop stainless fan.
 
#8,949
GTHintz said:
I tried pro steel on a couple basses and wasn't a fan. They sounded ok on my Warwick but not the Ibanez. But if you're going to go through electronics it's probably a good idea to keep with what you're used to so you know what the new pre is doing vs that and a new eq curve from unfamiliar strings. I'm a big Blue Steels and Dunlop stainless fan.
Click to expand...
I recently switched back from flats, and while I'm enjoying the zing of rounds, stainless is gonna be too much for me! That's what sold me on the D'Addario set - I still feel plenty of thump, and have some zing. To extend this further, it's quite possible that the stock pre-amp may have made me gravitate towards the flats with their better perceived bass response. The stock pre-amp's bass response just wasn't very lively. I went from stock bass (the SR505, NOT the one I'm debating modding now that has always had rounds), to flats, to new pre-amp, and now back to rounds. Now that I think about it, it's actually the first time I've had rounds on the SR505 AND the new pre-amp. I'm clearly liking it. I'm hoping a new pre-amp in the SRX505 does the same thing.
 
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#8,950
kleinenenten said:
I recently switched back from flats, and while I'm enjoying the zing of rounds, stainless is gonna be too much for me! That's what sold me on the D'Addario set - I still feel plenty of thump, and have some zing. To extend this further, it's quite possible that the stock pre-amp may have made me gravitate towards the flats with their better perceived bass response. The stock pre-amp's bass response just wasn't very lively. I went from stock bass (the SR505, NOT the one I'm debating modding now that has always had rounds), to flats, to new pre-amp, and now back to rounds. Now that I think about it, it's actually the first time I've had rounds on the SR505 AND the new pre-amp. I'm clearly liking it. I'm hoping a new pre-amp in the SRX505 does the same thing.
Click to expand...
It might do the trick. A lot of players like nickel because of the different fundamental. You might like something ground wound like sit silencers or pressure wound. But definitely see what the preamp does first before you go to strings.
 
#8,951
kleinenenten said:
Back to SR talk - just finished re-stringing my 2005-ish SRX505. It had some dead rounds on it - at least 5 years old I'd imagine. I bought it used 2.5 years ago, and I've certainly never put new strings on it yet. I was hoping that a simple string change would re-invigorate the bass, but - though it did improve it significantly - it didn't make it anywhere near as strong tonally as my other bass. The highs and lows aren't as defined, and it just doesn't seem as "alive" as my other bass. I know that SRs often have the pre-amp as the weak link, so here we are.

I recently had my SR505 upgraded and am absolutely floored by the improvement in tone. For the SR505, I upgraded the stock pre to a Bartolini HR.54AP (I think? The naming conventions aren't very friendly - 3 band, blend, volume, push/pull active/passive, mid freq switch). I did this mostly because I didn't need to put any new holes in the bass (besides the switch, but newer SR505s already have that) and because it kept my familiar control layout. And also because the old electronics died, but that's a separate issue! For the new pre-amp in my SRX505, I'm strongly considering Audere, as I know they get rave reviews on this thread, and they're affordable.

Here's the question - would it benefit me more to upgrade my SRX505 to pre-amp with a similar layout (i.e. 3 band, blend, etc., but without the frequency switch or push/pull), or to keep the same stock layout with a new pre? Typically, I leave bass and treble flat, and bump mids - I can functionally do that with either pre-amp. If anybody has any input on the differences between pickups of the SR505 (Bart MK1s) and the SRX505 (Ibanez PFR) or on the differences between Bart and Audere pre-amps in general, I'm all ears. For what it's worth, I love my Bart MK1 pickups' clean tone (especially with the new pre), and I hear that many say the Ibanez PFR pickups are great as well. I'm willing to spend the extra money if it's worth it (not that we're talking tons anyway, but still).

Here are the two pre-amps I'm leaning towards:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require no additional purchases)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (would require me to buy at minimum a stacked knob - anyone got a lead on stacked gunmetal/smoky chrome ones?)

Also this one from the classifieds:
Audere Classic onboard preamp (would be closer to my SR505 with variable mids, I think? This has a hi and low mid stacked pot. I'd probably get a set of knobs to match my bass down the road too.)

Thanks for the input and help, everybody!
Click to expand...
SRX were a brilliant series of basses. Were I you i would do the following:
1. Wire both pickups in parallel.
2. Find an aftermarket Stringray 2 band preamp and replace the stock one with it.
 
#8,954
kleinenenten said:
Anybody have a lead on where to get concentric stacked knobs for my SRX505 if I go the stacked knob pre route? I can find standard chrome ones all day, but I want to match the tuners, which is a gunmetal/grayish chrome color. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Would something like these in Smoke Gray do the job for you?
 
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#8,955
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#8,960
F2107001-EB1F-45C1-9AAD-C175EF188A84.jpeg
33DD42B9-7BBB-45F2-ACC5-39FF933E691E.jpeg
This is my SRX2EX2 and I'm considering another preamp for it. I love how it looks, how it plays and the comfortable design, I just feel I could get a better control over the sound with a new (different) pre. I have a Tone Monster 2-band pre currently installed but it's not cutting it. Any suggestions? I'm considering an Audere pre as I've heard great things about and the price is very reasonable. :D
 
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