The Soundgear Club

[crazycloud]

Has anyone changed out the tuners in an SRMS with HS U/L or Res-O-Lites?
Worth the difference? Or am I just going to micturate money up the wall?
I have the 806 and whilst it isn't divey, I'd like the neck to sit more vertical.

 

[kleinenenten]

In retrospect, they're not THAT bad. Same holds true for the frequently maligned MK1 pickups.

Most of the basses I have them in they're staying now, except for two where I want a specific that the MK1s simply can't get, like EMGDC or Alumitones.

This. My SR505 sounds great with the MK1s. I've debated changing them out, but I think it's quickly getting into the area of diminishing returns. I found the Bart NTMB pre amp to be a much better pre amp than the stock one, but after that, I'm not sure what else I'd get from new pickups. I have no issues as is, and the pre amp is much cheaper than the pickups! In fact, I have a spare set of MK1s from a few years ago. I thought the pickups had gone bad, found a set for cheap and grabbed them. Then I found out the pre was the issue. That's why I got the NTMB, and it was a noticeable improvement instantly. Sometimes, things just work out for the best.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Has anyone changed out the tuners in an SRMS with HS U/L or Res-O-Lites?
Worth the difference? Or am I just going to micturate money up the wall?
I have the 806 and whilst it isn't divey, I'd like the neck to sit more vertical.

One with each....Soundgear but different models. The HS's are "shorties".

 

[crazycloud]

One with each....Soundgear but different models. The HS's are "shorties".

View attachment 7407535

Thanks, but did they make a worthwhile weight difference over the stock units?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks, but did they make a worthwhile weight difference over the stock units?

Yes...maybe a matter of ounces but we dwell too much on the weight differential and not the mechanics-in-play. The benefit is multiplied when we stick it out 22 inches on the end of the "load" limb (1st class lever). Archimedes was right.

IMO, the Gotoh scalloped buttons look really cool juxtaposed on a Soundgear headstock...Hipshot has better service.

Riis

 

[Zooberwerx]

This. My SR505 sounds great with the MK1s. I've debated changing them out, but I think it's quickly getting into the area of diminishing returns. I found the Bart NTMB pre amp to be a much better pre amp than the stock one, but after that, I'm not sure what else I'd get from new pickups. I have no issues as is, and the pre amp is much cheaper than the pickups! In fact, I have a spare set of MK1s from a few years ago. I thought the pickups had gone bad, found a set for cheap and grabbed them. Then I found out the pre was the issue. That's why I got the NTMB, and it was a noticeable improvement instantly. Sometimes, things just work out for the best.

As my brother cites: "30% of the money buys you 90% of the sound...". I'm hard-pressed to drop $275-300 for pickups as an experiment. I had good luck with used preamps plus I was bored. Glad the NTMB is working out for you...hard to go wrong with anything stamped "Bartolini". The OBP-3 is a particularly good match with it's 800 / 400 mid freq selector. I use the "400" and attenuate a tad...it really cleans up the gank that folks complain about. Funny thing: I have a like pre in another bass...the harness is present but they never wired-up nor installed the switch. I'm thinking about it...

Riis

 

[crazycloud]

Yes...maybe a matter of ounces but we dwell too much on the weight differential and not the mechanics-in-play. The benefit is multiplied when we stick it out 22 inches on the end of the "load" limb (1st class lever).

I understand the mechanics of it, which is why I care if there is a small weight difference in the tuners.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I understand the mechanics of it, which is why I care if there is a small weight difference in the tuners.

IIRC, the Res-o-lites are a tad lighter than the standard HS's but I'm not sure if that applies to the "short stem" Hipshots I pic'd. Funny thing: although a GB-7 drop-in, a couple of the HS's still extend beyond the SR755's headstock margin...hard to see but it's there.

Riis

 

[kleinenenten]

As my brother cites: "30% of the money buys you 90% of the sound...". I'm hard-pressed to drop $275-300 for pickups as an experiment. I had good luck with used preamps plus I was bored. Glad the NTMB is working out for you...hard to go wrong with anything stamped "Bartolini". The OBP-3 is a particularly good match with it's 800 / 400 mid freq selector. I use the "400" and attenuate a tad...it really cleans up the gank that folks complain about. Funny thing: I have a like pre in another bass...the harness is present but they never wired-up nor installed the switch. I'm thinking about it...

Riis

My NTMB has a 3 way mids switch - I usually keep it at the highest frequency for clarity, as I also don't typically boost highs. Gives me great definition! I believe the frequencies are 250/500/800, though I could be mistaken.

 

[pb9717]

I had put these Sadowsky soapbars in my SRSC last summer. Today I installed the Sadowsky preamp with mid bump switch. I have been a Sadowsky guy for almost 15 years but their 5's are usually cost prohibitive and simply too large for my taste. This is my 3rd SRSC805. The necks on these basses are soooo flat & comfy, but I feel the Sadowsky Modern electrics will come closer to the sound I'm hearing in my head. The different between these electrics and the OEM ones is striking. Lotsa folks love the stock stuff, so if anybody's looking, I have the complete OEM electrics in the classifieds.

For sale Ibanez Electrics ENTIRE System Pre/Knobs/pickups

Ibanez SRSC string electrics. ALL.

• pb9717 (+35 /0 /-1)
• Jan 13, 2026
• Updated Jan 14, 2026
• Expired Apr 23, 2026
• Views: 110
• Category: For Sale: Parts, Strings, and Accessories

$129.00

Make an offer. Soundgear club guys get free shipping.

 

[crazycloud]

^^ I think that is one of the best looking SCs I've ever seen.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Has anyone changed out the tuners in an SRMS with HS U/L or Res-O-Lites?
Worth the difference? Or am I just going to micturate money up the wall?
I have the 806 and whilst it isn't divey, I'd like the neck to sit more vertical.

Not a soundgear but the tuners are the same size/style. I swapped out the stock tuners on my Sire F10 with Gotoh GRL510-M9 resolites. A lot less pricey than Hipshots too. They're 43ish grams each and 36g for the clover ones!

 

[Arjank]

^^ I think that is one of the best looking SCs I've ever seen.

Yeah, I always wanted such a blonde one but these are very rare...

 

[Zooberwerx]

Not a soundgear but the tuners are the same size/style. I swapped out the stock tuners on my Sire F10 with Gotoh GRL510-M9 resolites. A lot less pricey than Hipshots too. They're 43ish grams each and 36g for the clover ones!

View attachment 7409360

Ok...those are pretty dang cool...love the open gear config. Here's a supplier I've used in the past:

GOTOH GRL510M-9 Res-o-Lite Open Gear Bass Tuner Molded - Preconfigured Set - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC

www.philadelphialuthiertools.com

Riis

 

[LowEndLobster]

Ok...those are pretty dang cool...love the open gear config. Here's a supplier I've used in the past:

GOTOH GRL510M-9 Res-o-Lite Open Gear Bass Tuner Molded - Preconfigured Set - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC

www.philadelphialuthiertools.com

Riis

They are! Philadelphia Luthier Tools and Guitar Hey are both great sources for Gotoh Hardware in the USA

 

[cfortner]

View attachment 7409282
I had put these Sadowsky soapbars in my SRSC last summer. Today I installed the Sadowsky preamp with mid bump switch. I have been a Sadowsky guy for almost 15 years but their 5's are usually cost prohibitive and simply too large for my taste. This is my 3rd SRSC805. The necks on these basses are soooo flat & comfy, but I feel the Sadowsky Modern electrics will come closer to the sound I'm hearing in my head. The different between these electrics and the OEM ones is striking. Lotsa folks love the stock stuff, so if anybody's looking, I have the complete OEM electrics in the classifieds.

For sale Ibanez Electrics ENTIRE System Pre/Knobs/pickups

Ibanez SRSC string electrics. ALL.

• pb9717 (+35 /0 /-1)
• Jan 13, 2026
• Updated Jan 14, 2026
• Expired Apr 23, 2026
• Views: 110
• Category: For Sale: Parts, Strings, and Accessories

$129.00

Make an offer. Soundgear club guys get free shipping.
View attachment 7409292

Do you know the exact weight of the bass?

 

[pb9717]

Do you know the exact weight of the bass?

A stupid light 8lbs 3.7oz. Lightest fiver I've ever owned.

 

[cfortner]

A stupid light 8lbs 3.7oz. Lightest fiver I've ever owned.

Wow! Are all basses of this series light as this bass?

 

[pb9717]

Wow! Are all basses of this series light as this bass?

I I've owned three of them. Every time I sell one I end up buying another. All of them were under 9 pounds, most of them closer to 8 pounds.
I also owned the Cort A4plusSC. That was closer to 10 pounds. The SR is superior.

 

[pb9717]

I was looking at the knob layout and found that moving them to a single arc along the outer edge would be more aesthetically pleasing. I'm looking for some burlwood to carve into plugs to fill the holes vs the temp black plastic ones now inserted.