This cheap '99 SoundGear is... Incredible?

I won't even pretend to understand Ibanez numbering. At the lower end like SR 200 through SR 500 it seems to be ascending quality as the numbers go up.... aand then it just gets confusing...but even the cheapest SR I've picked up is a decent, playable bass. All the MIJ have a great reputation, looks like you scored bigly. The ergonomics on all their basses (except maybe the Talman, whih is a bit of a mess IMO) are excellent, love the balance and those fast, skinny necks.
 
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SR990QS! That wasn't a cheap bass new, would've been just below the Prestige tier with much the same neck construction. Pretty rare, too.

Winner winner chicken dinner! Thank you so much!!n
 
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What a bargain !!

Is it switchable active/passive?
If the active is too “90’s sounding” for you, a replacement pre might just take it to the next level.
Nah just active. I think a passive switch and a battery door would be the only mods I make to this bass until the OG electronics are dust. I'm just so floored by how good it is and how close it is to what I would've gotten in a custom instrument!
 
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I love ALL Sr basses 300 and up, to be honest, but THAT is special. an older (but not "vintage", probably turn of the century) MIJ higher end model, probably starts a 1, like a 1X00 where X is a 2 or higher. those inlays and the finish give that all away. truly a top tier bass. But every SR is damn comfy and well engineered.

SR990QS! That wasn't a cheap bass new, would've been just below the Prestige tier with much the same neck construction. Pretty rare, too.

 
That's a wenge neck (apart from the stringers), which is the most incredible neck wood, with a very distinct tight growly tone - but it's so expensive to work with that it's pretty rare on basses nowadays. It's the cornerstone of the iconic Warwick sounds, but it's very hard so blunts tools, splinters easily, and generates particularly poisonous sawdust (and the timber itself is expensive too).

What a great find!
I'm curious about the strong spacing.

re: wenge. I never enjoyed working with Wenge, but that doesn't make it bad for bass building.

Working with it a lot helps woodworkers anticipate, and compensate for, its unique woodworking characteristics. It takes attention to detail to make it work well.

A noob should consider working with a few offcuts to become familiar with the way wenge reacts to our efforts before starting on on an expensive project.
 
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