Thoughts on this bass

[madmarvin]

So I bought a bass:

Ibanez Sr890 1996 | Reverb

Got it for $375. I'm a huge fan of the SR basses, especially the SR800s from the Fujigen factory. Saw this on reverb, put in an offer and it was accepted, wasn't really expecting it. So now I am trying to figure out what to do. As much as I love the way these basses feel, never was a huge fan of the electronics and pickups. I'm thinking of swapping out both with a Novak vintage P and humbuck jazz and an Audere pre. But that's putting like $450 worth of hardware into a bass I paid $375 for. So I have a couple options, looking to see what others would do.

**oh and the bass is a 1993, not 96.**

 

[JKos]

If you love the way the bass plays, do the upgrades and keep the original parts. If you ever decide to sell it, you could put it back to stock. (Since you tend to lose money on upgraded electronics in a “less expensive” instrument.)

Wood doesn’t know how much it cost. If it’s a good instrument (wood, construction, fretwork, etc.), upgrading the electronics can be a great idea.

 

[madmarvin]

Wood doesn’t know how much it cost. If it’s a good instrument (wood, construction, fretwork, etc.), upgrading the electronics can be a great idea.

Awesome quote

 

[JRA]

all the above.

looking to see what others would do.

if that ax was a "keeper" in my world = i'd make whatever changes/mods/upgrades i needed to put it in the 'priceless to me' category...and go play!

there is no rule (in spite of what you're about to read in subsequent posts) that says "you can't spend more money altering your ax than you spent on the ax to begin with!" and, that POV works really well if you really know what you want from an ax...the playing experience!

it appears that you haven't played it yet. better get it in your hands and see/feel what you've actually got before you make important decisions about the ax.

but it's a handsome piece you just scored! congrats, and good luck!

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I would swap both the PU's and the preamp and play the hell out of it, it looks so gorgeous with that body finish...

 

[Artman]

I had one back in the 90’s that I installed active EMGs with an EMG BTS preamp.
It was great!

 

[madmarvin]

I had one back in the 90’s that I installed active EMGs with an EMG BTS preamp.
It was great!

Never used EMGs but man they were all the rage back when I first started playing. I think I opted for Seymour Duncan QPs because they were way cheaper and looked cool lol. Probably should have got the EMGs.

 

[DWBass]

I say play it first. Don't be in such a rush to mod.

 

[micguy]

A good bass is one that inspires you to play so much that you'll practice - a lot. Whatever you have to do (or not do) to get to that point where you're inspired to practice, do it.

 

[juggahnaught]

Play it before you mod it, but yeah - if it doesn't work out, swap the pre. If it's still not working out, swap the pickups.

I own an SR506 that I got from a pawn shop for around $285, and I had the preamp swapped for an Aguilar OBP-3. It's my everyday bass and I don't regret it.

Edit: Before you mod....try different strings. It's cheaper to do and can have a huge effect on the sound - you might find that you don't need to mod at all if you try different strings and find a set/sound that you like. Also, experiment with pickup heights as well. Between these two things you might find something you like.

 

[rojo412]

I'm definitely in the camp of "if it feels great, but sounds bad, change stuff out." Especially in something with the absolute most common pickup shapes available because as stated, worst case you switch back.

These era MIJ Ibbys are amazingly awesome, so if it's a well crafted player, do the upgrades!
(Though I will say, personally, this was my favorite Ibby preamp.)

 

[Killing Floor]

Just throw some Fralins in it and wire it passive. 4 knobs? Volume, blend, 2 tones.

 

[Titch]

$825 for a bass you love the feel of, the looks of, the playability of, the perfect electronic set up for you and your bassing needs!!
What are you waiting for?

 

[Lackey]

IF it needs help in the sound department... IF... I would put in some solid used P and J pickups and run it passive...

 

[Snert]

Great bass and yours is a really good looking example. I agree with the idea that you can swap the electronics out and restore to stock if you sell it, but, I'd play it in a band context first and see how it sounds.
T'wer I, she'd be getting EMGs.

 

[Thundar]

Yep! EMGs with an EMG pre

 

[Microbass]

I see no harm - definitely keep the originals in case of resale as obviously, you won't get 800 for a 350 bass and 450 worth of electronics. Plus, the preamp etc can always be dropped into another bass if need be.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Would you have paid $825 to buy the bass you want? Then do it.

But yeah, keep the original electronics so you can sell the bass as original (and keep the parts for another project).

 

[scott sinner]

Wood doesn’t know how much it cost. If it’s a good instrument (wood, construction, fretwork, etc.), upgrading the electronics can be a great idea.

So well said.

 

[DOMIT]

It's a beauty! How does it feel? And what is it about the sound that you don't like? It might just be string choice, as someone else pointed out.