Trouble with 5 string Ibanez soundgear neck (with KTS titanium reinforcement)

[Ljk225]

Yesterday I got this beautiful Ibanez SR5PBLTD (something something ibanez names) and I was really excited because I thought the KTS titanium reinforcement rods (and 15 piece laminate) would make the neck very stiff. To my dismay, I can't seem to get the neck flat enough. Right now I'm sitting at around 1.5mm of relief and the upper frets are still choking out. I have the truss rod all the way tightened. I even pulled the neck back a little to get that final little push. My action is too high at the low frets.
What I want to know is if this is a normal issue on soundgear basses with these titanium rods, as I have seen mixed reports. I am considering returning the instrument and possibly getting a replacement. I would not, however, want to get a replacement if it isn't possible to get the relief that I wan't. So I'd like to hear some insights. Would a replacement have the same issue? Is this unavoidable since the neck is rather thin? I don't really like the idea of having a bass that I can only play with the truss rod maxed out. I have another ibanez bass and the neck is super stiff (EHB1500). Thanks for any info.

The bass in question:

 

[Jogobass]

My Ibanez GWB205 has those rods as well. No issues at all. Can get a flat relief if I wanted. I would say there's something wrong with your particular bass. Mine came with a bridge a little too far back which is resolved by putting the saddles at the end of their screws for intonation. I would say quality control is not the best for basses in this price range unfortunately.

 

[Bassplayer1586]

Yesterday I got this beautiful Ibanez SR5PBLTD (something something ibanez names) and I was really excited because I thought the KTS titanium reinforcement rods (and 15 piece laminate) would make the neck very stiff. To my dismay, I can't seem to get the neck flat enough. Right now I'm sitting at around 1.5mm of relief and the upper frets are still choking out. I have the truss rod all the way tightened. I even pulled the neck back a little to get that final little push. My action is too high at the low frets.
What I want to know is if this is a normal issue on soundgear basses with these titanium rods, as I have seen mixed reports. I am considering returning the instrument and possibly getting a replacement. I would not, however, want to get a replacement if it isn't possible to get the relief that I wan't. So I'd like to hear some insights. Would a replacement have the same issue? Is this unavoidable since the neck is rather thin? I don't really like the idea of having a bass that I can only play with the truss rod maxed out. I have another ibanez bass and the neck is super stiff (EHB1500). Thanks for any info.

The bass in question:
View attachment 7083688

Maybe take the strings off and loosen the truss rod, just to see if it's moving the neck as it should be. After that, try and tighten it back up to where you had it, or even past that, if possible, then string it back up and tune it. You might try a lighter gauge set of strings as well.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Normal relief is ~ .012" or 0.3 mm and your relief is 5x that? Are you measuring while depressing 1st and last or 1st and 17th (...or thereabouts)?

Riis

 

[Ljk225]

That one was definetly a dud. I bought it form somewhere else and the neck is just as stiff as i expected