Why do I hate Ibanez SR basses so much?

[ledyard]

Here's my Prestige sr3005 SOL:

It has Barts and a Bart 3 band Pre with a sweepable mid - but it's output level is fine, and it's not muddy at all... My 1st thought was that maybe there was something wrong with yours, and 2nd was that not all basses sound good with all strings...

Also, you might not want to hear this, but I've found the PH1000 and 1200 cabs to have somewhat of a muddy sound - this is coming from someone who owns both the PH610 and PH810, and has played nearly every Mesa cab ever made...

If you want to stop into Syracuse, you can check out my Prestige 5'er or sr905 sometime - PM me if you're interested, or come on out to a Grind or Decree gig some night...


- georgestrings

That looks exactly like the bass I had except it was a 4 banger. Same wood same headstock logo, same pups, same pre. I've never had a mud problem playing any music except for that bass. If I want clean punch its always been there with either of my last two amps (boogie, ampeg) through my cab. Must be the bass just didnt agree with me. I understand where you would hear some sense of muddy in a PH1000 George. Some frequencies and basses and amps as well dont agree with the 15" and can get a little farty. When I use my P bass through it in the other band it almost breaks up a little in a vintage way but in that band and for that sound its desireable. But playing a Cirrus through it its just clean gut punching sound.
When I had it I also had just gotten my Cirrus and had my MIA jazz. I A/B/C'd them to see what kind of output difference I would have so I would know what kind of adjustments i might have to make. Obviously these 3 basses would have there own different tones. I was ready for that. But the SR was just crappy compared to the other two. Harsh, middy, dead sounding. New strings too. I like the neck and body feel though. Just like the Tobias growler, must be they arent for me.

 

[ledyard]

I suspect a large part of your crappy tone was a bad setup -- SRs are active basses and as such require that you learn how to use the controls (especially in conjunction with your amp of choice). Once you do, they're incredibly versatile and awesome-sounding (as long as you like modern tones -- the only vintage sound the Barts in my SR4005 really nail is the Jaco-ish cut-treble bridge pickup mwah). But if you set everything to full, you'll sound bad (at the very least, set everything to flat).

Here's a pretty good example of what a Korean-made SR can do:

(no, it's not me -- Wild_Cat, pimping VGM arrangements since 2005 )

The bass in this song is a SR506 -- Korean-made, costs around $700, stock Bartolini Mk1 pickups and 3-band EQ. It's recorded straight into the audio interface (no amp, real or simulated) with some compression and equalization.

I run everything basically flat eq wise. I have had so many active basses i cant remember. "learning" controls isnt an issue here. Especially when spending an hour trying tons of bass and amp eq changes. Having to turn my amp up ALOT when plugging this bass in after my Jazz bass was plenty loud enough was pretty discouraging as well.
Personally my opinion is that the barts and pre are crap. That being said I have barts in my jazz currently and they sound great. Different, better series barts obviously.

My attraction to getting another one of these is that even the real nice japan versions can be had used at really good prices. Which is why (for whoever it was that was getting sensitive about it earlier) I went for japan only because they have a great fit and finish quality whereas many other asian made instruments dont. Not all of them mind you....schecter being one Korean made bass that has an exceptional factory fit and finish on their more expensive imports.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

It was a Japanese prestige model. I would only buy a MIJ Ibanez. I dont remember the parts.
I really wanted to like them. If I could get one that didnt sound like poo I would get one again. Even with an active pre amp it had crap for output volume too. (YES I changed the battery)

Hmmmm - I have barts in all of my basses (except my lightwave) and they sound great. I do know that these Ibby Soundgears do have a distinct tone (at least the one's that I've played) so maybe you just don't like that tone and need something else.

 

[ledyard]

So use one of them.

 

[ledyard]

Hmmmm - I have barts in all of my basses (except my lightwave) and they sound great. I do know that these Ibby Soundgears do have a distinct tone (at least the one's that I've played) so maybe you just don't like that tone and need something else.

I assume (correct me if i'm wrong) that they are probably the not so nice Bart Mk1 pups?
I like barts too. The EBMM style barts in my Jazz bass sound great. I had them in a Pedulla MVP too. That bass sounded incredible.
My tattoo guy has the highest series BTB 5 string neck through they make. Its indonesian made. I scoffed at it until I played it. Other than feeling like a $1500 MIA bass it sounded great with the Barts and pre it came with. But I know at some point there are BTB's with crappy Mk1 barts and then there are some with nicer barts in them.

 

[azfryguy]

IMO Ibanez basses only sound good to me with Elixer strings. For some reason most stock electronics on the SR basses are dull and muddy. I have an Ibanez sr 605 with Barts M5 and Bart 4.6 preamp. I had it professionally installed and its amazing. I also keep that bass clean and in a good string height as well as neck relief and pickup height.
Also for some reason Ibanez basses do not sound goo through I wanna say atleast 75% of bass amps.

Bottom line, Put Elixers on it,clean it,set it up and play through different amps.

 

[Mooch]

Not sure after reading these posts what exactly you are still looking for. But, if you are looking for something like an Ibanez but "more" tone options look into Traben.

I know a lot of people here can't stand them, but I own 2 models. An Array 4 which is a pretty "loud" looking bass, but the tone and output on it are amazing. A very awesome bass for many different things. We play metal a whole step tuned down and with treble,mid,bas, and blend(pickup) controls you can mess with tone a lot.

The other model is a chaos obsession 5er neck-thru. Looks a lot like the dark colored Ibanez posted above. Rockfeild pups and pre. Even better sounding than the array just not as "loud" looking.

Just my 4 cents.

 

[ledyard]

Not sure after reading these posts what exactly you are still looking for. But, if you are looking for something like an Ibanez but "more" tone options look into Traben.

I know a lot of people here can't stand them, but I own 2 models. An Array 4 which is a pretty "loud" looking bass, but the tone and output on it are amazing. A very awesome bass for many different things. We play metal a whole step tuned down and with treble,mid,bas, and blend(pickup) controls you can mess with tone a lot.

The other model is a chaos obsession 5er neck-thru. Looks a lot like the dark colored Ibanez posted above. Rockfeild pups and pre. Even better sounding than the array just not as "loud" looking.

Just my 4 cents.

Am I correct when I assume they are the ones I have seen at GC with cool ornate bridges and such? I remember seeing them a year or two ago but didnt know anything about them. They were in the same price range as LTD and Schecter but I have never heard anything good or bad about them so I have never paid any mind.
Theres nothing special I am 'looking for' really. I just wish for as nice as the SR basses feel strapped on and their nice slim and fast necks that they didnt sound like poo.
Again, what i'm after is something fast with a not too metal not too old school look to play in my apparently reforming metal band. Its not the kind of music that warrants a BC Rich warlock look, but a P bass is going to be out of place too. Something like a BTB, SR, Spector, Schecter, certain LTD or ESP. Ofcourse sound is important too. As much as I didnt care for them in my Schecter basses I toured with I would almost prefer the EMG HZ's to the stock Ibanez barts. At least the barts we are referring to.

 

[ledyard]

IMO Ibanez basses only sound good to me with Elixer strings. For some reason most stock electronics on the SR basses are dull and muddy.Also for some reason Ibanez basses do not sound goo through I wanna say atleast 75% of bass amps.

Thank you. Finally.

Are there Different series of barts in SR basses? I know there are in BTB's

 

[georgestrings]

That looks exactly like the bass I had except it was a 4 banger. Same wood same headstock logo, same pups, same pre. I've never had a mud problem playing any music except for that bass. If I want clean punch its always been there with either of my last two amps (boogie, ampeg) through my cab. Must be the bass just didnt agree with me. I understand where you would hear some sense of muddy in a PH1000 George. Some frequencies and basses and amps as well dont agree with the 15" and can get a little farty. When I use my P bass through it in the other band it almost breaks up a little in a vintage way but in that band and for that sound its desireable. But playing a Cirrus through it its just clean gut punching sound.
When I had it I also had just gotten my Cirrus and had my MIA jazz. I A/B/C'd them to see what kind of output difference I would have so I would know what kind of adjustments i might have to make. Obviously these 3 basses would have there own different tones. I was ready for that. But the SR was just crappy compared to the other two. Harsh, middy, dead sounding. New strings too. I like the neck and body feel though. Just like the Tobias growler, must be they arent for me.

One thing springs to mind - an identical looking Prestige is currently sitting in the Dewitt GC - only thing is, it has Ibanez pups in it instead of the same Barts mine has - and it's output is considerably lower, and it doesn't sound nearly as good... I was going to buy it as a backup to mine, but it just didn't "have it", sound-wise... The Prestige in the picture has sort of a Spector type of midrange sound to it, but sounds much clearer in a band mix - and it plays better than any Spector I've ever played...


- georgestrings

 

[Bassist Jay]

Maybe you just had a bad one? Try another one out. the 2010 models on the SR 500's and up are really nice. If you still don't like them, then like others have said, look at other basses.

 

[georgestrings]

Are there Different series of barts in SR basses? I know there are in BTB's

Definitely - my Prestige has different Barts in it than my sr905 does - although that bass is also pretty clear voiced... I'm using Boomer Mediums on both, FWIW - I also got decent results with D'addarios on them...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

Also for some reason Ibanez basses do not sound goo through I wanna say atleast 75% of bass amps.

I disagree with that - although I mostly play thru Mesa and G-K amps - I've been able to get good sound with Ibanez thru Ampeg, Genz-Benz, Markbass, and Peavey - just to name a few...


- georgestrings

 

[darkstorm]

Im not much of a fan of the bart pups and pres used in some of the Ibanez SR's either. Changing those to more liked pups and preamp would be nice upgrade to a bass you otherwise seem to really like. I found I liked some of the lower price soundgear basses with other brands ofsoapbar pups and pre better when I was shopping for one.

 

[GrapeApe]

Why do I hate Ibanez SR basses so much?

Because you don't play Nu-Metal?

 

[mustbampeg]

I have owned several Ibby's over the years. A few of the more notable ones are:

A 1990 SR1000 that came factory with ash body, ebony board and emg's. Produced for that one year with that config according to Ibanez.

A 2006 SR1000 with mahogany body, walnut top, and I believe a 6 piece maple and wenge neck, and also the aforementioned Bart's with Bart pre. Also had the cool mono rail bridge.

A 1996 Korean made SR800. Looks like an ash body as well, RW board and Ibby pups and vari-mid pre.

The SR800 is the only one i still own. You can find older 90s models SR800's all day long on the evil bay for less than $300. Get a Japanese one, as these are the most desirable, in most circles.....However, my Korean made one just plays and sounds like buttah....

So, that's my .02. Find a Fuji made SR800 from the early 90s. That's the bass that the whole Soundgear line was built upon.

Anyways, good luck in your search...

Randy

 

[KingRazor]

It's interesting, my Ibanez actually has too much output. Even with the on-board EQ set flat, it's much louder than my P bass.

I think the problem is that Ibanez preamps just suck. Replace the preamp and if it still doesn't sound good, find some good pickups.

 

[ledyard]

The whole attraction of the SR's is the really low $$ they go for used. But in thinking about it, getting a nice used one for $300-400 then maybe putting $350 of pups and OBP-3 leaves me at $650-750. I can get back into a USA Cirrus for that kind of cash and nothing comes close to those in sound, playability, and quality of construction IMHO for heavy music.

 

[ledyard]

Because you don't play Nu-Metal?

No......I certainly dont.

 

[Wild_Cat]

Having to turn my amp up ALOT when plugging this bass in after my Jazz bass was plenty loud enough was pretty discouraging as well.

That's strange -- the 9-volt Mk1 preamp is supposed to be plenty loud, especially compared to a passive Jazz.

Personally my opinion is that the barts and pre are crap. That being said I have barts in my jazz currently and they sound great. Different, better series barts obviously.

Again, the clip I posted was recorded with a stock, unmodified Korean SR506 (so, with the Bartolini Mk1 pickups and preamp you seem to dislike).


But yes, there are different series of pickups in those basses. Taking into account only the recent-ish models (last 5 years or so):

- Lower-end SRs (SR400 and below) don't use Bartolini anything at all. They used to have Ibanez-made pickups and electronics, and were switched this year to "CAP" pickups, which I know nothing about.

- Middle-range SRs (SR500 to SR750, basically all the nice Korean/Indonesian ones) come with Bartolini Mk1 pickups (P-style split pickups in soapbar casings). They used to have Bartolini electronics as well, but they were switched to an Ibanez preamp.

- BTBs have Bartolini Mk2 pickups (soapbar humbuckers) and electronics.

- Prestige SRs (SR4000 and above, MIJ) have custom-designed Bartolini pickups based on the Mk2 and Ibanez 3-volt electronics. Having one such bass myself, I can assure you those pickups rock.

- Premium SRs (new this year) have Nordstrand pickups (Big Singles, which I suppose are ridiculously nice) and Ibanez electronics.


And of course, let's not discount the SRX line, whose higher-end models have meh electronics (2-band EQ ) but nice-sounding and ridiculously hot pickups (Ibanez's own PFRs).