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WWYD? (Ibanez EDC700)

B

Brian VT

Mar 8, 2017
196
115
#1
I'm a newb and bought this bass and it has "issues".
The volume+on-off pot is toast, many of the frets are worn down, and the body has an epoxy? patch on the back. I don't see any new necks available online and I'm not sure it would be worth the cost for one or to have new frets installed on the original.
I also have an SR370 that is in great condition. Should I strip parts off the EDC700 to "upgrade" the SR370?
Or should I just write off the EDC700 as a lesson learned and hang it up as a reminder?
What would you do?
 
#4
Brian VT said:
I'm a newb and bought this bass and it has "issues".
The volume+on-off pot is toast, many of the frets are worn down, and the body has an epoxy? patch on the back. I don't see any new necks available online and I'm not sure it would be worth the cost for one or to have new frets installed on the original.
I also have an SR370 that is in great condition. Should I strip parts off the EDC700 to "upgrade" the SR370?
Or should I just write off the EDC700 as a lesson learned and hang it up as a reminder?
What would you do?
Click to expand...

Tough to say for sure. It would really depend on how much I spent on it and willing to spend on it in the future. Replacing a pot isn’t too big of a deal, something on the back doesn’t bother me, though I am curious about this epoxy patch. IIRC, the neck on the EDC700 is similar to, maybe even exactly like, the SR series. I had both an EDC700 and an SR800 for years, and the necks seemed to be comparable. Ibanez discontinued the EDC700 quite a few years ago, so direct replacements will be difficult to come by unless you scored another EDC bass. A refret would be a better option, and possibly cheaper. I would love to see a pic of some of the issues.
 
#5
crucislancer said:
Tough to say for sure. It would really depend on how much I spent on it and willing to spend on it in the future. Replacing a pot isn’t too big of a deal, something on the back doesn’t bother me, though I am curious about this epoxy patch. IIRC, the neck on the EDC700 is similar to, maybe even exactly like, the SR series. I had both an EDC700 and an SR800 for years, and the necks seemed to be comparable. Ibanez discontinued the EDC700 quite a few years ago, so direct replacements will be difficult to come by unless you scored another EDC bass. A refret would be a better option, and possibly cheaper. I would love to see a pic of some of the issues.
Click to expand...
The epoxy job isn't the main deal breaker for me. And the pot isn't too big a deal either. But the frets have me tempted to throw the whole thing in the dumpster. I'm under the impression that the neck is unique to this body.
I took a chance on this bass for $100 so I'm not hurting over it but I don't know if it's worth throwing the $ for a fret job and a new pot. or if I should quit while I'm behind.
Here's the patch job:
b2.JPG b1.JPG
 
#6
Brian VT said:
The epoxy job isn't the main deal breaker for me. And the pot isn't too big a deal either. But the frets have me tempted to throw the whole thing in the dumpster. I'm under the impression that the neck is unique to this body.
I took a chance on this bass for $100 so I'm not hurting over it but I don't know if it's worth throwing the $ for a fret job and a new pot. or if I should quit while I'm behind.
Here's the patch job:
View attachment 1113135 View attachment 1113136
Click to expand...

The bodies on these basses were made from something called “luthrite” or something like that. A search here can give you more info, but basically a composite material. I’m guessing that’s why there’s a patch like that. Just from what I recall (from 17 years ago) the neck was nearly identical to the one on my SR800, the difference being different finishes on the back of the neck. Personally, if I bought that bass for $100, I would get the fret job. They are good basses that really didn’t get their due. They look way different than other basses and I think that, and the composite body, might have turned some people off. I loved the tone I got out of it.
 
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#7
crucislancer said:
The bodies on these basses were made from something called “luthrite” or something like that.
Click to expand...
Yep, it's Luthite. There are probably better alternatives than epoxy to do a patch on these, though color matching would likely be problematic.

The Ergodynes are excellent basses. I guess you'd have to compare the cost of a refret and pot replacement to the cost of picking up another EDC in better shape.
 
#8
garp said:
Yep, it's Luthite. There are probably better alternatives than epoxy to do a patch on these, though color matching would likely be problematic.

The Ergodynes are excellent basses. I guess you'd have to compare the cost of a refret and pot replacement to the cost of picking up another EDC in better shape.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's it. Luthite. I saw a couple EDC 700's on Reverb ranging from $300 to $420 so getting one for $100 with issues might not be that bad. I don't know what fret jobs go for these days, but I can't see it bringing the total price above $400.
 
#9
Good advice guys. Thanks.
I guess I'll stick it in the closet until I can give it a proper restoration rather than throw it in the dumpster or pawn it off off another unsuspecting newb.
That (restoration) may never happen though so I'm still curious if the components would be better on my SR370 than in the closet.
 
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#13
For $100 for that bass, and if I liked the way it played and if I was familiar with how it sounded, Id fix the pot...as far as the frets, Id have to see it if it just needs dressing or a refret.....the epoxy patch would mean nothing to me: if anything, it adds character
 
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#15
I think all you need to do is disconnect the center wire from the pot and then solder two wires together to bypass volume:

k5b.gif


Where the red oval is, clip those from the pot and solder those two together, looks like it should do the trick if I'm following the wiring correctly.
 
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#17
I haven't had any fret issues with my EDC700, but I did have an issue that required some creativity with the input jack, and the tuners gave out. I have had pot issues, but mine is with the low mid. But considering I gigged the mess out of that bass, some wear down was bound to happen. Still have it, just doesn't see a lot of play these days.

As far as the neck goes, you should be fine getting a replacement if you don't want to get a re-fretting done. The only thing I notice different from my EDC and the many other Ibby's I've played is the finish on the back of the neck.
 
#19
Brian VT said:
The epoxy job isn't the main deal breaker for me. And the pot isn't too big a deal either. But the frets have me tempted to throw the whole thing in the dumpster. I'm under the impression that the neck is unique to this body.
I took a chance on this bass for $100 so I'm not hurting over it but I don't know if it's worth throwing the $ for a fret job and a new pot. or if I should quit while I'm behind.
Here's the patch job:
View attachment 1113135 View attachment 1113136
Click to expand...

Always liked those basses. That is a comically BRUTAL patch job. WOW. You could just chisel it off and patch over it if you feel like it, obviously doesn't affect the outward appearance. Pots are par for the course. Deoxit spray is your friend.

A beater like that would be a great thing to learn to level and crown frets on if you're so inclined. There are many YouTube tutorials on it, watch several and take the best hints. Stewmac sells the best tools, but look for well rated equivalents on Amazon and they'll get the job done for a lot less.
 
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#20
Thanks for all the input, guys.
I noticed that some of the lower frets seemed kinda worn flat on top. I haven't played it yet.
I didn't even know about fret leveling/dressing. I don't think I'd mind attempting that if it actually needs it.
I should learn how to do set-up too. I could learn on this before messing with my "good" bass.
 
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