goonieman Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Hi All, I'm more of a fender/warwick guy, but am open-minded and intrigued about what I might be missing. I've been googling and see there is this 'soundgear' stuff as well as the SR series, and as always with Ibanez, a whole new language of acronyms to learn. If I was after a bass with tonnes of growl, flat radius neck, fairly thin neck, narrow nut, and active... would I go for the SR700? I'm thinking Warwick Corvette or Thumb tones, but those Bartolini MK-1s are confusing me... dual coil soapbar? Is like a p90? I prefer the thump of a MM pup - are these close? Any advice welcome, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) [quote name='goonieman' timestamp='1435255737' post='2807070'] If I was after a bass with tonnes of growl, flat radius neck, fairly thin neck, narrow nut, and active... would I go for the SR700? [/quote] Yes - I have a pretty rare Japanese SR740, covers this [color=#000000][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=2][/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000]Catalogue page here:[/color] [color=#000000][/color] [color=#000000]Link to Ibanez Catalogue archives:[/color] [url="http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/index.htm"]http://www.ibanezrul...alogs/index.htm[/url] [color=#000000]On the SR range, basically the higher up the number the higher the spec.[/color] Some Prestige ranges also have the excellent Vari Mid EQ Pre Amp (my SR740) does - it's a great pre amp. [color=#000000]I'd say the SR500 is a sweet spot in terms of value for money through the range.[/color] Edited June 25, 2015 by bagsieblue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I find the bartolis a bit polite sounding and not that growly, although you can make them a bit more lively with the eq (which is generally bass / treble / middle or bass / treble / freq / q. I would agree the 500 is a sweet spot, I had a 505 (and you can get them really cheap). On the other hand the Nordstrand singles are very growly. Can't really compare it to the Warwick as I have only played one, and it seemed a bit polite too. I have a 1000 prestige and a 1605 premium and they are the basses I consider 'my basses'. I have a Squire PBass, a Fender Jazz and a Ray5 that I use for gigging in places I don't want to take the ibanez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modman Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I have an SR1205 and I have to say it's one of the best basses I've had the pleasure of playing/owning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 whoa, the SR740 looks lovely. I bet it plays like a dream. Why is the SR500 in the sweet spot? Good preamp? 2 band? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 [quote name='Modman' timestamp='1435257339' post='2807094'] I have an SR1205 and I have to say it's one of the best basses I've had the pleasure of playing/owning. [/quote] I have to say that these are very intriguing... the SR1200 looks awesome. All those tone woods, and the reassuring attention to the truss rod being titanium etc. I have a lot of respect for Ibanez guitars, and am not surprised their basses are well respected around here... Might need to take the plunge one of these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modman Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 [quote name='goonieman' timestamp='1435258206' post='2807107'] I have to say that these are very intriguing... the SR1200 looks awesome. All those tone woods, and the reassuring attention to the truss rod being titanium etc. I have a lot of respect for Ibanez guitars, and am not surprised their basses are well respected around here... Might need to take the plunge one of these days [/quote] Do it, I was reserved about them for years but I tried a few out at the bass gallery in Camden and was just blown away by how good they are. My intention when I walked into the shop was to get a Warwick but I walked out with the Ibanez! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I tried the sr 1200,1800 and 500 at the weekend and although the higher spec 1200 and 1800 had more tonal options and Nordstrand p.u.'s i thought the 500 held its own and i loved the sound of the barts, i tend to play more reggae jazz and funk and found it well suited ...bargains to be had s/h ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 SR500 or upwards and you can't go wrong, I have a real soft spot for "woody" Japanese SR's from SR1000 upwards. The ones that I have tried are gorgeous and sound great and worth searching out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 [quote name='goonieman' timestamp='1435257593' post='2807096'] whoa, the SR740 looks lovely. I bet it plays like a dream. Why is the SR500 in the sweet spot? Good preamp? 2 band? [/quote] It is lovely - could be persuaded to part with too !!! SR500, much much better than SR300, SR400 for not much more cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 [quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1435260300' post='2807138'] It is lovely - could be persuaded to part with too !!! SR500, much much better than SR300, SR400 for not much more cash. [/quote] All sounds good and promising - but the main question, do they growl? I see the mid-range sweep switch is handy for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Yes, tons of growl (which to my ears is low mids) on tap with the [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Vari Mid EQ Pre Amp[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I am an Ibanez and Warwick player....I used to own a SR605 in natural swamp ash and it was a beautiful bass, but is not a patch on the SR1205 that I currently gig. If you like Warwick basses you will enjoy the mid-high range SR's (500 upwards), they are equally tactile, playable and well designed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 another thumbs up for the SR500, been playing it for about 7 years, wouldnt say it really growls but it does a really nice smooth tone, through to a Pbass type tone on the neck pup only and add a bit of treble and dig in a bit and you get a nice attack, i have been gassing for a 1405 or 1805 just cant bring myself to pull the trigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biro Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 I recently acquired a 506 for a very honest price after trying another specimen in a Denmark St shop some time back and having my personal conversion on the way to Damascus. I got mine on BC, an it's a 2007 model. I agree that it could do better in terms of pick ups, but the quality of these instruments is just exceptional for the money. It's currently my main bass and I am very happy with it. Loads of sustain, great attack, the right amount of woody growl and super comfy. As of now, I believe I could only part with it to get an upper-level Soundgear. Also, whoever designed the SR neck is a hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Also if you like a chunkier neck (and nut width), the Cort B4 is essentially the same bass as the SR600 (but with a chunkier neck obviously). I thought the Bart Mk1s were P-type inside the soapbar holder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biro Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1435257305' post='2807091'] I find the bartolis a bit polite sounding and not that growly, although you can make them a bit more lively with the eq (which is generally bass / treble / middle or bass / treble / freq / q. I would agree the 500 is a sweet spot, I had a 505 (and you can get them really cheap). [/quote] Or, you know, overdrive them to 11: https://soundcloud.com/ballpointmusic/ibanez-sr-506-guitar-rig Edited June 27, 2015 by biro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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