donslow Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) Hey all, I’ve got an itch, it needs scratching before I do something I’ll regret (selling a bass I love to bits) Currently have an Ibanez sr500 (as well as three sr300’s I’ve had “adjusted” for different pickup configurations) and love it to bits, problem is, I’ve started to become a bit more passive bass biased which means the 500 doesn’t get used as much anymore, Do I have any options to make this bass passive but still get the same noise(s) out of it? Despite knowing it’ll be an instant kind of regret, I’m dangerously close to getting shot of it and buying another 300 to mod with some passive soap bars (or something similar) anyone with a couple of 2p’s to throw into the pot? thanks in advance Edited June 27, 2021 by donslow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Yes, just take the preamp out and connect the output of the balance through the volume and to the jack socket, jobs done. obviously what it sounds like then depends on your leads and your amp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) @Woodinblack thanks for the advice, something to look into for sure but I have to admit, I zoned out and went a bit crossed eyed at 7 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: connect the output of the balance through the volume Does that remove any trace of a tone adjustment option? Understandably it’ll sound different but Will it sound bad?! Just wondering after reading 7 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: obviously what it sounds like then depends on your leads and your amp Amp is an SVT II Pro or Micro CL if that’s worth anything?! thanks in advance again Edited June 27, 2021 by donslow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 1 hour ago, donslow said: @Woodinblack thanks for the advice, something to look into for sure but I have to admit, I zoned out and went a bit crossed eyed at The pickups go to the balance control, the output of which goes to the preamp input. The output of the preamp goes to the volume. So if you connect the middle pin of the balance control to the volume control where it connected to the preamp, job should be a goodun. 1 hour ago, donslow said: Does that remove any trace of a tone adjustment option? Yes, the tone adjustment is part of the preamp, there would be none left if you removed it. Obviously you could add something else as you would have some pots going spare, but there wouldn't be anything by default. 1 hour ago, donslow said: Understandably it’ll sound different but Will it sound bad?! Just wondering after reading Who knows, I don't have your cable or your amp. Once you remove the preamp you add your lead and your amp into the tone shaping circuit of the bass. If you have a good cable and a good amp you shouldn't be able to tell the difference between when it had the preamp and when it hadn't, apart from having no tone controls. Certainly with my leads and amp on my premiers, I can't tell the difference between the preamp being on or off, unless I change the tone controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) does this help? SR900... 500 may be same/similar Edited June 27, 2021 by PaulThePlug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Which is even easier, you don't even have to solder to test it out. Get 3 short lengths of solid copper core wire, take the circuit board plugs out and shove the 3 wires in the sockets like this. Obviously you can take the battery out, not that it will make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Thanks guys, appreciate the help, now to get it on the bench and (probably) make a pigs ear of it ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Are your pickups passive? I know a lot of active basses have passive pickups. If this is the case ask Ki0gon to make you a solderless passive loom, and simply replace the loom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 4 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said: Are your pickups passive? I know a lot of active basses have passive pickups. If this is the case ask Ki0gon to make you a solderless passive loom, and simply replace the loom. Not entirely sure, they’re bartolini mk1 pickups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Yes, they are passive. Try the patch, if you like it then do something more permenant, if not it is fully reversable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Is there any danger in leaving that patch as is? does it make a difference if I have the mid cut/boost switch?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 No danger at all if you are happy with it. The only difference is that it would have a different circuit so the pins might be different, but it should be apparent what goes to where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Or if you want to add some sort of tone control... a quick message to our @KiOgon he might be able to give you some options... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 On 28/06/2021 at 00:46, Woodinblack said: Which is even easier, you don't even have to solder to test it out. Get 3 short lengths of solid copper core wire, take the circuit board plugs out and shove the 3 wires in the sockets like this. Obviously you can take the battery out, not that it will make a difference. @PaulThePlug apologies for coming back to this, opened up my bass and what I found looks quite different to what you had posted above… Bit lost as to where the loops could/should go…can I kindly ask if you have any ideas/suggestions at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 I'll do some searching... see if i can come up with simething SR500? What year is yours? year/month from serial number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 @PaulThePlug cheers fella, really appreciate the help according to guitarinsite I have this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 So yes, you have a different board, this one: So to achieve that same effect its even easier, you just get a piece of wire to connect the white from plug one to the white from plug 3, and just in case they are not internally connected (although I am sure they are), the black from plug one to the black from plug 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 @Woodinblack Thankyou! You sir are a star! Will give that a go and test it out in the ‘morrow when there’s no risk of being shouted at for waking the rugrats… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Don't ya just love Basschat!.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donslow Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 (edited) Ha ha don’tcha just Edited July 11, 2021 by donslow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Edge Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 On 28/06/2021 at 00:46, Woodinblack said: Which is even easier, you don't even have to solder to test it out. Get 3 short lengths of solid copper core wire, take the circuit board plugs out and shove the 3 wires in the sockets like this. Obviously you can take the battery out, not that it will make a difference. I did this on my 2004 Korean SR900 on which I have installed Nordstrand Big Singles. It didn’t work. However the Big Singles are a major improvement over the Bart MK1’s even with the original preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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