Upgrading active electronics...

[jrbowen81]

Hi! First time here in the bass section of the forum. Glad to know there are some knowledgable folks here in the world of all things bass. What I first need to know is, what do you guys know about this bass?

It's my 2001 Ibanez Soundgear SR405. Only the 2nd bass I've ever owned, and the ONLY bass I currently own. The problem is that I don't know much of anything about the electronics. I know what the controls do and all that, but as far as upgrading to some active Duncans, Bartolinis, EMGs, etc... I don't know if I can just buy the proper size of pickups and retrofit them or if I need to also replace all of the guts (pots, harnesses, all that).

Also, what particular pickups would you guys recommend? I mainly use it for hard rock/metal, but I know from owning this thing that it is very, very versatile. I'd like for it to also be at home in prog, jazz, or other stuff like that.

If I sound like a total noob about bass stuff, it's because I am. I'm primarily a (gasp!!!) guitarist. Haha... So go easy on me. If I left out any other critical info like what amp I use, it's because I don't currently own a bass rig. My bass player uses my bass more than I do, especially since I'm playing guitar in the band, obviously. Aaaaanyways... I'm rambling.


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[jtougas]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

http://www.ibanezwiki.com/display/CATALOG/2001+-+Ibanez+US+Catalog+-+Basses+-+SR5+Series,+SR6+Series

My suggestion would be to measure the pickups, and see what else will fit in the pickup cavities already there.

But my first question would be: what do you want it to do differently than it does now?

 

[crguti]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

first of all... what you don't like about the sound?

or you just want to swap the electronic for the hell of it?

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

first of all... what you don't like about the sound?

or you just want to swap the electronic for the hell of it?

Pretty much, just to try something different. I know there's a lot of stuff out there that is better than the stock components. That's pretty much a given. I think with better pickups/preamp stuff, I could probably get a wider variety of usable sounds.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

http://www.ibanezwiki.com/display/CATALOG/2001+-+Ibanez+US+Catalog+-+Basses+-+SR5+Series,+SR6+Series

My suggestion would be to measure the pickups, and see what else will fit in the pickup cavities already there.

But my first question would be: what do you want it to do differently than it does now?

I've figured out which EMG soapbars will fit, and probably the Blackouts as well, but that's about it. I think EMG and Duncan both make them with the same dimensions for the housing. The stock pickups seem to hold true to that as well.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

I would like to get these--> http://www.emgpickups.com/products/index/216/252/2

...but the pots they come with are not the right configuration for this bass. It only comes with 3 pots and I have 5. Master volume, blend control, bass, mid, and treble. I would most likely have to get this set with it.--> http://www.emgpickups.com/products/index/143/146/4

Is that all I would need?


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

The concentric midrange control seems really cool, like it would add a ton of flexibility.


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[jtougas]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

That should do the trick.

 

[crguti]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

as far as I know, the EMG dc line are very powerful pickups, sometimes too much for some applications.
My suggestion would be the PJ set in the soapbar size. Those pickups are very versatile if what you're looking for. I would add the active blend as well. It works much better than the passive version because you get the full signal when is in the middle.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

as far as I know, the EMG dc line are very powerful pickups, sometimes too much for some applications.
My suggestion would be the PJ set in the soapbar size. Those pickups are very versatile if what you're looking for. I would add the active blend as well. It works much better than the passive version because you get the full signal when is in the middle.

PJs, huh? I guess I didn't look to see if those were available in soapbar size. I will read up on those. Thanks!


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

I was looking at the P and J type soapbars, and while those seem pretty cool, I wonder about getting a pair of these instead?

http://www.emgpickups.com/products/index/121/28/2

They seem like they might be a cool alternative to the 40DC.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

Ok, I'm also wondering what bridge I could get that would be a direct retrofit in place of the one that this one has. It's hard for me to tell which one would have the correct spacing for the screws and such. I'm trying to avoid having to drill new holes. I just would like to upgrade that along with the electronics.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

as far as I know, the EMG dc line are very powerful pickups, sometimes too much for some applications.
My suggestion would be the PJ set in the soapbar size. Those pickups are very versatile if what you're looking for. I would add the active blend as well. It works much better than the passive version because you get the full signal when is in the middle.

So, the active blend... Is that what is referred to as "summing"? I noticed there were some summing controls on the EMG site.


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[Funkfingers]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

It only comes with 3 pots and I have 5. Master volume, blend control, bass, mid, and treble.

A typical packaged pair of EMG or SD/Blackouts for Bass pickups will come with two volume pots and a master tone pot à la Fender Jazz Bass circuit. Three-band active EQ is a separate kit.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

I sorta gathered that from the EMG website. Kinda stinks, but what can ya do, right?


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

Ah, found it.

http://www.emgpickups.com/products/index/328/147/4

Yeah, that would be an excellent upgrade!


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[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

The 40DC is what I would use if I was going EMG. Very versatile. I've heard them used on everything from country records, funk, R&B, and metal. Very good pickups.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

The 40DC is what I would use if I was going EMG. Very versatile. I've heard them used on everything from country records, funk, R&B, and metal. Very good pickups.

Cool, thanks!


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[uOpt]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

If you want to avoid exchanging the electronics you need to find out what kind of pickups you have there.

Basically the questions are:

• High impedance pickups that would work fine passive but have (a) preamp(s) in the cavity just for kicks
• Low impedance pickups that much have a preamp
• Pickups with individual preamps built in (like EMGs)

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Upgrading active electronics...

All I know is that they are active Ibanez DX5s.


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