ID on circa-98 SoundGear

hatchmt · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 12:27 am Post subject: ID on circa-98 SoundGear

Greetings, my fellow four-stringers!

First off: Many reads, but this is my first posting. Glad to finally join the crowd, though I wish it were with a somewhat less-than-newbie question... Rolling Eyes

You all have been very helpful and insightful.

Okay... So, after owning this beautiful, wonderful, completely heavenly bass for, oh, 5 or 6 years now, a friend in a new band I just joined is like, "So what model is it?" I glance down, think for a second, look back up, shrug, and play on. Very Happy

But when I got home and looked through all my saved-up paperwork, I can't find ANYTHING to tell me what bass I have! (sigh)

Truthfully, it's really not that big of a deal. But it'd be nice to know. I've taken some digital pictures of it, and posted them at http://matthew.azza.org/ibanez.html. Feel free to take a peek, and if you happen to know what it is, just let me know. Thanks!

Play on...

-Matt

lesliegl · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:09 am Post subject:

Hi Matt....well from the serila number starting with 97 it seems it was made in 1997.....it looks identical to the SR1300PM model but mahogany body but without the paduak top that model has.....the new model for 98 was the short lived SR1010 wich had the same solid mahogany body...but with passive SFn pickups...... vari-mid hi-fi pre-amp.....and the new B20 birdge .
The only other model i have info on that is similar to yr bass is the the Japan only SR1000SOL model but that has gold hardware an the SR800 type body...
Yr model has the ealier BIV bridge....AFR acive pick-up..standard vari-mid pre-anp...standard issue at that time...the 1300 model was discontinued around 97.......so maybe the last ones made didnt have the paduak top..

Lovely looking bass......i owned one with the paduak top for a short time...didnt think the paduak top was to my liking....yrs is what i would have liked....

Hope ive been of some help...

Bye .....Leslie
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lesliegl

SRXThunder · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

Hey, welcome to the both of you, Matt and Leslie. Matt, based on the serial number:

hatchmt · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your replies! Quite helpful!

Yeah, after I posted, I found that the 97 in the serial number meant it was made in 97... Smile

I was thinking "Hmmm... Google BEFORE you post!"

SRX, after looking at the '97 catalog, it seems I have a SR1010SOL. I really can't find any differences between mine and the one here in the catalog. Your opinion?

Here's another question, related but not related: Rolling Eyes

On the same page, it shows the SR5000, with its Monorail bridge and drop-D tuner. Um, What are the benefits of a bridge like this besides the fact it can drop the tuning with a flip o' the switch? Compare with what I have, which is the Accucast B-IV. Would it benefit me to "convert" to a bridge of this type over the one I have?

I'm getting beautiful sound out of it now, so I'm not even really considering it. Curious only... You know, for education's sake! Very Happy

Thanks everyone!

SRXThunder · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:42 pm Post subject:

Being happy with your tone and sustain is a hard place to reach, especialy with bass players. For some reason we're all just so *Holy Censor, Batman* picky about the level of warmth, depth, brightness, whatever it is you look for. If you're happy with your tone then I wouldn't try to "improve" upon it. Chances are you wont be as satisfied as you are now, and trying to go back is near impossible. My experience, anyway. As far as the differences between the two bridges, to my knowledge you hit it in your post. I think one or the other is a heavier bridge offering just a bit more sustain, but I don't remember which one off hand. As far as the D-Tuner, they come as aftermarket products of the same quality. You don't have to swap your bridge to get a D-Tuner. Hope this helps.
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hatchmt · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:00 pm Post subject:

I suppose I can also see a benefit to having each string on an independant bridge, reducing crosstalk. But I agree with your comment, about how picky we can be. Smile

It drives me crazy sometimes, but if we weren't all picky, there would be a lot of ugly-sounding music in the world, and that just wouldn't be right! hehe

SRXThunder · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

This, my friend, is very true. It reminds me of when Budweiser first came out with 'Born on Dating'. Do you remember that commercial? 'Friends don't let friends drink skunky beer.'? Same philosophy. Friends don't let friend have sterile bass tone. Which would lead me to believe that the bass player for Korn is friendless (worst bass tone I've ever heard, IMO.)
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Some motherf*ckers are always trying to ice skate up hill.