Post by RichLPost by Jose de las HerasPost by RichLPost by Jose de las HerasPost by RichLPost by Jose de las HerasI came across an old black SR400 (SoundGear series) at an
appetising price... and I made the mistake of trying it.
Now it's mine. :-)
I remember trying some SR series bass a while ago and I liked the
neck, veyr Jazz-like, but with a slim body that I find a lot more
comfortable (I'm not a big guy)... This SR400 is better than I
remember. I got used to my Warwick Corvette$$ and its chunky neck,
and it's ok because it sounds great... but the SR400 is actually
more versatile with a pretty decent 3-band EQ, and the P/J
configuration. I don't get the "oomph" of the big MM-style
humbuckers, but... I just can't stop playing this thing!
I'm in love again :-)
The only thing I didn't like was that the previous owner put a "I
killed Kenny" sticker on the body. I was going to remove it
straight away, but I'll wait until after tomorrow's rehearsal: my
drummer's name is Kenny ;-)
Jose
Very cool! I've got an Ibanez SDGR bass that my kids bought me a
couple of years ago, and from what I can tell it's very similar to
the SR400. (Not sure what the extra knob is on the 400 though.)
As far as I can tell the SR400 comes in at least two configurations.
The older model, which is what I got, has 5 knobs. They're just
volume, pickup balance, and the 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble). The
newer models have 4 knobs, but one is stacked. I actually prefer
separate knobs like in mine. There may be passive versions too, if
what I read (quick google search) is correct. Other differences
between the new and old versions are the body shape and jack socket
location. The new ones have a slightly different profile, maybe
slimmer (it's one of those I tried a while ago, but I can't remember
the details). The socket on mine is on the side, the new ones it's
on teh body, recessed not unlike a stratocaster, although at a
different angle.
Jose
Ah, OK, the SDGR doesn't have the mid control, and it has the treble
and bass controls stacked. 3 knobs, jack socket on the side.
They're all SDGR, it stands for SounDGeaR :-)
Ah!
I'm an idiot. I assumed that was the model. Now that I know otherwise,
I looked at the fine print on the rear of the headstock. What I have is
an SR300DX.
Post by Jose de las HerasI used mine last night... it was good, but I kept feeling somebody had
stolen a chunk of my neck and I missed a few things I'd never have
missed before... what a difference compared to the Warwick.
At home, sitting down, I loved the SR400. Fast, comfortable neck. But
standing... I'm not so sure now. I missed the "balls" of the Warwick,
and its chunkiness used to be reassuring, I felt a bit naked with the
little SR400 neck. Hmmm, who would have thought it?
I guess it's a matter of what you're used to. My Ric 4001 bass has a
chunkier neck, but I never really notice the difference much. I've got
all sorts of guitars with different neck shapes/sizes so I guess I've
become accustomed to lots of variation.
To a large degree, it *is* what you're used to, I have no doubt.
When I started out on bass, after years on guitar, I struggled a bit with a
P-bass and a P/J hybrid that had big chunky necks (for me, back then). Then
got a Jazz. Wonderful. Later got my first Tanglewood Warrior with a neck in
between those two, and loved it. Eventually ended up with a Warwick Corvette
(the $$ model, with two big MM-style humbuckers) as my main bass. Chunkiest
neck I've tried on a 4-string, yet comfortable enough after a bit of
adjustment (the sound was worth the adjustment effort). Then the Jazz always
seemed kind of insubstantial. I could play faster there, but it wasn't
comfortable for me anymore.
Now the SR400 was great. Similar to a Jazz regarding the neck. BUt I guess
now I have a bit more experience in general and I can play better with any
bass, so I can play ok there, although my first rehearsal felt a bit strange
and I actually cramped a bit!
After a few weeks... I'm back with my Warwick. I love the Ibanez and I'll
probably keep it, the 3-band EQ is quite nice... but the Warwick is the one
I feel at home with and the one that gives me the sound I'm after everytime.
Even 'though I'd like the neck to be *slightly* less chunky (it has a very
deep D profile), I feel *at home* there.
I think some of it is what you're used to, but some of it is personal
preference regardless. I've had tons of guitars. When I started out, I could
only play mine and felt very uncomfortable playing any other. By now, I can
play anything (equally badly, I mean ;-) However I've found what my personal
preference is, eventually. At first a thin neck was just what I wanted. Thin
neck, low action, I'd be seduced. When I had my Ibanez RG548 guitar I felt
it was fantastic. Slim neck, chunky frets great for bending strings, nice.
Sound-wise was never quite there even though I changed pickups... But I
ended up selling it and kept my Fender 'Sambora' Stratocaster with a thicker
neck and not as big frets... it somehow seemed to fit my hand/style better,
plus it sounded great with the stock pickups. So there's a particular type
of neck I prefer, and I found it. For bass... I'm still looking, I guess...
but I seem to prefer to err on the side of chunkiness than thin-ness.
What a fascinating post! ;-)
Alright, but I'm not going to delete it now. Sorry! :-)
Jose
--
www.mcnach.com
www.myspace.com/purplenoise68
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Current favourite guitar: Fender 'Sambora' Stratocaster
Current favourite bass: Warwick Corvette $$