Re: Upgrading Ibanez 405

You can find wide spaced Warwicks if you look around. Pedullas come in two
widths as well.

--
-rob Bartlett, TN
O>
/(\)
^^
"Fletch" <geoffarnold@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1165945617.763597.116020@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Wuffler wrote:
Turd polishing can sometimes be worthwhile!!
I use mainly Warwick (four of the little devils) but wanted a cheap
camping
bass - something that wasn`t thrown by changes in temperature or humidity.
Bought a used "Soundgear Ibanez" for £150 - not sure on the model but it
had
passive P/J with active 3 band EQ.
It was definitely a wimp compared to the Warwicks so I threw another £150
at
it and fitted EMG Actives.
Now, I love this bass - I don`t think the EMGs are quite up to MECs
(judging
by the master volume) but they are a HUGE improvement over the standard
pick-ups.
The other advantage being the neck/playability aspect - I`ve had Fenders,
progressed to Warwicks and although (IMHO) tonally, there ain`t much that
can beat a Warwick, they can be quite hard work.
My opinion would be, If it feels good, plays well and doesn`t rattle, stay
with old `un but give it a new lease of life.
Alternatively, if you`ve had enough, then the Warwicks do sound good but I
think you`ll find the neck slightly wider with a boxier section.

Cheers
Pete
P.S.
No experience of Spectors!

I have a student who plays a Spector 5 string. It's very nice, but you
do have to be mindful that you want the 35 inch scale for a 5 string
bass. Thirty four inches is okay, and if it's active, that will
suffice. But a better tone on the B will be accomplished with 35 inch
scale, regardless of pickups. More tension gets you better tone and
response.

Warwicks are nice, the string spacing is a bit narrow for me, but not a
deal breaker. Everyone has their preference. I like Dingwalls alot, but
they're expensive. Alembic makes some really nice stuff. Pedulla is
really great, just about the best "production" bass out there. Tobias
basses are good. Ken Smith, I love, they are also about the best you
can buy. There are others, esoteric things, that can run you into the
stratosphere, but these are all good suggestions for future thoughts.

As good as those are, I'm still having a custom 5 string bass built
right now that will be an awesome beastie, rivaling the best of the
best.

I recommend you upgrade your current bass to active system, then start
putting money aside, at least two grand, and start looking at a high
quality instrument, which could very well be the last bass you will
ever need to buy as your "main" instrument. (I hate the term "axe").
And don't let "name brand" be your only consideration.

--Fletch


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