Ibanez SRE400...is this a prototype f...

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Author Message Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 12:42 pm:    I own a black Ibanez bass with a model number of SRE400. It looks exactly like the EDB-400 bass except that the body is wood instead of luthite. All of the electronics (active soapbar humbuckers with active EQ controls), body shape (curved like the Ergodynes), neck, etc. is identical to the Ergodyne basses except the body is wood with black laquer paint. I have looked all over the internet including Ibanez's web site for another model like this and have not found ANYTHING. The closest I've gotten was to see two bassists that listed this as one of their instruments (nothing else), so that's worthless. I was wondering if maybe this could be a pre-Ergodyne prototype that they marketed in a small production run to see what the demand was. Does anyone know anything about this model? Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 1:26 pm:    Additional information...The serial number is C7033119. Now, it clearly states it was made in Korea, so I am assuming that's what the C stands for. However, I have a hard time believing this was made in March of 1970. I bought it used in December 2001/January 2002. So, does having the serial number help in identification? Johns (Johns) Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 2:42 pm:    Tailgate: The C stands for the Cort factory in Korea. The first seven is short for '97. I'll have a look at my catalogs when I get home. I have one from '96 that may show the same model. Johns (Johns) Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 7:02 pm:    Tailgate: I don't have a '97 catalog, only '95 and '98. The '95 SR400 (they don't list an SRE400 in either catalog) does not have active electronics, so I'll give you the specs from the '98 catalog: Body: light american maple Neck type: SR4; 34" scale length, 38mm width at nut, 62mm width at last fret, 20.5mm thick at first fret, 22mm thick at 12th fret. Fret: medium Bridge: die-cast 4 Neck pickup: dxp; Dynamic P, humbucking/passive, ceramic magnet, designed to be used with or without EQ system. Bridge pickup: dxj; Dynamic J, humbucking/passive, ceramic magnet, designed to be used with or without EQ system. EQ: eqb III, 1 vol., 1 tone, 1 bass boost, 1 mid boost, 1 treble boost. Colors: black, natural & royal blue Hope this helps. Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 9:42 pm:    Nothing with an "SRE" prefix in the '96 or '97 books either. Where'd you get that model number? Is it marked on the bass somewhere? Cheers Steve Funkle (Funkle) Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 1:33 am:    Can you post a picture? -Sven Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 10:14 am:    I'll try to get a digital camera and take pictures soon (MAYBE this weekend). I'll need help posting them somewhere (I'm new to this board). What pictures would you like? I can take one of the back of the headstock with the data, the overall body, and maybe a perspective shot of the body showing the Ergodyne-type curvature. As for WHERE I got the model number, it is clearly stamped on the back of the headstock. It says SRE400, Korea, and then has the serial number. It may not be in that order, but you get the idea. I can't really tell it from the Ergodynes except that the body isn't luthite and the color is more of a true black due to the black lacquer finish on the wood. Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 8:50 pm:    I've got the pix...now how do I post them? Johns (Johns) Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 5:53 pm:    Here's Tailgate's pictures: Cameron (Cameron) Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 2:10 am:    John, I think we need to delve into the 97 Japan Domestic catalogue which I have, at the office now , but I let you all know tonight Cameron Funkle (Funkle) Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 7:06 pm:    Interesting. In profile, it has a soundgear shape, and it says SDGR on the headstock. But it has clearly has the curved body with concave back like an Ergodyne. PUs and electronics look Ergodyne as well. Tailgate, can you please saw it in half to see if it's made of luthite? just kidding. If you unscrew one of the strap buttons, you should be able to tell if the body is made from wood, or "luthite" the plastic like material that the Ergodynes are made of. Funkle (Funkle) Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 7:15 pm:    Oops, just "saw" your first post where you mention it is wood. So to clarify what I said above, The outline is that of a Soundgear bass, not an Ergodyne. The ergodyne EDB600 and 400, which are closest in shape to your bass, have a sort of bulbous upper horn, not a tapered one like yours. But the scooped back is very interesting. Does anybody know of a Soungear that has that shape. Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:21 pm:    Yes, I think this is quite a unique bass. I didn't really think about the Ergodyne's "bulbous" horn...but you're right, it is different. The neck is definitely Soundgear type. I'm interested in what Cameron finds out. My initial thought was maybe this was a model made for other regions in the world (i.e. NOT the U.S.)...but I would think there would be mention of it SOMEWHERE on the internet (what isn't?). I hope Cameron remembers to look in his foreign catalogs. Cameron (Cameron) Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 6:47 am:    Hi Tailgate,as I said to you offline I will send your pics over to Ibanez Japan and have some answers soon. The 1997/98 Japanese Domestic catalogue does not list a SRE400.We didn't see this model in Australia in 1997. I have a feeling that this may have been made for the European market as a mid priced model.The truth shall be known soon on this mystery fellow Ibaneezer's Cameron Cameron (Cameron) Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:05 pm:    Tailgate, I sent the pics off today, should have a result in the next couple of days... Stay Tuned........ Cameron Cameron (Cameron) Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 2:21 am:    Hi Tailgate, as promised here is the info from the boy's at Ibanez. The SRE400 was available only to the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia (however we did not bring it into Australia). This model was available for 6 months in 1997 and did not appear in any catalogues as it was a "spot production model" which means it a small run of maybe 100 to 150 units. Now the interesting part, the body of this guitar is made of Luthite, it was made in order to try the Luthite material out before beginning the production of the Ergodyne Bass series. So there you go Tailgate, yet another mystery solved, and congrats on owning yet another bit of Ibanez research and development. Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 9:12 am:    Holy moly...only 100-150 units! That's sweet. Thanks so much Cameron for all your help in researching this. Now it makes me wonder, how much is this worth? I'd sell it for $100,000 (he he). Edwardo (Edwardo) Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 7:51 pm:    I have one of these bass guitars! 100-150 units sounds like it could be worth something. Did you ever sell yours Tailgate? I was trying to find out how much mine is worth. It's in mint mint mint condition and was hardly ever played. - Eddy Tailgate (Tailgate) Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 4:08 pm:    No, I never found out the value...but would like to. I don't think they're worth a TON of money, but obviously their rarity makes them more valuable than a standard player model. I am definitely planning on selling mine as I am bass-rich but cash-poor. If anyone has any idea what prototypes typically go for, please post or email me! Tailgate Username: Tailgate Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 5:45 pm:    I know this discussion is 3 years old, but I am making this post to mention that I am selling the bass. You can find the add on the classifieds here, and request you email me if interested.

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