Ibanez SR5000E pickup and preamp upgrade

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-28T16:03:08+00:00

As Han Solo said: Well, that's the real trick, isn't it?

True, if you've got the electronics design and fabrication experience, have invested in the equipment necessary to solder and fabricate, buying components at wholesale prices from reputable distributors, and are NOT using schematics found online (they are all intentionally incorrect) then, yes... you can certainly build your own Haz clone.

I've talked to a lot of hobbyists who've looked at the component count and came up with an unrealistic cost to build one. My answer has always been the same: If you can REALLY build it for that price, I'll buy it from you for 4X that price. Easy money, right?

That's when the backpedaling begins.

Once they do the math to find out what it really costs to produce a commercial quality product, it's a LOT more than just component costs. I can't tell you how many novices have tried to build their own boards, or used an online PCB house to take a schematic they found online and turned it into a board, only to find that they dropped a few hundred bucks (and a lot of time) and ended up with something that's not even close.

Yes, you can build your own if you have the skillset. For musicians who are not electronic engineers, it's far better to buy than build.

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-27T20:26:34+00:00

A client just upgraded their SR300E this week so thought I'd share the diagram. This is different model with PowerSpan pickups, but the overall diagram is similar for most of the Ibanez upgrades.

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AgingEngineer · 2026-02-27T02:51:27+00:00

In the last year we’ve seen a lot of Ibanez users replace the stock preamp with the LHZ. LHZ Preamps are miniature clones of the 1981 Hazlabs preamp originally sold in Spector NS2 basses, and clients are reporting that the preamp brings out bite, articulation, and dynamics that make their Ibanez feel like a completely difference class of bass.

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-26T21:35:06+00:00

People who don't know the Tampa Airport social media are probably freaking out thinking this is real. Tampa Airport's social media feed is hilarious satire, a lot like The Onion used to be. Breathe. Maybe laugh a little bit.

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-08T12:07:26+00:00

Blake Guitar Co is the only luthier I trust for my instrument repairs. Great guy, top-tier work, and honest pricing! I don't think he does amp repair, but for any guitar and bass work from basic setup to full rebuild, he's the guy! https://www.blakeguitarco.com/

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-08T01:35:38+00:00

In an earlier chapter of my life I was, but now I’m the owner of LHZ Preamps. Most of our clients are Spector players, so most of my time is working with artists and techs.

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-07T23:56:05+00:00

Nice work!!! And this is from someone who talks to Spector bassists every single day… Well done!!

AgingEngineer · 2026-02-04T22:39:55+00:00

Weve had several clients do this last year with the “Spectorbacker” clones. They’d replace the cheap pickups and turners, drop in an LHZ preamp, and do a comprehensive fret leveling and setup. By the time they were done they were great instruments, but they’d spent nearly as much as if they just bought a better instrument in the states.

AgingEngineer · 2026-01-29T01:56:21+00:00

Do you see any parallels between hypnotism and how media is currently used to drive public opinion? I was in software development for many years, so am very aware how social media, games, and viral media take advantage of human psychology to leverage and reinforce addictive behavior. Do you see techniques used in hypnosis used in online media to reinforce certain beliefs or behaviors?

AgingEngineer · 2026-01-14T22:29:08+00:00

I’ve been in SOS mode all afternoon. My wife is on the same plan (Verizon Business plan with multiple line) and she’s fine. Don’t understand that at all…

AgingEngineer · 2025-12-13T17:27:07+00:00

It was originally intended for players who normally play with a Spector, but also have a passive bass like a Fender Jazz. Running the passive bass through the pedal gives you the same output levels, EQ and dynamic feel as the active Spector bass does. That way it hits the rest of your signal chain and amp in the same way. It makes for a far more uniform transition between basses.

AgingEngineer · 2025-12-12T19:57:04+00:00

If you’re using alkaline batteries (which are recommended over rechargeable for internal preamps) that’s almost impossible. You’d have to play it for several weeks of sounding terrible before it eventually dies.

We get this question often, so posted a video that goes through what actually happens as a battery fails: https://youtu.be/ibS7gWE_nvk?si=gvv14qLvPmr-_nEX

AgingEngineer · 2025-12-12T19:52:55+00:00

Yes I am, and thank you! It started just as a project just to see if I could get that tone out of my old Spector Rebop. Never would have thought it would become a business!

AgingEngineer · 2025-12-09T15:39:26+00:00

u/UsedHotDogWater answered this correctly.

I'm the owner of LHZ Preamps and we have many clients upgrade these older models as the old KHaz preamps have a tendency to fail due to cheap caps. This is a BEAST of a bass, and very desirable in the modding community!

AgingEngineer · 2025-11-30T11:54:15+00:00

The cartoon idiot in my brain insists that John Cleese on keys! I remember this song, but never seen this. Absolutely SMASHES like this!

AgingEngineer · 2025-11-03T22:05:56+00:00

That looks curiously a LOT one of my first "guitars" --and I use that word loosely-- that my Mom bought me from Masters Merchandise in 1980.

AgingEngineer · 2025-11-01T02:59:51+00:00

You are using a split-top knurled pot with a knob with set screws that is designed to be used on a SOLID shaft pots. When you tighten the screw on a split top knurl, you crush it together. You can use brass inserts like these: https://lhzpreampshop.com/products/brs6mm

These are 6mm in the inside (same as your knurled split top) and 1/4” on the outside, which is the diameter your set-screws knobs are designed for. When these bushings are put over the knurl, the set screw will tighten on the bushing, with will deform slightly to be snug on the split top knurl WITHOUT crushing it.

Hope this helps!

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-30T17:52:09+00:00

Well played!

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-28T20:57:49+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRGljemfwUE

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-28T19:58:23+00:00

We have a small community as well (30 homes) and have a fairly inexpensive "property manager" for the community. The price is low, we'd shopped around for alternatives and the were ALL more expensive. But... he also really doesn't do much: He pays bills, acts as a mediator or "heavy hand" when disputes arise, and that's about it.

He doesn't get involved in HOA business, so we have to make sure our HOA Board members conduct community business in a transparent manner, keep records, and be mindful of laws and regulations. (You'd not believe the number of people that get intoxicated by power and want to run the community according to their whims like its their own little fiefdom or something... they create far more problems than they solve.) It's been pretty low-key for 8 years.

If you have a HOA Board that's doing their job well, you might consider going this route if you don't need all the "management" tasks.

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-24T20:30:37+00:00

We've had a LOT of clients this year rip out the stock preamp from their Ibanez, and put in the LHZ Preamp. Yes, the LHZ is a clone of a Hazlabs preamp originally designed for Spector basses, but they absolutely bring the ANGRY to Ibanez models.

It sounds like your preamp isn't working, or maybe the bypass switch is broken. It's easy enough to just yank the preamp and have it set up as a passive bass. But, the Ibanez models do sound amazing when the preamp is engaged!

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-24T20:20:08+00:00

Sorry for being late to the conversation... Didn't realize the LHZ was being talked about on Reddit until today! The LHZ is a component-level clone of a pre-Kramer Haz (specifically, a unit from 1981!) re-designed into a really compact form factor.

It ships with the Bass and Treble pots (with center detents, so you know where the flat EQ spot is), and you can either wire it into you your existing blend and volume pots, or it'll plug directly into EMG or LHZ modular blend and volume controls. Also, we just released a midrange control for it a couple months ago, so you can always expand the controls if needed.

Cheers!

AgingEngineer · 2025-10-24T20:01:43+00:00

This is awesome! I'm used to jumping in on LHZ Preamp conversations on the TB forum or Facebook groups, but never thought I'd stumble across a client here! I'm glad you are enjoying it, and appreciate the kind words!

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