This is a professionally upgraded Ibanez Soundgear 4-string bass reworked as a modern boutique-performance instrument focused on clarity, articulation, and tonal flexibility.

The instrument began as a new Ibanez Gio Soundgear platform and was upgraded with a carefully matched set of premium electronics and hardware designed to elevate the instrument far beyond standard factory specifications while preserving the fast and comfortable Soundgear playing experience.

Upgrades include:

* Nordstrand Big J Blade bridge pickup
* Nordstrand Power Blade split-coil pickup
* Nordstrand 3B active preamp
* upgraded Ibanez Korea bridge assembly
* professionally shielded control cavities

All electronics installation, shielding, and setup work were professionally completed by a highly regarded guitar technician.

This instrument is fully functional, professionally wired and in near-new condition.

Unlike many active preamps that dramatically color the instrument’s natural voice, the Nordstrand 3B is known for transparency, headroom, and musical flexibility. The system preserves the core tonal identity of the instrument while greatly expanding its dynamic range, clarity, and EQ control.

The Nordstrand blade pickup system delivers:
* exceptionally even string-to-string response
* extended frequency range
* modern articulation
* powerful low-end definition
* highly detailed transient attack
* low-noise performance

The blade architecture also eliminates traditional pole-spacing concerns while maintaining extremely balanced output across all strings.

The upgraded bridge assembly improves overall stability, sustain, and feel compared to the standard factory bridge design originally supplied with the Gio platform.

Tonally, the instrument sits comfortably in modern boutique territory: clear, responsive, tight in the low end, and capable of everything from aggressive contemporary punch to smooth studio-style articulation.

Nordstrand 3B Preamp Highlights:
* transparent high-fidelity design
* low-noise operation
* high headroom
* active bass, mid, and treble EQ
* internally adjustable output trim
* designed for both live and studio environments

Nordstrand Blade Pickup Highlights:
* hum-canceling split-coil design
* ceramic magnet structure
* steel blade architecture
* even response regardless of string spacing
* wax-potted for stability and feedback resistance

This instrument was built as part of an ongoing exploration into upgraded Soundgear-based custom instruments combining modern electronics, improved hardware, and boutique-inspired tonal architecture.

You are purchasing a professionally upgraded one-of-one instrument that offers significantly higher performance and tonal sophistication than a standard production Gio platform.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bass is listed in other sites and venues.