Ibanez SR1205E 5-String Electric Bass

[Essen]

The SR1200/1205 has a reinforced neck, which made for a much stiffer neck than any other Ibanez SR I've played. It does come in handy considering these basses have some of the thinnest necks out there.
Couldn't complain about the B string either.

[CORBS]

I played one of these for half an hour at Guitar Center last night, and it was awesome. Really really great playing and sounding bass. The neck was a bit thin for my tastes but that was my only complaint. The preamp did not sound bad to me, I was playing through an Acoustic 2x10 combo amp set flat.

[tercesyrev]

I'm ordering a 1206e tomorrow with GC's $200 off coupon!

[KingRazor]

Jatoba is a harder wood than Wenge, so the 505 has less need of such reinforcement. I don't think the finish on the SR1205 was anything to write home about, no better than on the 505. I think the low B on both basses was equally good. Neither one really stood out. I like the mono rail bridge on the 1205. In theory, it's a better bridge because it doesn't transfer vibrations across the strings. In practice I really didn't notice any difference between that bridge and the one on the 505. Only thing that was different was how it looked.

I don't think either of them are that great looking as far as woods and finishes, but I've never thought brown was an attractive color anyway. I really don't like how the tops on the 1200 and 1400 series basses don't cover the whole top of the bass. It's not nearly as attractive looking as say, the SR700. Just my opinion.

Unless you think the tone of the Nordstrands is worth it, I don't think the 1200 or 1400 basses are worth the extra money over a 500.

[cb56]

IMO the SR500/505 is the "workhorse" or working man's/women's bass. You get no frills like a fancy wood top or fancy inlay, but you get the nice 5 piece neck and import barts.
btw I put some USA Bartolini classics on a schecter that I had a few years back and didn't like them as much as these MIK Barts.

Just love the tone and feel of my 505.
To me a bass needs to sound great with all the tone controls set to neutral then you can add minor tweaks as needed. Same thing goes for an amp. I don't like spending time twiddling knobs trying to get the tone I want. IMO my SR505 w Hartke Kickback 12 accomplishes this.

[vidbace]

I have both basses - 505 & premium 1205 - never had any problems with the sound or playing of the 505 .(3yrs) Just bought the 1205, playing is similar, sound not so, 1205 sound & look is well worth the money. Still love my 505, but the 1205 is sweet

[hags2k]

Sorry about resurrecting a thread from a few months ago, but this bass is on my short list for a potential 5-string purchase. A lot of people in this thread commented on this bass also compared it to the SR505, suggesting they are comparable instruments.

I own an SR700 - a model from a couple years ago, before they switched preamps and (I think) added an active-passive switch. In my opinion, the SR700 feels and plays great but the sound leaves a lot to be desired. I find the electronics to have a "clanky" quality, and the EQ presets just don't seem to complement the bass well at all, IMHO. The lack of a passive bypass is another major drawback.

I was hoping the premium series, with a different preamp and nordstrand pickups would make a big difference in sound. I'm one of those people that firmly believes that the electronics contribute 99.9 percent to the sound of the instrument. My favorite sound signature is firmly in the Fender Jazz realm, and I was under the impression that, by virtue of being well-made, single coil pickups, the sound signature of the SR1205 would be closer to a nice Jazz bass than whatever sound signature the SR5/6/7XX line has, at least in bypass mode, and hopefully in the same ballpark as that "active jazz" tone that jazz basses with preamps tend to have when not. At the very least, I'd prefer a fuller, more balanced midrange, without that weird scoop that the SR700 electronics seem to have.

Is my understanding accurate, or does the 1205 sound a lot like the other Ibanez SR basses? Unfortunately, I'll probably be special ordering this instrument, so try before you buy isn't really an option (my local music store would let me return it if I wasn't satisfied, but I consider that a last resort option).

[KingRazor]

I think the Premiums do sound unique compared to the standard Soundgear tone, but not really any closer to a Jazz.

I played an SR505 and 1405 side by side and then played a Fender. Neither of the Soundgears were even in the ball park, imo.

That said, the Fender had nothing on the soundgears in terms of comfort and playability.

I still stand by my opinion that the 505 is every bit as good as the 1205/1405.

[IngerAlb]

The Premiums don't sound like any normal SR - they have a beefy growly voice with outstanding clarity and even sound on all notes/strings (the B is godly). But indeed they don't sound like a Fender. If you can afford it, go for it, you won't regret it - it's a Prestige quality instrument.

[Wallace320]

I've experienced SR500M, SR700AM, SR1200E Premium, now I got SR4500E Prestige and Doug Wimbish B#1 Prestige.

In this order 'cause I traded SR500M (I love maple fingerboard) for SR700AM. Brown Mahogany body finish is girlie fragile: watch it and you'll scratch it...
Furthermore SR500 neck is unfortunately unstable and tended to bow, even if I play a full step downtuned light gauge strings

SR700AM has beautiful carved top and back let it seem alike a pricey neckthrubody instrument... I missed maple fingerboard, but SR700 neck is comfortably finished and much more stable.

I then bought SR1200E Premium, for I love monorail IV (very different from monorail II and way better than regular bridges) and I was attracted by Nordstrand BigSingles. Quality pickups I happened to know & love (but couldn't afford) on Sadowskys

Nordstrands are incredible exposed polepieces soapbar shaped single coils. So even if the SR1200E Premium looks "Warwicked"
the pickups and preamp, either on, or off (because SR700 has only a midscoop switch, no on/off at all...) are truly capable of
a "jazzy" (get me) kinda sound. Definitely "discriminating" from any other Soundgear

From this point on, I traded:

SR700AM for Doug Wimbish B#1 Prestige and SR1200E Premium
for SR4500E Prestige.

The Doug Wimbish B#1 doesn't only seem a neckthru body, it actually is a neckthru body. And even if it stays passive only like the SR700, it has no Barts mk1 but Ibanez AFR P/J instead

The bridge is one of the very first AccuCast B20 out there, like
SR700AM, but it's in gold finishings, so... yes... scratchy

The SR4500E Prestige is a wonderful instrument. It sports ash body and maple neck/fretboard, but I keep the beautiful looks with no twangy sound, that simply wouldn't make it in my post thrash metal outfit. Bartolini USA Custom, designed for Made in Japan Ibanez only, aren't even comparable to Barts ("farts") mk1/mk2

They give a deep, outstandin' lowend (even if passive played) remindin' me of my beloved Yamaha Attitude limited II basses.

So:
no way. Nordstrand BigSingles are perfect replacements for Barts mk1 soapbars. But they hugely upgrade the bass (better
if we're talkin' about SR700 neck, comparable to the Premiums)
especially if we plan to swap an on/off switch (into mid scoop placement) to let their exposed polepieces properly "breath"...

Nordstrands simply can't be compared to Barts mk1, which are cheap soundin' pickups. So, if Barts are worth their price (they
are), Nordstrands are surely worth the difference they promise

Cheers,
Wallace

[hags2k]

Originally Posted by Wallace320

...are truly capable of
a "jazzy" (get me) kinda sound. Definitely "discriminating" from any other Soundgear

That's what I was hoping. It doesn't have to be a dead-ringer for a jazz or anything, I really just need a more balanced sound, with more warmth and midrange presence.

Originally Posted by Wallace320

Nordstrands simply can't be compared to Barts mk1, which are cheap soundin' pickups. So, if Barts are worth their price (they
are), Nordstrands are surely worth the difference they promise

I think that the whole MK-1 electronics system is lacking... it gets lost in the mix (at least for me) and when I boost or cut to try and compensate with the onboard preamp, I find that it just doesn't help - low end boost doesn't seem to fatten anything but the lowest notes and cutting it practically silences my low E, and the mid boost seems really narrowly focused and it is centered at a place that seems to offer no benefits when either boost or cut, and the treble knob just makes it "clankier". The flat sound of the pickups has some weird upper-midrange cut, which sounds fine soloed but prevents the sound from cutting through in the mix, in my experience.

Anyway, the bass is definitely still on my short list. I've heard zero complaints about the pickups, and I already like the feel of the Ibanez neck profile.

[xhawk5]

Ahhh. Resurrection time....

Lets consider a workingman's bass and situation...

The SR605 vs SR1405e ($699 vs $1199) $500 difference.
+1 for the 605

SR605. The Ash body, MK bart pups AND MK Bart preamp make it the better bass out of all the lower numbered SR's. The Ash brings out that snarly, growly jazz tone we love.
+1 for the 605
I think Ash has more tonal options with the similar neck woods than the Mahogany on the 1405e.)

The 605 neck is VERY stable with the 5 piece Jatoba/Bubinga neck. More so than the 1405's 5 piece Wenge/Bubinga. I live in Florida and have climate changes from inside to outside quickly and the neck doesn't move.
+1 for the 605

Electronics, well, we all know the Nordys are superior to the MK Barts, so...
+1 for the 1405e
(BUT, if you can find a used set or even new set of Nordy Big Singles and keep the MK Bart pre, the 605 will sound better.)


For my Money, I'm sticking with the SR605. Although I still have to play the 1405e. If the Nordys have that much better tonal difference, I'd rather install a set into the 605 instead of buying the 1404e.

They say the Mono-Rail IV bridge with locking saddles allows each string to vibrate fully with no interference from the other strings. But hear me out, when you're playing in full glory, sitting in the mix perfectly, you WILL NOT notice the difference from the Mono Rails vs the Accu-Cast B25 bridge!
Tie

Black hardware vs Gold hardware. Black wins almost every time.
+1 for the 605

So there you have my 2 cents. I just ordered another SR605. This time from AMS.
Zzounds was a horrible experience. They put the bass in the case and just throw the case into an over-sized box with about 3 yards of brown paper. It bounces around ALOT!. The first one they sent me was very used when I paid for a new one. The second one, the bridge pup wire came off the pot during shipping I suppose, and I wasn't fixing it. Screw em. I'll deal with AMS. But Sweetwater is nice also, as you can pick from their inventory for some nice Ash wood grain.

[IngerAlb]

1. MK Barts are equipped also on SR50X / 70X. I don't see why the 60X model would be the better choice.

2. The craftmanship of the Premium line is superior to the regular SR; in fact Premiums match the quality of older Prestige models. The price difference is justified.

3. Premiums don't sound like regular SRs; the tone is massive and growly as hell. The notes rings out perfectly and even on all strings. Very hi-fi.

I don't own a Premium. I do own a 605 (as well as 50Xs, 705 and so on). The middle SR models might seem like great bang for the buck (and they are), but IMO the Premium are the best bang for the buck from the entire Ibanez series (including Prestiges). The quality that goes into those basses compared to their price tag is unmatched. They beat the crap out of basses twice as expensive.

[xhawk5]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

1. MK Barts are equipped also on SR50X / 70X. I don't see why the 60X model would be the better choice.

Again, IMO, I believe the Ash to be a better tonewood. ALSO, the SR50x and SR70x have the Ibanez preamp. The 605 has the Bartolini preamp.

Like I said, for the working musician... I just think the 605 is a better investment.

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

2. The craftmanship of the Premium line is superior to the regular SR; in fact Premiums match the quality of older Prestige models. The price difference is justified.

I've owned one of Ibanez' Holy-Grail of basses, a '93 1305pm. Why I sold it, I'll never know. Should've just changed strings, lol. No need to tell me of build quality on Ibbys. But thanks for the feedback...

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

They beat the crap out of basses twice as expensive.

Agreed. But so does alot of makers. I think the most underrated is Peavey with their USA Millennium Plus.

[jasonbraatz]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I doubt it. That gold can last a very long time.

Not Ibanez. The "cosmo black" hardware I have on my RGA121 is now nice and shiny (in spots.)

As for the Premium, with a set of stainless strings on it there's not much difference between that bass and my custom Stambaugh with big singles. I'd probably try to swap the hardware out to black, and maybe the preamp to an Aguilar or Pope, but the sound is definitely there.

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by xhawk5

ALSO, the SR50x and SR70x have the Ibanez preamp. The 605 has the Bartolini preamp.

Ummm...nope. The older models had ALL MK1 preamps, the current models ALL have a EQB-IIIS onboard. From 50X to 70X, they have the same electronics.

[Warmuth]

I currently own an SR 1400 premium and have owned several of the other models of Ibanez SR basses, a 400, 405 and 500. For me the 1400 blows them all out of the water and was worth every penny more than the others cost. The biggest difference was in the sound for me, the nordstrands made such a big difference and really, it has nothing in common sound wise with the other SRs.

They all feel very similar, not much to choose there but I do love the wenge neck feel and I notice no real difference in stability between any of the various neckwoods, they all do fine. I'm more of a fan of the looks of the 400 series SRs since they at least have some color but the 500's are incredibly plain to me so the 1400 was at least a little better in that respect.

I owned a US Peavey Millenium briefly and turned it around with a quickness, it was a nice bass but didn't match the SR in any area. The SR played better and sounded better. The peavey was pretty, Ill give it that but ultimately didn't match up for what I need in a bass as well as the SR.

For my money there is no better sub 1000.00 bass on the market currently, they aren't for everyone and have a very distinct feel but it's the one that works best for me. I have a Dingwall as well and it's a great bass, twice the price of the SR and while I love it to death if I had to sell all my basses and keep just one it would be the SR1400.

One of these days I'd like to try one of the prestige models, specifically the 5000e just to do a back to back with the 1400. Luckily all the higher end Ibanez stuff is pretty boring to look at so I don't have huge gas for it. I like the wenge on the 5000's but it's not so terribly eye catching that I lust for it.

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by Warmuth

I currently own an SR 1400 premium and have owned several of the other models of Ibanez SR basses, a 400, 405 and 500. For me the 1400 blows them all out of the water and was worth every penny more than the others cost. The biggest difference was in the sound for me, the nordstrands made such a big difference and really, it has nothing in common sound wise with the other SRs.

+1.

They're called "Premium" for a (very good) reason.

[Tristan]

I played the Premiums and Prestiges at the store this weekend. It was tough to evaluate tone at the store for a number of reasons, but in terms of build quality and playability, the Premium was at least as good as the Prestige.

[xhawk5]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

Ummm...nope. The older models had ALL MK1 preamps, the current models ALL have a EQB-IIIS onboard. From 50X to 70X, they have the same electronics.

Good to know. Thx for the info.