Am I crazy.... Ibanez SR Basses

[Crystalman85]

I've bought an Ibanez sr255 5-string bass and it sounds totally awesome. it has a smooth warm punchy sound. this bass is a real keeper for me. since I was impressed with the sound quality of the Ibanez sr255, I'm planning on buying an Ibanez sr250 for my brother's band.

 

[number11]

Just bought an old MIK SR500, and have ordered an SR600 which is on its way to me now!

 

[coyote1]

Am I cracking up that a $800 bass, can play as nice, look almost as nice, and sound as nice as instruments that cost 4 times as much. Frankly the only reason I did not buy it on the spot is because I think I need to make an appointment with my psychiatrist?

Anyone else feel this way?

Whatever works for you is what works for you. No need to apologize for it.

 

[Rip Topaz]

My main bass for years was an SR400 from the early 90's. I sold it, regretted it, found another just like it a few years ago. I snatched it up on the spot.

Of course I ended up selling that one too. It went to another bassist at my church who REALLY needed a new bass.

 

[hibachiduck]

I love reading all this Ibanez love! My SR605 comes with me to every show. It used to be my primary bass until very recently. I finally gave 4 string a shot (I learned how to play on 5 strings exclusively) and I love it. Even though it's really thin and light, it's built really solid. I played 12 shows with it with a rock band which had hardcore metal tendencies and I used to fricken lose myself on stage as if I were possessed or something. It's been airbourne, thrown around my shoulder, and I even took it off at the end of one our sets and held it out and let the crowd bang around on it. The only damage it's taken is a scratch next to one of the pickups which won't even be apparent if I hit it with some finish.

 

[darylchan]

I play an sr600 which its now my primary workhorse bass. I absolutely love it.

 

[Vandy]

My wife . . . the following picture of her playing this bass.

View attachment 258378

I'm shocked, shocked! that you would encourage a loved one to be a bassist (unless she was hooked before you met).
In that case, I'm just worried . . .

She seems like a lovely woman, otherwise . . .

 

[darylchan]

why so? bassist is infinitely preferable to guitard

I'm shocked, shocked! that you would encourage a loved one to be a bassist (unless she was hooked before you met).
In that case, I'm just worried . . .

She seems like a lovely woman, otherwise . . .

 

[bassbenj]

The Ibanez soundgears are the best bass you can get for the money. I have 300 and it rocks. My only complaint is that the more high end soundgears don't come in a lefty version.

You said it. It's NBD for me. I'm over at Music Go Round and I'd been looking for a "modern" 6 string fretted bar bass for a while. And what to my wondering eyes doth appear but a used Ibanez Gio SGR206 soundgear! $200.

Hey, I need another bass like a hole in the head. I've got Ken Smith, Alembic, Modulus 6ers. So what in the world am I doing looking at some $200 piece of crap? Absolutely nothing special. Agathis. Just plain old black paint. Somewhat used. Nothing to write TB about.

Nothing that is but tone, balance, playability, and feel. I was totally blown about by the sound, the ease with which it played, the balance of the thing and just overall good vibes that come out of it when you play it. Love the thin neck. And even though I'm not a vol/vol fan, I must admit the passive vol/vol with active EQ thing works very well.

When you find a keeper you buy it. This is my first Ibanez and I'm impressed and I'm not nuts! (Nor are all the reviewers on the GC website giving it 5 stars)

 

[scottfeldstein]

I'm still loving my SR505. I quote myself from when I first brought it home: "Gorgeous but not fancy, technical but not clinical. Perfect." You can't beat the feel, the weight and the comfort, either.

Strangely, though, I sometimes think my SR300 beats it for sheer bang-on-it rock out sounds. The 505 seems somehow more refined tone-wise. The 300, unsophisticated as it is, can melt faces.

 

[pinz]

+1

This thread is making me sad!

And it's making me want to go and buy another SR bass.

Same,I played a SR1000E for nearly a decade,was a strange turquoise/blue colour,biggest mistake was selling it about 10 years ago,would buy it back tomorrow if I could.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

why so? bassist is infinitely preferable to guitard

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am extremely jealous of this guy and his hot drummer wife:



...and whoever nabbed the MIJ '87 SR800 on eBay today for a measly $104.50. Their autobid outbid mine by $1.50, dammit.

 

[Mousekillaz]

I regret selling my SR-500, I love the Killer B that its sale financed,
but I do miss it so.

 

[TigerInATrance]

I love my sr305m for so many reasons, but, the sounds I get out of it, while perfectly usable and in no way bad, just aren't what I'm looking for. The good news it was $300 OTD brand new so I have no qualms with spending another $300 to make it the only bass I ever need with less than 6 strings... But, when I do add a string, it'll be an Ibanez bass that it's attached to. Just have to decide between SR and BTB...

The 305 plays as well or better than any other bass I've ever picked up and that's the end of the story.

 

[tunnafish]

Hi all
I have been around playing Bass since the sixties , and so have played just about every 4 stringer there is , But I have been blown away buy my lates purchase a SR 700 in glorious Amber , trust me The Bartolini
pick ups are on another planet compared to any other guitar in a near price range , I also love the woods they have used jatoba / mabinga
give excellent resonance , but just as important is the stunning finish ,
Trust me you must try this Bass ,

 

[rydin4lifebass]

I have an SR300 which I love...I have an SRX tuned BEAD which I also like but the SR is my main bass. My next purchase will definitely be an SR500 or SR700...

 

[Thrust Meatnozl]

Same,I played a SR1000E for nearly a decade,was a strange turquoise/blue colour,biggest mistake was selling it about 10 years ago,would buy it back tomorrow if I could.

Look familiar?

 

[groove_druid]

I just traded in a couple short-scales and picked up a brand new jetstream green SR300M and I couldn't be happier. I never gave active basses or modern-ish basses one thought but I was totally converted on this one. Ibbys rock hard! Best and most comfy neck I've ever played also.

 

[calypsocoral302]

I absolutely love my Ibanez SR-300 in Green Metal Flake. I've named her "Ivy." Her curves are comfortable and sensual. Her neck is long, slim, and graceful. Her carved, contoured neck joint is both permissive and inviting for getting crazy up high. With the flush-fitting pop-up battery compartment (seriously, why do active basses costing $4K NOT HAVE THESE?), she is surprisingly low-maintenance!

A lot of my so-called "friends" in various metal bands in the area have made fun of me for having a "sparkly" bass. What can I say-- I like a lovely lady in a sequin dress!

How can a red-blooded man resist something like this?

Or This? (this is not Ivy, but one of her identical sisters on the internet-- I'm a lousy photographer)
Invalid Link Removed

 

[shiftybz]

anything can be painted.......oops
in 91 i had a neck thru sr1500 i think it was. it was stolen....but ever since, i have always had 1 or 2 sr,s. at the moment i'm playing a sr800 i picked up in a pawn shop during an american tour for $80.
it seems every time i play the states......i come back with another used ibanez from a pawn shop. even gave my daughter one because ....to be fair, i didn't really need it!!
i now play a gnr custom.....bought it because it feels like my $80 sr.....crazy, huh?