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Anyone had hands on with the Ibanez SR2605???

S

Sooter76

Jun 30, 2020
92
260
#1
Has anyone had some playing time on the SR2605? I really like the looks of this one but I’ve looked around and can’t find one anywhere to sit down with. I’ve had the opportunity to play with a few of the similar models up and down Ibanez’s lineup, including the SR1305SB, SR5FMDX2, and SR3505, and I enjoyed playing each of them. However, aesthetically I really like the looks of the SR2605… And let’s face it, if a bass looks cool we all like playing them more.

So for anyone who’s gotten some hands on time with the SR2605 (or even the 2600 for that matter), what did you think? What did you like or not like? Do You feel like it’s worth the price tag? This would be my first 5 string bass, so what do you think of it as a first 5 string?

For what it worth I mostly play Spector’s but also have a Fender ‘Duff’ Jazz Special I enjoy playing… This will be the first Ibanez I’ve considered buying since the cheap Gio I started with years ago.
 
#2
I almost bought one in 2018 at a Guitar Center

I spent a few days checking out the best of what they had.
The finalists were a Fender American Elite Jazz 5, Stingray Special 5, and this SR2605.

I'm usually a diehard Bart fan, so I was surprised I liked the SR2605 so much. I think I didn't get it because I wanted an SR5005.
The Stingray Special 5 was also an almost buy, but I didn't like how the G string kept falling off the fretboard (turns out Ball family knows this is an issue for some players but they insist they're right in their design and refuse to help out customers)

I ended up getting a Thumb NT, but sent that back and eventually went with an NS Design Radius

Anywho, the SR2605 had the punchiness and tones I really liked. Great fit and finish. I loved the neck - and it's something crazy like umpteen laminates.
It was the best Ibby I've played so far
 
#3
Bliff Curton 2 said:
The Stingray Special 5 was also an almost buy, but I didn't like how the G string kept falling off the fretboard (turns out Ball family knows this is an issue for some players but they insist they're right in their design and refuse to help out customers)
Click to expand...
For the first time in many years, I recently tried a StingRay 5, in this case a DarkRay. It was very light, looked amazing, felt great, and sounded interesting, but within about 30 seconds the G string fell right off the fretboard. Then I remembered reading on TB that this is an issue with five-string 'Rays, so I quickly hung it back on the wall.

I cannot fathom how something like this could persist. My G&L M-2500 has a neck of similar width, and it's never happened in 11 years as one of my main basses.

I'm considering something like the SR2605, i.e., an Ibanez SR five with the Nordstrand Big Single pickups. I tried a different model a couple of weeks ago (same time I tried the DarkRay), and I loved the tone and feel. It seemed to have great string-to-string balance too, which is an issue with my current lightweight five, a Sandberg California TT-5. These Ibanez models offer tremendous value IMO.

Edit: This is the similar model I tested. The Big Singles sounded massive.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...5b-5-string-bass-guitar-dual-mocha-burst-flat
 
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#4
I have an SR2600, the 4-string version. I won't comment on the aesthetics, because....you can use your own eyes.

It has a super thin neck. It also has Nordstrand Big Single jazz pickups, which are supposed to be top-of-the-line.

To me, however, it sounds a little "thin"--not bassy and boomy. That's partly because I play with a pick. But I'm sure you can control that at the amp.
Also the tone know (in passive mode) doesn't seem to do anything until you turn it almost all the way down, then it REALLY goes down fast.

Another note - it's active/passive, and it will work without a battery in passive mode. I almost always play it in passive mode, so your mileage may vary if you're an active person.

Overall, it's a good bass, and I'd recommend it, especially if you like thin necks.
 
#5
I have one, it’s a top notch instrument. Beautiful finish and well built. I’ve thought about buying the 4 string because I love it so much. There’s not a tone I can’t get out of it if I really want to. I bought it used, but buying it new would have been a great investment as well.
 
#6
I have the SR1350B which is a close cousin in 4 string variety. Granted, I have a few less layers in my neck but not too far off, same pre-amp, similar board, same p'ups. Mostly I play it passive. It is an excellent bass, a very thin and fast neck. Takes a deft hand to play it well because the thin neck, tight spacing, and light body woods create a lot of cross-string resonance on lower strings, even with the independent bridge design. That said, if you pay attention to your muting you can get excellent results from this bass. I imagine the 5 string variant you are looking at will be similar?

Great value for the money. Ibanez SR Premium line punches above its weight class and is very well made.
 

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#7
I really like mine. Sounds great, the neck is fast. The bridge though, can't quite intonate the strings exactly right. Some of the strings need to be shortened just a hair further than the bridge will allow, and due to this some of the higher up notes tend to be a bit flat. It hasn't been a noticeable problem for me unless I'm sitting there with a tuner engaged being picky about it though. If you google it there are some reddit and TB discussions about that particular bridge.

Friday was the first time i gigged with it, and a lot of people commented on the aesthetics. once you get under the lights on stage it looks even better.
 
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#8
Mtheory said:
I really like mine. Sounds great, the neck is fast. The bridge though, can't quite intonate the strings exactly right. Some of the strings need to be shortened just a hair further than the bridge will allow, and due to this some of the higher up notes tend to be a bit flat. It hasn't been a noticeable problem for me unless I'm sitting there with a tuner engaged being picky about it though. If you google it there are some reddit and TB discussions about that particular bridge.

Friday was the first time i gigged with it, and a lot of people commented on the aesthetics. once you get under the lights on stage it looks even better.
Click to expand...
Yes, people have commented about how the single rail bridges (BTB model) don't have the range of adjustment that the uni-bridges have. Also sometimes people claim it's poor placement, bad installation. Perhaps the body shape has something to do with this, they run out of room? This seems to be mostly an issue with the 5 string variants. I was fortunate that the bridge units on my 4 string came positioned and set-up properly, with good intonation and room for adjustment.
 

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