• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Anyone have any experience with Ibanez sr600's?

djbass28

djbass28

Guest
Apr 15, 2014
91
26
#1
Lately I've been looking at what kind of bass I want to upgrade to in order to suit my needs better than my current standard p-bass.
My next bass needs to have:
-a slim neck
-brighter sound
-lots of tone options
-also preferably 24 frets
-no more than 1k

I was originally looking at pjs with jazz necks but than I stumbled across Ibanez sound gears. They appear to have very slim necks, look very nice and are surprisingly cheap for what you get. They also have active electronics which I think would help with tone versatility.
I am mostly looking at the sr600 because it has a ash body which I know is brighter than the rest which are mahogany.
So I came here to see if anyone would recommend this bass. Also, I hate to ask this because I know people hate this question, but do think this bass has a good sound for metal music? That's mainly what my band plays so I need to keep that in mind.
Thanks,
Dylan
 
#2
I can't help you on that exact model, however, I used to have a sound gear 400 series with active pickups and played in a metal band, so I might be able to help with the "good sound for metal" question.

Personally, I thought with the Treble/Bass boost/cut, and the active electronics, you could get a really good tone for metal. But it depends what you want. I played mostly melodic death and Metallica/Iron Maiden.
It didn't do Maiden quite right, as opposed to a true passive P-bass but I felt it did early Metallica tones nicely and the actives seemed to help me cut through a little better than my bandmate's LTD bass did. It had a nice
bright tone, even with old rounds, and with new ones and some EQ work it had the nicest slap tone for a >$1000 bass I've heard. This is all opinion, and it was several years ago, so I don't remember the exact specs of the bass but
it had 24 frets, it was nice and light, and had a whole load of tonal range. And the neck! Dude, those Ibanez bass necks are lovely. The only neck I've had that surpasses it is my German Warwick Fortress One which arrived today, and has the thinest, most lovely neck I've ever played.

I think the sound gear series are fantastic basses for what you pay, and can easily compete with much more expensive Fender/LTD/Rockbass products. I know those aren't particularly high end, but they are what I have the most experience with and that I can definitively say that the Ibanez SGs (and I'm talking 400 series here, so 600 should do even better) absolutely smokes most of the price-similar competition. And if you're buying used, you could get a REALLY nice Ibanez for $1000 or under.
 
#4
I got a used 500 to keep at church. Liked it so much I got a used 600 to keep at home. Tremendous value on the used market.

The 500 is mahogany, the 600 natural ash. They are virtually identical in sound and feel even though the 500 is neck thru and the 600 is bolt on. Both under 8lbs. I kept the 600 and sold the 500 to a friend. I don't play metal but I think they're kind of aimed at that market. Some people don't like the MK1 pu/pre but sounds fine to me.

Check the classifieds and craigslist. Always several SR's, usually around half the new price. There are some older models in the PJ configuration if you think you need that.

IMG_7132_zps91806d4f.jpg
 
#6
MrTaff said:
Never seen a neck thru 500, we only got bolt on models here :(
Click to expand...

It was an SR500T. I always wondered what the T stood for, maybe it's "Thru". You're right, most 500's are bolt on. I don't have pics of the back of mine but if you zoom on this Invalid Link Removed you can see the stringers through the body.

500neck_zps13767520.png


I remember being surprised when I got the 600 because I didn't notice the difference until I had them side by side.

In any case, I played them interchangeably for a few months and they felt and sounded like the same bass. Both 7.6lbs. I kept the 600 because I dug the natural ash grain. But the first time I brought the 500 to choir practice one of the older ladies made everyone be quiet so I could tell everyone about the "beautiful bass" I was playing. I've brought some pretty basses in there before but that was a first.
 
Last edited:
#7
I just pulled the trigger on a SR600 natural flat last night I've have bad GAS for some time,I'm hoping it shows up this coming Tuesday, years ago I had a SR300 it was a fine bass but shortly after I went the Fender, Warwick, G&L way for years, now I have a very bad back and neck,four broken discs in cervical, one broken disc in my thoracic and two broken discs in my lumbar,with full spine arthritis and degenerative disc disease, so I'm a mess and need a light bass.
I love the woods the 600 is made of, and can always upgrade pre amp and pickups later or not,I was looking at the SR premiums but I'm not the biggest fan of bare mahogany. so the 600 it is! I just have to wait, & when it shows I'll post pics in the Ibby forum!! so I say get it djbass28 ASAP!
 
Last edited:
#8
Get it! I bought one last year and it's a great bass, I have it in the mahogany finish.

It fits all the criteria you have; the neck is super thin and satin finished, it has 24 frets, utilizes a 3-band EQ (with mid switch). It's also fairly light and, though I don't personally play metal, it can definitely emulate the metal tone. It's not too expensive either; I got it for less than the list price because Sweetwater matched a 15% off deal that GC had, so I got it for <$600. I'd look used (or even a demo model) if you want to find it for even less.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back