Anyone had a chance to play one of the new SR600E or SR605E's that Ibanez released this year? Any comments or feedback on them? I have an old GSR200 that I really like (put SD Basslines Quarter Pounders in it years ago) and the only SR's I've been able to try locally are a SR250 and SR305.
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Anyone played an Ibanez SR600E?
- Thread starter sporadic29414
- Start date
I have and was really, really impressed. I tried the 5 string. I normally can't stand the narrow string spacing on the SR 5-strings but the adjustable bridge gave a lot more adjustment than I thought or than I needed. Pickups sound great. Looks good. Bargain price for what it is. Probably the pick of the SR range right now.
I haven’t had the chance to play the new SR600E / SR605E yet but knowing Ibanez they should be top notch. I did own the Premium SR1100B (which is just one tier above the SR600E), however, and I was very impressed by the build quality and playability. The Nordstrand Big Break pickups should be top-notch.
They have probably the thinnest neck in the market, so if that’s your thing then go for it. 19.5mm thickness around the 1st fret and I think 21.5mm around the 12th.
Ibanez has really upped their game lately. For me this started with them releasing the SR300e - SR400e line with their own Powerspan pickups, which sound really good! Honestly I'd say the Powerspans are very close to the sound quality of the Nordstrand Big Singles they have in their upper range basses and I've owned both.
Now, they're putting Nordstrand licensed pickups in their mid-range basses, and I'll bet they sound just as good as "real" Nordy's.
The sound comparisons here are going to be value judgements. Some pickups just sound bad. Powerspans, the new Big Break pickups in the SR600e's, and Nordy Big Singles all will sound very good, just not the same.
Played the 600e today and really like it. Good build quality and feel. Sounded great with controls flat. Lots of tonal options.
I bought one about a month ago, absolutely killer. I've gone through an TRBX117, SR300E, Squire P and Yamaha TRBX604 and this slays them all. Admittedly I run it passive, even took the battery out and use the active/passive as a mute switch. Love the tone of the Big Breaks, can do almost the classic P sound, but I like blending around 60/40 for most uses. Love some extra bridge pup for fuzz. Anyway, super lightweight, low action if you like, looks awesome, feels great and mine was set up perfectly out of the box. I have the bridge pickup raised so volume is great between both. I play pick and fingers, adjust tone accordingly, sounds great either way. Use it with a Magellan 800 and Berg 2x12. Huge.
I just got one. I’ve always loved the playability of these basses but the thin tone was always a reason I stayed away. I don’t know if it’s the new pickups but this thing sounds great. Very full and and almost a vintage tone. Not a huge fan of the preamp either (probably will only use for slap) but big break pickups in passive mode sound woody, full and clear. I’m definitely more of an active bass fan so this is a departure for me but I’m digging it. What I really admire about what they did with these is just how everything works and they made the bass so easy to play and work with. It’s a no nonsense tool for making music.
I will say that I tried a 5 string version and another 4 string and they were both meh. So I would advise trying a few to find the right one. Fortunately I found a banger.
I will say that I tried a 5 string version and another 4 string and they were both meh. So I would advise trying a few to find the right one. Fortunately I found a banger.
Liked the SR600E so much I got the case too
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I sold my 11 year old SR500 for 300 bucks and picked up a used SR600e in perfect condition for 400 bucks. What a bargain that was! Feels great, sounds great, looks phenomenal! The neck is a dream, the Nordstrand pickups have a lot of character and I love how I can get almost Fender P bass sounds out of that thing.
When I got my 605E I got rid of my Fenders because the SR is a better P than all the Precisions I had before. And let me tell you that I am a stubborn P-type guy. After trying a bazillion basses I thought I would only ever need Fender Precisions. Glad I was proven wrong.
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I have an SR 650 , it is top shelf. I played that one and two different Fender Jazz basses at Sweetwater. IMHO the Ibanez sounded better so I took it home. The narrow neck requires some adjustment but I really appreciate the bridge which makes changing strings a breeze as well as the active/passive mode and really effective EQ. Like travhop42 I also bought the form fitting case , a really nice package.
I love the 600 series, I can't help but post a picture of mine.
I too am selling my Sire P7 and Squier Precision right now, because the 600E basically replaced them. The neck profile on the 600E just feels so much better to me and my tiny hobbit hands.
The only (minor) complaint I have is the quality of the screws at the bridge. I adjusted the saddle height twice using the allen key that came with the bass and the screws are already worn out. Gonna have to replace them soon.
