GSR100EXMOL - best bang for buck I know

TBH I think these are far ahead in value for what they cost, so I feel like I must be missing something!

GSR100EX | SR | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars



Yeah, the machine-heads probably won't last, but you can get shiny new GOTOH for $60.

The bridge isn't quick-release like higher-end models, but that could also be replaced with a B100, ($50 on evilBay).

Anyone out there owned one that fell apart on them?

The PowerPole pickup is pretty great as well, high-output & sounds good to my ears.
The position of the pickup makes it bright enough & rolling back the treble-cut knob brings some mighty lows.

It ticks all the boxes for me:
completely passive
2x2 head-stock
hum-bucker (no noise)
very lightweight (yet no neck-dive)
natural finish (can't really get more natural other than raw wood)

 

Bought a pre-owned one just now for 35% less than new (after shipping).
@pcake, did you get tired of the stock pickup in yours?

 

Hmm, that's the opposite experience I had with the GSR105EX I had for a weekend.
The pickup had a lot of output, nearly G&L MFD level output. It was also bright!

Maybe it's the lack of a poly finish that makes them so different, but I wouldn't think it would be that much difference.

 

Well, here it is, not in pristine condition, but that's even better. Haven't got to worry about bumping it or what have you:

GSR100EXMOL by Killed_by_Death posted Jun 8, 2019 at 1:40 PM

I've wrecked the pots already, just getting the knobs off the pot shafts came out as well. I managed to get them back together, but the treble-cut pot is scratchy & unstable.
Considering bypassing all the controls for now, just to see how it sounds like that.

Already have an appointment to get the frets & nut looked at next week.
The neck is nice & stiff, which is one of the most important parts.

This one is made in China, but the GSR105 I had recently was from Indonesia.
It's exactly 1 pound lighter than my Ibanez Premium.

 

I messed up when trying to get the knobs off. They were on so tight that I used vice-grips. DOH!
That would have compressed the knob onto the shaft, and that's why it all came out. I should have worked out a way to pry them off.

Wouldn't you know, once I got them out the knobs just slipped right off the shafts. That was irritating!
I wish this one had been the Indonesian one, the neck finish is thinner & not glossy on those.

The volume knob is back to normal, but the treble-cut knob has a bump in the middle like it's hit a détente.
I've taken it apart again to try & get it to operate smoothly, but had no luck.

TBH there was something wrong with the treble-cut pot from the get-go, it wasn't turning as easily as the volume knob.
Ironically, it now turns just as freely as the volume knob, except for that bump, LOL!

I went through my on-hand pots already & nothing fits.
The Alpha pots fit in the hole, but the bushing is too short.

The 3/8" bushing pots won't fit in the hole.
I might just hire the local luthier to do it right after he has a look at it next week.

I'd rather not be fooling around for weeks ordering pots that won't work.

 

They're playable right out of the box.
I got this one pre-owned.

For under $200 USD (bass + parts), it would last just as long as a much pricier instrument.

I tried getting a shoestring under there for that method, but the treble-cut knob was right against the body, & had actually worn a small ring there.
Dental floss would have slipped in there, but I never thought it would have been strong enough.

Thinking about it in retrospect it was probably my own grip that was causing it to seem like it was on there tightly.
Too bad I almost completely ruined the pot for not realizing this beforehand.

 

I've been kicking myself ever since for ruining that treble-cut pot. I might just start over & get another one, maybe one from Indonesia this time.

 

First thing is to get the local luthier's take on it. He spots things I can't.
If the neck is twisted or something, then it's gone.

The nut seems to be cut too low on the top string, but that can be solved.
I was just looking for another one pre-owned & I'm flummoxed as to why the 2nd hand market isn't flooded with them, since they're so cheap.

 

Now that I know the new ones are made in China, I'll be seeking out only older Indonesian ones.