Help with Ibanez bass recognition

[tjgirt]

Hey guys, i am looking into maybe trading for an Ibanez SR 505bk. But i cannot find any info on this bass. It is an older model maybe from 95'. The guy trading it does not have immediate access to it to get me the serial #. Any info on it is greatly appreciated. A pic of the bass is below.

Thanks..

 

[Bassist Jay]

As soon as you do get the serial number it is easy to figure out. The serial number will start with a letter for example, C then the following number is the model year. 5 = 95 If it is a 2000 model year or newer then it will be 01 = 2001 etc.

 

[KeithAlanK]

Just play it and decide if it's worth the money.
Never let minor details stand in the way of a good purchase.

 

[Thundar]

Its definitely before 1994 because that is when they started using soapbar pickups. I have two SR885's from 1993 that look very similiar to this. I can't seem to find this exact pic or model in the Ibanez archive catalogs though.

 

[Dreadlocker]

It's from '93, you can find the basic info from here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Btw, exactly the same picture you posted..

 

[tjgirt]

Thanks for the help guys. Do any of y'all have any experiance playing this bass. The guy I am trading for it says he has replaced the pick ups with EMG's and has put in a EMG preamp. I know playing it is the only way to know for sure but he is driving 2 hours to meet me and I don't want to waste his time. Thanks again.

 

[Dreadlocker]

I've tested a few in mid 90's. SR500-series were Korean made cheaper active basses IIRC. Necks were a bit chunkier than in Japanese made SR:s and original electronics were quite dull and noisy so EMG:s are a big improvement. Build quality is typical 90's Korean Ibanez so with the upgraded electronics it should be a quite nice bass. There are a couple of mods that you (or your friendly neighborhood luthier) can do to get even more out of it. First is to replace the plastic nut with one made out of proper material like bone or Tusq. Second is to install a bridge with string-thru-body-option, basswood bodied basses IMHO really like thru-stringing. Works well on Squiers and such "low end" instruments but I'd probably think twice before drilling holes to a Bongo..

 

[Bassist Jay]

Those are good basses. I have a 94' and 95' SR 500 that I love. Both are my babies and they have never once given me any issues at all.

 

[Dreadlocker]

Oh, my bad, SR500 is made from light maple, not basswood. Sorry, got confused with SR800-series..

EDIT. Whaaaaat..? 1993 American catalog says it's alder and European claims it to be maple.. Oh, well, it's wood anyway.

 

[tjgirt]

i got the bass yesterday. it sounds pretty good with the upgraded pups. but i noticed the B string is pretty muddy for my tatse. any suggestions?

 

[DownUnder_Funk]

i got the bass yesterday. it sounds pretty good with the upgraded pups. but i noticed the B string is pretty muddy for my tatse. any suggestions?

Could need a set of new strings?

 

[5string5fingers]

+1 on new set of strings,check pickup height as well. EMG's have to be very close to the strings

 

[Thundar]

It's from '93, you can find the basic info from here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Btw, exactly the same picture you posted..

Jeez, if it had been a snake it wouldve bit me..I guess I was too busy looking at the red SR885 next to it, which is the same one I have...LOL.
Yeah they are great basses, lightweight, awesome necks, and I actually love the stock pickups and preamp that are in mine.