Here we go again...

There comes a time for all of us to make these types of decisions in all aspects of our lives. If the Warwick causes pain then I, IMHO, would get the Ibanez.

 

I'd say your health is the number one priority - who cares about the brand on the headstock if the bass works better for you?

One thing not mentioned - how does the tone compare to the Warwick?

 

Quality of life > quality of bass. Get the Ibby...and play the **** out of it!

*Note- This is coming from a guy who sold 2 custom made Warwick Thumb sixers and now plays a Douglas and a Squier.

 

I say go for it. It sounds like the ibby would make you happy. And, If it helps to improve your ability to play it means you'll be able to play longer and inevitably have sentimental time with the Ibanez.

 

From what you've said it seems like not going with the Ibanez would be the harder thing to justify.

The bass I played in my younger days is not the one I prefer now either. And the rig - oh man, that's changed from multiple folded horn 18 cabinets to a single 12". I sold an Acoustic 370 that I'd played for over 30 years because of weight issues. It took some research but now I'm finding that I can get great tone in a modern amp for 1/3rd the weight and many new features that they just didn't have back then. Times change.

 

It's your health! if you want to keep playing and you can't play the warwick, sell it work on getting some kind of awesome amp or something later... if it's a purple fortress masterman 5 string....sell it to me!

 

Then your decision should be an easy one!

 

Well, the SR505M should be a nice match with your Ibanez Prometheon, if you still have it. I just got a SR300 and it is super light.

 

My own personal experience: I had a beautiful Warwick SSII-5 and decided to go back to being a full time four stringer. Got several lowball offers and finally had a guy offer to trade me a mint SR 1000 EFM and $1100 cash for my bass. I did it and have regretted it ever since. Kept the Ibanez a total of two weeks and sold it as fast as I could, just didn't compare to the Warwick (or any other decent instrument in it's price range IMO) tonally or in terms of feel, in fact, I thought it felt like a cheap toy in comparison (especially for something that was supposed to be their high end bass). Never been an Ibanez guy, gave them a shot and it was perhaps the biggest mistake I've ever made as a player. Will never purchase another Ibanez bass, period.

I get that it's a personal preference thing, and your health should come first and foremost. I'd play what's comfortable and will allow you to keep playing - I just tend to think there's other options available besides just your Warwick or an Ibanez.

Just my two cents. Your mileage may vary.

 

If you know you'll be happy go for it. I owned a SR506 and it couldn't be setup, you couldn't get a decent action without tons and tons of fretbuzz and you couldn't intonate it. I would personally never recommend one to an enemy, but YMMV.

 

Hey man - I'd say go with the Ibby. Try a few of their models. They are well made and sound great, especially the models these days with Barts. The 5ers for me aren't my cup of tea but only really because of string spacing, which you say suits you.
I've also gone from owning expensive Warwicks, Spectors and for years now find my ideal basses to be MIM Fenders. My point being if you like the bass, brand name be damned!
My only advice is trying and play the actual bass you want to buy. Buying online is a bit hit/miss with quality in my experience.
Go for it man - your body will say thanks and Ibby basses sound and play great if you ask me.

 

Uncomfortable neck and weight make for a bass to be sold rather then kept. Get the Ibanez and enjoy playing.

 

+1
There is nothing wrong with the SR505 anyway. IMO it's a great bass!

 

It's always hard to part with a bass you love but when medical conditions play a part it's a different story.
I voted go for the Ibanez simply because it's not going to cause you pain like the Warwick does. Plus you would be going from one good bass to another good bass IMO.
I thought I'd really regret selling my Warwicks but I don't.