Ibanaz SR300E vs SR300 vs SR250 ???

[Davyo]

I just purchased a brand new Ibanez SR300E and I'm really digging it a lot, great sound, great neck and very lightweight.
As a lifetime BEAD player I will file the nut slots on my new SR300E to accommodate the larger gauge BEAD strings I always use, 125 for the bottom B (ALL my P Bass's are BEAD as well)

Anyhow, my question, I'm wanting to pick up another perhaps used Ibanez as a backup and have been looking at the SR300 and SR250, I know the electronics are improved with SR300E but other than that what are the differences between the SR300E vs the SR300 vs the SR250 ?

Necks and body weight are my main concerns, is the SR300 and SR250 the same weight as the SR300E ?
And are all the necks similar ?
Is there any other differences besides the electronics that I'm not aware of ?

I've been pretty much a Fender guy for most of my life so I'm a bit of a newbie to Ibanez.

Thanks much in advance
Davyo

 

[5544]

The rule of thumb for Ibanez products is the higher the number, the better the quality of material, parts, workmanship, etc.

Would the average person be able to tell the difference if they didn't look at the price tag? Probably not.

The best thing to do is to try both and go with what feels best.

 

[Davyo]

The rule of thumb for Ibanez products is the higher the number, the better the quality of material, parts, workmanship, etc.

Would the average person be able to tell the difference if they didn't look at the price tag? Probably not.

The best thing to do is to try both and go with what feels best.

Thanks, only problem is I might not be able to try the SR300 or SR250 out in person as I might purchase one used online, from a reputable dealer of course.

 

[5544]

Buying used throws all rules out the window when comparing 2 different new models.

It seems to be very popular for people to buy a cheap (read: price tag number) and do what they consider upgrades that cannot be seen until closer inspection or by an A/B comparison.

I bought a used 5 string, liked it so much I bought a new 4 string counterpart. On paper electronics were exactly the same (5 string pickups wider but same specs) but when I switched basses, there was a 50% volume difference. I would have never known if I didn't have something to compare it to. On the used bass, the previous owner removed the stock pre-amp and put a 20- one in because they thought it was better (or to double dip on the sale of the bass).

Getting back to your dilemma of what to get, if I were you, I would compare the specs (minus electronics) and if they were the same, then look at color and price.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Get a SR400EQM or SR370E & make the SR300E your backup.

add:

IMHO, if you like the sound of the SR300E, you'll also like the sound of the SRX models.
GC has a few. They don't have the coil tap switch or a mid control, but those PFR (Passive Full Range) pickups have a great timbre:

BTW, the SRX700 is neck-thru, but the GC listing doesn't say that.
It's only $300, quite a deal IMHO.

Also, I can't abide any of the Ibanez with blackout pickups, they just sound dull to me.