Ibanez bass?

[NYgiant]

I’ve never considered one of these basses before. Why? I really have no idea. Don’t see too many people playing them, at least in bands I’m familiar with. Was just watching bass guitar reviews on YouTube and this one person had one and said how they absolutely loved it. Started researching and was blown away about how cheap the prices are. I’ve been reading reviews for two days and everyone raves about how nice it sounds and feels.

The specific one I’ve been looking at is the SR 500. Have seen some people complain about the plastic knobs on the bass as well as the Bartolini pick ups. Other people love the pickups. Just wondering if anybody here is familiar with this particular model or Ibanez basses in general? The active EQ from what I’ve read seems to really make a huge difference in some of the tones you can get.

Currently have a fender jazz MIM player series. So I know this would be totally different, but thought it would be cool to add. Just not sure if it’s considered a beginner bass or what. Based off of the prices I have seen, I would’ve never considered a bass like this. But the reviews really rave about it.

 

[FRoss6788]

Very comfortable bass that's fine stock and punches way above it's price point.

If you like a slim neck profile, you should love this bass.

 

[MonetBass]

Do a search on here and you'll find tons of threads about them.

 

[Snert]

Just wondering if anybody here is familiar with this particular model or Ibanez basses in general?

I have 7 SR basses in the 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 hundred series (and owned several more). So what do you want to know?

The SR 500 series are very common and well regarded. Some don't like the Barts, but that's a matter of taste, and when I get out of the TB echo chamber and just use my basses with either the MK1 or BH2, they're not that bad and sound fine if you're not a cork sniffer (which I confess to being sometimes). The main problem I have with the later generations is the finish which can scratch and mark easily, depending on what sort of player you are. But I've seen YT videos that show how to repair it easily enough, not perfect, but fine for a working instrument.

What I love about mine are the small, well shaped body, not the huge slab of an FSO, esp a J, and the slim, stable multi-lam necks (not on my 206, which I've gigged several times and is rock solid). I like how they feel, and are the closest to perfect ergonomically, for me, in a conventional commercial bass, at very good prices. I like the narrower spacing on the 5s and 6s which most of mine are. The hardware has been fine and reliable even on the cheapest 206 and some of the older S/H models and they don't have the ginormous headstock of FSO or the boat anchor tuners.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Ibanez is great… old and new.
By bias is that I learned on (and still have)
A 1990 EX series. It may not be the most sought after Ibanez but I’ve based my preferences on neck feel on that bass.
I have a couple 80s roadstars and had an early 2000s sr series…. I personally don’t care for the headstock design on the sr series but the necks are great!!

 

[fjbolebruch]

I had an SR700 as my first “real” bass. Played a lot of instruments at my local GC before making my decision, and the Ibañez was most comfortable to play. I sold it a few years ago and I still think about it all the time.

 

[wolfkeller]

Really can't beat them. I'm not a big fan of the pickups that have few upgrade options due to the size. I prefer the older ones that have PJ pickups. Sr 1000can be had cheap as well as SR800s. Even an old pj sr 5000 on music go round.

 

[NYgiant]

I have 7 SR basses in the 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 hundred series (and owned several more). So what do you want to know?

The SR 500 series are very common and well regarded. Some don't like the Barts, but that's a matter of taste, and when I get out of the TB echo chamber and just use my basses with either the MK1 or BH2, they're not that bad and sound fine if you're not a cork sniffer (which I confess to being sometimes). The main problem I have with the later generations is the finish which can scratch and mark easily, depending on what sort of player you are. But I've seen YT videos that show how to repair it easily enough, not perfect, but fine for a working instrument.

What I love about mine are the small, well shaped body, not the huge slab of an FSO, esp a J, and the slim, stable multi-lam necks (not on my 206, which I've gigged several times and is rock solid). I like how they feel, and are the closest to perfect ergonomically, for me, in a conventional commercial bass, at very good prices. I like the narrower spacing on the 5s and 6s which most of mine are. The hardware has been fine and reliable even on the cheapest 206 and some of the older S/H models and they don't have the ginormous headstock of FSO or the boat anchor tuners.

damn man, you sound like the perfect guy to talk to considering you have so many of them. Is it a general consideration that the higher the series number the more features and “better” the bass is?

what are some models that come with active pick ups? From what I was reading the model I was looking at has passive pick ups, but an active EQ. Does that sound right? Would have to buy the instrument unseen and unheard. Either something used or brand new from one of the online companies.

trying to buy a used GK cabinet from guitar Center not too long ago. It was listed in excellent condition. When I got to the store to pick it up, it ended up hardly even working. So that left a bad taste in my mouth of even wanting to deal with them. However, their return policy is hard to beat.

I guess I also wanted to ask you, which model do you think would be a step up above the fender jazz bass made in Mexico player series I just got last fall? I don’t wanna necessarily get the same type of quality, maybe step up a little bit. From what I read, it appears even the lowest model Ibanez might be better than the fenders that are being produced currently. But I didn’t want to assume so figured I’d ask.

If those bart pick ups don’t sound good to me, what do you recommend having installed in them that works well? Did you keep the stock ones in all of yours? I read that the Ibanez pick ups some people like better than the Barts that come with them. Again I guess it’s just personal taste, but just trying to get as much info as possible.

 

[J Wilson]

Once you decide outside the familiar Fender platforms, there are lots of amazing choices out there.

Ibanez long ago established the Soundgears as a successful alternative to the usual suspects, and suit players looking for a slim and slim-necked bass, very easy on the strap.

Like most builders, they offer this bass in many versions from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The SR500 is a great entry into these basses at a moderate price point.

Ibanez axes are typically well built, and offer the latest features in a lot of cases, they're faster to follow what's hot than most. And between the SDGR, BTB, acoustic basses, headless and more, nobody builds more different ranges than Ibanez.

The 500's are great axes at the their price point.

 

[HelpImaRock]

They're like the 90s Ford Probe of basses. I still might buy one tho.

 

[FRoss6788]

They're like the 90s Ford Probe of basses. I still might buy one tho.

 

[NYgiant]

They're like the 90s Ford Probe of basses. I still might buy one tho.

Ah, yes…. The old Probe….. totally forgot about those.

seems everybody commenting here regards these Ibanez basses pretty highly. That’s the consensus that was getting from reading all types of different reviews online. Might have to scoop one up. Not sure if I want to buy used or new. Feel a little more confident buying a new one. because you never know buying a used one what problems someone is passing on. if it was local that would be one thing. But buying used online seems a little shaky to me unless it’s from a verified retailer where you could take it back like guitar center or something.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I have a 2006 SR505, made in korea. Great sounds, kinda heavy. The newer MII have a weedy finish but much lighter. Can't go wrong.

 

[InhumanResource]

I’ve never considered one of these basses before. Why? I really have no idea. Don’t see too many people playing them, at least in bands I’m familiar with. Was just watching bass guitar reviews on YouTube and this one person had one and said how they absolutely loved it. Started researching and was blown away about how cheap the prices are. I’ve been reading reviews for two days and everyone raves about how nice it sounds and feels.

The specific one I’ve been looking at is the SR 500. Have seen some people complain about the plastic knobs on the bass as well as the Bartolini pick ups. Other people love the pickups. Just wondering if anybody here is familiar with this particular model or Ibanez basses in general? The active EQ from what I’ve read seems to really make a huge difference in some of the tones you can get.

Currently have a fender jazz MIM player series. So I know this would be totally different, but thought it would be cool to add. Just not sure if it’s considered a beginner bass or what. Based off of the prices I have seen, I would’ve never considered a bass like this. But the reviews really rave about it.

Nice basses at reasonable prices. High end ones with fancy woods available for a higher price. I find that they feel very nice ergonomically, but I don’t always get along with the electronics they choose. Lots of other people do, though!

 

[BarfanyShart]

Ibanez is a great brand for bass and guitar. You can generally count on quality that exceeds the expectation set by the price. The SR isn't my favorite series because of the thin necks, but the are very comfortable to wear. The Barts are quite good, unless you need access to the brightest and modernist range of tones. I love my Ibanez EHB better than anything I've ever owned, and I do want to change the Barts, but it is not a necessity and maybe I don't ever get around to it.

 

[bassbrad]

Ibanez is all too often overlooked as both a company that innovates new ideas and makes other new concepts more available for consumers that can't afford higher priced options. Ibanez has an avid fanbase that love to collect.

 

[Snert]

Is it a general consideration that the higher the series number the more features and “better” the bass is?

Yes, but often not in ways that make a significant difference to tone. Often it's a finish difference, eg the 3 to 4 range is mostly a fancy top.

what are some models that come with active pick ups? From what I was reading the model I was looking at has passive pick ups, but an active EQ. Does that sound right?

None in recent years, they're all passive PUs with a separate pre.

I guess I also wanted to ask you, which model do you think would be a step up above the fender jazz bass made in Mexico player series I just got last fall? I don’t wanna necessarily get the same type of quality, maybe step up a little bit. From what I read, it appears even the lowest model Ibanez might be better than the fenders that are being produced currently. But I didn’t want to assume so figured I’d ask.

You're asking the wrong person as I simply don't like playing Fenders so I seldom even pick them up any more. For fit and finish, I'd say everything above the 300s, but the 500s definitely.

If those bart pick ups don’t sound good to me, what do you recommend having installed in them that works well? Did you keep the stock ones in all of yours? I read that the Ibanez pick ups some people like better than the Barts that come with them.

All of mine are stock at the moment, but the 806 is going to get routed for EMG45 so I can install EMGs or another that fits in like my Alumitones. There are many more PUs made to EMG sizes than the stupid one's the licenced Barts use, though the P2 and P4 are close enough (2mm narrower, same length) than the 5 and 6 string versions. I only have one 4 and that is stock and seldom touched.

Again I guess it’s just personal taste, but just trying to get as much info as possible.

Tone is really personal, and some people obsess over it; I was one of them, but now I care much less and I've seen some YT videos where the much maligned MK1s sound really great, so I've left them stock. Some of the Ibanez preamps have a different onboard plug that radically changes the one for 5 mins work and zero $. I suggest looking for clean YT videos to get an idea of tone; one channel I like is Bass Bonedo. He plays well, demonstrates well, doesn't talk and records cleanly. If it's not the exact bass, that shouldn't matter much, but you'll get to hear the PUs clearly.

One really nice thing about the SRs is that the neck profiles are very consistent model to model, so if you were to try a 2xx and you like how the neck (and body) feel to you in terms of shape, another with the same number of strings will feel very similar (identical) so if you try one and like the feel and ergonomics, buying another remotely will not be a shot in the dark in that regard. I live in the boonies now and I've bought all of my SRs remotely as the nearest large city is a 4 hr E/W drive.

 

[Curtbass]

I’ve had quite a few Ibanez soundgears and they were all great. I parted with them years ago due to liking a thicker neck profile but I still have a SR 500. It has a different than usual finish. You might want to take a look at the SR 300. I personally couldn’t tell a difference tonally or in playability from the 500.

 

[NYgiant]

Yes, but often not in ways that make a significant difference to tone. Often it's a finish difference, eg the 3 to 4 range is mostly a fancy top.

None in recent years, they're all passive PUs with a separate pre.

You're asking the wrong person as I simply don't like playing Fenders so I seldom even pick them up any more. For fit and finish, I'd say everything above the 300s, but the 500s definitely.

All of mine are stock at the moment, but the 806 is going to get routed for EMG45 so I can install EMGs or another that fits in like my Alumitones. There are many more PUs made to EMG sizes than the stupid one's the licenced Barts use, though the P2 and P4 are close enough (2mm narrower, same length) than the 5 and 6 string versions. I only have one 4 and that is stock and seldom touched.

Tone is really personal, and some people obsess over it; I was one of them, but now I care much less and I've seen some YT videos where the much maligned MK1s sound really great, so I've left them stock. Some of the Ibanez preamps have a different onboard plug that radically changes the one for 5 mins work and zero $. I suggest looking for clean YT videos to get an idea of tone; one channel I like is Bass Bonedo. He plays well, demonstrates well, doesn't talk and records cleanly. If it's not the exact bass, that shouldn't matter much, but you'll get to hear the PUs clearly.

One really nice thing about the SRs is that the neck profiles are very consistent model to model, so if you were to try a 2xx and you like how the neck (and body) feel to you in terms of shape, another with the same number of strings will feel very similar (identical) so if you try one and like the feel and ergonomics, buying another remotely will not be a shot in the dark in that regard. I live in the boonies now and I've bought all of my SRs remotely as the nearest large city is a 4 hr E/W drive.

Thank you very much. A tremendous help you’ve been with all your detailed responses.

 

[smoothbrain]

I really like the Ibanez basses I have and have had. Most of all, I love the necks. SR basses. Try them out and see if they are for you.