Ibanez bass?

[bordinco90]

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.

I own an older 2006 Ibanez SR500 and a brand new SR300E. I'm blown away by both basses. The biggest complaints on the older SR500s is the bartolini EQ. Other than that, like others said it punches way above it's weight class. The older SR500s have a wenge neck with bubinga stringers. This neck feels way better than the new SR500E IMO.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Ive loved and played Ibanez SR 5 strings for the past 25 years. (love the string spacing -16.5mm)

500 series is where they start getting good (imo), although I do still own an older 405.

OP, GET THAT IBANEZ!!!


My "latest" is this baby, that I finally got. Ive been wanting for over a year now:
(yes, I show pics whenever I can)

Ibanez SR5FMDX
(pic from the store I got it from).
View attachment 5322549

Green fo 'da Money, Gold fo 'da Honeys

T$

Don’t know how it sounds but the look is jaw dropping !

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

A lot of people like them. My experience with them is they sound like an electric bass not any better or worse than any other. Put on a good set of strings had and it’s a credible electric bass.

When I was starting out I had a Hagstrom I, a short scale with a two piece plastic (fiberglass?) body that almost felt like a toy. To a certain extent, I get the same sort feeling playing recent Ibenez products. Keep in mind, I’ve mostly played Fender PBs as well as a Rickenbacker 4001, and my Warwick Corvette for the last 45 years or so.

I’m not a large guy, but I have a bassist build, long arms, 9 3/4” hands with slender fingers, and find myself after all these years feeling somewhat cramped playing Ibbies. I’m going to assume that if you buy one of their top of the line models your experience will be better than their entry level versions, much like any other manufacturer.

Best advice, is if it works for you great but you should play one first, and not be so concerned about competitive pricing as much. I look for a bargains as much as anybody, but I’m way more concerned about quality and value more than sticker price. I’m not a gear flipper, so when I pull the trigger on something it’s for life.

 

[Matt-J2]

I have an entry version, GSR200B. I'll add to the chorus saying the brown finish wears easy, but in my case I only went with it because that's what was in stock, and it was cheap. I'll refinish it at some point when I decide to mod it. One thing on this one I hate is the active preamp. It's just a bass boost, and all it really does is make it loud and muddy to my ears. Once you get to the 300+ you get an eq, so I assume those are nicer. Could be nicer and needs setup/fret level/etc, but pretty much everything I've touched at that price does. No other issues.

My wife has an older Sr300(i think), all passive. No problems with it, either.

 

[Rib 13]

A lot of people like them. My experience with them is they sound like an electric bass not any better or worse than any other. Put on a good set of strings had and it’s a credible electric bass.

This is a great way to describe them. They dont have any distinct tone - just generic good bass tones.

....besides the 505 I mentioned earlier in the thread, I also have a BTB 845v. These are 32" basses that are supposed to be strung EADGC. I converted mine to BEADG just by filing the nut. A shoutout to @Snert for turning me on to these. Its like a "boutique bass on a budget" (maybe thats what 'BTB' stands for lol)..I also have a 2013 Ibanez Destroyer I did a video on. I put EMGs in it which made it sound a little like a Spector

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Been a while, but 10 years ago, I had one of these: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Good fretwork, dual truss. String-spacing was too narrow for my taste these days, but worked great then. Thin, narrow neck for a 6-string.

 

[HelpImaRock]

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.

I don't play 5s or long scale basses, but I really want this for some reason:

I like the 305 because of the maple neck and I think the finish is better than the 500 series. If I was serious about a 5 string, I'd get this one:

 

[NikosP75]

yeah I’d much rather deal with Sweetwater. That’s where I got my bass cabinet from and they are really great. So if I want to buy this from guitar Center, have it shipped to my local store and then pick it up there when it comes in versus coming to my house?

Yes if you order from Guitar Center order in-store pick up. They will open the box in front of you so anything wrong will be discovered right then and there. I do not trust them that they will check any instrument before they ship it. Sweetwater supposedly checks their instruments that are above a certain price. How true is their 55 point inspection is another story but any inspection beats Guitar Center's total lack of care.

 

[NYgiant]

Yes if you order from Guitar Center order in-store pick up. They will open the box in front of you so anything wrong will be discovered right then and there. I do not trust them that they will check any instrument before they ship it. Sweetwater supposedly checks their instruments that are above a certain price. How true is their 55 point inspection is another story but any inspection beats Guitar Center's total lack of care.

Ok thanks.

 

[NYgiant]

Well not trying to jump around too much here but I was searching my local guitar shops. Came across this bass, used. Anyone know anything about these or have ever played or owned one? I think I might go over and check it out. The price is hard to beat, and with a little bit of scratches on the back, but doesn’t seem like a big deal at all. I know, totally different than the ones we’ve been talking about for several days, but when I saw this was local I figured I’d ask about it.

“Great Looking, easy to play 4-string Bass, Natural finish. front looks great. There are several scratches on the back of the body.”

 

[Watchootognbout]

I’m intrigued by the 5ths tuning. I know violins are tuned that way but upright basses aren’t. What are the advantages in your opinion?

It make some things easy.
A bass version of "Aerial Boundaries" and John McLaughlins "Guardian Angel"
Other things a challenge,but not impossible.

 

[NikosP75]

Ok thanks.

If you thinking of going the used route I highly recommend you look for a 90's SR800.
These were made in Japan and they are of exceptional quality if found in good shape.
I have 2 of them here one is mine (lefty) and one is my son's (right-handed).

 

[Snert]

I think I might go over and check it out. The price is hard to beat, and with a little bit of scratches on the back, but doesn’t seem like a big deal at all.

You should, and very good basses from all I've heard (not played one). My one concern is the upper horn doesn't go to the 12th fret from the look of it and so would not hang well on me. However, you might love it.

 

[NYgiant]

If you thinking of going the used route I highly recommend you look for a 90's SR800.
These were made in Japan and they are of exceptional quality if found in good shape.
I have 2 of them here one is mine (lefty) and one is my son's (right-handed).

yeah I’m going to keep looking. I don’t wanna just spend money to spend it although you know how it goes. You see a new bass that looks nice, it’s hard to not scratch that itch.

You should, and very good basses from all I've heard (not played one). My one concern is the upper horn doesn't go to the 12th fret from the look of it and so would not hang well on me. However, you might love it.

well good thing I called before I drove up there. Apparently they sold it two days ago and never updated the website. Oh well, back to the search.

 

[shodan]

Hmmm, I looked up the SR600E. Looks to go for $200 more than the 500. Is it just the pick ups that are different?

I'm guessing it's part pickup, part type of wood, and part the finish on the 600. The 500 is an okoume body that is sprayed with one of the two finishes. The 600 is an ash body that shows the grain regardless of the two finishes. So not only is the ash more expensive, but it has to be inspected for flaws that would show through the transparent finish. And ash will resonate better than the okoume (supposedly).

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I, too, started out (my second bass) on an Ibanez Roadstar II from the 80s. I loved it so much, it replaced my '72 P-Bass as my main player.

These days, other than 24 fret being "standard" on a lot of the SRs, I'm not a huge fan. It should be noted that according to Ibanez, themselves, the SR was the direct replacement for the Roadstar. I have never agreed with that. They're too dis-similar.

I don't like the head stock design, how the necks have gotten (for my money) too thin, and the inability to really get a tone I love. I'm not saying the necks are "weak". They're not. I just don't like the feel.

I have owned my fair share of SRs (I actually prefer the "S type" guitars to the RGs), always looking for that one that so many rage about. I haven't found it yet.

I had a 300 and 400 series models. I gave them both away. I currently have a 2600 and, while it cost me too much for me to give it away, it's available.

I despise the sound of the pick-ups and the active electronics.

These days, the bass I reach for the most is the RGB300. For my money, it's the second-best Ibanez I've ever owned (The Roadstar was the best).

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I remember playing a benefit show of some sort years ago and looking at my gig bag the next morning and seeing that the contents had a different headstock angle than I was used to seeing!

so instead of my prized ‘83 L-1000 there is an Ibanez sgr 4 of some kind. I called the gig’s organizer in a panic and luckily for me so did the other guy desperately trying to get his bass back too.

I didn’t like the feel of that one much and the times I plugged one in at a shop I found the scooped and kinda light tone not to my taste. I played an 80s road star on a session once and liked it better,

 

[NYgiant]

I found this used one online. Says it’s in mint condition for $550. Seem like a decent model and price?

Ibanez Soundgear SRT800DX Around 2010 - Amber

• Neck material: 5-pc maple/bubinga
• Neck type: SRT4 thru-neck
• Scale: 34"
• Radius: 305mm
• Body: Mahogany body with figured maple top
• Frets: Medium
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlay: Abalone oval
• Bridge: Accu-Cast B20
• Pickups: 2 EMG 40DC humbuckers for high output and balanced tone
• EQ: VARI-MID III (SRT)

 

[FRoss6788]

I found this used one online. Says it’s in mint condition for $550. Seem like a decent model and price?

Ibanez Soundgear SRT800DX Around 2010 - Amber

• Neck material: 5-pc maple/bubinga
• Neck type: SRT4 thru-neck
• Scale: 34"
• Radius: 305mm
• Body: Mahogany body with figured maple top
• Frets: Medium
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlay: Abalone oval
• Bridge: Accu-Cast B20
• Pickups: 2 EMG 40DC humbuckers for high output and balanced tone
• EQ: VARI-MID III (SRT)

I'd be all over that if the neck is straight and TR works.

Great bass! Very good price, IMHO...

 

[NYgiant]

I'd be all over that if the neck is straight and TR works.

Great bass! Very good price, IMHO...

Ok thanks. What do you mean “TR works”. Truss rod?