Ibanez GSR205 Questions

[therealting]

I do like Ibanez basses though, if I didn't need something with 22 frets or less than I'd likely get a slightly more expensive Ibanez SR...

I was saving up for a Dingwall NG-2, but reality hit hard and there's no way I can swing it in the foreseeable future. The upgrades I'm planning for this will bring the cost up for sure, but at least I can do it bit-by-bit.

Why do you need a bass with 22 or fewer? The NG-2 has 24 frets - I actually had a Combustion for 3 years, and I moved it on for a Super J and Super P. If you like the fanned idea, the SRFF805 is worth a look; I have the SRFF806, and while it's not quite the bass that the Dingwalls are, it's about half the cost and to my ear actually sounds (and plays) pretty damn good.

 

[IngerAlb]

It has to do with the nut not being cut perfectly.

I know what you're saying, however I was talking about a different type of issue: on my 205 the tuning machines were simply too weak to hold the string in tune, they would unwind after a while. I've switched them with SR505 tuners and the issue went away. Maybe the newer models have better hardware, but back then the main difference I could notice between the 205 and the SR big brothers (apart from just a tad flabby B) was the cheaper hardware (tuners, input jacks and more rarely bridges). As previously said, they're good modding platforms. But the thing with Ibbys (especially SRs) is that they have so many versions, chances are any upgrade you might have in mind there's already available

 

[Fingerpickingood]

May I say that I'm really enjoying the Ibby love on this thread? It's good to be amongst friends.

 

[IngerAlb]

There's an Ibby club, and also a dedicated Soundgear club (GSR included)

 

[Mechayoshi]

I know what you're saying, however I was talking about a different type of issue: on my 205 the tuning machines were simply too weak to hold the string in tune, they would unwind after a while. I've switched them with SR505 tuners and the issue went away. Maybe the newer models have better hardware, but back then the main difference I could notice between the 205 and the SR big brothers (apart from just a tad flabby B) was the cheaper hardware (tuners, input jacks and more rarely bridges). As previously said, they're good modding platforms. But the thing with Ibbys (especially SRs) is that they have so many versions, chances are any upgrade you might have in mind there's already available

I'm not doubting you. Bad tuners can be a thing, I was just pointing out get get aren't the issue as much as people think.

Also, regarding what you said about the different versions, did yours have active electionics? Some do and some don't and honestly I'd rather have a passive one.

 

[IngerAlb]

Yeah, active onboard EQ. AFAIR there was no true passive model. Now the SRs come with that active/passive switch. I'm on the different side of the fence though - I don't like passive basses

 

[Matthew_84]

Why do you need a bass with 22 or fewer? The NG-2 has 24 frets - I actually had a Combustion for 3 years, and I moved it on for a Super J and Super P. If you like the fanned idea, the SRFF805 is worth a look; I have the SRFF806, and while it's not quite the bass that the Dingwalls are, it's about half the cost and to my ear actually sounds (and plays) pretty damn good.

The reason for 22 frets or lower, is that I'm planning on taking a 5 string bass and mounting pickups in the Rickenbacker 4003 pickup positions and do similar wiring for a similar sound (stereo wiring, bridge pickup capacitor, etc). I've seen/heard enough examples to know that I'll get reasonably close. The GSR205 actually is a bit too long of a fretboard, but it appears that there's a bit of an overhang, so if I trim it enough, I'll have enough room to stick a pickup at the 24th fret position.

I've been wanting to do this for the last several months but haven't been able to find a good 5 string candidate with a slim neck. It wasn't until today that I realized there was the fretboard overhang on the GSR.

Even though I had been planning on this for a while, about a month ago I stumbled into a music store looking for a decent used platform to do this with when I saw a Dingwall Combustion v4 hanging on the wall. I've always loved the idea of Dingwalls and decided to give it a try and the neck was super comfortable and I loved everything about it. I did some research and thought an NG-2 in the parallel wiring would help get close to the tone I was looking for (if I EQ'd it right and used the right effects). It kind of became my dream bass. I was looking at the Ibanez fanned fret as well, but I did prefer the NG-2 even though it was a couple of hundred dollars more. However, while all this was going on, I still had the feeling that I'd want to try this mod on a cheaper bass.

Eventually everything came crashing down. All of the money I had saved towards the Dingwall had to be spent on supporting my family, and it became apparent that spending any more than a few hundred dollars on a bass right now was a very selfish thing to do. So, I decided to start where I left off at finding a cheap bass to modify.

 

[Matthew_84]

I know what you're saying, however I was talking about a different type of issue: on my 205 the tuning machines were simply too weak to hold the string in tune, they would unwind after a while. I've switched them with SR505 tuners and the issue went away. Maybe the newer models have better hardware, but back then the main difference I could notice between the 205 and the SR big brothers (apart from just a tad flabby B) was the cheaper hardware (tuners, input jacks and more rarely bridges). As previously said, they're good modding platforms. But the thing with Ibbys (especially SRs) is that they have so many versions, chances are any upgrade you might have in mind there's already available

That's good to know. If I get a GSR205 (which I think I will, I just need to try one in person first), I'll keep an eye on the tuning keys.

 

[Fingerpickingood]

There's an Ibby club, and also a dedicated Soundgear club (GSR included)

The hell you say!!! ​

 

[Mike SS]

I outfitted my left-handed fifteen year old son with two Ibanez bass guitars. His first was a GSR100EX, the entry level of the group. It is about two years old now and has not needed a single adjustment since the initial set-up, even after switching it over to EB flatwounds in December. It plays beautifully and the sound of the Stingray style humbucker (passive) is impressive. His second Ibanez is an SR500 which I found used in a pawn shop and traded my MIM Fender P-bass for it. It also is an impressive instrument. I have always been impressed with Ibanez quality, even in their lower end instruments. They turn out a quality product. Period. The SR205 will provide you with a great platform for you modding project.

 

[Matthew_84]

I outfitted my left-handed fifteen year old son with two Ibanez bass guitars. His first was a GSR100EX, the entry level of the group. It is about two years old now and has not needed a single adjustment since the initial set-up, even after switching it over to EB flatwounds in December. It plays beautifully and the sound of the Stingray style humbucker (passive) is impressive. His second Ibanez is an SR500 which I found used in a pawn shop and traded my MIM Fender P-bass for it. It also is an impressive instrument. I have always been impressed with Ibanez quality, even in their lower end instruments. They turn out a quality product. Period. The SR205 will provide you with a great platform for you modding project.

Sweet. Thanks!

You've all done very well to convince me that this is the right bass for my project. Now to find one and make sure I find the neck comfortable.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

There's an Ibby club, and also a dedicated Soundgear club (GSR included)

I tried to join a couple Ibanez clubs but no one ever gave me a number. I've been playing Ibanez since early 1980's.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I'm sure you'll end up loving the 205. I've loved Ibby's since the early 80's. Bought my first Roadstar and never looked back. They are fast, slim necks, have a very distinct sound, and no dead notes!

50,000 fans can't be wrong!

EDIT: I had a GSR200L a while back. The tuners also slipped. If you notice on the head of the tuners there's a tiny Phillips screw. Tighten that screw, but not too tight. It will stop the tuners from slipping.

 

[CGremlin]

Eventually everything came crashing down. All of the money I had saved towards the Dingwall had to be spent on supporting my family, and it became apparent that spending any more than a few hundred dollars on a bass right now was a very selfish thing to do.

+1 on having your priorities in order. I've had rough times too, where I've had to give up instruments that I loved in order to keep the lights on and the family fed. It's not easy, but you have my respect for looking out for your family first.

 

[Matthew_84]

+1 on having your priorities in order. I've had rough times too, where I've had to give up instruments that I loved in order to keep the lights on and the family fed. It's not easy, but you have my respect for looking out for your family first.

Thanks. I gotta say, sticking around on TB is very hard some days, but I think I've finally figured out what I want and how to build it bit-by-bit when I can.

It'll take a while to get there, so I'm just hoping I can stick to the plan in the meantime... I may need to avoid TB to avoid distractions though.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I may need to avoid TB to avoid distractions though.

Oh the horror!

Just like you can balance family and music, there's always a little left for brain time. TB is good for the brain!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I'm looking at buying an Ibanez GSR205 for a project build

Ummmmm I forgot to ask, but what is a "project build?" Is the bass already built, or is it in pieces but shows promise or.....?

 

[Matthew_84]

Ummmmm I forgot to ask, but what is a "project build?" Is the bass already built, or is it in pieces but shows promise or.....?

I haven't started yet. I'll start when I get the right bass (likely the GSR) and will build it up from there.

Basically, I'm looking to mount some pickups in the Rickenbacker 4003 pickup positions and wire it similarly (stereo wiring, bridge pickup capacitor on a push-pull, etc).

It will require trimming a bit of the overhang at the end of the fingerboard off, filling the existing pickup cavities, maybe adding a pickguard, and refinishing it to hide the existing pickup cavities.

 

[ReiPsaeg]

I can't speak to the specifics of the 5 string, but I learned to play on the 4 string version and actually had the nut filed to tune it to BEAD and it was quite solid.

 

[therealting]

Eventually everything came crashing down. All of the money I had saved towards the Dingwall had to be spent on supporting my family, and it became apparent that spending any more than a few hundred dollars on a bass right now was a very selfish thing to do. So, I decided to start where I left off at finding a cheap bass to modify.

It's very hard to argue with this. Fair play.