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Ibanez gsr205 vs sr305

Hi guys im new to to bass but i play the keys semiprofessionally for decades and have a good sense of music and instruments. I spent hours playing the gsr205 in a music shop and i just couldnt feel good. It didnt feel good it didnt sound good it didnt look good enough. All 3. I could not hear clear octaves when playing open strings and double dots... I tried to convince myself to go back to the shop and try more monitors/amps but i knew that would not help. I looked up to see which options i have for more expensive basses and i stumbled upon sr305 as a very good value for money and potentially good upgrade. for 60 euro More i have to say it feels like a huge upgrade. It feels better it sounds better it looks better, in a big leg up. Where i was not convinced at all i went to the cashier immediately.
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Probably get more responses in the SG thread.

I have a GSR256 that is great except for the brown chip off finish some Ibbys have. Nothing at all wrong with it except for that. I'd happily gig it except I have an SR806 too.

I also have an SR370e which I really like, especially the Powerspan pickups, but I simply don't play 4s anymore so it's likely getting sold. Otherwise both feel just like an SR.

Given the choice between an SR20x and 30x today, I'd get the 3 series for the multi-lam neck, the pickups and the finish on some of them; some are still the chip off version even if in black.
 
No expert but I have a gsr 205. I'm pretty happy with it. It's been a fun instrument. It's very playable and I was able to dial in a comfortable action. It's lightweight and the neck is a little more rounded than some other ones out there. The pickups are quite decent for being such a low budget bass. The low boost knob is active while everything else is passive. It pulls a very classic Ibanez tone. If you're looking for a Fieldy or Robbie Merrill kinda vibe it sounds good. To me it sounds good enough that I haven't wanted to tear out the electronics yet. I haven't tried a sr 305 so I can't comment on that but if you get a good gsr 205 that is taken care of and set up I wouldn't be ashamed of it by any means. I don't think any less of mine than I do my Warwick. Neither is inferior to my ears just different and I like how I sound with both. Just for the sake of honesty I did install a higher end Ibanez bridge because the stock one wasn't that nice. Worked just fine though but I wanted the quick release bridge like the soundgear basses all have. That being said it's still better than some cheap bridges I've seen.
 
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Soundgear.
Cool... I thought you were talking about a Gibson SG.

No expert but I have a gsr 205. I'm pretty happy with it. It's been a fun instrument. It's very playable and I was able to dial in a comfortable action. It's lightweight and the neck is a little more rounded than some other ones out there. The pickups are quite decent for being such a low budget bass. The low boost knob is active while everything else is passive. It pulls a very classic Ibanez tone. If you're looking for a Fieldy or Robbie Merrill kinda vibe it sounds good. To me it sounds good enough that I haven't wanted to tear out the electronics yet. I haven't tried a sr 305 so I can't comment on that but if you get a good gsr 205 that is taken care of and set up I wouldn't be ashamed of it by any means. I don't think any less of mine than I do my Warwick. Neither is inferior to my ears just different and I like how I sound with both. Just for the sake of honesty I did install a higher end Ibanez bridge because the stock one wasn't that nice. Worked just fine though but I wanted the quick release bridge like the soundgear basses all have. That being said it's still better than some cheap bridges I've seen.
I've never owned an Ibby so thanks for the info.

Hi guys im new to to bass but i play the keys semiprofessionally for decades and have a good sense of music and instruments. I spent hours playing the gsr205 in a music shop and i just couldnt feel good. It didnt feel good it didnt sound good it didnt look good enough. All 3. I could not hear clear octaves when playing open strings and double dots... I tried to convince myself to go back to the shop and try more monitors/amps but i knew that would not help. I looked up to see which options i have for more expensive basses and i stumbled upon sr305 as a very good value for money and potentially good upgrade. for 60 euro More i have to say it feels like a huge upgrade. It feels better it sounds better it looks better, in a big leg up. Where i was not convinced at all i went to the cashier immediately. View attachment 4360858
I'm going to assume that it wasn't just that bass that was bad,
and if you tried another you'd get the same results.