ibanez k5 worth buying for 400$??

The k5 is the fieldy signature bass from Ibanez. Are you sure it comes in red? Anyways its basically just an sr1305 with a different fingerboard inlay at the 12th fret. I bought my SR 1300 for around $400 almost 10 years ago. I would get him lower by at least down to $300 without even looking at it.

 

Hell no.

 

How red is it, if its painted red it may be refinished or even a parts bass. As far as I know the K5 only came in transblack and some are natural mahogany which I guess can look kind of red

 

You can get a lot better quality for that kinda money. Even a non-signature Ibanez in the same price point is going to give you more.

 

For what i have heard, The old K5 was a great bass and 400 isn't that much money. And besides, who cares that it is a fieldy singnature bass if it plays well.

 

You can do way better with $400 and it won't be a fieldy bass with ugly inlay

check classifieds tons of great stuff on there

 

For 400$ an old K5 is - IMO - a very good purchase - I'd buy it in a heartbeat. The first models had a sandwitch padauk/mahogany/padauk body with wenge/walnut neck. Ignore the K5 inlay (although I think it's cool) and maybe replace the gold hardware with black stock hardware and you'll have a killer bass. In spite of being designed to sound mid scooped (Fieldy's sig tone), the bass is still pretty versatile and you can get a lot of tones out of it.

As for non sig Ibby basses, a SR500/505 would be a great deal too, if you can find one cheaper than the store price. In general any bass higher than that in the SR/SRX/SRA/SRT/EDB line would be a good purchase.

 

I would agree, I would go for the SR500 or greater than the K5. You could probably find a used one for cheaper than 400.

 

I till own my, good bass and had to use it a few time at gigs, but it's my second choice. Fast narrow neck with good tone.

 

Honestly, if you forget about the name, its a great bass made from a great platform. The mid 90 Sr1300's where there top of the line in that era. The only thing i would worry about would be a mid scoop in the preamp, but that's easily solved. Inspect it for little nicks and dings and see if he will come down on the price.