Ibanez Model Number Decoder

[Engine207]

I was at my local mom'n'pop store the other day and I picked up an Ibanez brochure while my boy was having his drum lesson. I can't believe how many different models of basses (and guitars, for that matter) are offered. So far, I can only tell that if the number ends in "5" it's a 5-string and "6" is a sixer.

Can somebody shed some light on the differences between the various series (SR, GSR, 200, 300, 400, etc.)? My teacher has a very nice looking Prestige sixer. He knew all about his bass, but he had no idea what about other Ibbies.

They seem like quite a good value but like most, there's probably a beginner, intermediate, and pro-sumer line.

If this is covered in a different thread, please direct me, as it doesn't come up using "ibanez model numbers", "ibanez model decoder" or "ibanez bass differences"

 

[atheos]

The letters tell the series, there are different series for different purposes. GSRs for example are budget instruments, SRXs kind of all-rounders and so on. The hundreds and tens are the main models within series (mostly larger number means better quality) and as you said, the last number tells the number of strings, 0 is 4 and then 5 and 6 are, well, 5 and 6

At least this is how I've figured it.

 

[Solarmist]

SR = SoundGear
300/305 - 400/405: Ibanez HB pickups with active 3-band "stylesweep" EQ

500/505 & up: Bartolini pickups, and 3-band EQ --- larger numbers designate different woods/finishes and hardware basically

You can find it all out here > [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Falsepuppet]

This is my specailty since im such a tech head!
first the Letters indicate the body style and modified parts.
The numbers represent model and preformance standards.
IE, I play a ICB300EX. Its the Iceman model bass, model 300 (higher then the 200 original) and EX for the Acrive pickups it has over its predecsor.
The GSR are for beginners really, and the SR are the performance models of those.
The SRX are a different body type. The model number will determine performace of the bass like: pickups, neck style (weither its bolt on or neck-thru) and hardware. I hope this helps. Also higher number = more performance.

 

[IngerAlb]

Yup, our fellow Tbers explained pretty clear the codes. I'll only add a brief description to what I've already played & owned:

GSR - entry level basses; can be a great value for the money, but if considering such a model, you should really check every available instrument out (or bring someone who knows how to pick and setup a bass); these are more hit or miss, and may have small issues (for ex the tuning machines don't keep the bass tuned for long).

SR - the flagship line of Ibby basses; very well built, ranging from cheap entry level basses to the highest Prestige models. The higher the number (5XX, 6XX, 7XX, etc), the better, because those have exotic woods and/or tops, high quality electronics (usually Bartolini), a more versatile EQ, and so on. The ones with numbers over 1000 are the Prestiges, which are Ibby's absolute top of the line basses.

SRX - these were aimed to be SRs with a bit more grit & power, or SRs on steroids, if you like They're Ibby's versions of MM TBH, I don't like 'em, I find their tone a bit to muddy (so I'd pick up a SR instead...but that's just me).

BTB - great basses; these were intended to be boutique quality basses at a decent price tag; I wouldn't touch the 2XX series (too much hit or miss, with sometimes warped necks and failing hardware), but the higher 4XX and going all the way up to the Prestige ones are killer basses. Ibbys wanted to obtain a bass with a tone that comes more from the wood, rather from the electronics, so the result was a bass with a sturdy body and a thick neck - yet comfortable. These often come with beautiful tops (quilted maple, poplar burl, walnut, etc) and they look very neat overall. The tone is deeper than a SR/SRX's, with a very good ammount of low end and in your face mids (I find these working well in a metal band - the tone is just perfect for that). Higher models also have Bartolini electronics.

EDB - the Ergodyne line, which was meant to be a line of basses built to be very comfortable to play, with lines that follow the human body and our natural way of playing the bass. Of all the Ibbys that I've owned, I liked these the best (I had an EDB550 & a 555). They feel just great and the playability is incredible. The older models were made of luthite, the current ones are from ash, which gives a very warm & musical tone and it blends perfectly in the mix.

 

[Engine207]

BTB - great basses; these were intended to be boutique quality basses at a decent price tag; I wouldn't touch the 2XX series (too much hit or miss, with sometimes warped necks and failing hardware), but the higher 4XX and going all the way up to the Prestige ones are killer basses. Ibbys wanted to obtain a bass with a tone that comes more from the wood, rather from the electronics, so the result was a bass with a sturdy body and a thick neck - yet comfortable. These often come with beautiful tops (quilted maple, poplar burl, walnut, etc) and they look very neat overall. The tone is deeper than a SR/SRX's, with a very good ammount of low end and in your face mids (I find these working well in a metal band - the tone is just perfect for that). Higher models also have Bartolini electronics.

OK, so I bought a BTB455QMTK. Now I know that this is their "boutique quality" line and, obviously, it's a 5er. The hundreds seem to be "series" upgrades, while the tens seem to be more minor improvements. The hundreds always seem to go up by 100, while the tens increase by 20. The letters at the end refer to the top wood and color, respectively (QM=quilted maple, TK=transparent black)

Mine has a basswood body with bolt-on 5-piece maple/walnut neck, Bartolini MK1-5 pups, Ibanez Vari-Mid 3-Band Active EQ and a Mono-Rail II bridge, and a Neutrik locking jack. What are some of the things that separate it from a BTB405? I have only found photos of the 405, but no specs. Are there other 400 series BTB 5ers as well?

I found that the upgrade to the 500 series is pretty significant: The 575 (is there a 535? 555?), features a maple/bubinga neck-thru body and the pups upgrade to Bartolini MK-2s. The EQ is also upgraded to Bartolini.

Help unravel the mystery!