• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez Premium SR1605D vs. Prestige SR5005

E

Emmy0505

Sep 15, 2023
16
17
#1
Hi!

Looking for some advice on the pros and cons between the Ibanez Premium SR1605D and Prestige SR5005.

Background: I am a female 5 string player and I play primarily for church. (So I want something somewhat light but I sit down to play so it's not a make or break thing.) I played an ESP LTD 205SM for several years as my first 5 string... not because I loved the way it felt in my hands but because I loved having the low B string. I eventually decided that it was too grungy of a sound for me... I want a beefy but clean low sound, reminiscent of Geoff Castellucci's voice. On top of that, my husband thinks I should have an instrument that I truly love (and I am inclined to agree)!

So, a few months ago I went on the hunt for a new bass and saw the SR1605D online and I loved the Autumn Sunset Sky finish because, well, I am a female and the colors match the colors of the music room in our house. I had hoped for my new bass to be in my hands in time for a church event, but alas, I could not get it in time, so I ended up with an Ibanez SR675 -- Nice bass and I like it a lot, but the 1605 stuck in my head, despite never having the opportunity to play it (no brick and mortar stores around me carry it).

Being the wonderful husband he is, he encouraged me to go ahead and get it as well online... but for whatever reason something was holding me back and I never made the purchase.

I eventually also came across the Prestige SR5005 on Sweetwater, and now I just don't know what to do! Google and YouTube were generally unhelpful in helping me choose.

Any thoughts about one or both of them?
Alternatively, any suggestions for others? I'd like to stay at least reasonably close to this price range ($1,500 to $2,500). I definitely want a 5 string because my heart cannot stray from that low B. I don't want a metalish harsh growl and I also don't want a bright funk sound. In the most generic terms that will likely make all y'all experienced bassists that are also coffee nerds laugh at me, I want something "smooth and rich" sounding, something round, big, but clean.

Thank you for reading my novel and for your help!
 
  • Like
Reactions: woodsracer, Andre678, staccatogrowl and 1 other person
#2
Emmy0505 said:
Hi!

Looking for some advice on the pros and cons between the Ibanez Premium SR1605D and Prestige SR5005.

Background: I am a female 5 string player and I play primarily for church. (So I want something somewhat light but I sit down to play so it's not a make or break thing.) I played an ESP LTD 205SM for several years as my first 5 string... not because I loved the way it felt in my hands but because I loved having the low B string. I eventually decided that it was too grungy of a sound for me... I want a beefy but clean low sound, reminiscent of Geoff Castellucci's voice. On top of that, my husband thinks I should have an instrument that I truly love (and I am inclined to agree)!

So, a few months ago I went on the hunt for a new bass and saw the SR1605D online and I loved the Autumn Sunset Sky finish because, well, I am a female and the colors match the colors of the music room in our house. I had hoped for my new bass to be in my hands in time for a church event, but alas, I could not get it in time, so I ended up with an Ibanez SR675 -- Nice bass and I like it a lot, but the 1605 stuck in my head, despite never having the opportunity to play it (no brick and mortar stores around me carry it).

Being the wonderful husband he is, he encouraged me to go ahead and get it as well online... but for whatever reason something was holding me back and I never made the purchase.

I eventually also came across the Prestige SR5005 on Sweetwater, and now I just don't know what to do! Google and YouTube were generally unhelpful in helping me choose.

Any thoughts about one or both of them?
Alternatively, any suggestions for others? I'd like to stay at least reasonably close to this price range ($1,500 to $2,500). I definitely want a 5 string because my heart cannot stray from that low B. I don't want a metalish harsh growl and I also don't want a bright funk sound. In the most generic terms that will likely make all y'all experienced bassists that are also coffee nerds laugh at me, I want something "smooth and rich" sounding, something round, big, but clean.

Thank you for reading my novel and for your help!
Click to expand...

I assume the thin Ibanez necks agree with your hands. I would not worry about the tone being too bright or harsh.These basses are active and can control the tone easily. I don't think you can go wrong with either bass. What is your amp situation?
 
  • Like
Reactions: FRoss6788
#3
Dr. Cheese said:
I assume the thin Ibanez necks agree with your hands. I would not worry about the tone being too bright or harsh.These basses are active and can control the tone easily. I don't think you can go wrong with either bass. What is your amp situation?
Click to expand...
Awesome; thanks! And yes, the Ibanez basses I have tried seem to be comfortable and easy to play. For an amp, I have a Markbass Mini CMD 121P IV.
 
  • Like
Reactions: staccatogrowl and Dr. Cheese
#6
Ibanez Premium basses are cosmetically nice. However, Ibanez Prestige basses are their best, crafted in Japan, excellent woods and electronics, and usually the best playing and sounding. Prestige SR5005 would be my choice for Ibanez. I believe it's their best 5-string instrument, and has been for many years. You'll likely be inspired by it for a long time if making the SR5005 choice.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MrAB4003, FRoss6788, srayb and 2 others
#7
You can't go wrong with an Ibanez Premium or Prestige instrument. They are both very nice IMO, and I think you would find either of those basses to be a satisfying upgrade from your SR675 (which is really nice axe to begin with!)

If money is not an obstacle, I would opt for the Prestige bass. But there is certainly nothing wrong with their Premium offerings.

One thing you might want to note re: the 1605D[W] is that according to the specs on Ibanez's website it has slightly wider string spacing at the bridge. Your SR675 (and the SR5005) have 16.5mm string spacing. The 1605DW is 18mm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andre678
#8
staccatogrowl said:
Ibanez Premium basses are cosmetically nice. However, Ibanez Prestige basses are their best, crafted in Japan, excellent woods and electronics, and usually the best playing and sounding. Prestige SR5005 would be my choice for Ibanez. I believe it's their best 5-string instrument, and has been for many years. You'll likely be inspired by it for a long time if making the SR5005 choice.
Click to expand...
Good info. Thank you so much!
 
#9
thisheregiraffe said:
You can't go wrong with an Ibanez Premium or Prestige instrument. They are both very nice IMO, and I think you would find either of those basses to be a satisfying upgrade from your SR675 (which is really nice axe to begin with!)

If money is not an obstacle, I would opt for the Prestige bass. But there is certainly nothing wrong with their Premium offerings.

One thing you might want to note re: the 1605D[W] is that according to the specs on Ibanez's website it has slightly wider string spacing at the bridge. Your SR675 (and the SR5005) have 16.5mm string spacing. The 1605DW is 18mm.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Thanks for the information! RE: DW -- thanks for the measurements! I knew that the DW was "wide" but I didn't know how wide so it's good to see them compared. If I go that route, I'd go with the plain D, for sure.
 
#10
Emmy0505 said:
Hi!

Looking for some advice on the pros and cons between the Ibanez Premium SR1605D and Prestige SR5005.

Background: I am a female 5 string player and I play primarily for church. (So I want something somewhat light but I sit down to play so it's not a make or break thing.) I played an ESP LTD 205SM for several years as my first 5 string... not because I loved the way it felt in my hands but because I loved having the low B string. I eventually decided that it was too grungy of a sound for me... I want a beefy but clean low sound, reminiscent of Geoff Castellucci's voice. On top of that, my husband thinks I should have an instrument that I truly love (and I am inclined to agree)!

So, a few months ago I went on the hunt for a new bass and saw the SR1605D online and I loved the Autumn Sunset Sky finish because, well, I am a female and the colors match the colors of the music room in our house. I had hoped for my new bass to be in my hands in time for a church event, but alas, I could not get it in time, so I ended up with an Ibanez SR675 -- Nice bass and I like it a lot, but the 1605 stuck in my head, despite never having the opportunity to play it (no brick and mortar stores around me carry it).

Being the wonderful husband he is, he encouraged me to go ahead and get it as well online... but for whatever reason something was holding me back and I never made the purchase.

I eventually also came across the Prestige SR5005 on Sweetwater, and now I just don't know what to do! Google and YouTube were generally unhelpful in helping me choose.

Any thoughts about one or both of them?
Alternatively, any suggestions for others? I'd like to stay at least reasonably close to this price range ($1,500 to $2,500). I definitely want a 5 string because my heart cannot stray from that low B. I don't want a metalish harsh growl and I also don't want a bright funk sound. In the most generic terms that will likely make all y'all experienced bassists that are also coffee nerds laugh at me, I want something "smooth and rich" sounding, something round, big, but clean.

Thank you for reading my novel and for your help!
Click to expand...

Well, if you've been playing for years, you know what you want. I know nothing about those two basses to make a suggestion. I do know enough about contemporary Christian music that a 5 string is about as close to a requirement as you can get.

As for no stores a round to try them out, I have a suggestion. If you are planning to make $1,500 to $2,500 purchase, you may want to make a trip to where a store has them. Paying an extra 10% or so on the purchase of an instrument that you may want for a lifetime IMO is money well spent.

Best wishes and thanks for your ministry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FRoss6788
#11
Emmy0505 said:
Awesome. Thanks for the information! RE: DW -- thanks for the measurements! I knew that the DW was "wide" but I didn't know how wide so it's good to see them compared. If I go that route, I'd go with the plain D, for sure.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong, but I think the 1605D only comes with the wide spacing. If you look at the product page on Sweetwater for example, the title only says SR1605D (no 'W') but when you scroll down to the spec chart, it shows the Ibanez part number with a 'W':

Manufacturer Part Number:
SR1605DWASK
 
#12
dbsfgyd1 said:
Well, if you've been playing for years, you know what you want. I know nothing about those two basses to make a suggestion. I do know enough about contemporary Christian music that a 5 string is about as close to a requirement as you can get.

As for no stores a round to try them out, I have a suggestion. If you are planning to make $1,500 to $2,500 purchase, you may want to make a trip to where a store has them. Paying an extra 10% or so on the purchase of an instrument that you may want for a lifetime IMO is money well spent.

Best wishes and thanks for your ministry.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Good idea -- thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dbsfgyd1
#13
thisheregiraffe said:
I could be wrong, but I think the 1605D only comes with the wide spacing. If you look at the product page on Sweetwater for example, the title only says SR1605D (no 'W') but when you scroll down to the spec chart, it shows the Ibanez part number with a 'W':

Manufacturer Part Number:
SR1605DWASK
Click to expand...
Thanks for the insight -- I'll be sure to verify. When I talked to my Sweetwater sales guy a while back I asked about the difference between D and DW because I had noticed it... He seemed to think there was a difference. THAT said... you can never be too sure and I didn't notice the discrepancy was even on the same page. So, I'll keep that info in mind. Good looking out -- thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: PrimitiveMan and thisheregiraffe
#15
Emmy0505 said:
Thanks for the insight -- I'll be sure to verify. When I talked to my Sweetwater sales guy a while back I asked about the difference between D and DW because I had noticed it... He seemed to think there was a difference. THAT said... you can never be too sure and I didn't notice the discrepancy was even on the same page. So, I'll keep that info in mind. Good looking out -- thanks!
Click to expand...

Yeah the SR1605D is only available in 18mm spacing.

I used to have a SR5005 and it was an awesome bass if you like the Bartolini sound (I sure did). I'd look for one used though as you can find them pretty cheap sometimes.

I'd still have it but find 17.5-18mm spacing more comfortable
 
  • Like
Reactions: FRoss6788
#17
I think you can't go wrong with either. The 5005 has the Barts with 16,5mm spacing and the other one has Aguilars with 18mm spacing.
I am not sure if there is much quality difference between the both. So it comes down to which specs and finish you like better.
The SR1605D is 700$ cheaper or so.

A Yamaha BB 5 string (or other model) would be an option too. Yamaha BB Series · 5-String Bass Guitars Online Shop
There is a lot to be found in that price range.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back