ibanez sr 305

Yes, I have. Its an amazing bass for the price. It feels great to play, and can cover a wide variety of music genres. (I normally used it for death metal, progressive metal/ rock/ jazz, you name it! lol) Its also constructed very well, I never had a problem with mine... regret selling it though =( Hope this helps you out!

 

I own an SR535 and have owned many versions of the SR since their inception back in 1987.

Overall the construction of the 305 is decent. It can take some abuse and not break on you. The necks are like all other SR necks, slim and very comfortable, although the tight string spacing can be a P.I.A. for the plucking hand, especially when you need to slap & pop.

I don't think the 305 is very versatile either. I've not been able to get a wide variety out of tones from them when I was testing them. It sounds "thin" IMO.

You'd probably be better off looking around for a used bass. For the same price as a new 305 you'll have a wider variety of basses with better quality body wood, hardware, and tone, available to you.

The most important thing you can do though is to get out there and actually start playing as many different basses as you can. This is truly the only way you'll know if the bass is right for you.

 

Another possibility if close string spacing is an issue is to consider a used Ibanez BTB. I bought a used BTB455 5 years ago for $400 and have been very happy with it. Intonation is excellent. Besides the wider string spacing (almost like the spacing on a 4-string), its active circuitry allows for a wide range of tonal variations. I agree with cassanova that the SR305DX is somewhat limited tonally although I've been very satisfied with it. I've owned a used one since early 2002 and paid $305 for it.

FYI, a quick check of eBay shows two SR305's on auction for less than $150:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ibanez+sr305+basses&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Lloyd Howard

 

2 weeks ago I bought a 2005 MII SR300FM for $160 at a pawn shop. Condition is 8/10. This is the discontinued 2 band version with 3 knobs (vol, pup sweep and stacked bass/treb).

You should be able to find a used 300 for $200 or less.

 

Yeah pawn shops are good placed to look. I recently got an SR400 for $130 at one, condition 9.75/10. And I'm about to get a GK Backline 210 for $200 that looks new from the same place.

 

I played on recently at GC preferred its sound and acoustic resonance to the 500 and 700 series basses.

 

The problem with those basses is the electronics. They're way WAY worse than a 505 bass, electronically. The pickups and preamp are both pretty bad, which is why I sold the one I bought pretty quickly. They do feel great to play, though.

As for price, sell your current bass that you want to trade, and buy a used 505, IMO

 

How are they way worse? I found useable tones (for me).

 

The 2 band EQ on my SR300FM is okay, but not nearly as good as the 3 band on my SR500.

The 3 band has more punch (cutting thru a live mix) and way more tone control (and not just becuase it has a mid band control).

I bought this 300 because (1) at $160 it was a cheap addition to my Ibanez collection, (2) I love the faux flame mahogony finish (which Ibanez stopped making for the 300 in 2007)and (3) my bass collection was lacking a P/J pup configuration. I would never have bought the 300 as a main or even a backup instrument.

However, I think a used 300 at $200 or less is a great bass for a beginner. Its def better than my Squire Bronco ($150 new) which I bought as a modification project.