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Ibanez Sr necks

E

Erlend Alvheim

Jun 7, 2020
16
18
#1
Hi.
Tested out an Ibanez sr1300 yesterday, and I’ve never felt such an immediate connection to a bass. The neck was incredible! I live in Norway, that’s like beyond the wall in GOT-terminology, so the selection is rather small at the music shop..
But the price was a bit out of my budget, so my question is, the necks on lower models, are they similar/identical to the neck on the 1300?
Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
Just took a look at the Ibanez website: SR | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars. Looks like all of the SR models from premium (2600 to 1100) to standard (670 to 300) have the same neck characteristics (read measurements). Only one which is slightly different is the prestige model (SR5000) which is 2mm thinner at the 24th fret, and 1 mm thicker at the 12th fret. Note, didn't look at the SR workshop models or the GIO line.
 
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#3
From what I understand (I own an older SR600 model and have played several other Ibanez models in stores) the Soundgear series has pretty much the same specs throughout. The main differences between models are between the quality/type of pickups used, the preamps installed, body woods used, etc.

You can take a look here and see that the SR650E (which is a newer model of the bass I have, but with a PJ-looking setup instead of soapbars) has nearly the same neck specs as the [This invalid link has been removed] (given this is the model you're talking about). The SR1300 has some more premium materials (in terms of the body/neck woods) and also has an upgraded nut, but if the feel is what you're worried about I can say from experience that the SR necks are pretty consistent throughout levels.

I can't speak for the Gio (GSR) line, but that might be too many steps down from what you were looking at (still decent basses though). You're pretty safe in the SR300-670 range (which encompasses the "standard" line).

Hope this helps!
 
#4
Yes, that was really helpful, and what I wanted to hear
The Gio’s never been a option, but the SR300-670 range is what I pictured, and what I can afford. When you have to order online is great to know what you buy, and the feel of the bass is my main priority.
Sure, the sr1300 are most likely a better bass, with better pickups etc, but that’s not what I put highest at this time.
Thank you for a superb reply!
 
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#5
People really seem to like the new Powerspan pickups on the SR300 thru SR400 series. I used to divide SRs at "only 500 and above are good" but now that's not the case.
I can confirm that every SR I've played has the same incredible neck. The bodies are very comfortable, too.
When you said "I’ve never felt such an immediate connection to a bass" I knew exactly what you meant because my first time on an SR500 was exactly the same. First words out of my mouth were "why am I only finding out about these now???"
 
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#6
KeithAlanK said:
People really seem to like the new Powerspan pickups on the SR300 thru SR400 series. I used to divide SRs at "only 500 and above are good" but now that's not the case.
I can confirm that every SR I've played has the same incredible neck. The bodies are very comfortable, too.
When you said "I’ve never felt such an immediate connection to a bass" I knew exactly what you meant because my first time on an SR500 was exactly the same. First words out of my mouth were "why am I only finding out about these now???"
Click to expand...

I bought an older SR500 model and a newer SR300E at around the same time.
The SR300E is indeed much better than the older versions of the SR300 basses, the Powerspan pickups really elevate the quality of the SR300E and SR400E models and puts them into the conversation of where the good SR models start. In terms of sound, they're great sounding basses, I actually preferred the versatility of the tones I could get from the SR300E more than the older version SR500 I have- the Powerspan pickups are capable of more low end tones than the Bartolini. However, in terms of the neck, the feel and playability of it, I would take the jatoba/bubinga neck of the SR500 and above over them. It's got a certain slickness to it and feels great to play on.
So to answer the op, if you specifically want a neck similar to a Sr1300, get an SR500 or above. if you're okay with more standard maple necks and want to spend less, add the SR300E and SR400E to the list of SR models worth getting.
NOTE: the Newer SR500E model has new features that are big improvements over my older version SR500.

The New SR500E has switches for :-
*EQ bypass switch (passive tone control on treble pot)
*3-way Mid frequency switch

87550847_226224118545121_5661141146693271552_n.jpg

SR500 neck.
95142945_2565784390358542_6994599046081937408_n.jpg
 
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#8
Went into the music store today, and they actually got an SR300e, right next to the SR1300. So I got to really compare the two of them, and I got myself a big dilemma.. The SR1300 made me a better bass/player, and was way better than the SR300e, in every possible way. Without a doubt! I negotiated the price from app. $1400 to $1150, but that`s still $700 more than the SR300e, and app. $400 more than any SR500e..

Neckwise i felt that the SR1300 was slightly bigger, but that was marginal, and mostly down the neck. Fretwork was obviously better on the SR1300.

So my question is, would a SR500e feel like just the SR300e, or is it a better build bass? Especially the bridge on the SR300 was poor, so how is that compared to the SR500e?
 
#10
I had an SR300 and LOVED the neck and body on it, most comfortable and easily playable bass I have owned. If it weren't an absolutely disgusting color (champagne gold - looked like pinkish gold) I would have kept it. I got it second hand when I switched to playing bass from guitar and it was a great player. I will definitely own another Ibanez in the future, been eyeballing the headless models.
 
#11
Erlend Alvheim said:
Went into the music store today, and they actually got an SR300e, right next to the SR1300. So I got to really compare the two of them, and I got myself a big dilemma.. The SR1300 made me a better bass/player, and was way better than the SR300e, in every possible way. Without a doubt! I negotiated the price from app. $1400 to $1150, but that`s still $700 more than the SR300e, and app. $400 more than any SR500e..

Neckwise i felt that the SR1300 was slightly bigger, but that was marginal, and mostly down the neck. Fretwork was obviously better on the SR1300.

So my question is, would a SR500e feel like just the SR300e, or is it a better build bass? Especially the bridge on the SR300 was poor, so how is that compared to the SR500e?
Click to expand...
The SR500E is a higher quality bass, doesn't feel like the SR300E in your hands. Even my older version SR500 felt better to play on than the SR300E I had, you can immediately feel the difference although as I mentioned, the SR300E with the powerspan pickups sounded very good and a great improvement over the older versions of that model and is a great option if you want to spend less money.
Bridge on the SR500E is the Accucast B500, the SR300E uses the Accucast B120.
Also note, the SR500E truss rod adjustment is at the heel not the headstock.
 
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#13
Maxdusty said:
The SR500E is a higher quality bass, doesn't feel like the SR300E in your hands. Even my older version SR500 felt better to play on than the SR300E I had, you can immediately feel the difference although as I mentioned, the SR300E with the powerspan pickups sounded very good and a great improvement over the older versions of that model and is a great option if you want to spend less money.
Bridge on the SR500E is the Accucast B500, the SR300E uses the Accucast B120.
Also note, the SR500E truss rod adjustment is at the heel not the headstock.
Click to expand...

That`s good, cause if the 500e is a higher quality bass, like something in between the 300e and the 1300, then I know I will be satisfied!
 
#14
Erlend Alvheim said:
That`s good, cause if the 500e is a higher quality bass, like something in between the 300e and the 1300, then I know I will be satisfied!
Click to expand...
Actually playing my SR500 earlier, it has a quality feel to it which wasn't as apparent on the SR300E. The SR500E is a pretty big improvement over my older version especially in the way of electronics and even the bridge.
The neck alone made me decide to keep the SR500 and sell my SR300E as I only wanted to keep one SR bass.
 
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#15
I think part of the reason the SR500 and up models feel "nicer" is the upgraded hardware. And also (maybe just a personal preference on these type of basses) I like the natural finishes a lot more. Even if the basses themselves are solid, the lower-level Soundgears just **look** cheap to me.

I'd look around used as well and see if you can find an older premium model at a decent price. There is A LOT of ground to cover between those SR300Es and the "premium" Soundgear models, and I'd say that the mid-level Soundgear basses *SR500, SR650) feel closer to the Premium Series than they do to the SR300s and below, if that makes sense. I do think it's a good middle ground to go that direction.
 
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#16
My main bass right now is a fretless SR375EF. I bought it as a backup to my SR705F, but ended up loving the Powerspan pickups and pre so much that I sold the more expensive bass. That said, I did spend money with Mike Lull (RIP) on the fingerboard. I personally wish there was an option on the 500 series for fretless and for the Powerspans.
 
#18
Erlend Alvheim said:
Hi.
Tested out an Ibanez sr1300 yesterday, and I’ve never felt such an immediate connection to a bass. The neck was incredible! I live in Norway, that’s like beyond the wall in GOT-terminology, so the selection is rather small at the music shop..
But the price was a bit out of my budget, so my question is, the necks on lower models, are they similar/identical to the neck on the 1300?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I totally know what you mean about SR necks!! I have three of them - the only basses I own. If you're talking about new Ibanez SR basses the neck profile should be pretty much identical. The difference would be in how the neck feels - whether it's finished maple, etc. I did find that the neck on the SR400E (pictured below) that I owned at one point didn't feel the same as my older model SR480. The finish on both is matte, but the older one has a smoother texture.

ne86khusgttqfcvqrlcz.jpg
 
#19
verycoolname said:
I think part of the reason the SR500 and up models feel "nicer" is the upgraded hardware. And also (maybe just a personal preference on these type of basses) I like the natural finishes a lot more. Even if the basses themselves are solid, the lower-level Soundgears just **look** cheap to me.

I'd look around used as well and see if you can find an older premium model at a decent price. There is A LOT of ground to cover between those SR300Es and the "premium" Soundgear models, and I'd say that the mid-level Soundgear basses *SR500, SR650) feel closer to the Premium Series than they do to the SR300s and below, if that makes sense. I do think it's a good middle ground to go that direction.
Click to expand...

That did absolutely make sense, and I think/hope a SR500 would give me some of that “premium” feel I got from the 1300, but didn’t quite got from the 300e..

I totally agree with the natural finish, and I’ll definitely get one of those.

thanks for the reply!
 
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#20
Erlend Alvheim said:
That did absolutely make sense, and I think/hope a SR500 would give me some of that “premium” feel I got from the 1300, but didn’t quite got from the 300e..

I totally agree with the natural finish, and I’ll definitely get one of those.

thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...
My only issue with the mid-level SR's is those MK1 pickups and preamp. Never could get with the sound of them. The other bummer is that there's only one MK1 size - 5-string. If you end up wanting to replace the pickups at some point you'll have to put 5-string Bartolini MK size or P2 size pickups in there. That would be one reason to hold out for a Premium one.

Heck, I got this one for just under $700 shipped:

gi8n0cxum1yeuatjqtue.jpg
 
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