• 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 SR series Revamped?

darius8

darius8

Jan 12, 2009
1,192
26
S.F. Bay Area, California
#1
Hey, I was looking at the SR series basses and I noticed they revamped their SR basses. It used to be 4 knobs: stylesweeper, volume, balance, and the concentric treble/bass. Now, it's 5 knobs: volume, balance, treble, mids, and bass.

I think it was a good decision to get rid of the stylesweeper and put in a mids knob. Anyone noticed the change?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#2
Theyve been like that for years now. Once you go past the SR400 series they start using the controls you just listed. The stylesweeper thing is available on the basses below the SR400 series (i.e. SR305, etc)
 
#5
3-band EQ has trickled down to the sub-500 models, but if you look closely your only choice now is Ibanez EXF-N2 pickups and the EQB-IIID preamp.
No more P/J pickups or style sweeper EQs.

SR500 and above, it's Bartolini MK I pickups and the EQB-IIIS preamp.

Seems like they just simplified the production line so ALL SR basses are drilled for the same 5 pot holes and soapbar-shaped humbuckers.

Makes sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#10
I liked all the sr Series basses I've owned - and there have been quite a few - and still really like the sr905 I kept, but think those preamps would be SO much better with a sweepable midrange, like the Prestige Series have...



- georgestrings
 
#13
christle said:
Any idea what is grabbing you on those? I am more intrigued by the 305 and I think it has more to do with the maple board than anything else.
Click to expand...

Mainly aesthetics (I like the colour scheme and the overall look of the bass, quite classy for that price); plus I hate maple boards and I prefer that nato body (which is basically a cheaper type of hard wood close to mahogany) than agathis. And from the pics it seems the body has rounder edges than the higher SRs (those feel a bit uncomfortable to play seated since they've changed the edge shape to that shark fin type cut).

To me the 255s look like a poor man's SR505. So I'm willing to get one and use it as a starting point for modding.
 
#15
darius8 said:
The necks on the SR300's are fantastic, a 5-piece neck maple and roeswood. I'm surprised it's on an inexpensive bass.
Click to expand...

...'cause the necks of their higher models are made of exotic woods ;)

What the guys at Ibanez are trying to do is offering as many high end options as possible without jacking the price, so their basses have some features normally used for for expensive instruments. It's one of the reasons why I play Ibbys ;)
 
#17
They moved away from P/J setups years ago guys lol.

I like the direction Ibanez is going in. The only thing I wish is that they offered more finish options for their middle of the road models like the SR500. It seems like once you get past the 400 series, it's almost all natural finishes or wood-colored stains. I know that's a popular look, and I don't think it looks bad, but I would really like to see more translucent colors or stains that stray away from "wood color" like blue or green or red or white. And I think just about every bass should have a "flat black" option. Just because it basically fits in anywhere.

I am a big fan of Ibanez basses and hope to own one again soon.
 
#18
KingRazor said:
They moved away from P/J setups years ago guys lol.

I like the direction Ibanez is going in. The only thing I wish is that they offered more finish options for their middle of the road models like the SR500. It seems like once you get past the 400 series, it's almost all natural finishes or wood-colored stains. I know that's a popular look, and I don't think it looks bad, but I would really like to see more translucent colors or stains that stray away from "wood color" like blue or green or red or white. And I think just about every bass should have a "flat black" option. Just because it basically fits in anywhere.

I am a big fan of Ibanez basses and hope to own one again soon.
Click to expand...

I agree. I love the SR 500's but hate the turd brown color they have been now for almost 10 years. I'm also curious on how high the prices are increasing for this year. I saw a picture of a SR 400 being sold for $599.99. I don't know if the earthquake in Japan had anything to do with the increase in prices but Ibanez is pricing themselves out of the market.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back