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Ibanez SR series

S

SteveXFR

Jun 2, 2019
71
95
Somerset
#1
I'm a bit of a beginner so please excuse my lack of knowledge.
I've been playing a few months now and loving playing bass but not entirely feeling the love for my Peavey International.
Because I'm a big punk fan, my first thought was to buy a Squire Precision, most of my favourite punk bassists player a precision bass but recently I've been finding that I'm enjoying playing metal more and liking the sound of the Ibanez active basses.
I've read a bit a the SR300, 400 & 500 series but don't fully understand the differences and how they'll effect the instrument. My budget can stretch to a 500 but a lower model leaves money for effects pedals.
I'm also a bit curious about 5 string and whether that B string might be useful for the doom and stoner metal I enjoy.
Unfortunately, I can't find a local shop where I can go and try them all.
 
#2
Once you hit the 500 you get bartolini mk1 pickups, jatoba neck. Overall not a big difference in the lower end models, they're all great playing basses, tone is something to be desired, but they arent expensive basses. I used an sr400 and 305 in a hardrock/metal band for a while.

I say go used on an sr505 and you'll still have money for the pedals.

If you're thinking of upgrading pickups later the sr isn't a good choice. Not many choices that will fit.
 
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#8
SteveXFR said:
I'm a bit of a beginner so please excuse my lack of knowledge.
I've been playing a few months now and loving playing bass but not entirely feeling the love for my Peavey International.
Because I'm a big punk fan, my first thought was to buy a Squire Precision, most of my favourite punk bassists player a precision bass but recently I've been finding that I'm enjoying playing metal more and liking the sound of the Ibanez active basses.
I've read a bit a the SR300, 400 & 500 series but don't fully understand the differences and how they'll effect the instrument. My budget can stretch to a 500 but a lower model leaves money for effects pedals.
I'm also a bit curious about 5 string and whether that B string might be useful for the doom and stoner metal I enjoy.
Unfortunately, I can't find a local shop where I can go and try them all.
Click to expand...

Try out the SR 300E. It'll be good for almost everything.

Also, take a look at used Ibanez SRX basses.
 
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#10
I had to look up your current bass as I hadn't heard of it before, but looking at it, I'm not sure the ibanez is going to offer up a whole lot more other than maybe a lighter weight. I would almost say to do some upgrades on your current bass instead of dropping the money on a new one.
 
#12
5string5fingers said:
I had to look up your current bass as I hadn't heard of it before, but looking at it, I'm not sure the ibanez is going to offer up a whole lot more other than maybe a lighter weight. I would almost say to do some upgrades on your current bass instead of dropping the money on a new one.
Click to expand...

Part of my plan is to keep the Peavey so I can have that in standard tune for when I want to just blast out some punk tunes.
Is it possible to upgrade it much?
 
#13
SteveXFR said:
Part of my plan is to keep the Peavey so I can have that in standard tune for when I want to just blast out some punk tunes.
Is it possible to upgrade it much?
Click to expand...
I don't see why you couldnt upgrade everything on it? I don't know the dimensions of the pickups, but seems like EMG would make something that would fit,tuners are standard, bridge is pretty standard looking. Biggest problem area would be the bridge, possibly just drilling some different holes to get something to fit perfect
 
#14
Get an old, used SR500 or SR800. Those things are magnificent, all old SR800s are built in Japan, and some SR500s are, they are rock solid instruments with great electronics AND you get a P pickup because they are all PJ. It doesn't sound exactly like a P bass because the pickup is reversed, but it's a good deal to be had at $200-300 used.
 
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#15
^^ this is also good advice, and should you want to replace the pickups, easy to find something that will fit.

Everybody is going to have different opinions on here based on what they like, their experience with ibanez basses, etc. Someone will probably say ibanez is garbage go buy a fodera because, the internet. Try and find at least one SR series bass to play, just to see if you like the over all feel and sound and then make your decision if you think it's worth the cash, and then go buy used.
 
#18
My suggestion: Get a used SR. String it normally. Use the leftover money to get the Digitech Drop and a Hipshot Xtender/D-tuner. You'll be able to get to pretty much any metal tuning in seconds. If you find out you don't really like the SR, you can sell it for about what you paid for it.
 
#20
no, it's a string extender.

I have SR506, strung B-C. It's not my main bass, but a lot of fun. I would def use it in a metal/stoner context. The preamp system gives you a lot of boost/cut , which might useful if you're trying to blend in with deep-sounding guitars.
 

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