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Ibanez SR375F: I was not expecting it to be this good!

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,337
120,714
Metro St. Louis
#1


Being in music stores is really dangerous for me. I dropped by to see if I could film another video on that Dingwall NG2, but it had been sold just before I got there. I was a bit bummed, but the salesman said to check out the Ibanez fretless. I know the SR375F is a budget fretless, but it really is nice. The neck profile a very thin and flat D profile that is super comfortable. The neck and action is light years better than my Squier. True, the Ibanez’s street price is $125 more than my Squier, but there was no reason why my Squier should not have come with a neck that nice. The Geddy comes first, but I am going to trade that Squier for SR375F in the future. It will make a much better number two fretless.
 
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#2
I bought one as a backup for my then-main bass, a very nice upgraded Ibanez SRF705 Portamento. I ended up liking how the neck feels and how the SR375EF sounded in the mix so much that I sold the 705. I wanted a little lower action than I could get on the 375 right out of the box, that was my only complaint, so I had Mike Lull (rest in peace, Mike) plek it. The action on mine was just fine, but I like super-low action, and play with a light-medium touch. I love it when more now, and it's still my main bass.
I even love the stock pickups and pre .. I don't feel any need to upgrade them. So basically I'm saying I wholeheartedly agree, Doc ... I can't believe what a nice instrument this is, way down in the 300-series. It sounds great in your hands, too!

IMG_20190420_201340543~2.jpg
lia_darksmith_neumos_20191227.jpg
 
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#3
Inara said:
I bought one as a backup for my then-main bass, a very nice upgraded Ibanez SRF705 Portamento. I ended up liking how the neck feels and how the SR375EF sounded in the mix so much that I sold the 705. I wanted a little lower action than I could get on the 375 right out of the box, that was my only complaint, so I had Mike Lull (rest in peace, Mike) plek it. The action on mine was just fine, but I like super-low action, and play with a light-medium touch. I love it when more now, and it's still my main bass.
I even love the stock pickups and pre .. I don't feel any need to upgrade them. So basically I'm saying I wholeheartedly agree, Doc ... I can't believe what a nice instrument this is, way down in the 300-series. It sounds great in your hands, too!

View attachment 3712799 View attachment 3712803
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Thanks Inara! I love the rig in that picture too.
 
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#4
Dr. Cheese said:
Thanks Inara! I love rig in that picture too.
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Thanks! That's my small room rig, though I'm shocked at how big a room it works for. TC RH450 into a Schroeder Mini12+L (19 pound cab!) on a collapsible stand that angles it up.

At some point I also want to get an SR370EF, the 4 string version of this, since I love a skinny-neck fast-playing fretless 4 :)
 
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#7
Inara said:
Here's a short clip from a recording I did a few weeks ago on this bass. It's unmixed, just a clip from a bounce at the end of the day. This was straight into the board, EQ flat except a bit of mid boost, toggle switch in series mode, neck pickup soloed, week-old Dunlop Super Bright Nickels.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Your pocket is deep!:bassist:
 
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#11
I don't think there is a better budget 5 string fretless. I've played these a few times in the store.

But if you really want a nice 5 string fretless for around the same money (used vs new though), I would recommend a MTD Kingston Saratoga 5. Of course they are 19mm string spacing so very different in that regard, but they sound amazing and can be had for 350-450 used
 
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#12
PrimitiveMan said:
I don't think there is a better budget 5 string fretless. I've played these a few times in the store.

But if you really want a nice 5 string fretless for around the same money (used vs new though), I would recommend a MTD Kingston Saratoga 5. Of course they are 19mm string spacing so very different in that regard, but they sound amazing and can be had for 350-450 used
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I like 19mm spacing. That is what my Pedulla has.
 
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#14
Dr. Cheese said:
I like 19mm spacing. That is what my Pedulla has.
Click to expand...

Well check out the MTD Kingston if you can. I have owned a fretless Saratoga 5 (passive jazz 34") and a fretless Artist 5 (sweetspot humbucker active 35"). Both were amazing and I got them for around 350 each. Over time I realized I like tighter string spacing so I did sell them. I haven't found anything as nice for the price though. One of the things I liked about the Kingston line is their fretless have ebony boards, which you never see on a bass at that price.

Nothing against Ibanez of course, I love me a Soundgear 5 string
 
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#15
Dr. Cheese said:


Being in music stores is really dangerous for me. I dropped by to see if I could film another video on that Dingwall NG2, but it had been sold just before I got there. I was a bit bummed, but the salesman said to check out the Ibanez fretless. I know the SR375F is a budget fretless, but it really is nice. The neck profile a very thin and flat D profile that is super comfortable. The neck and action is light years better than my Squier. True, the Ibanez’s street price is $125 more than my Squier, but there was no reason why my Squier should not have come with a neck that nice. The Geddy comes first, but I am going to trade that Squier for SR375F in the future. It will make a much better number two fretless.
Click to expand...

Ibanez makes great stuff. Excellent bang for the buck!
 
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#16
Inara said:
Thanks! That's my small room rig, though I'm shocked at how big a room it works for. TC RH450 into a Schroeder Mini12+L (19 pound cab!) on a collapsible stand that angles it up.

At some point I also want to get an SR370EF, the 4 string version of this, since I love a skinny-neck fast-playing fretless 4 :)
Click to expand...
Minor thread hijack but I just got a 12PL and it kills with my BB800! 28lbs!
 
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#17
Dr. Cheese said:


Being in music stores is really dangerous for me. I dropped by to see if I could film another video on that Dingwall NG2, but it had been sold just before I got there. I was a bit bummed, but the salesman said to check out the Ibanez fretless. I know the SR375F is a budget fretless, but it really is nice. The neck profile a very thin and flat D profile that is super comfortable. The neck and action is light years better than my Squier. True, the Ibanez’s street price is $125 more than my Squier, but there was no reason why my Squier should not have come with a neck that nice. The Geddy comes first, but I am going to trade that Squier for SR375F in the future. It will make a much better number two fretless.
Click to expand...

I knew it ...
 
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