Yeah, definitely a '94. They had three knobs and were passive from '93-'95, then went to five knobs and active through 2002, then down to four knobs and active (with soapbars) when the line was brought back in 2007.
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Ibanez SR400 - worth it?
- Thread starter GregDunn
- Start date
I recently purchased a SR 400 based on the comments here (thanks, TB 
!) with active covered p&j pups and five pots (one vol, one blend, three tone). The S/N is C7011XXX--I'm guessing that it's a '97?
The bass has definately been played often, & I wasn't sure about the price given it's condition. It's definately different from the Foundation, but it's all good.
!) with active covered p&j pups and five pots (one vol, one blend, three tone). The S/N is C7011XXX--I'm guessing that it's a '97?The bass has definately been played often, & I wasn't sure about the price given it's condition. It's definately different from the Foundation, but it's all good.
My SR 400 was the first bass I bought when I started playing again, and I can't part with it. It just plays and sounds very good. The action is amazing if you like the very small and thin neck. It has the "style sweeper" EQ knob that takes it from thuddy P to super bright slap style as well as bass and treble. I find it very useful.
Yeah, Tonedeaf, yours is a '97. Gio's is one of the newer ones made since '07.
I played this a little tonight - it definitely needs new strings. There's also a couple of dead frets on the G string around 3-6. Might be a low fret, might be relief. I'm going to wait till I get it cleaned up (will have to take the neck and strings off anyway to polish the body) to determine which it is, most likely.
Funny thing - he bridges were all badly misadjusted - 2 of them only had 1 screw in contact with the plate and they were all canted.
Funny thing - he bridges were all badly misadjusted - 2 of them only had 1 screw in contact with the plate and they were all canted.
Hmm, Sean Yseult was an Ibanez endorser. I just remember her playing a Rick in the Living Dead Girl vid. But she's clearly playing a custom SR400 on the cover of the book she has coming out about Zombie. I may just have to buy that book, and a SR400 to go with it . . .
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Here's a pic of the whole bass (black = black!) and the headstock. I've pixilated part of the SN but you can see the relevant part...
It hasn't been cleaned, tuned, restrung or anything ATM; this is just as it came out of the store.
Nice score
If you ever want to move it shoot me a pmOnce I get this baby cleaned and re-strung it should be awesome. After some thought and examination I think I just have a classic dead spot on the G string because it's in the usual place (frets 5-7) and there's no visual or audible indication of a low or flattened fret. I can't imagine an older instrument like this would just have just one or two worn frets on one string anyway; from general appearance it looks like it's been played evenly and without high action or lots of slapping. The neck is very very smooth over most of its length in the areas where someone's hand would typically have been in contact, and the fretboard only has a couple of small scratches. I'd say it's in excellent condition for a 16-year-old instrument that has been played.
So, thanks again to all who contributed their thoughts and knowledge.
So, thanks again to all who contributed their thoughts and knowledge.
Check out the reviews on Bass Gear Review. Here's one I wrote way back in 02
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Nice! This is my second long-scale Ibanez and they do seem to blossom when you run them through quality amplification. And I will keep you in mind if I ever decide to part with it. Depends on whether I continue to improve as a player and keep buying instruments. 
Yes, quality amplification can make a BIG difference
If you keep playing, you WILL improve Rock on! my bass playing brother
Just a quick follow-up... I completely disassembled, cleaned and lubed (the appropriate parts!) the bass, polished out a few of the more obvious scratches, put it back together and put new strings on. I did not have to adjust the truss rod even though the neck had been off the bass for several days! And it sounds good. This one is a keeper.
I bought a '96 sr400 off of cl for $50. The only problem was that one of the wires needed resaudering. Fixed it up and have been trying to sell it but ive been playing it alot lately. Awesome bass. PM me if anyone interested in sale or trade. Will meet any trades of more value with money
I have a 1990's SR-400 and its fabulous. You can get a wider tonal range out of that instrument than any other instrument I've played. I find the SR-400's with active bass, mid and treble are best. I haven't enjoyed playing the ones that have only bass and treble controls. Doesn't cut it.
I actually ordered their circuit and pups for a custom instrument I built a while back. I highly recommend this bass if it has the bass, mid and treble EQ section.
I actually ordered their circuit and pups for a custom instrument I built a while back. I highly recommend this bass if it has the bass, mid and treble EQ section.
