Ibanez SR500 worth it for $300 shipped?

[smallmouthbass70]

You got that bass for a steal of a deal. I also play the SR500 Brown Mahogany as my main bass. If you can get past the finish issues, it is a great bass in the middle of Ibanez's SR lineup. I bought mine used and haven't made any adjustments to it. I like that it is around 8 lbs and balances very well with a strap.

 

[Relayer71]

What gauge of Chromes are you using? I was not a fan of those until I got a super light gauge (40 to 95). Made a big difference.

The tension on the regular light was too high and they felt stiff and uncomfortable. The super light gauge feel great and to my ears also sound a little livelier, but could be because they require less effort and I have a light touch.

Fender flats are also pretty good, and last time I used them, cheaper.

 

[fatima]

Here’s a question, how do your other basses *play*? If you can set them up to your liking, the necks have no sharp fret edges and it’s overall comfortable to play, I would recommend against replacing a low end bass with another low end bass.

The quality of parts won’t be much of an improvement, if any. If either of your current basses play well, I think you’d be better off investing in better electronics, especially tuners, and a bridge.

would you consider the SR500 to be a low end bass? i have set mine up to my liking, and the mikro plays really well, but i find the clone to be a chore to play, unless i do a lot of work on the electronics (it has a shielding/grounding issue). would new tuners/bridge really upgrade my experience that much?

for context, i got my mikro for $80, and the clone for $40. the mikro retails for around $200, is there really no improvement for an extra $500?

What gauge of Chromes are you using? I was not a fan of those until I got a super light gauge (40 to 95). Made a big difference.

The tension on the regular light was too high and they felt stiff and uncomfortable. The super light gauge feel great and to my ears also sound a little livelier, but could be because they require less effort and I have a light touch.

Fender flats are also pretty good, and last time I used them, cheaper.

i'm using the 45-100, just double checked! i'll look into the super lights and the fenders.

they're a little stiff, but they were my first flats and i haven't tried a lighter gauge, so i personally am unsure of how it would compare.

also, i'm sorry if i come off as too much of a newbie or anything, i've only been playing bass specifically for a year or so but come with an extensive music background! posting here is so intimidating

 

[Relayer71]

would you consider the SR500 to be a low end bass? i have set mine up to my liking, and the mikro plays really well, but i find the clone to be a chore to play, unless i do a lot of work on the electronics (it has a shielding/grounding issue). would new tuners/bridge really upgrade my experience that much?

for context, i got my mikro for $80, and the clone for $40. the mikro retails for around $200, is there really no improvement for an extra $500?



i'm using the 45-100, just double checked! i'll look into the super lights and the fenders.

they're a little stiff, but they were my first flats and i haven't tried a lighter gauge, so i personally am unsure of how it would compare.

also, i'm sorry if i come off as too much of a newbie or anything, i've only been playing bass specifically for a year or so but come with an extensive music background! posting here is so intimidating

Don't apologize. We were all newbies once! The only way to learn is to ask questions and learn from mistakes. And we are always learning, no matter our skill level!

The SR500 is definitely a step up from the micro. It's a solid instrument.

 

[Ollymix2000]

hey guys! this is my first real post, was hoping for some guidance for buying a new bass. i love reading these forums for information, it's such a treasure trove!

i'm looking at this bass, is it worth it for $300 shipped? it has some finish damage on the front but looks good otherwise, and i'm pretty sure it would be an upgrade from all my other gear (my main is a mikro, a cheap no-name clone that i started on a year ago, and a cordoba mini) but i wanted to make sure that it would be a solid purchase or if i should keep searching. i play mostly indie rock and some funk, i'd probably throw some flats on it. View attachment 5065399 View attachment 5065401 View attachment 5065402

any input would be greatly appreciated! if i posted in the wrong place, please let me know

Hi, I have a an Ibanez SR300! It plays like a dream and is very versatile soundwise.

 

[reverendboom]

I've tried chromes a couple times and they're not quite my cup of tea. I use LaBella 760FL strings on my P bass, they're much more 'vintage' sounding than the Chromes, which are bright for flats. But you may like that quality in a set of flats! It just wasn't what I wanted.

I'm also keen on GHS Pressurewounds, they're mellower than roundwounds (and smoother feeling which I like) but definitely more treble and midrange than flatwounds. I would describe them as being growly to snarly, depending on how hard I dig in.

Hi, I have a an Ibanez SR300! It plays like a dream and is very versatile soundwise.

I have an SR305, and I love it. I went with the Pressurewounds.

Oh, and congratulations on the purchase.

 

[beatdatthang]

i definitely will!

any flats recommendations? i have d'addario chromes on my mikro, should i check something else out?

I’m a rounds person and have never really liked the box that flats kind of put your tone in, but on a whim and because someone was selling them cheap (less than a set of rounds) I bought some Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, which are supposed to sound more like rounds, and put them on one bass.

I like they way they sound compared to other flats I’ve tried before. If you still want the ability to get some of the bite of rounds, Cobalts seem pretty good so far.

 

[ebo]

I owned an SR505 ( 5 string but identical otherwise) and loved it. I also had flats on it and agree that strings make a huge difference. Super thin fast neck for a five, very light bass overall, and yes, the finish scratches easily. You didn’t show the back but mine had a bunch of buckle rash when I bought it. I think I paid (and sold it) for about the same $$. Enjoy it! For $145 it’s a steal.

 

[Benj-jammin]

Hi, I have a an Ibanez SR300! It plays like a dream and is very versatile soundwise.

I just bought a mint condition SR250 from a good friend of mine - what a killer, little bass, with the active CAP pups - took it in to my guitar tech guy for an adjustment, new strings, and this thing sounds as potent and powerful as some of the higher SR models....IMO, of course. A sleeper of a budget type bass, but yeah, it's my backup axe, but I may just use it as my primary, it sounds that good.

 

[Relayer71]

I’m a rounds person and have never really liked the box that flats kind of put your tone in

I used to feel the same way, but now I only half agree with you . I think there's this misconception of "flats = old school thump". You know, only good for old Motown, blues, etc.

There's truth in that, sure, they have a certain feel and sound where you naturally gravitate to that sort of playing. But brighter sounding flats + active bass/pickup setup can give you a wider range of sounds. I mostly play a sort of progressive rock/post-rock/fusion and flats work well on my Spectors with EMG pickups. I also incorporate a lot of slides in my playing and with flats I can do more of that due to the comfort and the lack of string noise.

I still keep a bass with rounds because flats can never sound like them, and variety is good

 

[sxaxsx]

oh my goodness, thank you so much for the model info, you have saved me so much time.

i put flats on my mikro, and playing my other basses without them feels so foreign to me!

big update!!!! the site i was buying from just marked it down to 60% off, so i just bought it for $145 shipped!!!!!! i am so excited!!!!!!!! thank you all for the input, i'll post pics once I've gotten it in hand!

Well heck for that price of course buy it! I paid $650 with a case in 2006. The damage in the finish on yours appeared on mine within the first month. When I had it I almost always used GHS boomers (round wounds) but I did try Chromes on it and I would not recommend them for it. They are fine strings and I have used them on Fenders, but I didn't like how they sounded on the SR500. So for flats maybe try GHS Precision flats or Labella flats. If you like funk it is a great slapping bass with the pickups centered, for rock tones I preferred to favor or solo the neck pickup. They are so light, comfortable, fast neck and stay in tune forever. The only weakness really is the finish. Some people do eventually replace the pickups with other Bartolini or Nordstrand pickups. If you ever get tired of the finish wear check out this thread where I refinished mine: Refinished My Ibanez SR500 though to do it again I would maybe just paint it.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

would you consider the SR500 to be a low end bass?

Not even remotely. This would be like saying a Squier Affinity J-bass (not a BAD instrument, but entry-level) is the same as a Fender Standard J-bass or Player Series J-bass. The SR500 you were asking about is a very solid mid-tier instrument. Ibanez is a "bang for the buck" brand, you get a lot for your money IME.

In regards to the flats question, I'm not a fan of Chromes as they sound dull in the wrong way to me. Not enough thump like GHS Precision Flats, but not as much definition as Roto Flats, GHS Brite Flats, or the EB Cobalt Flats. I'd recommend the GHS Brite Flats or maybe even LaBellas, though LaBellas tend to be a bit warmer. These basses used to ship with Elixir coated rounds back in the day, which was a solid set (died quickly though) and I felt suited the bass pretty well.


Also, that is a SCREAMIN' deal for a bass like this. Anything sub $200 for a functional one of these is an outta this world value. Congrats on the score!!! You could try a few different string sets with those kinda savings!

 

[CaribooBass]

When you have the bass in your hands,TB protocol demands lots of pictures.
You have to have a picture of your new bass in its new home.

Welcome to TB

 

[BobKos]

You will dig the SR-500. It is a great bass. I have one that is amazing with Thomastik Jazz Rounds on it. They are expensive but are a good match for that bass.

 

[Wesley R]

Buy it, play it, be happy. Very polite tone. If you want a bunch of grind, adjust the amp or buy a pedal.

 

[zuton]

I've owned one for a while. Picked it up for 250€ used. Pretty lightweight and very comfortable and thin neck. I was however very disappointed with the Bartollini pups, they sounded super bland to me. I sold the SR500 and upgraded to an SR600E with Nordstrand pups. Sounds so much better to me.

For ~150 bucks it still is quite the bargain though

 

[DolemiteSammich]

What site did you get it for such a deal? I love the way my SR feels. I have smaller hands and it is very comfortable. I personally found the electronics a little weird in sound, as I couldn't get along with the variable mids control, so I did swap mine out for a simpler emg based system.

 

[kmon]

I’ve always liked those sr500s

 

[Rabidhamster]

i have large hands too, but i think i'll like the thinner neck. regardless, i'm excited to try it out.

do you have any flats recommendations? i've only used d'addario chromes.

edit: if i ever get around to upgrading it, i'll reach back out to see what you've done to yours!

Congrats, that should be a solid upgrade bass! If you like your Ibanez Micro you should like this neck too, IMO. I've got a lightly used set of chromes in my string shoebox that were already on a 2x2 headstock, PM me a shipping address if you want and I'll send them to you.

 

[fatima]

When I had it I almost always used GHS boomers (round wounds) but I did try Chromes on it and I would not recommend them for it. They are fine strings and I have used them on Fenders, but I didn't like how they sounded on the SR500. So for flats maybe try GHS Precision flats or Labella flats.

i will definitely check out your post once it comes in!

In regards to the flats question, I'm not a fan of Chromes as they sound dull in the wrong way to me. Not enough thump like GHS Precision Flats, but not as much definition as Roto Flats, GHS Brite Flats, or the EB Cobalt Flats. I'd recommend the GHS Brite Flats or maybe even LaBellas, though LaBellas tend to be a bit warmer.

i'm thinking of picking up labellas, but i'm torn between the fl and fs! leaning towards fl, but i'm down to pick up both and see which i prefer.

I have one that is amazing with Thomastik Jazz Rounds on it. They are expensive but are a good match for that bass.

TI's are definitely on my wishlist, i'll definitely save up for them someday to try. definitely can't afford them right now, haha. if you had to compare them to the labella fs or fl, what would you say is closer? or are they truly in their own league?