Ibanez's don't get much love on TB, but I have an SR540, and it's an awesome bass.
I have other premium basses that I own, and the Ibanez, from my point of view, has the fastest and most comfortable neck to play. It has a 1.5" nut, and it doesn't get too much wider than that at the base of the neck.
If i were buying this bass, I probably wouldn't pull the trigger because of the gash, but I totally understand, and respect anyone's commitment to a holding a budget, and at that price it's a great deal. Can you negotiate the price further down because of the gash, and other imperfections?
I can't tell exactly from the photos, but I think the finish is like a stain, and there's not much of a poly coating to the finish. It's almost like an unprotected wood finish. I've seen other Ibanez's like this, and it's not my cup of tea, but you could use some wood filler and sand it smooth. Then you stain it dark brown. No one would know the difference from 5 feet and beyond.
I don't know much about the TR50, so I did some research, and it has a 1 5/8" neck, and one control knob. This might have been Ibanez's version of a P-bass with a slightly narrower neck. You should notice the difference in feel between the TR50, and the SR500, and hopefully, you prefer it.
As everyone has suggested, go for it.
I have other premium basses that I own, and the Ibanez, from my point of view, has the fastest and most comfortable neck to play. It has a 1.5" nut, and it doesn't get too much wider than that at the base of the neck.
If i were buying this bass, I probably wouldn't pull the trigger because of the gash, but I totally understand, and respect anyone's commitment to a holding a budget, and at that price it's a great deal. Can you negotiate the price further down because of the gash, and other imperfections?
I can't tell exactly from the photos, but I think the finish is like a stain, and there's not much of a poly coating to the finish. It's almost like an unprotected wood finish. I've seen other Ibanez's like this, and it's not my cup of tea, but you could use some wood filler and sand it smooth. Then you stain it dark brown. No one would know the difference from 5 feet and beyond.
I don't know much about the TR50, so I did some research, and it has a 1 5/8" neck, and one control knob. This might have been Ibanez's version of a P-bass with a slightly narrower neck. You should notice the difference in feel between the TR50, and the SR500, and hopefully, you prefer it.
As everyone has suggested, go for it.
