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Ibanez sr505: Korean / Indonesian

B

BoombasticLarry

Aug 2, 2019
9
9
#1
Hi there talkbassists,
I have decided to get my first five string, and the SR505 seems like a solid choice. I played one in a shop years ago before I was familiar with Ibanez models, and I loved the feel and sound of it. Only recently did I realise what it was. I played another in a shop last week and again, I love it.
I want to get a second hand one - they are common AF and the finish tends to wear easily, which means good deals are not that hard to find.
As far as I understand, SR505ers were made in Korea until about 2008, when they switched to Indonesia, which meant different woods and the addition of a mid frequency switch, as well as a different neck construction where it meets the body. I'm actually ok with fewer tone shaping options, as I tend to find a tone I like and leave it there.
Does anyone have experience of both the Korean and the Indonesian SR505ers?
Is the Korean one as light as its Indo counterpart?
Is it exactly the same shape and feel?
I'm worried that if I get a Korean one (which seems to be cheaper) it won't quite be the same as the basses I tried in stores.
 
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#2
BoombasticLarry said:
Hi there talkbassists,
I have decided to get my first five string, and the SR505 seems like a solid choice. I played one in a shop years ago before I was familiar with Ibanez models, and I loved the feel and sound of it. Only recently did I realise what it was. I played another in a shop last week and again, I love it.
I want to get a second hand one - they are common AF and the finish tends to wear easily, which means good deals are not that hard to find.
As far as I understand, SR505ers were made in Korea until about 2008, when they switched to Indonesia, which meant different woods and the addition of a mid frequency switch, as well as a different neck construction where it meets the body. I'm actually ok with fewer tone shaping options, as I tend to find a tone I like and leave it there.
Does anyone have experience of both the Korean and the Indonesian SR505ers?
Is the Korean one as light as its Indo counterpart?
Is it exactly the same shape and feel?
I'm worried that if I get a Korean one (which seems to be cheaper) it won't quite be the same as the basses I tried in stores.
Click to expand...
@Killed_by_Death Should be able to help you out.
 
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#3
BoombasticLarry said:
Hi there talkbassists,
I have decided to get my first five string, and the SR505 seems like a solid choice. I played one in a shop years ago before I was familiar with Ibanez models, and I loved the feel and sound of it. Only recently did I realise what it was. I played another in a shop last week and again, I love it.
I want to get a second hand one - they are common AF and the finish tends to wear easily, which means good deals are not that hard to find.
As far as I understand, SR505ers were made in Korea until about 2008, when they switched to Indonesia, which meant different woods and the addition of a mid frequency switch, as well as a different neck construction where it meets the body. I'm actually ok with fewer tone shaping options, as I tend to find a tone I like and leave it there.
Does anyone have experience of both the Korean and the Indonesian SR505ers?
Is the Korean one as light as its Indo counterpart?
Is it exactly the same shape and feel?
I'm worried that if I get a Korean one (which seems to be cheaper) it won't quite be the same as the basses I tried in stores.
Click to expand...
You can try to find an SR505PB which was a GC exclusive. The finish was much sturdier than the walnut one if you're talking about used. The finish on the newer ones are also more durable.
Anyway - here's one used.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#4
everything you wanted to know about sr500 here--->>>SR500<<<---
505 will have similar specs, just different finishes and bridge model numbers, etc

body shape is pretty much the same but when they changed from korea to indonesia, the heel joint became a slightly different shape and the battery access changed from a cover to a box
Link Removed

p_region_SR500_BM_1P_07_sub_en_2.png
 
Last edited:
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#5
I have the MIK version from 2006. A good deal heavier than the Indo made ones and doesn't have the passive/active switch. I have had no issues with finish wear whatsoever. Sound wise i prefer the MIK, but this varies wildly depending on the strings fitted. Many people on TB aren't fans of the Barts or stock pre. Again, i love mine, goes from deep thump to piano like tone in an instant. Maybe i just got a good one.:D
 
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#10
UNICORN BASS said:
I have the MIK version from 2006. A good deal heavier than the Indo made ones and doesn't have the passive/active switch. I have had no issues with finish wear whatsoever. Sound wise i prefer the MIK, but this varies wildly depending on the strings fitted. Many people on TB aren't fans of the Barts or stock pre. Again, i love mine, goes from deep thump to piano like tone in an instant. Maybe i just got a good one.:D
Click to expand...
eq bypass switch wasn't added until 2019
korean and indonesian from 2005-2018 were all mahogany so there shouldn't be too much variation in weight. in 2019 the body weight changed to okoume so if you're comparing to a 2019 maybe that is why yours is significantly heavier.
 
#15
BoombasticLarry said:
The bypass switch is a late addition (which I didn't know about - thanks for that), but there is a switch on all Indo made sr505s. Until 2019 it was a mid range switch which changes the frequency range of the mid pot.
Click to expand...
the frequency selector changed when the eq changed from eqb-IIIs to ibanez custom
from 2010-2015 it was a 2 way switch
from 2015-present it is a 3 way switch
you can see diagrams and charts at the link i posted above
 
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