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Ibanez SR5XXV

#6
I am very disappointed in Ibanez with this bass. I made a thread about it too on their forum comparing it too their 20th Anniversary bass that came out 5 years ago and noted how much less you get with this bass. Here is a copy of what I said.

"I figured Ibanez would release a 25th Anniversary Soundgear this year and I was right. However, when comparing it to the 20th Anniversary model, I see quite a few things that seem like Ibanez has taken a step back. On the 20th Anniversary models, there were only 350 made of each 4 string and 5 string models. But you also had a 20th Anniversary hardshell case come with it, 20th Anniversary leather strap and paperwork showing authenticity and what number your bass was.

With the 25th Anniversary, there is nothing at all mentioned similar to the 20th Anniversary. All they say is it comes with a special gig bag. Here is the listing.


SR 25TH LIMITED EDITION SERIES BASICS

* Made by Ibanez Premium factory
* USA Nordstrand® "Big Single" pickups provide huge, full, loud, and aggressive single-coil tone
* EQB-IIISC 3-band EQ, with Mid frequency switch and eq bypass switch, gives you a world of possibilities in tone
* Mono-Rail IV bridge with locking saddles allows each string to vibrate fully with no interference from the other strings
* Includes special gig bag

So if it is made in the Premium factory, it's not even made in Japan and all it comes with is a "Special" gig bag? Really? That is all. Your telling me an anniversary model that will cost in the 4 figures is only coming with a gig bag and wasn't even made in Japan like the previous anniversary models. Why did Ibanez take a step back with this bass especially considering it was such a big anniversary?"

I used Ibanez for almost 20 years before switching to Music Man basses but the last few years, they have really disappointed me with some of their products. It seems like their quality has slipped in some areas and they basically release the same stuff year after year. With the exception of the mid switch added for the 2010 models and above, the SR 500 basses haven't changed that turd brown color they have been offered in forever in about 10 years.
 
#7
Curious as to how much the 20th anniversary bass sold for new? Was it comparable, less or more than this bass. The gig bag that comes with this bass is very nice and it does also come with a nice multi-tool for adjusting rather than just a few loose wrenches. Never seen or played the 20th and this bass really isn't my style but I was impressed with the overall quality and attention to detail (good wood, tight neck pocket, fretwork, etc.)
 
#10
Just purchased a 5-string 25th Anniversary about 4 hours ago. I've only played it in the store but through an amp I also have at home.

Wonderful bass! With bass and amp flat the thing sounds great. Balanced sound across all frequency ranges with nothing being more prominent. Present mids, great clarity, bright and great attack.

Even with the horrible factory set-up, it seems to be a fast feeling neck. This written, I tried two of these prior to my purchase and the two necks were carved a bit differently. I suggest anyone interested in these to try more than one if the first doesn't have a neck shape you like.

I am truly surprised, thus far, by this bass. My main basses as you can tell are Wals, and thus my bar is a bit high, but this bass really holds it own and more so. It feels, sounds and looks to be built as well as much more expensive basses. Mine was $1,199.00. Of course it came in a crappy gig-bag!
 

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