Ibanez SR705 alternatives.

[djantimatter]

Hi everyone,

First posting, so please excuse my noobie questions.

I've recently decided to pick up a 5 string bass after several years of drumming and synth playing both as a hobby instrument and for use in my electronic projects.

I've tentatively settled on the Ibanez SR705 after some extended in store testing, but I'm also keen to look at alternatives from other brands and would love to get some recommendations from more experienced players.

The main features I'm looking for are as follows:

5 String
3 Band EQ

As far as tone goes, this Bass will probably wind getting patched into my audio interface/DAW via a Moog Freqbox and a Sherman Filterbank but I'd like a nice, thick tone to start off with before it gets mangled by the aforementioned FX boxes.

My budget is around 800 EUR (give or take). I definitely don't want a beginner bass as I prefer buying gear you can grow into.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jallenbass]

Is there something about the 705 that doesn't have you convinced that it will be right for you?

There are a lot of options out there of course but you'll just be getting a list of players' favorite basses without specific tone and playability goals.

 

[russpurdy]

In that price range here are some alternatives to check out:

Warwick Rockbass Fortress 5
LTD B Series
Sterling by Musicman Ray35
Fender active Jazz V
Spector Euro Series 5 String
Lakland Skyking 55-01

Or you could go used and find a Lakland 55-02 or Dingwall Combustion.

That being said, none of those basses will be identical to the ibanez and if you like it go for it. I have an Ibanez SR506 that I really like. Unless your set on the wood combinations used on the 705 I would check out the SR 505 as it has the same body design, pickups, and Electronics with slightly different woods and a lower price tag.

 

[russpurdy]

Keep in mind, that list above is made up of all active, mostly modern sounding basses. There are more options but those ones would be in the same ballpark as the ibanez.

 

[evermelon]

In that price range here are some alternatives to check out:

Warwick Rockbass Fortress 5
LTD B Series
Sterling by Musicman Ray35
Fender active Jazz V
Spector Euro Series 5 String
Lakland Skyking 55-01

Or you could go used and find a Lakland 55-02 or Dingwall Combustion.

That being said, none of those basses will be identical to the ibanez and if you like it go for it. I have an Ibanez SR506 that I really like. Unless your set on the wood combinations used on the 705 I would check out the SR 505 as it has the same body design, pickups, and Electronics with slightly different woods and a lower price tag.

Any of these are great choices. I personally have a Ibanez SR505, but I've modded it greatly and has that Ibanez SRT/Spector 5 tone. The Ray35 has an awesome 3 band eq. and the LTD basses are killer too.. One thing though, its the Spector Legend line that fits in this price range (Euro's are around $1600 new) and its a Lakland Skyline not Skyking

 

[djantimatter]

Is there something about the 705 that doesn't have you convinced that it will be right for you?

There are a lot of options out there of course but you'll just be getting a list of players' favorite basses without specific tone and playability goals.

Nope, like i said I played alongside an SR505 for quite some time and really liked the sound of it. I'm just weighing other options to make sure I make the right choice.

As far as Tone: Ill be using this for Metal, Industrial and my dance music projects.

 

[djantimatter]

Any of these are great choices. I personally have a Ibanez SR505, but I've modded it greatly and has that Ibanez SRT/Spector 5 tone. The Ray35 has an awesome 3 band eq. and the LTD basses are killer too.. One thing though, its the Spector Legend line that fits in this price range (Euro's are around $1600 new) and its a Lakland Skyline not Skyking

I quite like the Sr505 as well, what mods did you make?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

That being said, none of those basses will be identical to the ibanez and if you like it go for it...

+ 1

Something about Ibanez basses just makes me come back to them in time. My first was a GSR200 (traded), next one was an SRX3EX-QM1(sold it), then an SR500(sold it), then an SRX350(sold it), then an SRX3EX-QM1 (Modded and still have), SR305 (traded it for the following) and today an SR600 will be in my hands (FINALLY!). I'd "blame" the necks on them being so addictive, but quite honestly the tone on them is hard to beat if you know what to upgrade. A Bartolini NTMB3 in my SRX REALLY brought that bass to life and it sounds fantastic with DR hi-beam med. lights. The SR600s sound amazing as well and will be getting dunlop straplocks and a fresh set of DR hi beams when I get it home. The SR500's+ get really deep and have a lot of range IME, especially with the new mid switch they have. I'd be happy with those two basses the rest of my life for what my band needs.

Some things are similar, but the Ibanez basses are pretty unique for their price point IMO. If you know how to do a basic setup on your instrument, they will be very comfortable and easy to play instruments for most cats.

 

[evermelon]

I quite like the Sr505 as well, what mods did you make?

A few years back Ibanez made a bass called the SRT805DX. It's very Spector-esque. A neck thru with an arched contoured body and figured maple top, EMG 40DC pickups, and a 3 band preamp that was a modern tone monster! They're discontinued now and they are hard to come by used so I decided to 'build' my own, I gutted the pickups and preamp and enlarged the pickup routes to accomidate EMG 40DC's and I threw a Spector Tonepump preamp in it too. It's beastly! live and recording are no issues at all and its super quiet, no noise and best of all, its still a SR505 so it feels and plays great

 

[ggvicviper]

I believe the Jackson Concert basses would satisfy your conditions for an alternative to the Ibby, and they come in 5ers. Ibanez ATK205 should also fall under your needs.