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Mid-priced 5-string duel

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by goran, Apr 11, 2012.

  1. Apr 11, 2012 #1
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    I'm selling my Fender Jazz USA Standard equipped with active EMG's on my local market and I got a lot of offers. Two most appealing to me are:
    1) Yamaha BB2005 + cash
    2) Ibanez SR505 + more cash (twice than what I would get for Yamaha).

    Let's put cash aside and talk about differences between both basses. Which one is better, generally speaking - B string, fret work, balance between strings, electronics (noise) etc..

    Thank you!
     
  2. Apr 11, 2012 #2
    scottfeldstein

    scottfeldstein Roots and fifths and a little extra.

    Jun 20, 2011
    West Bend, Wisconsin
    I don't know much about the Yamaha, but I'm the owner of two Ibanez SR basses, one of which is the 505. The most striking things about it are the weight (very light) and the neck (narrow and thin). The passive Bartolini pickups are good, so is the active EQ. It all sounds very hi-fi, modern and "piano" when I string it with D'Addario Pro Steels. Even the B. My goal when I bought it was to get a lightweight, easy to play 5-stringer, worthy of gigging/recording--without breaking the bank. I couldn't be happier with the 505 on those qualities. Bonus: I'm a fan of the mahogany/rosewood looks.

    Let me know if you'd like to hear some of the recording I've been doing with it.
     
  3. Apr 11, 2012 #3
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    Hey Scott, thank you for your reply! Yes, the clips would be great!!
     
  4. Apr 11, 2012 #4
    scottfeldstein

    scottfeldstein Roots and fifths and a little extra.

    Jun 20, 2011
    West Bend, Wisconsin
    PM'd
     
  5. Apr 11, 2012 #5
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    Thank you! :bassist:
     
  6. Apr 12, 2012 #6
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    Anyone else?
     
  7. Apr 12, 2012 #7
    KingRazor

    KingRazor

    Jun 4, 2010
    Beaverton, Oregon USA
    Love the SR505. Best bass within it's price range as far as I'm concerned. Also, check out Guitar Center's used site, they almost always have a few SR505s sitting around for less than $500.
     
  8. Apr 12, 2012 #8
    Kwesi

    Kwesi

    Sep 19, 2007
    USA; Mitchellville, Maryland
    Tonally, what do you want?
     
  9. Apr 12, 2012 #9
    Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    Unless bass guitars are just very difficult in general to source in Croatia, I would suggest you take some time to determine all the qualities you seek in a new instrument, research all available makes & models to find the best choices at the best prices, then make a buying decision based on the results of that preparatory work - rather than semi-arbitrarily choosing from amongst the instruments that happen to have been offered to you in a trade. :meh:

    More time, more effort certainly. But likely much greater, longer-lasting satisfaction with your ultimate choice as well. Therefore less future flipping.

    Just a thought... :meh:

    MM
     
  10. Apr 12, 2012 #10
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    Unfortunately, we don't have a Guitar Center in Croatia. :(

    I have a passive Fender Precision USA and Aria Pro II Jazz bass clone equipped with active EMG JV's so I pretty much covered my needs in 4 strings. Precision sounds as passive P's do and Aria is actually more on the vintage side of the sound, regardless of the active EMG's.

    What I'm looking for is something different than those two. So modern, active sounding bass would fill the missing spot.

    Thank you for your observation. There is a relatively big market of bass equipment in my country considering the population of Croatia, although we don't have that much fancy stuff. As far as the mid-priced instruments go, Fenders and Musicmans tend to hold their value very well. The rest - not so much. The reason I opened this thread is that these two instruments were offered to me as a partial trade for my Fender Jazz. I'm not buying them - believe me, with the cash in my pocket, I would be much more picky. :)

    I have bought/sold over 15 instruments in the last few years. Some were keepers that I foolishly sold, some were not that special, but I've had only one 5 string.
     
  11. Apr 12, 2012 #11
    Gust0o

    Gust0o Guest

    Aug 15, 2008
    Of the two, from personal experience, I think I'd be erring towards the Ibanez - but, as others have noted, it's best to try and play some examples and make your own judgement. You'll know better than me what sound you're wanting, and whether - once it's in your hands - the bass is delivering or not.
     
  12. Apr 12, 2012 #12
    Darnell Jones

    Darnell Jones Inactive

    Aug 29, 2011
    The Ibanez has 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge. I'm pretty sure the Yamaha is wider.
     
  13. May 2, 2012 #13
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    The guy with the Ibanez SR505 backed out, so I went and traded the Jazz for the Yamaha BB2005. My only complaint is the weight - it's well over 11lbs, but other than that, I love it. Broad range of sounds, very resonant, very comfortable neck (feels natural in my hands).. I love it!
     
  14. May 2, 2012 #14
    PotsdamBass8

    PotsdamBass8 Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2005
    Long Island, NY
    Get a wide padded strap...it'll help a lot with the weight. Congrats on the new bass!
     
  15. May 2, 2012 #15
    goran

    goran

    Dec 17, 2002
    Croatia
    Endorsing Artist: Bartolini
    Will do! I have a wide non-padded leather strap, but it's still hurting my shoulder. I now finally have an excuse to stretch a little and buy a padded strap :).
     
  16. May 2, 2012 #16
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005

    Agreed with all of the above, with the qualification that IMO, it's the best 5er in it's price range, especially on the used market... I've seen nice sr505s go for as little as $300-$400 on GC's used gear page - I'd sell your bass outright, then buy that way... IME, the 505s are pretty consistant, and I prefer their necks over the Yammies...


    - georgestrings