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NBD! Ibanez GSR100EX

bordinco90

bordinco90

Dec 7, 2011
3,017
4,081
SW Louisiana
#1
I've had this bass for a couple of weeks now and wanted to share my thoughts. Recently, I wanted a backup bass for my Ibanez SR500. I wanted something passive and cheap. I decided to take a chance on an Ibanez GSR100EX. This is the cheapest full scale Ibanez you can buy and I'm very impressed with it. I'm picky when it comes to setups and this bass was great out of the box. It plays and sounds great. It is actually the best new Ibanez bass that I've ever owned. I can get low action without fret buzz out of this bass unlike all of the other lower to mid level Ibanez basses that I've owned (SR300E, SR370E, SR405QM, and SR650). I've always had trouble getting those basses setup. The bass needed nothing, but since I had some black Gotoh GB707s laying around and some different knobs, I figured I would put them on. I also put my usual Chromes on the bass and it's held the setup beautifully. I did have to file the nut slots down a little bit, but it plays better than anything I've owned in recent memory. I would say it's one of the top 3 basses I've ever owned. Wonderful bass and not just for the money. The tone sounds like a P bass, but with more high mids. The pickup is very hot and sounds great. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase!
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#3
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#6
Riff Ranger said:
Ibanez seems wildly underrated to me generally, but particularly when it comes to the pickups they make. Far be it from me to frown upon personalizing an instrument, but I’m glad you gave this one a chance instead of assuming out of the gate that it would need an “upgrade.”
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The pickup sounds great. If I do anything else to it, it will be to install some 1/4 shaft cts 250k pots. The tone knob is either all on or off. No in-between. The neck on this bass feels great! It's more of a P bass profile which I love!
 
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#8
pcake said:
congrats on your GSR. i love 'em. i have 2 of them - the "mahogany" oil finish is stock and the black one has a pair of fender mustang pickups in it.

here's my thread when i got the first one...
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/an-unexpected-surprise-ibanez-gsr100ex.1366203/
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I actually based my buying decision on your threads praising the GSRs! I got the black one because I wanted a hard finish on the body. I wish they would have different colors, but for $200, I'm blown away by the quality. IMO these are better than the SR 300 through 400 series basses.
 
#11
joeLowB said:
Nice new bass! Yes, this is a surprisingly solid bass

I wrote up my observations on the 5 string version of the same bass.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-ibanez-gsr105-an-exercise-in-learning-via-tb.1648025/

It was surprisingly effective and sounded great at the venue I play most.

Enjoy this gem of a find!

.
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Great read and thank you for the kind words. Yes the pickup on this bass is hot, I was able to lower mine to reduce some of the hotness. Like yours, mine balances well and looks great. I went with the black one because I wanted a hard finish on the body. Overall this bass is great and I'm shocked by how well it plays and sounds.
 
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#12
JTNuney said:
I’ve been mildly GASsing for one of these - really drawn to the simplicity of it. Four strings, one pickup, two knobs, side jack, no PG, inexpensive… what more do you need?

Sounds like you got a winner! :bassist:
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Get one! Like you, I was drawn to the simplicity of the bass. I love Ibanez, but never like the lower level SR basses. I've never been able to set them up without tons of fret buzz. This bass setup beautifully and sounds great. For $218 from Sweetwater shipped to my door, it's a steal!
 
#13
bordinco90 said:
Great read and thank you for the kind words. Yes the pickup on this bass is hot, I was able to lower mine to reduce some of the hotness. Like yours, mine balances well and looks great. I went with the black one because I wanted a hard finish on the body. Overall this bass is great and I'm shocked by how well it plays and sounds.
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Interesting you found the same pickup adjustment necessary as I did.

I never cease being fascinated by bass instruments! This one is a really surprising find. Enjoy both of your Ibbys!

.
 
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#15
CallMeAl said:
nice report, and glad you got a good one! Ain’t gonna lie, got me gassin a little! My first bass was an Ibanez SR, so they have a special place for me. Kinda wanting a non-P or J lately. Anyways, enjoy! :)
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I would say go for it. Mine was great and came almost perfectly set up which is more than I can say from the Lower to Mid level SRs I've bought from Sweetwater. For less than $220 shipped to my door, it is perfect. I love that it's passive and I can leave it plugged in at gigs. It even gives my 06 MIK SR500 a run for it's money!
 
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#16
I figured since its been a few months, I would give an update. The bass is fantastic! It's way better than the price point suggests. I love the overall sound and quality of the bass. The neck has been rock solid and stable. I feel like this is one of the best values going right now for basses. IMO it's way better than the SR300E, Jackson Spectra X, and Harley Benton MB-4 that I've owned.
 
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#17
bordinco90 said:
I figured since its been a few months, I would give an update. The bass is fantastic! It's way better than the price point suggests. I love the overall sound and quality of the bass. The neck has been rock solid and stable. I feel like this is one of the best values going right now for basses. IMO it's way better than the SR300E, Jackson Spectra X, and Harley Benton MB-4 that I've owned.
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Nice! Good to hear. Coincidentally, I broke out my GSR 105 this weekend (long story) and it functioned perfectly. The Neck is really good.

I'm still not 100% sure of the best strings, though. What are you using on yours?
 
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