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NBD Ibanez GSR190 - Much better than expected!

Standalone

Standalone

Jan 17, 2005
5,955
7,608
New Haven
www.jsbmusic.net
#1
2DFDE07B-9B83-4EC6-9486-0EAD042C6E20.jpeg

Package deal today online local sale. Ibanez and a GK 112. I cleaned up this well used Gio and was pleasantly impressed. I unplugged my very nice but modern and polite 92 MIJ SR800 and hooked up this Gio — great sound! Lots of grind and snappy response even with old strings. Hotter output than the SR.

My favorite vintage Ibanez basses have hot passive pickups — and this bass did not disappoint! I’ve seen these panned a bit on TB with recommendations to “get the SR300” but this one seems to have soaked up some mojo. The thinly finished maple neck has yellowed and darkened nicely and the contour of the body feels quite like my MIJ SR800. The neck has a bit of a V to it by the headstock; probably to give it a bit of stabilizing thickness. Works for me.

The pickups are really pretty great especially when dialed just so. The tuners are pretty cheap but they hold
tuning. All strings were on backwards when I got it. I rewound two but haven’t gotten to the other two.

I think whoever I sell this on to will be very happy, and I’ll probably be recommending these on “what should I buy” newbie threads.

I wonder what the differences are between this and the 200? Headstock paint?
 
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#5
motoman said:
I have the older passive gsr 200 it,a a good bass for the price.comfortable and light sounds good with fresh strings.
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I think this one is pretty old —
Decoder said:
Serial number: I010727615


Production year: July 2001 serial: 27615

(factory: Cor-Tek, Indonesia)
Click to expand...

practically vintage!^^^^^

Did the 190’s only come with the “Jumpstart Pack?”
 
#9
Yahboy said:
In the early day on 2001 I join a new band while I still a keyboardist, the bassist has one using for our shows. Tone just solid massive through Hartke rig.
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It definitely jumped out of the amp more than my nice SR800. The 800 feels smoother and more solid to play — more advanced and expressive work could be done on it. But the GSR sounded really quite good.
 
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#10
Standalone said:
View attachment 4718890
Package deal today online local sale. Ibanez and a GK 112. I cleaned up this well used Gio and was pleasantly impressed. I unplugged my very nice but modern and polite 92 MIJ SR800 and hooked up this Gio — great sound! Lots of grind and snappy response even with old strings. Hotter output than the SR.

My favorite vintage Ibanez basses have hot passive pickups — and this bass did not disappoint! I’ve seen these panned a bit on TB with recommendations to “get the SR300” but this one seems to have soaked up some mojo. The thinly finished maple neck has yellowed and darkened nicely and the contour of the body feels quite like my MIJ SR800. The neck has a bit of a V to it by the headstock; probably to give it a bit of stabilizing thickness. Works for me.

The pickups are really pretty great especially when dialed just so. The tuners are pretty cheap but they hold
tuning. All strings were on backwards when I got it. I rewound two but haven’t gotten to the other two.

I think whoever I sell this on to will be very happy, and I’ll probably be recommending these on “what should I buy” newbie threads.

I wonder what the differences are between this and the 200? Headstock paint?
Click to expand...
Your 190 will do you well
 
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#11
Simple, pure, and solid built! Ibanez's are some of the best "beginner" gear.
I believe 200's have the "Bass Boom" knob, making it "active electronics" (still with passive pickups). 190's were pure passive and one less knob.
 
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#12
I own a '99 GSR200—it's been my first bass—and I really find it hard to sell it, even though I don't usually play it much nowadays. It has an excellent neck and, curiously enough, the fret "clank" it produces when digging is the best sounding (!) clank I've heard in any bass I've played. The overall sound isn't something to write home about, but it's very usable and it suits rock music better than anything else I have, I think.
 
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#13
Vodyanoi said:
I own a '99 GSR200—it's been my first bass—and I really find it hard to sell it, even though I don't usually play it much nowadays. It has an excellent neck and, curiously enough, the fret "clank" it produces when digging is the best sounding (!) clank I've heard in any bass I've played. The overall sound isn't something to write home about, but it's very usable and it suits rock music better than anything else I have, I think.
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A good way of putting it. I might use this in the studio to get a particular sound...
I do often play with a heavy touch and appreciate that kind of response in a bass. It can sound bad or, as you describe, quite good.
 
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#16
Standalone said:
Originals were probably chrome. I think the white creates a nice accent to the proportion of the SR body and balance the plain headstock. No, really. Also, black knobs would not draw attention away from the nicks and scratches like the white knobs do! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Great looking bass either way!
 
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