NBD - Ibanez SR500N

[Deep Note]

For the past 30+ years I have been a Fender bass player but wanted something different and heard great things about the Ibanez SR basses. When I tried this one out at Alto Music in Middletown NY, I was blown away by the feel and sounds from this bass. I'm gonna try it out with the band this afternoon (classic rock, early punk, some 80's and a bit of country). Let's see how she does!

Only got it last night but I am really enjoying this bass.

The color is Midnight Arctic Ocean. My photo does it no justice.

 

[petch]

Looks great! Congrats and rock on.

 

[covermego]

Looks like a rockin' machine. I love the color along with the black hardware. Looking forward to your report!

 

[sonojono]

Totally forgot these existed! Those look nice for the price tag. Congrats!

 

[ghostdog93]

I've seen/played these in person, and the Midnight Artic Ocean Metallic color is really stunning. The Big Breaks pups sound awesome, the neck is like butter, and the MR5S bridge is icing on the cake.

As a self-admitted Ibanez fan, seeing someone discover how good the SR line really is brings a smile to my face. That bass is a beauty, enjoy it!

 

[michael_t]

I've been looking to get a second 5-string bass to add to my arsenal. I was just about to pull the trigger on the SR605E, but the SR505N actually looks a whole lot better for less money! I didn't even know there was a 505 that actually came with the Nordstrand "Big Break" pickups. A great discovery, thanks to this thread!

 

[BrentSimons]

For the past 30+ years I have been a Fender bass player but wanted something different and heard great things about the Ibanez SR basses. When I tried this one out at Alto Music in Middletown NY, I was blown away by the feel and sounds from this bass. I'm gonna try it out with the band this afternoon (classic rock, early punk, some 80's and a bit of country). Let's see how she does!

Only got it last night but I am really enjoying this bass.

The color is Midnight Arctic Ocean. My photo does it no justice.

View attachment 7443352

That's a beaut Clark !

 

[pb9717]

Pretty much the anti-fender. Different string, spacing, much lighter, thinner, possibly faster. I am curious how you will feel about it in a week. Enjoy the discovery.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Pretty much the anti-fender. Different string, spacing, much lighter, thinner, possibly faster. I am curious how you will feel about it in a week. Enjoy the discovery.

Oh, those are definitely faster, but that speed comes at a price. You need to really be on top of your muting, because unplucked strings are going to resonate like crazy. You get used to it, but you cannot be sloppy.

 

[prndltech]

I think you'll like it! Hard to go wrong with an ibby if you get along with the neck and string spacing. They make great instruments! And ya know… it works for Carol Kaye, so…

 

[Standalone]

Welcome to the SDGR world.

 

[Frank Kreber]

I've been looking to get a second 5-string bass to add to my arsenal. I was just about to pull the trigger on the SR605E, but the SR505N actually looks a whole lot better for less money! I didn't even know there was a 505 that actually came with the Nordstrand "Big Break" pickups. A great discovery, thanks to this thread!

Ibanez has completely redesigned the SR 5xx series…

 

[crazycloud]

SRs are great basses - I have several and another on order.

The new N versions look great with the new non brown scratchy finish and the Nords.

Enjoy.

 

[michael_t]

For the past 30+ years I have been a Fender bass player but wanted something different and heard great things about the Ibanez SR basses. When I tried this one out at Alto Music in Middletown NY, I was blown away by the feel and sounds from this bass. I'm gonna try it out with the band this afternoon (classic rock, early punk, some 80's and a bit of country). Let's see how she does!

Only got it last night but I am really enjoying this bass.

The color is Midnight Arctic Ocean. My photo does it no justice.

View attachment 7443352

@Deep Note, it was this thread of yours that got me inspired to check into this particular model. How have you been enjoying it so far?

I just got my SR505N today and the initial impressions are very positive. An active 5-string weighing only 7.2 lbs.! Are you kidding me?!

 

[Deep Note]

@Deep Note, it was this thread of yours that got me inspired to check into this particular model. How have you been enjoying it so far?

I just got my SR505N today and the initial impressions are very positive. An active 5-string weighing only 7.2 lbs.! Are you kidding me?!

View attachment 7456965

I am still loving it. I've played a few practices with the band and everyone loves how it sounds. I picked up my P bass the other day and put it down again to grab the Ibanez. I think they hit it out of the park on this one.

Mine is crazy light too. Just over 7 lbs while my Fender ultra ii p bass is a hair under 10. It's very noticeable even sitting.

Good luck with your bass. She a beauty.

 

[michael_t]

I am still loving it. I've played a few practices with the band and everyone loves how it sounds. I picked up my P bass the other day and put it down again to grab the Ibanez. I think they hit it out of the park on this one.

This is very encouraging! This is my second 5-string bass, Yamaha TRBX505 having been my only 5'er since 2018. 505 vs. 505, I'm very curious to see how they compare. The main difference so far is the Yamaha weighs 9.4 lbs.

 

[Lo_Basserson]

I just happened across and played the SR505N today.

I was thinking about getting a Player II Jazz Bass (a low-cost addition for those situations where you want to leave the cream of the crop at home.) But when I saw the SR505N I figured I might as well give it a spin. I really liked it, though I'm really not a 5-sting player. There's always the 500N, though.

This seemed to be a different way to go that played really nice, gave some different capabilities with the active preamp, and was also cheaper than the Player II.

Interested to hear any updates as you have them.

 

[michael_t]

The only thing I wasn't too crazy about was the strings that came on my new SR505N from the factory, ie D'Addario XL Nickels 45-65-85-105-130.

I just installed GHS Super Steels 40-58-80-102-126 on it and did a complete setup today, and now I LOVE the way this bass sounds and feels!

 

[cheddar]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your SR505N! As I mentioned on the other thread, I tend to favor lighter colors, but I will say that the color is growing on me.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I am willing to bet that the higher tension of those steel strings helped settle the lively SR down a bit? I didn't like the D'Addario XL nickels on mine either, even though it is a 4 string.

Black tapes much more controllable, though slightly percussive sounding.

I kinda wonder how it would be with light gauge D'Addario Chrome flats? I have those on the SR307EF fretless and they sound and play great. Just ordered a set for my Sadowsky MetroExpress fretless.