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Question about Ibanez gsr basses

Crystalman85

Crystalman85

Nov 30, 2008
6,452
1,817
Chicago, Il.
www.soundclick.com
#1
Okay I am aware there are many threads mentioning the Ibanez gsr basses and it mentions some goods things and some bad things. but I just have to ask. is there anything really wrong with these basses? I know these basses are more suitable for beginners, but I think they have decent sound quality. I just wanted to ask if there's anything really wrong with these basses.
 
#2
I am a lead/rhythm by trade but, I also play bass. I had not had a bass for several years and I started to miss playing the bass. I did a ton of research online and, since it had been a long time, I wanted to keep my spending budget to a minimum.
I went looking for a $200.00 bass knowing I wasn't going to get anything special. I went to the local music shop and tried everything they had at that price and even lower, (Bronco-$99.99). I picked up the Ibanez GSR200 and it was instant love!
They only had the floor demo in stock but I really wanted THAT bass. Incredible build quality, amazing neck, and with the active pick-up, lots of tone options. Plus, it was down-right purdy!
I would not hesitate one second to play this bass on-stage!
I have smallish hands and had no trouble at all with the neck.
I highly recommend the Ibanez GSR200!
Good Luck!
 
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#5
Thanks for responding, guys. I can see that some people like it, some people don't. it's all in the matter of opinions. and for the record, I don't plan on purchasing a gsr bass(even though I think they sound pretty decent). I was simply asking if there's anything wrong with these basses. I can see that the answer is not really. I can see that they are pretty decent, it just that not everyone likes it. and I can appreciate everyone's honest opinion. anywho, I do have my eyes on a certain Ibanez soundgear bass and hoping to purchase one real soon.
 
#6
I currently own the GSR100EX and GSR200 basses. I'm selling the GSR200 tomorrow and donating the GSR100EX to the local youth centre. The electronics are ok but the necks are buzzy even though I've adjusted the necks and set the intonation several times. This is typical of most low end basses.
 
#9
I owned a pearl GSr200 for quite a while until my brother wouldn't quit bugging me and I gave it to him. He played it till he died. I loved that bass, and after that I donated the bass also.

I own an SR500 mahogany now, and it feels heavier and the sound seems a bit more subdued than the GSR series. The GSR series have more of a growl IMHO than the SR500 I presently own. Although I love the mahogany finish, I loved the agressive sound of the GSR200. I might buy another one for fast pick up, run and gigging situations. Also, will be added the Ibanez Promethean 5110 combo, so bass in one hand and high powered combo in the other!

Short answer? I believe that the GSR series are excellent for the money, and could be used very easily by a pro bass player like myself. There is no snobbery here as I've been doing it too long. Just make sure you try it out and ask questions. Try it with a few different amps too.
 
#10
I'll agree that the Ibanez gsr basses has a certain growl-like sound. There was a European online music store I've found here that has sound samples of Ibanez basses and honestly I think that's a very ingenious idea making sound samples of these basses. here's the website with the Ibanez gsr basses.

Ibanez gsr200
Invalid Link Removed

Ibanez gsr205
Invalid Link Removed

Ibanez gsr200ex
Invalid Link Removed

it's a shame that musician's friends or any other online music stores here in the united states has that kind of thing. Even though I was interested in purchasing a certain Ibanez soundgear bass, I do think that the Ibanez gsr basses are really not to shabby. sure some people don't like them, but some people do.
 
#11
I would like to add that If I was going to buy an Ibanez gsr bass, I would purchase the Ibanez gsr205. but I am planning on purchasing the Ibanez sr255. I've been curious about this bass for quite a while. I saw one good review on the sr250(which is the 4-string version of the sr255). at least that lets me know that it is a pretty decent bass. even though the Ibanez sr250 and and Ibanez sr255 are new basses, I would like try out these basses.

Ibanez sr250
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ibanez sr255
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#12
I was going to buy a GSR200EX 'till I decided why settle for an ATK copy when I really want the ATK. I loved the pickup on that GSR200EX though it sounded like it'd rip your face off if you ever plugged into a halfstack.

My biggest regret in my bass life is not buying a GSR205EX it looked like a Double $ Wick that had a bastard son with a GSR. I never got to play one it went for $299 from I think mid 2010 to early 2011.

Every GSR I played all varied in quality some had TGIF frets, some necks were shifting, and some have played better than most anything I played before in their price range. But, that's the thing I think they are a beginners model or for those of us who travel alot and don't want to be without a bass without taking the pricey ones. That is where they thrive as things to noodle around on I'd never seriously gig with one though I would use it for a backup.
 
#13
The GSR's are cheap basses. They is what they is. Not better, not worse than the general population at that price point.

If you do want an active Ibanez, I recommend at least a SR500, as the lesser Ibby's have pretty shabby electronics.
 
#14
XtheDeadPawn said:
I was going to buy a GSR200EX 'till I decided why settle for an ATK copy when I really want the ATK. I loved the pickup on that GSR200EX though it sounded like it'd rip your face off if you ever plugged into a halfstack.

My biggest regret in my bass life is not buying a GSR205EX it looked like a Double $ Wick that had a bastard son with a GSR. I never got to play one it went for $299 from I think mid 2010 to early 2011.

Every GSR I played all varied in quality some had TGIF frets, some necks were shifting, and some have played better than most anything I played before in their price range. But, that's the thing I think they are a beginners model or for those of us who travel alot and don't want to be without a bass without taking the pricey ones. That is where they thrive as things to noodle around on I'd never seriously gig with one though I would use it for a backup.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty funny analogy on how you describe the Ibanez gsr205ex. I happen to found one on ebay for $250.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-GSR2...r-/230745233593?pt=Guitar&hash=item35b97cd8b9
 
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#15
Zoa said:
The GSR's are cheap basses. They is what they is. Not better, not worse than the general population at that price point.

If you do want an active Ibanez, I recommend at least a SR500, as the lesser Ibby's have pretty shabby electronics.
Click to expand...

The gsr basses may be cheap, but some people do like it. I mean sure these basses are more suitable for beginners, but some advanced players happen to dig them.

Since you've mentioned the Ibanez sr500, I did spotted a couple of used Ibanez sr505 basses on ebay. some of them costs $400. I could go for that If I wanted to, but I have been curious about the Ibanez sr255 not only because it's affordable, but it has a nato body(which is related to mahogany). I would like to give these basses a try. also some people do like the lower-leveled Ibanez soundgear basses. it's really a matter of sound quality.
 
#16
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#18
Crystalman85 said:
The gsr basses may be cheap, but some people do like it. I mean sure these basses are more suitable for beginners, but some advanced players happen to dig them.

Since you've mentioned the Ibanez sr500, I did spotted a couple of used Ibanez sr505 basses on ebay. some of them costs $400. I could go for that If I wanted to, but I have been curious about the Ibanez sr255 not only because it's affordable, but it has a nato body(which is related to mahogany). I would like to give these basses a try. also some people do like the lower-leveled Ibanez soundgear basses. it's really a matter of sound quality.
Click to expand...

Oh I completely agree, I'm just saying that there is nothing especially special about GSR's compared to similarly priced basses, and nothing especially bad either. I see people all the time either raving "GSR's are great!" or "GSR's are garbage!" No they ain't, they're pretty standard for the price point.

As far as the active ones go, in my experience they (as should be expected for cheap active electronics) are pretty trashy until you hit the SR500. FIIY, for under $500 new, I think you're better off going passive with any bass.
 
#19
I owned a gsr 200 at one time. There was nothing wrong with it - it played well and it sounded good. I determined that I was happier with a bigger neck. The only other drawback is that the body wood (agathis) is VERY soft. It dents easily and if you add strap locks you have to make sure to use longer, larger diameter screws and drill the pilot holes the correct size or else they will pull out very easily.

The fit and finish was much better than I expected at that price point, and the fretwork was also very nice - no high frets and no sharp fret ends. I would probably still own that bass if the neck was more to my liking.
 
#20
All I'm saying is that if you go with a GSR - you might become unhappy with the sound over a couple months.
I've played a few GSR's, and they don't have the range (highs/lows mostly) or sound of an SR. Go go try them out at your local GC before you decide.
 

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