What are your thoughts on this Ibanez sr800?

[waverz]

I haven't played much in the last 15 years but have been having the urge to pick up the bass again. I have an Ibanez BTB15E 5 string but I really miss the skinny fast necks of the Sound Gear series. I've owned a couple sr400's and a SR800 in the past and now I really want another SR800.

After searching here, Ebay, and guitar center I realized I either needed to keep saving my pennies or find one that's not in perfect shape and priced accordingly

Well, I found one on GC. According to the serial number it's a 1995 model listed in "fair" condition. They wanted $225 for it but there are some obvious issues which you can see in the attached picture. I was able to talk them down to $210 on it. With SR800's easilly going for more than double that I decided to take a chance.

The pickups appear to be correct but obviously those knobs aren't factory and the output jack is where one of the pots is supposed to be.

I called the GC store who had it and they assured me it played ok. Looking back I wish I would have asked for pics of the internals and the area where the factory Jack should be.

I won't know what sort of Frankenstein mess I'm getting myself into but I'll find out next week when it gets here.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

Seems like a decent price if it's in working order but as to why the jack has been relocated to the top could be important.

I think that model had a side jack socket, so hopefully that area hasn't been damaged and the jack moved to the top accordingly.

Otherwise it would be easy to replace the barrel jack socket and rewire the bass electrics -should you so wish to.

Good luck with it and I hope it all checks out fine.

 

[ajkula66]

I would hold off for one in better shape, and I've seen them on GC website for $300 or so plenty of times in the recent past. While SR800s are fine instruments, they are not exactly rare.

My $0.02 only...

 

[hypercarrots]

it’s really easy to find clean stock sr800 for under 300.
89 Ibanez SDGR 800 made in Japan
the preamps often fail over time though.
you could do better getting one of these two. and they both have ebony boards and better pickups and electronics than that one for sure.
For Sale - Ibanez SoundGear SR950 - 5 shipped
For Sale - Ibanez SoundGear SR1000 MIJ - 5 shipped

 

[waverz]

And this is the part where I realize I should have posted here before buying.

Being it hasn't shipped yet I was able to cancel.

I'm not a super fan of red but the price is right on the sr1000 being sold here.

 

[ajkula66]

And this is the part where I realize I should have posted here before buying.

You can still return it and get your money back, that's the beauty of dealing with GC.

3 days if it was marked "vintage", 45 days otherwise.

Good luck.

 

[waverz]

You can still return it and get your money back, that's the beauty of dealing with GC.

3 days if it was marked "vintage", 45 days otherwise.

Yep, just called and cancelled. No questions asked.

Thanks!

Good luck.

 

[sedan_dad]

It's $200. That's nothing. What do you expect?

 

[waverz]

It's $200. That's nothing. What do you expect?

I know, lame right? I herniated some discs in my neck back in February and just had surgery. I can't go back to work for another 5 weeks so money is tight and I wanna jam. Was hoping to find something with cosmetic damage and be under $300.

Last night I was ready to just take a chance that the electronics in it were decent, this morning I realized I should just keep looking.

 

[Jimruth]

I strongly recommend that SR 1000 hypercarrots points out above. I used to have one. Wish I still did. That model is way better than any newer SR model in your price range.

 

[thebassgrognard]

Depending where you are, they pop up on cl and fb marketplace often. I scored one in great shape (laser blue no less) for $150 last month off Craigslist. If the one you ordered isn’t what you want, return and be patient. You’re right, they are super playable and you can dial in plenty of tones....plus laser blue!

 

[waverz]

I strongly recommend that SR 1000 hypercarrots points out above. I used to have one. Wish I still did. That model is way better than any newer SR model in your price range.

I've PM'd the seller but haven't heard back. It looks like he's been trying to sell that one for 2 years. I'm gonna assume it's been sold but maybe not.

 

[BlitzCraig]

if money is tight right now, you could get a sr300 for even less money (which is perfectly playable) then when your money situation is settled, buy something you absolutely love - keep the sr300 for travel or sell it for what you buy it for

that's my 2¢

 

[Real Soon]

$210 for that bass, I'd say you're pretty well guaranteed to get an instrument that plays solidly, albeit with unusual controls. I think ye did good.

I doubt GC would take a bass that wouldn't make a sound dependably, so the wiring, whatever it is, is likely at least decent. V/V/T layout maybe? Or if active (preamp installed??), V/Tr/Ba?

Regardless, that's a very good price on any instrument in giggable condition, and hopefully it's just that. The mods are something to explore and hopefully enjoy, too. I wouldn't call those issues so much as... unknowns. haha

Anyway, I'm interested to see how things turn out!

 

[hypercarrots]

3 of these were under $170 and the 4th was $240.

this was $140

 

[Clark W]

Musician's Friend and GC are both selling 2017 Dean P, P/J, and Jazz style basses for almost 50% off. All are under 300 bucks. Seriously considering one myself.

Here are 4 of them

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/dean-paramount-rosewood-fingerboard-bass

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/dean-paramount-maple-fb

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/dean-juggernaut-rosewood-fb-bass

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/dean-juggernaut-maple-fingerboard-bass

And GC has this for P/J setup for 179
Yamaha TRBX174EW Mango Wood 4-String Electric Bass Guitar

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/TRBX174EW-Mango-Wood-4-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc

 

[Maxdusty]

Probably a good thing you cancelled the order - as mentioned, it's not too hard to find an SR800 or above for around that price range or less. I got mine I think for $100 if memory serves me correctly, in great condition and all stock, I made the mistake of including it as part of a trade that seemed like a good idea at the time but now regret doing so. It's a nice bass for sure and worth looking for one in good condition.

 

[waverz]

3 of these were under $170 and the 4th was $240.
View attachment 3447364

this was $140
View attachment 3447366

That's impressive! Where are all those good deals now?

 

[AdamR]

Looks like someone replaced the preamp on that thing.

 

[thunderkyss]

3 of these were under $170 and the 4th was $240.
View attachment 3447364

this was $140
View attachment 3447366

Are all those SR800s?