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Which Ibanez SR should I pick?

bordinco90

bordinco90

Dec 7, 2011
3,017
4,081
SW Louisiana
#1
I am deciding between the Ibanez SR505PB, Ibanez SR655, or the Ibanez SR705. I have played the 505 and loved it, but I have not seen or played the 655 or 705. The 655 is only $100 more than the 505, but i dont know if I would like the P/J setup. What do you guys think? Has anyone played the 655 or the 705?
 
#2
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#4
Personally, I'd stay away from anything below the 700 series. I've had bad luck with the necks being so unstable I had to just leave the TR cover off, while other basses I had rarely or never needed seasonal TR adjustments. I've had a couple of 305s, a 405, and a 535 and every time the breeze blew or I looked anthem sideways, a TR adjustment was needed.

The new Nordstrand-equipped 755 makes me tingle. Hubba Hubba.
 
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#5
Immigrant said:
Personally, I'd stay away from anything below the 700 series. I've had bad luck with the necks being so unstable I had to just leave the TR cover off, while other basses I had rarely or never needed seasonal TR adjustments. I've had a couple of 305s, a 405, and a 535 and every time the breeze blew or I looked anthem sideways, a TR adjustment was needed.

The new Nordstrand-equipped 755 makes me tingle. Hubba Hubba.
Click to expand...
Well the thing is with the 505, 655, and 755 is that they have the same SR5 5pc Jatoba/Bubinga neck.
 
#6
I have the SR700 four string- it's basically the SR500 with a better finish.
I have tried the SR650 with the P/J Nordstrands- Now, I love P/J basses, and would recommend you try to get your hands on a the 655 or 755 first and try it to see if it'll work for you. I opted to keep the SR700 instead of upgrading to the 650 because I actually like the sound of the Bartolini soapbars and besides, I had a lot of other P/J basses. Neck and feel are pretty much similar, it really depends on the kind of sound you want.
 
#10
The 505 is a good bass, but get the 655 with the Nordstrand PJ p'ups (or a Premiun series with Nordy Big Singles). The 655 also the only SR with an ash body rather than mahogany. The Bart p'ups are good, but the Nordys are better with far more clarity. That's the weakness of the SR basses with the Bart MK-1s (and note these are licensed p'ups and not the same as U.S.-made Bart's) -- they sound a bit dark and lack some clarity and definition. If you get the 505, you'll just want to upgrade the p'ups.

As for the necks, I have experienced no neck-stability issues with my Ibanez SR basses.
 
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#12
Stevorebob said:
The 505 is a good bass, but get the 655 with the Nordstrand PJ p'ups (or a Premiun series with Nordy Big Singles). The 655 also the only SR with an ash body rather than mahogany. The Bart p'ups are good, but the Nordys are better with far more clarity. That's the weakness of the SR basses with the Bart MK-1s (and note these are licensed p'ups and not the same as U.S.-made Bart's) -- they sound a bit dark and lack some clarity and definition. If you get the 505, you'll just want to upgrade the p'ups.

As for the necks, I have experienced no neck-stability issues with my Ibanez SR basses.
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Of course, that's just your opinion. I've owned many basses, including SR's with Nords, but my all-time favorite is my current SR5000E. The Bart's on the 5000E are bright and clear and have a very nice growl.

To the OP, any of those three will be great basses for you.
 
#16
Immigrant said:
Personally, I'd stay away from anything below the 700 series. I've had bad luck with the necks being so unstable I had to just leave the TR cover off, while other basses I had rarely or never needed seasonal TR adjustments. I've had a couple of 305s, a 405, and a 535 and every time the breeze blew or I looked anthem sideways, a TR adjustment was needed.

The new Nordstrand-equipped 755 makes me tingle. Hubba Hubba.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. To add, the newer SR Premiums sport titanium rods in the neck alongside the truss rod - stability and enhance harmonics/bell-like tone similar to the Warmoth necks, which are fantastic.
 
#19
basslifter said:
Any with Nordstrands....
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It's bad form for me to quote myself, but I was in a hurry when I pecked that out on my phone.
My first bass was an Ibanez. It was really easy to learn on with the slim neck etc. But...it did move around a lot. Granted, it cost me $100 used. I have an SR375F now with a sandwich neck and it is much more stable. I live in an extremely volatile area for weather with drastic changes year round and it seems to be doing OK. I would not hesitate to buy a higher end model.
I tried a 505 and really wanted to buy one and like it. It is comfortable, but the finish is really poor and the barts, to me, just sounded a little lifeless especially as compared to the G&L that I ended up buying. The Nordstrands, IMV, change the game. They are much more lively and articulate. I know several players here locally that swapped out the barts and replaced with Nordys and now you don't have to do that. I'm not sure if the Prestige level basses have the same pickups and pre-amp as the 500-700 series, but I doubt it. The OP is not talking about making that level of commitment.
Personally, I am intrigued by the new SRFF805 bass from Ibby, but I wish they would have elected for the Norstrand pickups there as well since a lot of the basses at that price point already have them.
 
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#20
I have a 505 that I bought used last year. It sits on the stand when I'm not playing it (never in a case). I've never had to adjust the neck.

Edit: On tone, I will say the Barts in the 505 (probably combined with the wood selections) make it a pretty dark-sounding instrument. I think it sounds good, but I also have a OBP3 in it.
 

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