Yamaha BB435, Ibanez SR 505 or Cort A5?

[incommunicado]

Hi guys!
I managed to bring down my initially long list of options to those three almost equally-priced basses, even managed to test-drive them at the store, however, I seem to really like them all - the Yamaha is passive (6 bolt-on, 45° body-through stringing), the Cort (neck-through and 90° body-through stringing) and the Ibanez - passive pickups, active EQ, the Cort has also passive/active switch. Not quite sure what of the specs should matter enough so as to make my decision easier...The Ibanez does have the narrowest string-spacing which could be a bit of a problem at least in the beginning, but also the shortest fingerboard radius, which I like...The Ibanez also seems to be the most recommended for metal (which is why I paid attention to it in the first place), but I'm pretty sure the other two will do the job just fine...Any suggestions as to what I might wanna consider before buying any of those? Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

[Aidil]

The A5 should be the best bang for the bucks: neck-thru, flamed maple top, Bartolini electronics (MK1 pickups and preamp), Hipshot hardware (Ultralite tuners, Transtone bridge, O-Ring Knobs). But, Cort suffers a stigma of lower grade brand despite they are responsible for making, probably, the majority of current world guitars and basses from lots of brands at their factories in East Java, Indonesia. For certain, that Ibanez SR505 you tried came from there too.

The real downside of the A5, if being compared to an SR505, is only the weight. Ibanez Soundgear (SR) series is mostly known for comfort lightweight basses. Narrow string spacing isn't a bad thing. Yes, some would prefer it wider, but some others prefer the tight spacing as it would translate to relatively faster finger movements.

The Yamaha is slightly different. It mostly came from Indonesia too, but IIRC, Yamaha has it own factory somewhere in West Java. If you prefer classic Fender look bass, out-of three, easily this the one is to choose. The other two are more modern looking basses.

 

[Supadope]

Second the Cort. I think it will be a notch above and a bit more unique. I have a Ibanez 705 and the string spacing is tight.

 

[Yahboy]

The new sr505 has adjustable string spacing bridge saddles.
A5 has higher spec compare to sr505.
Sr505 vs A5 is warmth tone vs tight tone.
B string sound tighter and better focus on A5 since pickups more close to bridge site than SR505.

Both A5 and SR505 sound more modern compare to BB435.

All 3 bass are nice build and good sounding, choose the one you prefer .

 

[incommunicado]

Thanks for the opinions, guys! I got the Ibanez - in terms of both sound and playability - blows away the other two basses, B-string included...Looks like neither the neckthrough design, nor the string-through-body could make it up for the other two basses...The Ibanez just sounds a whole category better and even with a 4-bolt on neck - huge sustain and a monstrous sound!