When we think about bass guitars, we mainly tend to think of the classic models from the 50s and 60s. It’s natural, given how much those iconic instruments have influenced everything that’s come since. But there’s far more to basses than simply ‘Precision, Jazz or 4001’, and many worthy basses seem to permanently live in the ‘underrated’ category.
Today, I want to shed a little light on one such bass range: the Ibanez SR. I’ll look at the range as a whole, what they are, who plays them, and why you should care about them, basically.
Let’s dive into the deep and colourful waters of the Ibanez SR bass!
What is the Ibanez SR?
The Ibanez SR is the name for a series of solidbody basses with an original body shape that has sleek, rounded edges. ‘SR’ is short for Soundgear, and the range was introduced in 1987. This was a watershed year for the brand, since they also released their JEM and RG electric guitar designs that year, too.
The Ibanez SR is a performance-style bass. By that, I mean that it has been developed expressly to offer a platform for more technically-minded bassists to use for their complex playing. The range was also designed to bring bassists something that was an alternative option, with a slim, playable neck, an ergonomic body and electronics that offered choice rather than restriction.
The SR has a slimmed-down body silhouette with all hard edges sanded away. It has a small headstock and an overall sense of sleekness that makes it a brilliantly efficient bass in my eyes. It gets out of its own way and allows you to focus on your performance, basically.
Like many Ibanez instruments, the SR is offered in pretty much all price points from beginner, through intermediate use and into professional territory. Though each step offers something more (exotic timbers, upgraded hardware etc), they are all recognisably ‘SR’ in style.
Who Plays the Ibanez SR?
The Ibanez SR is a bass that leans toward technique-orientated players, but in reality is used by everyone from punk rockers to church bands. It’s just a great, timeless, comfy design that puts function and ergonomics first.
That said, it’s not one for the retro rockers. This is very much a contemporary bass range with a sleek feel and a modern sound, for the most part. The lower-priced models are very popular with beginners and students because they are so comfortable and easy to play. The dearer models are popular with progressive players because they promote fast, complex playing thanks to the ergonomic design and slim neck carve.
Studio bassists love the SR because of the pickup blend, the active tone controls and the overall level of quality and adaptability.
Are Ibanez SR Basses Any Good?
Ibanez SR basses are certainly good basses. Ibanez’s reputation for sturdy build quality and easy playability come directly for ranges such as the SR. Bassists seem to collect instruments a little less than their six-string friends, but still, it pays to have a selection of different bass styles available. Ibanez SR models fit the bill for contemporary and extended range basses very appropriately, and whether you settle on an affordable GSR200 or a top of the line SR4505, you’ll be buying best-in-category quality.
Top Ibanez SR Bass Models?
Ibanez make a lot of SR basses, from budget to boutique. Which ones should you be looking at? Well, that depends on a few factors like price, intended use and personal preference, but let me dig out a couple here to illustrate some prime examples of where to begin your quest.
GSR180: this very affordable model gets a ‘G’ prefix as it is part of Ibanez’s entry-level Gio subrange. It’s still very much an SR bass though, and I can’t help but love this model! It’s so solid and capable, with a no-nonsense sensibility that lines up with how I feel about bass playing in general: unflappable, dependable and a confident driving force.
Two ‘J style’ pickups (you know what I mean) and simple passive controls mean that setting up a good sound is simple. The skinny neck and light weight mean that you can leap about like an animal in the zoo with this and still hit the correct notes!
SR505A: this popular 5-string model brings quiet class to proceedings with its low gloss (somewhere between satin and regular gloss) brown burst finish. This mid-priced model is spec’d out with lovely Bartolini pickups and custom electronics that can be used or bypassed. This bass has authority, and a quietly classy look that allows it to feel equally at home in both the orchestra pit and the mosh pit.
J Custom JCSR2023: time for a top-tier choice! Ibanez’s J Custom range is their esteemed Japanese custom shop series of offerings, meaning the best of the best. The fit and finish of this 5-string is absolutely flawless, the timbers are gobsmacking and the whole package screams ‘wow’ from quite a distance. I love how this ‘River Canyon’ stained maple burl top - which has incredible figuring - shows off the more eccentric side of Ibanez, something I applaud such a large brand for keeping in their instruments.
This creativity is increased through the Norstrand pickups being encased in some pretty excellent wooden covers to match the burled top! How often do you see that? This lovingly made, incredibly executed instrument is a real labour of love, and to play on it is to understand why J Custom instruments are so revered.
Try an Ibanez SR
I think the Ibanez SR is one of the most dependable choices available to the modern bassist. Visually, you can go as straight-laced or as over-the-top as you like because the series supports a huge range of models. You can have simple models or complex ones with extra switching and more.
Bassists looking for a versatile instrument will do well here, particularly if they favour more ergonomically-designed basses. This is almost the diametric opposite of the likes of a Rickenbacker 4001!
If bass players can be roughly divided into the two camps of ‘foot on the monitor, fist in the air’ and ‘acolytes of technique’, then I’d venture that the SR range will appeal more to the latter. Still, as I said at the beginning, I’ve seen enough punk bands throttling a low-priced SR bass to understand that some people don’t care about genre conventions! These are solid, great sounding, great playing basses. Find your favourite and get playing!
Browse our Range of Ibanez SR Basses
