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Ibanez SR505 5 String Bass

A bolt-on neck joint on the Ibanez SR505 5-string bass guitar allows superb access to the upper frets of its five-piece jatoba/bubinga neck. Only 4/5" thick at the first fret, the 34" scale neck provides more comfortable playing than standard 5-string necks.

Price: $280 to $499

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Searched Ibanez SR505 5 String Bass in Reviews

Best 5 string in its price range

Sound	My musical style in the bass world is pretty much anything but I generally use electric bass for rock, metal, and sometimes the occasional film score. This bass is very versatile thanks to its active Bartolini pickups and electronics. It can get all kinds of bass sounds, but I think it excels at the modern 5 string sound. I typically use this to record direct as opposed to miked, but I do have a Tech 21/ David Eden bass rig. Since I used this most for recording, the direct tone is what I am commenting on most. By itself, the direct signal is kinda sterile sounding, but in the mix is sounds huge! Just a great sounding bass that sits nicely in a mix. I have since sold this bass and upgraded to a Warwick, but I should mention that I would have been happy with the Ibanez if I had kept it.
Action, Fit, & Finish	I purchased this bass new from a local music store, which is something I almost never do. I have purchased used instruments in all but 2 instances. I was actually in the market for a Ernie Ball 5 string, but I wasn't too impressed with the ones I tried. I found this guy at a music store I rarely went into and gave it a try. I was VERY impressed with the action and how the guitar was set up, at a crappy music store no less. I am positive it was a factory setup. There were no issues with quality control or any flaws I could see; very well put together. The quality is something I would have expected in an $800 to $1000 dollar instrument. It had an oil finish that was applied very evenly over the bass. I was overall very impressed.
Reliability & Durability	Through the years, the bass did very well. I had no issues whatsoever with reliability. As far as durability, the oil finish is obviously less durable than a hard finish. It did get some nicks here and there, but that kinda stuff doesn't really bother me. Just apply a little oil before winter and it should be fine!
Customer Support	Never had to deal with Ibanez.

Liked about it	Great playing Great sounding Great price
Didn't like	Easy to ding up (but that is a given with the type of finish) Didn't come with a case Not a 'pro' level bass, but it isn't supposed to be.