Ibanez SR500E BM Electric Bass - Brown Mahogany

I've been playing guitar and bass since the late '80s. During that time basses have come and gone from most every price range. I was looking for a cheap backup beater when I bought this one. The reviews made this bass out to be a decent player for its price. I can tell you this: if you are looking for a good budget bass, this is one bass you should absolutely consider! It is by no means a heavyweight instrument intended for constant thrashing beatings, but it is a nice and easy on these old shoulders. The build quality is quite good considering the price. The frets are level with no sharp ends. The stock tuners do hold tune well. The pickups are decent (not great), but the active tone boost does add a lot more punch. Now, as with most guitars and basses, you will ... MoreI've been playing guitar and bass since the late '80s. During that time basses have come and gone from most every price range. I was looking for a cheap backup beater when I bought this one. The reviews made this bass out to be a decent player for its price. I can tell you this: if you are looking for a good budget bass, this is one bass you should absolutely consider! It is by no means a heavyweight instrument intended for constant thrashing beatings, but it is a nice and easy on these old shoulders. The build quality is quite good considering the price. The frets are level with no sharp ends. The stock tuners do hold tune well. The pickups are decent (not great), but the active tone boost does add a lot more punch. Now, as with most guitars and basses, you will likely need to adjust the bridge and truss rod a bit (to set the intonation and to set the action to your preference. This bass is my backup for any live work and gets regular use at home for practice and demo recording. In summary, grab one of these and you won't be disappointed!

Amazing Quality for the Bucks!

I am a new bass guitar student and a bit of a perfectionist. I started looking for a bass in local pawn shops and there were TONS of choices. The problem was each one had moderate to severe issues that I could see and I'm no luthier. Even with all their issues they were $150 - $400 on average. I read tons of reviews and the GSR200B kept rising to the top of the list. I ordered from Adorama Music and was very pleased that the bass arrived a day early. The bass seems sturdy yet very light compared to some of the other basses I had held. The action was great right out of the box. It tuned well and sounds nice. I can't tell a lot of difference in tone between the pickups but there is a big difference between using one set and both. The boost changes the tone a bit along ... MoreI am a new bass guitar student and a bit of a perfectionist. I started looking for a bass in local pawn shops and there were TONS of choices. The problem was each one had moderate to severe issues that I could see and I'm no luthier. Even with all their issues they were $150 - $400 on average. I read tons of reviews and the GSR200B kept rising to the top of the list. I ordered from Adorama Music and was very pleased that the bass arrived a day early. The bass seems sturdy yet very light compared to some of the other basses I had held. The action was great right out of the box. It tuned well and sounds nice. I can't tell a lot of difference in tone between the pickups but there is a big difference between using one set and both. The boost changes the tone a bit along with the volume. The body of the guitar is absolutely beautiful. The wood is clear of imperfections and the walnut satin finish looks and feels good. So... I have a beautiful bass that sounds good. I have a warranty and the piece of mind that comes with it. All of this and I paid far less than the vast majority of the pawn shop models. So far I'm very happy with my decision and this instrument.

Awesome, fun bass for the price!

I bought the GSR200B in the walnut finish, and it is a gorgeous finish! I brought home the bass (my first bass) from my local Guitar Center still unpacked. I bought it sight unseen, new out of the box. I guess I got really lucky because the factory set up was almost perfect. The bass has a slight fret buzz, and I easily corrected it by slightly adjusting the truss Rod. The intonation was perfect! I played it for hours and couldn't put it down! I'm a guitar player crossing over to bass, so the bass sounds sick through my EVH head running through a Marshall cab. The bass nails that new metal sound from the late 90's as well as some of those old Black Sabbath tones (Paranoid). Overall, the tone is versatile with the active pickup setup. I also have a little bass amp ... MoreI bought the GSR200B in the walnut finish, and it is a gorgeous finish! I brought home the bass (my first bass) from my local Guitar Center still unpacked. I bought it sight unseen, new out of the box. I guess I got really lucky because the factory set up was almost perfect. The bass has a slight fret buzz, and I easily corrected it by slightly adjusting the truss Rod. The intonation was perfect! I played it for hours and couldn't put it down! I'm a guitar player crossing over to bass, so the bass sounds sick through my EVH head running through a Marshall cab. The bass nails that new metal sound from the late 90's as well as some of those old Black Sabbath tones (Paranoid). Overall, the tone is versatile with the active pickup setup. I also have a little bass amp too, and it sounds great played traditionally, and it pops when you slap it. However, I prefer this bass for a more metal genre, and it definitely rocks when you distort it and play it like a rock star ⭐️ (Cliff Burton, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris, etc.)

Bought this to convert to fretless

Bought this instrument with the intent of converting it to fretless and tinkering with the electronics and set up, as well as personalizing the finish. After pulling the frets out (they we're not glued in) I sanded the fret board w 500 paper, applied helmsman spar poly (clear gloss), wood filled the fret lines with minwax wood filler (finish product) applied two more coats of poly.The fret bars, when removed, still had spacers on the sides after removal and the only wood damage was on the fret board where the frets came up. Took less than a half hour of light sanding with some 500 grit paper to make them smooth again.I set the instrument up before removing the frets, needed minor intonation and height adjustments. After finishing the fretless conversion, I was ... MoreBought this instrument with the intent of converting it to fretless and tinkering with the electronics and set up, as well as personalizing the finish. After pulling the frets out (they we're not glued in) I sanded the fret board w 500 paper, applied helmsman spar poly (clear gloss), wood filled the fret lines with minwax wood filler (finish product) applied two more coats of poly.The fret bars, when removed, still had spacers on the sides after removal and the only wood damage was on the fret board where the frets came up. Took less than a half hour of light sanding with some 500 grit paper to make them smooth again.I set the instrument up before removing the frets, needed minor intonation and height adjustments. After finishing the fretless conversion, I was able to lower the action almost an eighth of an inch, with some more very minor intonation adjustments. Had to lower the pickups to make the adjustments then raised them a little to get max output.Ultimately, I was after a fretless but one that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Converting this instrument was cheaper and also cheaper than either buying a kit or purchasing a replacement neck, and the results, in my opinion, were way better. The neck is glossy (my preference) and feels like another fretless I own. the electronics and body weight are far better than any kit I would have purchased at the same price and better than my older Ibanez fretless (2007 era). The finish on the body is a little suspect (a slight scratch exposed the basswood like a sore thumb) so I am going to apply a satin poly over the finish for durability and strength.Bottom line, I use this mainly for my mini studio recording and practice. For the money (even with the frets) you cant find a better bass guitar. If you are after a solid instrument for these types of situations, this is perfect. For beginners, you will be able to keep this instrument for many years.

Excellet beginner/intermediate bass

Plays fast and smooth, great action and lightweight. Looks and plays like an instrument twice its price. The walnut finish adds a lot to its "visual value" as the glossy black and color versions look "cheap" by comparison. The low E has/had some buzz which is fixable but can not be completely eliminated. However, it's not enough to be distracting when plugged in. The Phat II eq bass boost is tricky to use-it's either waaaaay too much or non-existent. Also chokes the tone and creates a "pop" in the string attack that is ugly (my opinion). It's probably more effective with a high watt rig in a large space, but small venues/jamming it reduces your low-end to loud popping even with a pick. I just tweak the low end on the amp and leave the bass boost off.

Great Bass! Fast Neck! Clear Bartolini Sound!

Overall the Ibanez SR500E is a great bang for the buck. I generally play it in passive mode. Nothing against the electronics that come with this bass, passive is just a preference. Having worked in musical instrument retail for many years, I was afforded the luxury of putting hands on thousands of instruments. Ibanez basses always shine through. The Bartolinis were a great move for Ibanez, as stock Ibanez bass pickups have always been a bit of a bummer in my opinion. Every bass I've ever owned ends up with a set of passive Bartolinis. While I don't usually engage the active electronics, they are quite useful for setting up a nice mid-scooped slap tone. The selectable three frequency mid control nicely facilitates cutting the mids I really don't want in a slap-pop ... MoreOverall the Ibanez SR500E is a great bang for the buck. I generally play it in passive mode. Nothing against the electronics that come with this bass, passive is just a preference. Having worked in musical instrument retail for many years, I was afforded the luxury of putting hands on thousands of instruments. Ibanez basses always shine through. The Bartolinis were a great move for Ibanez, as stock Ibanez bass pickups have always been a bit of a bummer in my opinion. Every bass I've ever owned ends up with a set of passive Bartolinis. While I don't usually engage the active electronics, they are quite useful for setting up a nice mid-scooped slap tone. The selectable three frequency mid control nicely facilitates cutting the mids I really don't want in a slap-pop tone. Flipping the active circuitry on and off is quick and easy due to the convenient placement of its switch. Furthermore, while in passive mode the treble pot acts as a tone control. Cool! The Okoume body produces a tone similar to mahogany. There is a distinct emphasis on the mids and low mids giving a nice clarity and growl to notey and staccato passages when playing from the bridge pickup. The 5pc Jatoba/Walnut neck enhances this midrange quality. For me the neck is a bit spongy. Maple necks with a rosewood fingerboard are my preference. I am very particular concerning neck adjustment and I've found myself tweaking this neck frequently. However, the instrument is still getting acclimated to its new environment. That being said, I also often adjust my maple-neck basses. All other features on this bass are quality; tuning keys, smooth pots, solid multi-tweak bridge and a tight recessed output jack. This bass will be getting a fret level and dress. That does not imply that the neck work is poor. Quite the opposite. The factory neck work is very good, but not quite in the excellent category. Of course this is not a $1500 plus instrument, and I've played plenty in that range that had subpar fret work. As a matter of fact, I've only owned two basses of which I didn't do some fret work. One was a custom Jazz bass built by Tetsuya Y. at Sunset Custom in L.A. and the other was a $3000 custom six string fretless by the same.

Nicely Equipped - Quality Sound - Versatile Bass

Beautiful looks and performance. Bartolini BH2 dual coil pickups are versatile with lows, mids and high controls onboard. Also has bridge and neck pickup switch with a passive/active switch. Bass holds a tune with the truss adjusted just right for me. After a year all is still good to go.During a recent visit to my local luthier, it was noted that everything was straight and true and the quality was a point of discussion. I'm happy with Ibanez and I have a new appreciation for the brand. I thought of the Ibanez line of guitars and basses as the people's instrument with good quality for beginners and some bar bands, but I was wrong to think that way - this bass is a quality one and if the set up isn't your cup of tea, it's probably a matter of changing out the ... MoreBeautiful looks and performance. Bartolini BH2 dual coil pickups are versatile with lows, mids and high controls onboard. Also has bridge and neck pickup switch with a passive/active switch. Bass holds a tune with the truss adjusted just right for me. After a year all is still good to go.During a recent visit to my local luthier, it was noted that everything was straight and true and the quality was a point of discussion. I'm happy with Ibanez and I have a new appreciation for the brand. I thought of the Ibanez line of guitars and basses as the people's instrument with good quality for beginners and some bar bands, but I was wrong to think that way - this bass is a quality one and if the set up isn't your cup of tea, it's probably a matter of changing out the Barts for your flavor of pickup. Add a pre-amp or peddle or whatever and you're in business the way you want because this bass has the freq resonance and material strength to be a dependable instrument. And it's not very expensive when compared to other bass brands with similar features.

Really Love This Bass

Played with a 1976 Jazz for 40 years. Great sound of course. True classic but heavy, limited sound capabilities. Bought this Ibanez SR500E last year and love it! Action a little rough at times but lightweight, great sound range and the boost switch is great for strong endings and when we are really rocking.

Super quality bass for the beginner and intermediate bass player.

The Ibanez GSR 200 is one of the best "bang for your buck" basses on the market. They are made with excellent quality, lightweight wood, agathis, maple, rosewood. The onboard P/J pickups and electronics sound good. They play good out of the box but they play excellently if set up by a guitar tech. These were choice basses for many of the bass players supporting MWR tours. Musicians would take Ibanez GRS 200 basses on tour and raffle them off to service members on the last gig.

Tons of character, needs a little love when you receive it to fix fret buzz and tune it

My first new bass guitar, and wow the sound is really great. The first unit I received had a ton of fret buzz and I was hoping it would come perfect out of the box. After receiving the second unit, I decided to have my go at modifying the neck relief bolt and it had a huge impact on the fret buzz. It's really lovely and I won't ever let this thing go. It's got tons of character!