New Ibanez SR300e or Used Ibanez SR500?

D

David Ramirez

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Mar 13, 2017
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#1
Hey, before starting, i just want to say that im new to this website and my english is not my first language.
Anyway, I was looking for a bass, and the Ibanez basses are pretty good for me, so I saw this SR300e for 325 USD (6,500MXN)
And then I saw a Used SR500 for the same price, it is in pristine condition, so I wanted to know if theres a lot of diference between those 2 basses? And if so, should I buy the new one so i have the warranty or should I buy the used one so i get a better bass for a better price but without warranty?
 
#2
Go with the SR 500. Night and day difference to a SR 300. I have 2 SR 500's from 94' and 95' that I bought new and they have been bullet proof. I've also owned 3 other newer ones that were very good. They were only sold because I needed the money. Go with the SR 500. You will not be disappointed.
 
#6
The SR300 is a decent bass, but the SR500 is far superior, and a great deal. One problem: the "Mahogany Brown" finish is very fragile, just stain mixed with polyurethane, so if you ding it, it chips back right to raw wood. Ibanez has a couple other finish options on the SR500 that are fine, it's just the mahogany version that chips easily. This is otherwise such a great bass that I'm tempted to find a used one with a beat up finish, sand it back to raw wood, and refinish in Tru-Oil. Here's a thread on doing just that type of refinish. The wear on the "before" photos is pretty typical, they tend to chip out right where you would rest a thumb, or beat on it slapping.
"NBD" Ibanez SR500 Stain and Refinish (PICS)
 
#7
I have an SR370 (basically 300 with a maple body). I chose it over a 500 for multiple reasons. I prefer the maple/rosewood neck of the 300 series and I liked the tone better. That was when they had the curved CAP pickups. I haven't tried the newer "e" series pickups with the exposed poles. Both are good basses and you should buy the one the feels, sounds, and looks better to you. Also, it it matters to you, pay attention to weight. The 500s tend to be very light and the 300s can be light or heavy and vary quite a bit.
 
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#8
Those Bartolini pickups on the SR500 right there are worth the price. What I don't like is the satin finish on the 500. Over time the finish and stain are bound to come off. Seen it on almost every used SR500. Not a big deal for some, it is for me.
 
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#9
I disagree, but it's because I'm really loving those power span pickups in the SR300E & the coil tap/series selector switch
that switch on the SR500 series is for changing the mid-range frequency band, which I don't find as useful, and in the SR500 models I've tried, I did not hear that full timbre like I heard today on a SR300E

Electric Basses SR - SR300E | Ibanez guitars
 
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#10
Killed_by_Death said:
I disagree, but it's because I'm really loving those power span pickups in the SR300E & the coil tap/series selector switch
that switch on the SR500 series is for changing the mid-range frequency band, which I don't find as useful, and in the SR500 models I've tried, I did not hear that full timbre like I heard today on a SR300E

Electric Basses SR - SR300E | Ibanez guitars
Click to expand...

I'm really curious about the SR300E and want to try one. If only my local GC would have one on display. I have heard it's quite an improvement over the older SR300 basses.

pica said:
Those Bartolini pickups on the SR500 right there are worth the price. What I don't like is the satin finish on the 500. Over time the finish and stain are bound to come off. Seen it on almost every used SR500. Not a big deal for some, it is for me.
Click to expand...

Yes, the finish of the "mahogany"SR500 is particularly weak, hard to find a used one without the finish being worn off to some degree or another, there is another finish though but was a GC exclusive, the Brown Burst-the finish is much more durable- SR500PB
Screen shot 2017-03-14 at 10.52.37 PM.png
 
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#13
Bassist Jay said:
Go with the SR 500. Night and day difference to a SR 300. I have 2 SR 500's from 94' and 95' that I bought new and they have been bullet proof. I've also owned 3 other newer ones that were very good. They were only sold because I needed the money. Go with the SR 500. You will not be disappointed.
Click to expand...

The sr500 came in several different series. If it is the PJ layout sr500 I used to have one of those and it is a fairly bomb-proof bass. Those were made in the 1990s and have a fairly non distinct Maple neck. The 2005 and newer sr500 have a much nicer five-piece neck somewhat upgraded Hardware particularly the bridge and much better pickups however bartolini soap bars may not be your taste and Pickups. If it were up to me I personally would pick up the SR 500 either way over an sr300e. Both versions of the SR 500 are wonderful instruments that are a lot of fun to play and sound great. Not dismissing the sr300 but you were talking about two distinctly different levels of instrument. The only issue I see with a newer series sr500 is the finish on the mahogany bodies isn't very durable I have the SR 480 with a similar mahogany body and it has had some finish flaking problems I have used Danish oil to fix the flaking problem on mine and it works fine.
 
#19
Those "power span" pickups reminded me of my Rickenbacker, lovely timbre, much more full than any SR500 or Barts I've heard.
In the past I was against active basses, because I usually found their default (un-enhanced by EQ) sound bland, but not the case with the SR300E, EQ at zero across the board was awe inspiring, especially on a Bassman 500.

I will probably keep my eyes peeled for a used one to turn up in a finish that I like.
 
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#20
I know this isn't exactly the same thing but I am interested in buying an SR500...my question is...Should I buy a brand new one or buy a 2007 version for half the price? Is there a difference between the 2? Part of my concern is that I bought an SR400 used and when I got it I found out the neck had a huge shim in it and it was near impossible to get setup nicely. :S So...I am a bit worried about buying used. The other thing that I am wondering about is the weight. Are the older ones the same as the current models? What about the mid switch? Does that make a huge difference? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
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