Sterling SUB Ray5 VS Ibanez SR 500

HassanGhnaim

HassanGhnaim

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Nov 15, 2017
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#1
Dears,
i do own a squier now and i am willing to buy a new bass within my budget which 350 USD, i only play for myself at home, am going to drive a bit a drive to go to the nearest music shop, going to try Sterling SUB-5 and Ibanez SR500,

before trying them our, anyone has any experience with both or any ?

i play things The Eagles, Santana, LedZ, ...etc

nothing major i guess, i do have Fender Rubmle 40 Amp

any recommendation ?
 
#2
The Ibanez SR500 new is $600 USD, so unless your music store has a used one I think it will be out of your budget. The Sterling SUB Ray4's and 5's are a good bass for the money. If you are interested in an Ibanez within your budget, take a look at the SR300E. It is $350 USD and is a great bass for the price, very versatile tone for all types of music. If you want the 5 string, they have the SR305E which is about $400 USD.
 
#4
I have a Sterling SUB Ray4 and a Ibanez SR300E (both 4 string). I did end up upgrading the electronics in the Ray4 because I wanted it to sound more like the classic Stingray 2-band sound (which it does now). I have not upgraded anything on the SR300E and do not intend to. Both are great playing and great sounding basses. If the used SR500 that your store has is in good condition, then you are getting a better deal going with that. I have played a SR500 several times and they are also a great playing and sounding bass. I feel that the Ibanez's are probably more versatile in the tones you can get out of them, so therefore are better for playing a wider variety of music styles. Plus the SR500 has good pickups and a good preamp already in it (all Bartolini). Their necks will also feel different to you than the Sterling Ray neck or your Squier, so try it and see how you like it.
Of course, the Ray5 is a 5-string and the SR500 is a 4 string. So a lot will have to do with whether you want a 4 or 5. That is probably the biggest question.
 
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#5
I owned and played Ibanez SR505 and SUB Ray4.
Ibanez SR500 should be better instrument than SUB, but check it carefully, body is made out of soft wood and scratches easily.
If you want more agressive sound, go for SUB Ray, but be ready to invest more money for better pickup and/or preamp. It is notorious for too hot signal.
 
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#6
Going tomorrow to check the SR and the Sub

Th sub looks more appealing to me. By the looks only. But my heart says Ibanez makes a better instrument

Because in my kind the tagline of a sub is a cheap series of a high end basses. While Ibanez is Ibanez.. it's their main brand so there is more effort into it.

Maybe I am wrong. Will check and reply back
 
#9
Hello mates. Sadly I didn't get it any.. the subray was too aggressive for my style and the neck was a bit narrow at the first notes.

And the SR500 played well but it was in a bad condition.

But I enjoyed playing it ..so I am thinking to order sr300..eithin my budget and brand new
 
#10
HassanGhnaim said:
Hello mates. Sadly I didn't get it any.. the subray was too aggressive for my style and the neck was a bit narrow at the first notes.

And the SR500 played well but it was in a bad condition.

But I enjoyed playing it ..so I am thinking to order sr300..eithin my budget and brand new
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear it did not work out, but always good to try some gear out either way.
If you decide to go with the SR300, make sure what you order is the SR300E, not just a SR300. The E is the newer version, and has better pickups (the Ibanez Powerspans) and the "power tap" switch, both of which will give you more tone choices. I have seen some sites on line that are still selling off a few of the older 300's they had left in stock, so just wanted to let you know.
 
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#11
Out of the box, the SR500 is a much better bass because of its electronics being better.

But once fully upgraded (pickup + preamp upgrade), I think the Ray 5 simply kills.

But honestly, though, try some of the cheaper Ibanez basses. I personally think the $180 GSR100 sounds and feels better than their higher end SR basses because I love the ergonomics of the flat top and the no-nonsense sound of the single passive pickup placed in an ideal spot.
 
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