Ibanez SR300 Electric Bass Guitar

Feature:
From owning older ibanez's (GSR200+205, EDB500 for ref) and a yamaha RBX, this bass wins hands down for features. The "style sweeper" works well for me, I change styles frequently and gives the sound I want. The twotier dial for bass/treble boost and cutouts means less fiddling with amps and one hell of a useful tool for modifying your sound. My only gripe is I would prefer to have individual control over the pickups volume rather than a fader. Rosewood neck and 24 frets are good, there is a maple neck varient but I'm not one to judge difference between the two.

Quality:
The ibanez's I've come across so far tend to have pretty good build quality and are always well set up. Electronics can be a bit on the weak side on some models and may need to be reworked a couple of years down the line.

Value:
Like all ibanez's, undervalued for the great sound and versatility they give. Come on, do you really think a fender P bass is worth it for the one sound? Image and history counts for nothing to me, its what it does that works for me.

Desirability:
Smooth looking bass with good ergonomics. But come on ibanez, only 3 pretty bland colours (at time of writing, 09, only white, black or red). I don't want to have tkeep on respraying every bass and guitar I get from them beacause of the poor choice.

Sound:
Punchy and a clean noise, unforgiving if your a lazy bassist though. I play mainly punk with a bit of traditional folk music, on top of some metal here and there. This bass handles all my playing styles with still more flair left over, and I would say this sounds much better than the comparable yamaha RBX374 for more punk or funk playing styles, although I'd still recommend the RBX for metal players for the awesome rumble it throws out.

Ease of Use:
The thin, thin neck on this bass makes playing all those bass solos a breeze, from metallica to paul simon and is definatly designed for the frantic bassist. If your into playing the root note of the guitarist and no more, the thin neck might not be your thing and would be a bit of a waste you. The bass is lightweight so wont break your back and the dials are intuitive after a few plays.

Support:
I've dealt with Ibanez a few times over the years, quick to send out parts and deal with repairs pretty quickly.

Overall:
Great value bass with a great sound, suitable for gigging and intermediates. I'd suggest people to choose a cheaper bass as a first instrument, from other reviews I've noticed people don't appreaciate this bass to its full extent and that is a shame.

Feature:
the thin 24 fret neck is wonderful. and the maple and rosewood combination is very attractive. sweeper very easy to use too.

Quality:
the sr 300 i,ve got is very well made. the finish on it is perfect. no factory flaws or tool marks anywhere on it. this bass is quite capable of road travel, gigs, and anything else. this ibanez should last many years if taken care of properly. a beautiful bass.

Value:
yes it is!

Desirability:
the beautiful head stock, the body shape, multiple wood neck plus some of the other features, makes this a very attractive and serious looking bass.

Sound:
i recently bought the black iron pewter sr 300. i play gospil and country. the bass gives me all the low, booming sounds i require in my music. it is absoulutly outstanding! i have recieved and still recieving compliments from audiances about its power and tones. i love it!

Ease of Use:
fret action great. very easy bass to play. lots of tone varietys. body contours comfortable. light weight nice.

Support:
none at this time.

Overall:
i,ll keep this bass and give it to my five year old daughter later on. i buy only ibanez basses. i've played many brands of basses. in my mind and experiences;ibanez basses are the smoothest, and easiest to play. i'll match my sr300 with any mid priced bass guitar. i don't care if it has 14 karat strings or what!