I was planning on purchasing a jazz bass because of the playability of the neck and the classic sound, but my the jazz bass is not really very good for hard rock, and its a bit pricy (I think you pay more for the name). The sales guy handed me the SD500 and the moment I played it, I was amazed. It sounded so crisp and huge. I mean it blew away the jazz bass i had just been playing. It also has the active pickup with allow you to switch from picking to finger playing and get roughly the same sound. The MM style pickup gives it a tone that I would say is identical to the StingRay. Its the kind of sound you would expect to get out of a 2000 dollar bass. I was blown away.

For $369.00 you wont find a better bass. Period.

For $369.00 you wont find a better bass. Period.

The look could be better. I think a bevel on the top like the jazz bass, and maybe a solid wood finish would be nice. Im not a huge fan of SunBurst, but thats all you have to choose from.

10 Years bass - 2 bands. Now active musician at church.

Acoustic to Hard Rock

this bass has a better low to top sound than any fender ive played.nice fat tones not a problem.any style can b played on it.

im a rock bassist so it works well for me.nice action.very easy to play

as soon as i played it i got what sound i wanted

its well made.ive had mine 3 years and it hasnt fallen to bits yet.

this bass is worth more than what they go for if u compare them to other basses that are more than twice the price

havnt needed to

would be better if there was more coulors to chosse from .but i like sunburst so its great

musican

rock. pop

the sound is amazing. i'm going to be vary hard on this bass but i cant lie the sound is amazing. i bought this bass for a band that i didnt think would do anything, so i bought what i thought would be just an ok bass. but for $260 its the best but i'v ever bought.

its got everything i need. the volume controlle is nice

its four strings, four controlles and perfect

this is were it gets hard. i'v had the bass for about three months and i love it. i keep it on a stand in my room. after just three weeks the sound connection has broken. its as simple as going in there and cheacking witch wire is week but it still sould not happen.

lets be honest your not going to find a better price for a better bass. it looks good and sounds good and its cheep. its like a ray of shining light in a dark ally!

i never worked with them for the bass but i have called about other things and they have been helpful

LOOK AT IT!

Active Musician

Rock, Punk, Ska, Jazz

First of all I purchased this instrument through zZounds and applaud them for their fast shipment of a great product. No one asked me or paid me for this comment. I felt it note worthy to add it. Now, for the sound of this bass. Because of its wide range of obtainable sounds via the proactive electronics, Duncan-designed Ibanez J4 J-style and M4 MM-style pups you can quickly and easily make it thunder.

The electronics on this bass are fantastic. You can dial in for modern or vintage style music. The quilt top is beautiful with a slick finish from top to bottom. I was also impressed that it came with a fine set of elixir strings.

Producing various tones is amazingly simple. Whatever taste in sound you may have I believe it's readily available. This bass comes with a manual to help in setup if needed, mine needed nothing. It was practically in tune when I received it and have no need to change anything about the setup for my style of playing.

The finish is flawless. The neck width at the nut is just a tad larger than my Fender Zone but not enough to be concerned with. The overall quality of the RD500 seems to be equal to if not better than many costing in the lower $1000 range.

In my opinion, the RD500 is worth well more than actual cost.

Can't rate support, haven't had any reason to deal with them yet.

If anything happened to it (stolen, destroyed) I would definitely buy another one, hopefully just like it without hesitation.

Active Musician for 36 years

Gospel, Some Country and Blue Grass

I always played i banez basses. i own a db 700 x-series a polar whte musician, a gsr-200, and now a rd-500 all i can say is the thing kicks booty. it can stand up to my musician the feel is great nad the sounds i get are endless. i never liked the sun burst but this one bit me in the butt.im glad i got it the action needs a little work but i bought it used. still i love it wont trade it for nothing its mine go get your own. izzy the bass man.

the eq is flawless and the duncan ibanez picks let this bass roar rihgt out with the high pricey basses that are out there let me tell you this is a bass to reckon with.

all you nedd to do is listen and you can get any sound you want out of it if you cant you must be deaf come on the lows are there and the highs sing ti you.

the finish looks like it was made in a custom shop hell yea the name sez it all road gear it handles well on stage. i got a back up but dont need it with this. its a tough product it last.

all i can say is the list price is mid price but the price they go for is like your robbing the store

nevre really had an issue with there stuff but have asked them some things just to know.

I love all there is about it but i wish they would have made solid colors but this is a classy loking bass

active musician

rock

COMPARABLE TO ANY MUSICMAN OR FENDER OUT THERE, SAVE FOR THE PRICE.

CONTAINS ACCESSORIES USUALLY FOUND ON HIGH-END BASSES W/ PRICE TAGS UPWARDS OF $1000.

ACTION IS GREAT!

NO PROBLEMS AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS ON THE ROAD. THE NAME SAYS IT ALL (ROADGEAR 500).

PAID 368.00 FOR IT, BUT WOULD HAVE PAID LIST FOR IT, IF I HAD TO.

A MUSICAL MARVEL!

ACTIVE BASSIST

CHRISTIAN ROCK