Ibanez SR605E - The New Standard for SoundGear Basses is on The Right Track - LowEndLobster Review

Hey everyone! Today we're going to be reviewing the Soundgear SR605E from Ibanez. This bass is the successor to the SoundGear staple - the SR500 series. This new SR605E brings upgraded Nordstrand electronics and better quality materials to the table, but are these upgrades enough to make this Soundgear a budget champion? Let's find out!

[-whiskey-]

I’m getting mine tomorrow, I’m so excited. Im not worried about the finish tbh, I’ll just repaint it later if need be and make more unique and different from the only 2 available lol

[nealm]

I like the quality control on the cat.

[sanyo_neezy]

I bought this bass, because to my ears it was by far the best sounding bass in the price range. It looks unbelievable, too! After almost 14 years on a cheap p-bass copy (brand is called Aria) this is a major upgrade and I can't stop myself from picking this thing up every chance I get. As a person who doesn't know anything about fixing electronics I have no idea how bad the quality control is on my particular SR605, therefore I can't name anything negativ about this freaking beauty!

[Eugensson]

Awesome pickups. It is actually interesting that under the cover the BEA coil has two poles per string (all exposed), but for the DG coil there are three poles per string (only two are exposed, and the third one is under the cover).

[wcaithelpdesk]

I purchased my 3rd bass...SR605E from Ibanez... only because you reviewed it so very well. Thank you. Your review was 2 years old, but your good work echoed into the future and I purchased it today here in India. Your work therefore is truly global

[TSBASSIST]

I've been eyeing this model for months now and there are no (in my opinion) good demos out there, so thanks for making this one!

[andrewlookenbill]

I have the SR600 and love it. Got it for the Norstrand pickups. Mine sounds great and it is so light. After a long, hard day at work it’s not gonna kill you shoulder or back. As always great video and have a great day!

[caljerm]

I keep an extra bolt on neck screw in my took kit - it's handy for those control cavity cover plates that are really tight and get stuck. Just put the tip of that big fat screw into one of the screw holes of the cover plate and rotate clockwise just enough to get sufficient 'grab' to pull that cover plate out. I've done this probably thousands of times and works great.

[ampthebassplayer]

I normally find Ibanez basses to sound really anemic and lifeless but this one sounds great!

[XxBigguyxX]

In case it hasn’t been mentioned here the string spacing is adjustable on the SREs starting on the SR500E and going up the range. Owners may want to experiment with the string spacing. I’d personally watch out for the string alignment with the pole pieces.

I would love to have both a four string model in the blue finish and a six string model. Currently the four is $750-$800 and the six is $850 so I’d have to wait for one to surface on the used market.

[charlieburns]

Sounds great love the distinct clarity of each string, / notes

[thomaswomack]

After reading and wading thru what seems like endlessly bland uninformative reviews of various Ibanez models online, I finally find one (yours!) that is actually useful and helps make a purchase decision. I'm happy to say your comments were favorable and useful enough to convince me to pull the trigger on a new one. Not only does this model seem to meet the quality/dollar value criteria for an instrument you would want to live with, carry around and play regularly anywhere you go, it has the distinction of not being ugly or just so basic looking like so many other brands. Additionally, it clearly plays well in your capable hands and its my hope that it will be completely acceptable for my use. Just to clarify my position, I have an upper end SR series (SR1305SB) that I really like but wanted something a bit less pricey to carry around as a gigging instrument that would still play and perform well. Of course, I didn't want to go too cheap and end up disappointed with the quality of the instrument. Thanks to your help I believe I hit the sweet spot. Consider me subscribed to your channel ongoing. :) You truly Rock!!!

[wren_bass-synths]

I love Ibanez basses. I own 4 of the higher end models where they have better quality control. Better shielding and wiring.

[kingteky]

That sneaked-in "Zelda Ocarina of TIme" music when transitioning from Lobster hand to Bass playing.... loved it... nice touch. 😀

[shanechasse]

I purchased this bass new and have to say it sounds amazing. Just to comment on a few things discussed… there is no evidence that the finish will wear away any sooner then any other instrument, it is a quality finish. I had no reason to open the cavity cover, but I did out of curiosity. There is not much room inside with wires neatly secured. The bass is dead quiet and with the battery in it’s own compartment there honestly is no reason to fool around in there. Nice tonal options with mid frequency controls too… ignore what sounds best soled that’s irrelevant find what works in a band/mix setting. Thanks for the review.

[chrisbroome]

Hopefully the newer accucast bridges are better than the ones from a few years ago that consistently bent/broke where the ball end was anchored. Thankfully Ibanez still sends replacements for free when I get those in at the shop, but still. Thanks for the video Lobster!

[bens]

Used to have an Ibanez BTB575 and HATED the Bart MKIIs. I could never get a sound that wowed me. Loved the body and playability though. Wish I still had it.

[StudioBrock]

There's more variety in that basses tone than my whole album!

[thebasspapa]

I recently bought and...fantastic bass, thanks for the review which helped me to take this decision.

[guitarzanlitwin]

Great vid
I like a suction cup for removing tight control plates.