Ibanez GSR200

I bought my Ibanez about a year ago. It was my first electric bass (I started on a regular acoustic guitar and moved to a Washburn acoustic bass for a little while before buying my first electric.) I bought mine at Guitar Center and i came with NOTHING, not even a box or owners manual. Like everybody else mine was made in Indonesia, has active pickups 34" scale, bass boost, etc. The first attraction was the pretty trans red finish-- I HATE red, but damn this thing was sharp. For the price these features are pretty hard to beat. Although the pickups are kinda junky.

Again, for the price this thing is hard to beat. Before I bought it I spent a lot of time in music shops playing around with a lot of basses and this one was a no brainer 5 minutes after i picked it up. I have also spent a lot of time since playing around with other basses, some significantly more expensive (as I am now looking to upgrade to a bass I can grow into-- thinking about the Cord Curbow-- if you're not familiar do your self a favor and check it out) and i have been hard pressed to find a bass with as much boom for the buck. I am playing through a piece of shit fender 100w amp with a 1x15 cab, so my ear may be a little off, but the sound is similar through my 10w Crate practice amp. I play a punky, funky take on metal and hard rock. We started out old school punk and this bass was all in the world I could have asked for. Except for major volume differences between strings and almost sour feels from the 6th to the 12th frets on the A string. We then started moving to Pantera style metal and playing in drop D. That's when things got ugly. The drop tuning on the E string makes for a fairly sloppy rumble, especially when played open, and cutting through a drop tuned Ibanez guitar with heavy distortion became harder and harder. We have now moved on with a new singer, to incorporate my punk/ funk influences, the guitarist's love of crunchy guitar-driven metal, and the singer's ear for techno and hip-hop beats (I know that's a tough combo, but when you get it right it works-- which is why I am trying to upgrade my gear now, as our music is now significantly more bass and beat driven). With this combo, being dependant on clear, strong bass, the weaknesses in sound are becoming more and more pronounced. That said, new pickups and a preamp will probably fix my problems. Had to do over again, I would still buy this bass and will recommend it to any beginner I run across.

Control knobs have loosened a little over the course of a year of hard playing, but otherwise I have no complaints... especially when you consider the fact that this is a $250 bass stamped with the name of a reputable company that has earned their reputation among hardcore fans (Korn plays Ibanez). I have had trouble getting my action playable without defeaning fret buzz and the neck needs adjustment fairly regularly, but being that this is more of a beginner bass, just take that as an opportunity to learn how to adjust a guitar neck. As far as finish goes, I still think that this is one of the prettiest guitars I have ever laid eyes on, regardless of price. I haven't counted my dings and scratches and I don't intend to... guitars are meant to be played and that's what happens when they are played. One of the most beautiful sights in rock and roll is to see an old guitar worn to the wood and scratched in places and showing all the years and miles and chords from it's life.

I have no complaints, and as long winded as I have been really have nothing substantial to say on this subject. Nothing has yet fallen off during normal play, but I am not in the habit of throwing my guitar around and always transport it in a case. I am going to give it a good faith rating based on the fact that nothing has in fact fallen off or come loose during normal use and I don't foresee it happening.

Never had to deal with Ibanez. Tried to get Guitar Center (where I bought it) to help me set up intonation and the neck, etc, and all I got was the run around and a reminder of exactly how much Guitar Center really is the WalMart of guitars. That is not a complement.

Overall this is a solid bass with decent sound, a good finish, built to pretty high quality specs at a damn good price. I will personally hope to keep mine long enough to hand it on to my daughter (it will break before I sell it, and I will probably fix it if it does). I love mine even if I may have outgrown it a little. Everyone who has played mine has fallen in love with it. All-in-all, this is an awesome bass for the price and would make a great beginner's axe or an inexpensive and appreciated addition to even an expert's collection. Sounds good picked, fingered, or slapped.

2004 Indonesian made 34" scale bass with black finished agathis body and maple/rosewood neck. Active P/J pickups with volume for each, tone and bass boost knobs. Gotoh style tuners with adjustible bridge. Thin and fast GSR neck.

Flexible for most music style since you can generate various sounds. The J pick up does buzz a bit.

Set up was pretty good, just fine tuned the intonation.

It feels pretty solid and has survived a few knocks. The finish scratches pretty easily. The strap buttons were okay, but have been replaced with straplocks. The truss rod has needed adjustment.

I have never contacted the company. The warranty period is one year.

I have been playing bass for about a year. I have been playing guitar off and on for 20 years. If it was stolen or lost I'd move on to a different bass. It is a great bass, but nothing so special that I wouldn't want to take the opportunity to try something new. This bass has been a great starting point for me.

2005. black.
standard gsr200 featueres.
+ Good range of tones
- active EQ doesn't work a lot

+ good sound
- hum, noisy pickup (but it depends a lot by the ampli)

well for the price.
YOU MUST REGULATE THE NECK (=the action of the strings), even if strigs buzzz (if is your firs time your teacher or a shop could do this)
with thiner strings (0.45 -> 0.95 about) you will play more speed

... is the most sold bass in the world

2004 model, 4string 22 frets, 34" scale, P & J style pickups, volume controls for both pus, tone and a 'boom' control - active bass boost.
chrom hardware, maple neck/rosewood 'board

I play a wide variety of style from prog and metal through to funnk, soul and jazz. The bass is quite bright sounding so coupled with a braight Crate amplifier to me it sounds perfect for slap, and with some treble rolled off and the neck p-style pu on full and the J off, the bass can fit easily into more deeper jazz or rock peices.

Had this since feb and ive changed it quite a bit but nothing major, raised the pickups closer to the strings and covered them with thin layer of acrylic to be able to use a billy sheehan-esque technique, this also made the bass have a bit more growl when the treble is rolled off.

Again i changed quite a bit here,

original gloss black finish has now been spraypainted chrome silver (us lefties get crapy choices of colour... so i got bored lol)
The action was fairly high, so i adjusted the saddle height and now use much lighter strings to eliminate buzz (30-90 stainless)

Tapping is now very easy to execute as are legato passages if yo uare more of a lead bassist or a soloist

THe control knobs fall off quite easily, but new knobs or some superglue can fix that

bass already has a few dings and dents but has never been truly gigged
(small colege/school performances only)

but for a cheap bass u cant expect it to be the most hardy, tough bass out there

strap buttons were replaced with straplocks, but thats a pretty standard thing to do anyways, nothing rong with originals, just more secure with straplocks

im in the hunt for a good 5 string bass, so if this was lost/stolen or broken id probably just hold out for my 5

my gear is quite simple really, since im just a bedroom player unless i play in college etc..

crate 15watt amp
rotosound stainless steel strings (30-90)
zoom 606 bass multi effects
crybaby wah

pretty decent bass
good for a first bass or someone at beginner-intermediate level
or just as a backup bass

1999 i think , yep it has frets

A good bass for my style of music (blues rock) good punchy sound with deep warm bass sounds at the bottom end and bright at the high end . i would consider this to be by far the best bass guitar ever made at this price level, suitable for the beginner right through to pro depending on the style you like to play. great for studio work but i've also played lots of live gigs with it and it has never let me down . It has a nice fast action and its easy to move around from botom to top, the neck is small so its very easy for a beginner to learn, i wish i had one of these 30 yrs ago when i started playing, even now i really enjoy the feel and playability of this bass and prefer it to my other much more expencive fender, sure it dont have all the bells and whistles, and sure its got a budget price tag, but damn it goes so nice without all that .....

This baby has been around the block a few times and has never been in a hard case but it still plays just like it came out of the factory where it was set up very well... i've made adjustments over the years as needed but have never had any real issue with it ever right from day one. She has got a few dings etc as i've never taken extra special care of it due to the price ..... what can i say ..it take a knockin and keeps on rockin

This has been my prefered rig since i've had it .... plays live gigs really well and has never let me down in 6 yrs, the finish still looks good from a distance but she has a few dings when you look close, yep with all the abuse its had i'd say its built like a brick shithouse, and i have no problem using it at a gig with no backup.... but lets face it even the best can break when you least expect it..

never needed any support

i've been playing for 30+ yrs and for the money this is the best bass i've ever owned and believe it to be worth much more than i payed for it..... im not saying this is the best bass i've owned but i have had much more expencive basses than this that didnt sound half as good or feel as light and playable as this wonderful ibanez. dollar for dollar you wont find a better bass, and its a lot better than some i've played at 3 times the price..... what can i say ...it just feels right and have had no issue recommending it to beginner and pro alike

2003 model, Indonesia all as other reviews, bought second-hand. Finish is really nice. Maple neck, good quality woods, workmanship I would only expect to see on a much more expensive axe.

Sound is good, even though I'm playing it through a small practice amp. Sounds deep and rich on neck pickup, bright and sharp on bridge. Tone off makes a very dull sound, so keep it on 3/4 or full. Can play anything from blues to Stranglers

Brilliant, nice lightweight body. The action, even though mine is set a little high at present, is very smooth and fast.

well built, all looks good and solid. Pots seem to be of good quality, turn smoothly

not needed so far

It's my first bass for many years. even though I went round the music shops and tried many makes, of different prices, Cort, Yamaha, Squire, etc, this was the one I knew I wanted. If it was nicked I'd definately buy another!

MADE 2004 IN INDONESIA, 4 STRINGS, PRES + JAZZ PICKUPS.

I PLAY MOSTLY POP-PUNK, METAL, PUNK-POLKA WITK HARTKE 3500 + WARWICK 15 INTCH/600 W CABIN AND BASS POD. SOUND IS RICH AND WORKS WITH THIS SET! I LIKE IT A LOT. I HAVE HAD ONLY GOOD REWIEWS HOW IT SOUNDS IN STAGE AND IN THE STUDIO ALSO.

I HAD TO DO PRETTY MUCH TUNING WITH IT BEFORE IT FITTED PERFECTLY IN MY HANDS, BUT I WOULDN?T TRADE IT TO ANY OTHER BASS ANYMORE.

I TRUST THIS BASS 100%. TUNE LASTS FOREVER NO MATTER HOW HARD I PLAY IT AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT ANYWHERE-

WARRANTY 2 YEARS, I THINK THAT THERE IS NO USE FOR IT.

I RECOMMEND THIS BASS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PLAYED GUITAR BEFORE, BECAUSE IT FEELS A LOT LIKE NORMAL ELECTRICGUITAR

Okie, features are all out there so you can take a look, i won't waste space by repating what others have repeated. P/J pickup configuration. Passive, foil-bridge, those kind you would find on Fender basses. 4-string, 34" scale. Made in Indonesia.

For a beginner's bass it doesn't sound like one. Sounds more like an intermediate bass for it's price. Full, with a defined mid-range punch that will cut through a mix. Sound is pretty bright. Standard sounds you would find on a normal bass but i don't like the stock pickup sound. It sounds somewhat hollow if you hear carefully.

The finish was great! Trans red colour. No scratches whatsoever. Neck was horrible when it was out of the box, it was warped like anything so i had to do a bit of adjustment when i got it back. Adjusted the action and did some cleaning up with the intonation and it was good after that. Pickups had a little hum to it but it wasn't that bad.

Live playing i think it would, hardware i can't say much but i believe that it's substantial if it were to last. Let's give it a year or so of live/hard playing. Finish is amazing, i'd always loved Ibanez's finishes. Strap buttons are solid so far but i believe after a while the front horn strap button will come loose somehow.

Dependable, but i'd bring a backup just in case. The truss rod had to be adjusted ALOT when i got it back but Ibanez necks always hold up well, i speak from experience. =)

Never had to deal with Ibanez ... you can't anyway, they don't allow consumers to contact them directly. Everything goes through your country's dealer.

It was my friend's bass actually but i'm privilleged to hold it for a while. I'd always believed in Ibanez products because they give you tons of features for the lowest price. Their GSR budget range is no exception. Amazing quality. I'd hated Ibanez in the past but their products proved me wrong. For it's price, it's an amazing starter bass, even an intermediate one if you'd upgrade the pickups, throw in a new bridge maybe add a preamp to it.

If they could add an alder body to it i'd be happy. I'd prefer alder tonal projection compared to agathis, but hey, it's a budget bass ... wadaya expect? Good stuff to get though!

i don't know the year it was made 2004 or 2005 i bought it new yesterday. it was made in indonessia its a four string with 22 frets. solid top it has boost tone and volume it has one single coil pickup and one split coil pickup. they are active pickups.

it has a range of tones it has a rich full sound but it can also be warm and slappy. it totally suits my style (rock ska jazz funk)

it doesn't have any flaws the action is supper low. and it looks really cool.

it seems reliable but i have only had it for a day

i shop at guitar center every once in a while and they are always helpfull. when i bought the ibanaz i was told to bring it back if i had any problems. they were super friendly and gave me a disscount because i didn't have enough money to buy it they lowered the price from 199 to 175 it was 185 with tax. i would shop at guitar center more but i don't have a job.

i have been playing for four years but i got this bass yesterday 95/29/05) the people at guitar center were very helpfull and gave me a disscount because i couldn't afford the bass.if it was stolen or lost i would deffinintly get a new one i love the action and tone but i hate that one of the tone knobs doesn't work. it also has a boost. the only other basses i tried were a yamaha and a squire the ibanaz was the best it has active pickups. i wish it came with a case but i have a stand. it can't be beat for the price

This bass was built in Indonesia and was sold new in 2002. It is a long scale, 4-string Fender Jazz Bass-styled instrument with both P-bass and Jazz bass passive pickups. This is Ibanez's basic two pickup bass. Agathis body while the thin bolt-on neck appears to be two piece Maple. A "No frills for cheap thrills" kind of bass.

When I got it the buzz and hum from the electronics was totally unacceptable for recording purposes. Being the E.T. that I am (no Virginia, that's not "extra terrestial") I simply pulled everything and rewired it, shielding everything in sight. Now it is as quiet as a ninja in the night.
My music is a combination of genres, these days called "World Fusion". I love that P-bass sound for what I do. My first electric bass was a P-bass (back in the day when folks would razz you because you didn't have the more expensive Jazz bass). This bass, now with Fender Nylon wrapped, sounds just right, records well and, with the right setup, can even be bowed.

I had to re-adjust a lot, but that is mainly because of the unusual way I approach the electric bass. Also, as mentioned, I did have to re-wire everything in order to use it for professional purposes.

This one may let you down in a bar fight due to the thin neck. Maybe you can use your neck adjustment wrench as a backup. However, other than for that purpose, it will probably withstand considerable abuse before it quits.

Don't know, and I don't want to repeat any gossip.

Being 60 years old, you could say that I've been playing as long as I can remember. I got this bass for recording purposes and it does that quite well at this point.
My favorite feature is the P-bass pickup. For me this bass needs nothing but what was mentioned above. That done, I would put it up against any bass I've ever played that cost less than $1K.