Ibanez Introduces New SR500 Series Basses

Ibanez has announced two new basses to their SR500 series with the SR500TFF and the SR505TFF. The basses, which are four- and five-string versions of the same model, feature mahogany bodies with a traditional Tri-Fade Burst Flat finish.

Ibanez SR505TFF Bass

The neck on each bass is a five-piece laminate of jatoba and bubinga topped with a rosewood fretboard. Ibanez fits the basses with a pair of Bartolini MK1 pickups that they describe as “designed to deliver a full, punchy tone with a clear, articulate top end.” Electronics include a EQB-IIIS 3-band EQ complete with a 2-way mid-frequency selector switch that toggles the mid control between 250Hz and 600Hz.

The Ibanez SR500TFF and SR505TFF will be available soon with street prices of $599 and $649, respectively.

Ibanez SR500TFF and SR505TFF Bass Details:

Construction:Bolt-On
Scale:34″
Body:Mahogany
Neck:5-piece Jatoba/Bubinga SR4
Fretboard:Rosewood
Fretboard Inlays:Abalone oval
Pickups:Bartolini MK1
Electronics:EQB-IIIS 3-band EQ w/ Mid frequency switch
Hardware:Black Matte
Bridge:B300

For more information:
Ibanez

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Leave a Reply to DaveB Cancel reply

  1. They certainly improved the looks, IMO, but the bridge seems to be the same crappy one that breaks by just looking at it. I hope I’m wrong though.

  2. Bartolini Mk1’s highs aren’t articulate, they’re shrill and atrocious.

  3. DaveB

    I bought one that looks just like that one two years ago from AMS. It was a “limited edition” and cost about $50 more than the regular SR505. I was willing to pay extra because I thought that the sunburst looked a lot better than the normal plain brown finish.

    • DaveB

      By the way, I’ve had this bass for two years and have not experienced any problems with the bridge. I think that the problems with the bridges was due to one bad batch that were not tempered properly.