GSR 200
Reviewed by:
Shmef, on december 09, 2006 6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: The Ibanez Soundgear GSR200 bass I bought in Jewel Blue. It is amazing for an entry level bass. It has two pickups, a P-Bass split style neck pickup, and a J-Bass bridge Pickup, for great tone shaping. There are 22 medium jumbo frets, so there is plenty of playing room. The guitar is a solid top, with a bolt on neck and a rosewood fretboard. The body is a pretty unique shape, similar to the Yamaha bass's, with plenty of room for access to the higher frets. It has a Jewel blue glossy finish that looks great under stage lights, and the black headstock ain't half bad. The Tuners are a disappointment, as they are non-locking stock ones. It can get knocked out pretty easy. The bridge is just a stock Ibanez bridge, nothing special. // 8
Sound: It delivers fat thumping lines, or can set to sound bright and trebley. Overall, a pretty variable sounds can come out, and the built in pre-amp helps deliver more power. I run it through a Crate BT100 amp, and it sounds great against drums and guitar. No noise comes out, thanks the the noise gate on the amp, but some of the wierder shreddy-stuff doesn't work real well. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: The action was perfect, not so low as to have buzz, but high enough to stay in tune and be easy to push down. Everything is built really tight, and for a guitar made in Indonesia. Nothing has broke yet, and I have had it for about a year and a half. The finish is a jewel blue, and looks amazing under the right light. A beautiful guitar full of life, the knobs look great too. They are pretty similar to the Tele's knobs. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This guitar seems like a rock. Though not really light, it is still easy on the shoulder and is durable as hell. I have hit it, bumped it, worn buckles, locks, straps and coke cans on it, and it still has not one single dent. The finish is super thick, and it looks like it was melted on (this crap won't come off). // 10
Impression: It is a great overall bass for anything from rock to funk, and delivers well for it's price. The Phat Boost knob adds a lot of depth to the sound, making for a lot of customization. If it were stolen, I would replace it at the moment because I have no other bass. It is a great all-around bass, just some flaws with the tuners and bridge. Other than that, a steal for the money. // 9
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
Rywad, on september 26, 2008 3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Price paid: £ 160
Purchased from: Simply Music (small store)
Features: I believe my bass was made in 2006 between March and May(not entirely sure, need to check the dating website again). It's a 22 fret bass with what feel like fairly small frets they certainly don't feel like the jumbo frets on my guitar. it's got a nice solid top and the body is agathis, overall agathis is a fairly average wood for budget bass guitars, personally I prefer it to basswood. The neck I don't have much idea on the material but I could show a guess at it being maple but... I don't know. The bridge is a pretty bog-standard Ibanez one according to Ibanez it's the 'B10' bridge. The body has a nice modern feel to it, and personally find it really comfortable. The electronics are active and in the year and a half I've owned it had no problems with the battery going but I keep meaning to change it. The controls have the standard volume for each pickup (jazz and Precision pickups)a tone and a EQ control that personally I don't use and would prefer to use the EQ on my amp, but that's just me. The pickups are a Precision in the central position and a jazz pickup at the bridge position these pickups are alright, nothing compared to anything up market but for the bass there decent. The tuners are good, they hold it in tune for ages I went on holiday for a month over the summer and it was still in tune when I got back, my other bass falls out of tune in days let alone weeks! When I bought it all I got was a Rockbag case and no documentation, I was a little bit annoyed about it but there was nothing I could do really. I'm giving this a 7 because it's good for what I paid for but it's nothing to write home about. // 7
Sound: Well at the moment I'm playing all kinds of music and it can be used for near enough all of them, I just fiddle around with the volume on the pickups and then see what I can find. At the moment I'm using it with an Ashdown MAG300 combo which I find makes it sound rather lovely, with a little bit of compression it turns into a monster. The main problem with the sound is that the jazz pickup is slightly noisy with an annoying quiet hum, it's not noticeable in a band but when practicing I tend to mute the jazz pickup and use solely the Precision one.
I've found I can make all the sounds I want with the bass but it isn't versatile enough to get the nice punchy sound of a Fender P-Bass or the slightly muddy tone of a bass with a humbucker. However it's done me fine since I've got it. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: When I first bought the bass I was unhappy about a large amount of fret buzz and took it back to the store where they set it up properly and put a nice set of Rotosound strings on for free so I didn't complain. Since then there's been no problems since! Apart from a couple of buzzes here and there which I've managed to fix anyway! There were no cosmetic or playability faults other than the bad set up and humming of the jazz pickup which is always good! // 8
Reliability & Durability: I've used this for gigging a couple of times and although I thought the battery was going at one point it continued to soldier on (which reminds me - must change that battery soon! ) without any problems. So far it's lasted fine for a year and a half which is always good, but the strap buttons could be a bit better (could be my strap) as I sometimes get the dreaded strap falling off situation at band practices which involve lots of awkward attempts fixing it. I have used this twice without backup but I have a bass to use as a backup if need be. So far the finish has had no faults apart from some general wear and tear it's all good so I expect this bass to last a long time unless I end up having some kind of freak accident! // 9
Impression: This bass works well with the styles I play and I have to say it's up for replacing very soon, a year in service isn't bad for a £160 bass! At the moment I've been playing around a year and a half (March '07)but I do wish I asked for it to be set up when I was in the store (too shy to ask) and it would have saved me the return trip 30 minutes later! If this bass got stolen I would probably be upset due to the memories on it but I would probably get myself the bass I'm currently after and then buy another one as a backup! I don't know what it is but no matter how much I try to doubt this bass it always comes back and wins my heart by doing something amazing like giving me the sudden urge to play something I've never attempted before or composing something I never thought I could. When I was buying this I was comparing it to the Squier standard P & J basses but even though I liked them there was something about this that I loved. But if I was starting now with bass I'd probably get myself a Squier Vintage Modern Jazz as there pretty amazing but nothing compared to my lovely bass. // 8
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
succer, on january 07, 2010 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Price paid: € 220
Purchased from: JnR
Features: My bass was made in 2008, and when I first held it in my hands I was in love... Before this one I had an Adonis, not the best bass that there is... The Ibanez isn't either but, it slides so handy, feels very good in the hand and isn't that heavy. They always told me that Ibanez is one of the worst bass manufactures of the world, well, this bass prooved them wrong. It is a cheap bass but it so much more worth than it costs. My gsr200 has bass boos, a fat boost what was really handy if you have a bad amp. You've got also a neck pick-up (2 single coils) volume and bridge pick-up(jazz style) volume and tone. It's very handy to use and you can get the sound out of it that you want. The tuners are also very good, my bass is now 2years old and I haven't got any problems with the tuners, bridge or neck... // 8
Sound: I play some funk and rock and it's perfect. I use a Behringer amp and I can get the sound that I want, real bright, and with distortion it's perfect to rock. It has a little bit noise, but that's pretty much normal for evrey bass. I play also in a rock band and this bass doens't have to do under for the guitars. A downside of this is that you can play real low bass, but when you play some higher notes to make it more "musical" it doesn't sound that good anymore, that is my opinion... But forhe real rock, the real metal people this bass is perfect fotr you (normally) // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: The color of my bass is pearl white, real smooth and very pretty. The action is pretty much perfect, de pick-ups where set real good, nice wood, and like I said, it feels real good in the hand. The only downside for me about the pick-ups was the fact that they wheren't placed at the middle. This is actually kind of normal, but I've got pretty big hands, and if the pick up is in the middle, that's just more handy... Another downside could be that an Ibanez bass need a quicker ajustment of the neck, bridge then other basses. But for me that wasn't really a problem, only for the fact that the action becomes lower... // 7
Reliability & Durability: I dropped this bass, by accident of the stairs (I know bad me...) but he survived! It was realy a relief for me, it only got a little crack in the neck, but it's almost invisible. The strap buttons where nice done, real solid, your bass is safe it will not fall out you strap and hit the ground. I played already a few gigs with it and you can trust it. A back up bass is always better, in case a string brakes, but I never had that on a bass, and I play on this one for already 2years and I'm not really the most carefull with my bass. // 7
Impression: Evreything I expected of this bass, came trough. The only bad thing about the bass for me is that the pick-ups aren't enough to the middel, I've got really big hands, oh well, I got used to it. I advise this bass to evreyone! Maybe not the ABSOLUTE beginner. What I mean with the caps lock? Well... Not for the people that don't know if they will keep playing bass. If you buy this bassand quit after a few months, that's just a waste of perfect money. But for the people who know what they want, this bass is perfect, but it can never compete with an Fender Stratocastet remember that, this isn't the ultimate bass, but it's relative the ultimate bass for the beginner... // 8
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on march 28, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: guitar-center
Features: Mines is solid black, standard Ibanez GSR shape. 24 frets, has 2 volume knobs a tone knob and a BOOM knob to give you that extra punch. The bridge pickup produces a lot of noise so I generally have it muted and just use the neck pickup. It has active pickups but I haven't needed to change the battery in the year and a half I've had it. Made in Indonesia, the neck is bolt on and the strings aren't through body, but considering the sustain is still good. // 7
Sound: I play just about everything, and I wanna say this bass does it all. From metal, to funk, to jazz, its a great choice, you can slap it, finger pick it, or pluck it with a pick. Has a full sound. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: The action on the guitar was fine except on the top string when I bought it. The neck pickup is great, and its all I need so I can't complain. This bass checks out as a good 4 string, when I got it it was as pretty as a picture. It was a good choice. // 8
Reliability & Durability: The finnish is on there to stay. This thing isnt going to break, its a rock if I've ever seen one. Ide use it without a backup at a gig but just for the sake of being careful ide make sure to have a 9 volt battery. // 10
Impression: This is a match for every genre and then some. If I lost it, I would buy it again. Its the best bass for its price. I love the sound and style of the bass, the only thing that bugs me is the sound on the neck pickup. I've played a Fender Mark Hoppus Sig a lot also, and this is my favorite of the two, I wish had more simplicity in the knobs, but other then that a solid bass. // 9
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
espbscat, on december 20, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 200
Purchased from: Online store
Features: The Ibanez GSR200 4-String Bass is a solid bass with nice balance and feel for a very friendly price. Features an agathis body, super comfy one-piece maple neck, rosewood fretboard, pearl dot inlay, split-coil and single-coil pickup array, active EQ with Phat Bass Boost, chrome hardware, a fully adjustable bridge, and medium frets. // 10
Sound: Good lows, but the best thing about this bass is it's playability. You never get a fret buzz, and the Phat EQ bass-boost allows as much or as little boom as the piece you are playing requires. Super-comfortable fretboard and fast, slim neck. Good for rock and metal, not really all that great for slap due to the P/J pick-up config. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: Excellent factory set-up. Frets are smooth, no rough edges. Excellent guitar at this price. Nice chrome finishes. Really, no flaws, which for the price, is amazing. I bought a Peavey for slightly more $$, and it had so many factory issues, I eventually just sold it online. The action, fit, and finish is this bass' strongest points. // 10
Reliability & Durability: Finish good. Hardware fair. Strap buttons are a little small. Don't know if I'd trust it for a live gig all by itself. I usually use two to three guitars per session. Durable guitar for the price, although one of the plastic knobs is now stripped. Tuners are decent. // 7
Impression: For a rock player, good all-around practice bass. Don't know if I'd tour with it, but I do love playing it...very easy to play. I would always consider owning an Ibanez, and may upgrade when this one is shot. In jet black, it looks pretty cool with the chrome hardware. Overall, I would give this bass an 8.5! // 8
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
schelp, on august 02, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: € 250
Purchased from: Local guitar shop
Features: First of all, this bass was made is Idonesia. It's got 22 frets which is pretty cool and it has a nice black finish. It has 2 pick-ups with a soundknob for both of them, a toneknob and PHAT II EQknob The Ibanez GSR 200 is great for beginners but guys...if you're just a bit more advanced spare yourself this one. I'll explain why. // 6
Sound: They say this bass is good for rock/metal sorta styles, but you could use it for any genre really, it's just your average bass sound, nothing special, it's kind of boring actually. I use a Cube-30 bass amp by Roland and I use a Boss Gt-10b effects processor, both are great in my opinion but the don't really work well with my Ibanez. The bass just isn't good enough to get that full potential of the sound you want, a lot of people actually don't realize how important the guitar itself is, neither did I. // 4
Action, Fit & Finish: I gotta give it one thing though, this bass has a good feel and it's really comfortable. I can't say the same thing about the pick-ups, this is the worst part of the gsr.. There's a jazz-bridgepickup and a precisionpickup. They're both loose and make noise when you play nothing and when you do play, you can hear a crackling noise which is pretty annoying.. I'm sure this can get fixed but still, it's a good example for the quality this bass has. // 3
Reliability & Durability: I wouldn't use this in a professional live performance because it just isn't good enough. You can give small performances though, I've done this a few times and no one seems to notice any flaw so it's good enough for regular folk. The finish though is great and its everlasting. The strap buttons are good too. // 5
Impression: My conclusion: if you're a beginner don't hesitate to get this bass cause' it's good enough to get you started, it worked well for me, but if you're advanced don't bother. If it were stolen I'd buy a standard Fender jazz bass. Ibanez just isn't that good at bass guitars, they make great electric guitars and amps but they should leave the basses for Fender. // 6
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
Souless360, on september 07, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: A$ 450
Purchased from: Hobart Music Centre
Features: Not sure what year but it was made in Japan at the Ibanez Fujigen plant. 22 medium frets. 864mm/34" scale, laminated top. Agathis body, maple fingerboard, gloss finish. Cutaway style, with a B10 bridge. Powersound P and Powersound J (PSND P & PSND J) passive electronics. Tone and pickup volume controls and a PHAT II band EQ for that extra low-end grunt. Chrome Hardware. Came with a crappy Ashton 20W amp, Gig bag, Lead and strap (for $700). // 8
Sound: Suits metal and jazzy styles (my styles) and can pack a punch in a good amp. Using the Ashton (Still) but it works as I'm just a beginner. Can be loud with the EQ turned up full volume so the amp doesn't have to be up full pelt. Bright sound with the J and slightly deeper tones with the P. // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: The action is very good so you can slide up and down the neck without any hindering. Pickups are well adjusted but both make virtually the same sound. Everything properly in it's place but: I would have preferred a mahogany body but, what can you do? The pickups are slightly out of whack so the g string in only using one magnet. Some string rattle on numerous frets. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I would use this in a gig without a backup because it is a really great bass. The hardware will last awhile I reckon and everything is solidly planted in it's place. The finish has survived. It is dependable and I would use it anywhere on the road or just at home jamming with mates. // 7
Impression: Metal, Jazz, been playing since the start of 09 but am a good player. Owned nothing else. If it were stolen, I would get it again. I love the sound it makes it's just brilliant. I am a bit annoyed at the pickup allignment and the rattly strings but thats cool. I compared this to the BTB300 with other aftermarket extras I added from my Ibanez book but that would cost me $5,000AU I reckon. I wish it had gold hardware. All in all, this bass is great and I highly recommend it for the aspiring bassist. // 9
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
DamoPlaysBass, on july 16, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Dream Music
Features: The headstock bears the good old "Made in China" tag, although I was told these were Indonesian made. I'm not too sure about the year, but this is an entry-level bass, that doesn't matter. There are 22 medium frets on the rosewood fingerboard, which features pearl dot inlays. The neck is an Ibanez stock GSR4 bolt-on. The body is made of agathis, and has a black finish, and is in the shape of a classic Jazz Bass. The pick ups are Ibanez's stock split single-coil P-Bass in the mid and single-coil J-bass at the bridge. It's got 3 knobs, 2 for the pick-ups and 1 for tone. // 7
Sound: I'm using it with the supplied Ibanez BSA10 19-watt bass amp, and it gives a surprisingly decent sound, though I'd recommend getting a new amp after two years. I've got a Zoom B2 Multi-Effects Pedal, and it gives surprising versatility to the sound of the bass. The tone control also has a pretty good tone range, from very muddy passive (which I personally dislike) to a nice active tone which I tend to stick to most of the time (I love my tool). It's very versatile for it's class and will suit any style of any beginner. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: Action is good, the neck is really good for a stock neck, but hey, Ibanez necks are among the best, and I haven't had a problem with the neck, haven't had to re-adjust it yet. The pickups and bridge were set up by the pro's in my local shop perfectly (I'm sure this was their only black one left, and so they were using it as the display), although lately the low E saddle has started to buzz, especially when tuned down to D, C, and hell, B. But I'm sure I just have to re-adjust it. Otherwise, it's perfectly fine. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I probably wouldn't gig with this, unless I really had to, simply as you don't walk on stage with an entry-level bass, if you want to be taken seriously, although it wouldn't fare too badly as a backup. On several cases rehearsing in my room, the straps get getting loose, but I got decent straps from my local shop to counter that problem. I've knocked this thing around countless times, and seems to have taken no damage whatsoever. I haven't changed the strings either, nor properly cleaned the frets in a while, but it still sounds pretty good, so it's very reliable in that respect. // 9
Impression: For an entry level bass, this really is the top of the line, Ibanez have a really great reputation for affordability and quality. I've been playing for two years now (I'm a fast learner) and until I get that thing called money I'll be content with this thing. If it were stolen/lost, I'd invest money in a 'proper' bass now, though. Compared to similar basses from Ashton, Yamaha and even Fender Squires, this thing is really the best for your buck. I just wish it was loaded with $3000 for a Fender or ESP. // 10
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
nea1io, on april 02, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: ?
Features: Indonesian made, made in 200?, 22 frets, agathis body, maple w/ rosewood fretboard neck, nice black finish, standard bridge (non/string through body), passive pickups with active eq, 2 volume 1 tone and 1 bass boost knob, P and J pickups, and non locking off brand tuners. Overall this has a lot more features than most beginner basses, and the quality is better than most too. // 8
Sound: I play a lot of grunge and old school rock, punk, ect. This bass doesn't really handle distortion well so keep that in mind for metal/ punk players. I've used it with my Peavey Microbass amp and my friend's Ashdown. It sounds pretty noisy due to the single coils with the tone or volumes all the way up so I usually leave them down and let the amp do the work. Using the bass boost at all really makes it buzz a lot too. The pickups sound pretty generic and don't have very much difference between the two. Overall it doesn't handle low tunings that well and is just in the middle of everything sound wise. Just because it has more pickups doesn't mean it sounds better than something with just one. Quality over quantity I guess. // 6
Action, Fit & Finish: I got it used so I don't know how the factory tuning was. The set up is good but it still buzzes on low tunings. The finish is good and doesn't have any flaws. The bridge is better than standard fenders IMO. The knobs all work well and are pretty sturdy. The tuners are pretty bad but will work well enough for a beginner. The frets were pretty well done, as was the (plastic) nut. This is definitely the highest point of the bass. // 9
Reliability & Durability: The bass itself seems very well made and dependable. The finish has some scratches on back but seems really good otherwise. The strap knobs are alright but if I was gigging, I would have strap locks anyway. The only bad thing is the tuners, I probably would have to replace them to gig with this bass. I probably would gig w/o a backup if this had better tuners, but that's not really smart cause things happen at gigs you know. // 6
Impression: As stated above, I play grunge and old school rock and punk. This works ok for playing clean but is not good for distortion really. It works fine for me and is fairly low maintenance as I haven't had to adjust the bridge or anything since I got it which I like. The neck is really thin and makes it fun to play (much better than Fender Precision). Overall this is one of the best choices for a beginner in my opinion and would make a good backup for anyone else. // 7
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
Martin259, on march 31, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Rimmers Music Blackpool
Features: I have the black version of this bass. This bass has 22 Frets, it's very easy to get to Higher Frets and very easy to play. There are Two Volume Controls, One tone, And another Active Tone control. It has a Fender P style neck pickup, and a Jazz Bass style bridge pickup. I don't trust the Tuners Much, They are always coming out of tune for me. // 9
Sound: This bass can make your Bass sound Dull, Or Bright and Treble. I play a lot of Slapping stuff, And the sound is great! I'm playing out of a Zoom B2.1U effects pedal and Fender Rumble 15 amp (which I got the same day as this bass). The sound is Amazing on treble, If I put all the settings on a clean sound, you just get that funky treble sound out of the active and tone controls. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: This bass was made well, The pickups were adjusted well and everything else was good. Except the frets were not put in well, and my bass makes awful noises on some frets. And that's only what lets this bass down to me. All the high frets are good, but the low ones like the 3rd, 2nd, 4th and 1st are bad. // 7
Reliability & Durability: When I was getting this bass out of the bar, I accidently hit it against the car, quite hard. I took my bass upstairs, and there's no mark, Not even a scratch. The body feels like a stone and weighs loads less. I would use this bass at a gig, except because it hardly stays in tune, I'd need to tune it up a lot. // 8
Impression: As I said befor, I play slap Riffs a lot and the tone control which gives the treble sound is great for that. I also own a Fender Rumble 15 amp and a Zoom B2.1U effects pedal and the sound is stunning. I've played since Semptember 2006. I love the tone on it, and the active is my favorite feature, stunning bass boost sound. // 10
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 14, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: eBay seller
Features: This guitar was my first ever buy from eBay, also my first ever bass. I bought it as a beginner bass, second hand, a year ago. it wwas a year old when I bought it, and it's still in great nick! It's got 22 frets, and alder body, rosewood fingerboard, and a maple neck (I think). It's got a great transperant red colour (I love it). It's got one tone, and two volume knobs, P and J style pickups. I bought it with a Samick 10 Watt amp, plus gig bag, strap, and a stand, all for $400. The above price of $300 is just an estimate of it's worth as part of the package. // 8
Sound: I play a lot of Metallica, and the bass is perfect for thrash metal of that genre. It has a surprisingly wide range of tone for its price, and works well for anything from jazz to metal. As I said, I used a Samick amp. the amp was fine starting off, but I really wanted to replace it with something better, and I got a Ashton BA50 50 watt, and it works great with the Bass. I run it through a Zoom B21U effects pedal, just for fun mostly, but it wroks well with all of the effects, particularly the distortion settings. The bass will play any sort of tone you want, from warm to very sharp. My only disappointment is that it's not so great for slap bass. It's possible to play slap, but best not if you're just learning. Everything else sounds great with the bass. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: When I got it, there was nothing wrong with any part of the bass what'soever. The finish is perfect, it's never let me down. compared to some other guitars I've seen, where the finish have been totally dull, boring, and show the scratches way too easily. I don't think this thing shows any scratches that are on it. The action was perfect. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This thing has been banged around, rubbed, scratched, played for hours at a time, and it's in perfect nick. everything is still orignal factory parts, and it's my primary gigging and recording bass. I'm sure it will last me another couple of years at least. I would certainly use it without a backup, I could never imagine would need a backup with this thing in my arms. // 10
Impression: I love this bass. I also have a Greg Bennett 5-string, and it doesn't even compare to this machine. If it were stolen, I would spend the rest of my life getting it back. I just love this bass to death, and I would reccommend this guitar for any beginning Bassist, on the basis of the price: quality ratio. It's the best bass on the market, in terms of quality versus price. // 10
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
iatethemoose, on august 11, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Features: I bought this GSR 200 second hand from a friend for about 100 dollars. The body is Agathis with a rosewood fingerboard and medium sized frets. It has three control nobs, two for tone and one for volume. 3 pickups. It is a comfortable bass with original strings witch are very irritating against the skin. // 8
Sound: My music style varies from shock rock, funk, punk, emo, everything. The bass doesn't suite a hard or very fast song. It is an amazing bass for funk and slap. The bass is very clear and clean so you can hear everything. Because if this it is not a good idea to use a pick. The best sounds are given in finger and even better in slap. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The action of the bass is awesome. The pickups are in the perfect place and the fret board is straight. It has very good strings and can be easily restringed. The strap nobs are in a good position so the guitar is not pulled up or down. The bass also came with a real leather strap that never comes off no matter what you do. // 10
Reliability & Durability: The bass is second hand and has sustained quite a few drops coming out damaged in only one with the smallest dent. The strings were the original until a few months ago when the g sting snapped while playing slap. The bass is just older than 5 years, so the strings lasted a very long time. The paint has not chipped on the body but only on the corners of the head. The only problem is that the body around the nobs get scratched. // 10
Impression: I have been playing for about 2 years and the bass fits only the funk songs that music I play, and when I pick this bass up it is all I want to pl. I also own a Yamaha ERB070 and a Epiphone Thunderbird IV Goth, compared to the Yamaha the Ibanez is way better but does not compare to the Epiphone. The Epiphone produces good sounds for all styles of music (especially metal and harder rock) and has a good funk sound. I love the GSR 200, it is the the greatest funk bass of the three I have, it could be the best if it had better options for a muted tone. // 8
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
skateswitch, on may 07, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: Bougth it new this year, 06 or 07, I believe it's made in Indonesia, not compltely sure though. The base has 22 jumbo frets on a rose wood neck. Maple body, mine is sunburst, finish is very nice seems to be fairly thick. The body style is fairly simple and classic. Stock Ibanez bridge with non locking tuners, but it's does keep tune fairly well. Actice Ibanez pick ups, split perscision style and a jazz pick up. 4 knobs, volume tone and pick up, knobs stay well dialed. // 8
Sound: I play metal and the abss goes fairly well with it, hits the notes good and can be dialed in to get the more booming metal sounds. The bass plays well, and is fairly quiet, sounds good on the first few frets. It can also be dialed in for more of a jazzy funk sound. Wde variety, I've played metal like All That Remains, Hardcore like Evergreen, and Led Zeppelin on it, and it all sounded good. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar come fairly well set up from the factory. The action is perfect in my opinion, low but not to low for drop tuning. The pickups are aadjusted well, although in my opinion and style of playing the perscision pickups sit alitle to high, my pick often hits them. There is little room between the end of the neck and bridge, maybe an inch and a half before first pickup, inch and a half after jazy pickup, mybe a little crowded for some people. Knobs and hardware tight and finish is good. // 7
Reliability & Durability: This bass is small and light, great for manuevering during Live shows. The finish is thick, I've had mine for about a month, no small scratches or anything, holding up well. Strap buttons hold good, nice and snug. This is the bass I depend on, so far it hasent failed me, I've had absolutly no problems, it's seems to hold up good, finish and knobs. // 9
Impression: It matches great with the rock and metal music I play, the sunburst finish looks great, durable and holds up. The bass is small and light, very playable, I have no problems or complants about it. This bass is unbeatable for the price, great bass for begining and moderate players. The weight and size are my favortie picture, along with the look of it this is the bass I want to be playing at our shows. // 9
GSR 200
Reviewed by:
lukeekul, on may 29, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Second hand (including small peavey practice amp)
Features: This model was made in 2005 although I bought it last year from an advert on the internet. It was made in China and has 22 jumbo frets which are all in perfect condition. There are 2 tone control knobs and also there are 2 volume control knobs. There are also no selector switches. The pickups are active which I feel are always important in a bass guitar. A bass guitar should not have passive pickups. These pickups that it came with do not belong to brand and they are not any model. I guess that they are just cheap Ibanez stock pickups. The bass came with a gig-bag which has no use what'soever as all it does is stop the bass from collecting dust. It has no padding at all! I am very disappointed in this. // 9
Sound: I play all sorts of different music on my bass and this guitar seems to handle all of them pretty good. Although I do find it very annoying that the strings are very close to the pickups so that they occasionally make a very loud disruptive popping sound whenever they touch each other! As well as this, the pickups seem to constantly pick up interference with other things in my bedroom; such as laptop, T.V etc... But this is just normal and nothing can be done about it. The amp I use this bass with is called a Peavey 'Micro Bass'. They seem to get on well with each other and generate a very warm sound. The only trouble I have is that I have very little control over the volume of the amp - it is constantly blowing out 20 watts! But the bass is not at fault here. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: As I have said earlier, the strings were set very low. So low that they seemed to make contact with pickups quite often. An flaw which is very large indeed, is that one of the control knobs for volume has fallen off the body. Unfortunately I cannot find the knob and I also cannot find another knob on the internet which matches the other 3! This ruins look of the bass and makes me look as if I don't maintain my bass - which I do! On top of this, the finish of the guitar picks up dust and finger marks very easily. I end up having to give it a good wipe almost every day. // 9
Reliability & Durability: Well, lets just say this guitar is like a rock when it comes to reliability. Yes the volume control knob has fallen off, but apart from that every seems to work fine. This hardware will definitely last. It is now 3 years old and there are no signs of any rusting or anything of the sort. It seems to be built like a tank. Even when you tune it, it will stay like that for weeks, and this thing sits next to the radiator so it is constantly being heated and cooled. The strap buttons are rock solid, they are not loose at all and I have never had any problems with them. The one bad thing, is that the finish seems to scratch quite easily which is a terrible shame. But hey, if you look after it correctly, it shouldn't get that bad. I would use a back-up for this bass but I would use a back-up for whatever bass/guitar I was playing as I would never take the risk. // 9
Impression: I have been playing bass for just over a year now and have been playing guitar for about 3. This bass seems to fit me very well for my range of styles which include punk, reggae and Indie. If this was to stolen/lost, I would definitely buy another one because I just love it to bits. There is nothing better which fits into the same price range as this bass. The best thing about this bass is that it seems to never go out of tune. On the other hand, I just hate the way it scratches easily and I hate the fact that I now have a missing control knob and cannot replace it in any way except for stealing one of a display model in a shop. All in all, a very good bass which suits many styles of playing which is also very affordable. // 9
this bass doesn't seem like a piece of crap until you play a real bass. Popping on the bottom string is impossible, it sounds very muffled. the tone knobs fall off, and i needed to buy an equalizer pedal just to make it sound half decent.
I got my GSR200 8 years ago, and it still is my main bass. My other bass is GSR205 The reason why I ain't got a more expensive bass (which so many thinks means a better one) is just because I don't feel a need to. Yes, I've tried lots of basses, but I'll still stick to this.
I bought this bass for $100, and it's rocked everyday for the past 2 years. I have replaced the strings 3 times, never due to a broken one, just old strings. Stays in tune forever, and sounds great with distortion.
all in all to be perfectly honest, i would have a ibanez over a fender anyday. but a gibson thunderbird would wipe the floor with both, ibanez and fender.
this was my first bass and i honestly do like it, especially for the price.. but i also saw some people say it is impossible to slap the bottom string.. that i agree with.. if youre a beginner looking for a good guitar this is it.. i give this an 8/10.. ibanez rocks
I used to own this one. I thought it was bad-ass when i bought it, but i was a beginner at that time (it was my first bass). I didn't know much about basses so i got conned into buying this thing. It was absolutely horrible and i spent a lot of money on repairs. The fretboard was warped beyond repair and the screws on the bridge were cut, not to mention all the technical difficulties i had with it on stage. It may have just been a shitty copy but the one i owned sucked ass. 2/10
Amazing bass for a first. Gets nice tones out of it depending on how you adjust the knobs. I once played it at church and no one noticed the difference between my bass and the regular bassist's bass (which is a Rickenbacker).
im gettin this bass for my bday with a fender rumble 100 it will be my first bass im wondering if it will be good for metalcore punk hard rock and stuff like that
lukeekul, get a really big replacement knob that stands out a ton, it'll make you look like a total badass! follower4582, I find the bottom string the easiest string to slap. Just my opinion. Good beginner bass, doesn't go great with my Stratocaster... damn.
if you are a bass apprentice, this is what you have to work with. unless you dont like 22-freds and classical look of the guitar, you can go with that one for so long.
Paid 225$ Made In China, lots of fret-buzz and a noisy jazz pickup. Great for beginners though and built solid and versatile. Not bad sounding too especially with Bass-Boost!
Amazing bass for a first. Gets nice tones out of it depending on how you adjust the knobs. I once played it at church and no one noticed the difference between my bass and the regular bassist's bass (which is a Rickenbacker).
Just a follow-up, I'm now the regular bassist, and people have noticed a difference, and they actually prefer my bass to his! I can't believe how many people don't like it. Mine's got a dead fret, so the action's terrible, and it's still a fine bass, and even with 8 month old strings, it still gives me all the sounds I want.
this is a good bass but i dont own one just have alot of hours on this. it has a ok sound the picks ups are decent but this thing is reible. my old school had this bass and me being loading crew i sall some things on a 2 hour trip in a bus it hade to marching quads fall on it (the quads broke)and it worked great the jazz bands bassist (crurently my bands guitarist) droped it if the chours rafters twice and its satand is broke soit fell out many times (my theacer hates me for that) and it works great still
I got this bass for £90 (including a boss pedal and a bunch of other stuff!) about 3 years ago and I can confirm that it was and still is an awesome bass. The bridge is fine on mine. Nothing else to add, good sirs.
just picked one of these up the other day, traded in a water damaged banjo my friend'd dad gave me. all in all its a pretty good bass. The action is perfect on it and is plays great. looking to put in some emg's to really get some killer tone out of it, but the stock passive are surprisingly good.(just prefer active) I play it through a crate bx160 with a 4x10 cab and it sounds killer!
The reason why I ain't got a more expensive bass (which so many thinks means a better one) is just because I don't feel a need to. Yes, I've tried lots of basses, but I'll still stick to this.
The fretboard was warped beyond repair and the screws on the bridge were cut, not to mention all the technical difficulties i had with it on stage. It may have just been a shitty copy but the one i owned sucked ass. 2/10