Guitar Interactive – Issue 66 2019

(^154) Guitar Interactive Issue 66
is without a
doubt enjoying
a huge market share when it comes
to instrument manufacture. As the
company has enjoyed such growth
over the years so has, in my opinion,
the progression in overall quality
of workmanship been realised. As
an example, back when I took my
formative steps as a musician, beautiful
drop-tops and exciting finishes were
reserved for the very boutique and hand
made instruments. Now, we are being
blessed with rich eye candy as standard.
The instrument we have in for review
today is no exception:
The SRMS805 from the SR Sound
Gear range is (as the model number
suggests ha ha) a Multi-scale instrument
(ok, I’m just messing around, that
would be the “MS” bit in the model
name!!) It’s a 5 string bass with modern
appointments and a big tone to boot.
We’ll get back to the multi-scale bit
later.
The instrument features the now well-
known SR headstock and an immediate
thumbs up from me for the matching
facing to go with the body. At first look,
we are greeted with the glossy finish
that is called Brown Topaz Burst; there’s
also a Deep Twilight finish too for those
who prefer translucent black / grey.
Very eye-catching!
The usual small button tuning keys, of
the enclosed variety keep weight down
at the end of the slim neck and moving
down the instrument in my video I
point out the Jatoba and Walnut 5 piece
laminate neck. Jatoba is a hardwood
that is otherwise known as Brazillian
Cherry (the internet tells me) and it
is dense with an ‘interlocking grain’.
Supply is plentiful and it lends itself
well to being a material suitable for bass
necks (and more!)
Underneath the Polar Burl top,
Mahogany offers up a familiar
foundation and acoustically the
instrument has a warm tone that
appears to be leaning towards the
lower mid frequencies to my ear in this
environment.
Looking at the hardware now, I really
like the inclusion of a new updated
monorail bridge piece that offers a
+/- 1.5mm adjustment of the string
spacing. Actually, I’ve always been a fan
of the 16.5mm spacing of Ibanez basses
(especially the 6 string models) anyway,
but for those who like to have a bit
more room, no more head scratching
trying to find an off the shelf multi-
scale instrument that fits your needs.
Great stuff Ibanez!
Electronics come courtesy of Ibanez
with a custom preamplifier offering
three-band bass, mid and treble boost
and cut. The mid frequency control has
a three way switch to select different
frequency centres to suit your needs.
Best demonstrated in my video.
Bartolini is back once again with a
pair of BH2 type pickups that are
made especially for this model bass I
understand. They have a nice tone to
them, possibly a little polite in passive
Built from an exciting blend of tonewoods, including a poplar-burl-topped walnut/mahogany body and a 5-piece multi-scale
jatoba/walnut neck. Ibanez’s SRMS805-BTT truly stands out from the crowd. Here’s Dan Veall with more information.
Ibanez SRMS805-BTT
THE BASSMENT_BASS REVIEW THE BASSMENT IBANEZ SRMS805-BTT
IBANEZ