Skip to content

Ibanez SR305E 5-String Bass: Enhanced Range, Enhanced Sound? [REVIEW]

ibanez sr305e 5-string bass review

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*

If you’re wondering if Ibanez SR305E is a good 5-string bass guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular model. It’s a pretty affordable bass, but is it actually worth the money?

The truth is that Ibanez SR305E is one of the best mid-range 5-string basses that you can find on today’s market. It has everything you need – the looks, the feel and the sound. Surely, it’s worth every cent!

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the SR305E model so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll have a look at the biggest pros and cons of that bass. Of course, there will also be a few sound demos included as well.

Overview – Specs & Pricing

Ibanez SR305E is an affordable 5-string bass guitar designed for the most demanding bassists out there. Considering how well made and great sounding it is, it’s not surprising that its so popular among the bass players all around the world!

What makes it so cool? Well, the SR305E model features a mahogany body and a maple/rosewood neck with an easy-playing Jatoba fingerboard. This is a huge advantage of that model, because it allows you to practice efficiently for several hours without getting tired.

Additionally, Ibanez decided to equip this model with a pair of Ibanez PowerSpan Dual Coil Humbuckers which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. They sound very punchy, but they can easily be controlled by the 3-band EQ. The amount of tonal possibilities with that bass is truly outstanding!

It is also worth mentioning that Ibanez SR305E looks absolutely beautiful from the outside too. It’s not an expensive bass, but it certainly looks and feels like a much more expensive model. What’s more, it’s available in a few really cool color versions, so anyone will be able to find the one that suits their needs.

When it comes to pricing, it’s a really affordable model. It’s not the cheapest 5-string bass that you can find on the market, but it’s not overly expensive either. Surely, getting it shouldn’t be a problem even for bassists with a tight budget.

Here’s a quick sound demo – I highly encourage you to check it out below.

Who Is It For?

Ibanez SR305E is suitable for bassists of all levels, so it doesn’t really mean if you’re an absolute beginner or a bit more advanced bass player. You will definitely notice the good quality of that model!

Since it’s a pretty cheap instrument, it works perfectly for anyone who’s looking for their first 5-string bass.

If you already know how to play on a 4-string bass guitar and you want to try playing with an additional string, the SR305E is probably one of the coolest guitars that you can potentially choose for yourself.

At the same time, Ibanez SR305E also works great for more intermediate bassists who need reliable gear to play live shows and record in the studio. Surely, gigging with that bass will be an absolute pleasure.

Additionally, bear in mind that this is a really versatile bass guitar, so it can be used for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into rock, indie, grunge or metal, this bass will be an excellent fit for you!

I’m sure that the vast majority of bass players will really benefit from adding this 5-string bass to their own collections. Honestly, it exceeds all the expectations!

Here’s an another sound demo.

Pros & Cons

Just like any other mid-range bass guitar available on the market, Ibanez SR305E has its own pros and cons. Don’t worry though – it’s pretty clear that this particular model has far more advantages rather than disadvantages!

Pros

  • Looks Great
  • Sounds Fantastic
  • Comfortable Neck
  • Affordable Price

Cons

  • No Gig Bag Included

As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of that model. It certainly looks, feels and sounds like a much more expensive bass guitar. In addition, it’s available at a relatively low price and it’s suitable for both amateur and professional players. Who needs anything else?

On the other hand, the SR305E bass usually comes without an included soft case. This is not a huge problem, but it would be really nice to have it included. The truth is that finding the right case for a bass guitar isn’t as easy as you may think. Especially if you’re a beginner!

Nevertheless, I’m still positive that the advantages of that bass outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not too much to complain about, especially when you consider the fact that this is a pretty inexpensive bass guitar. That’s why I love it!

Want to find out more about Ibanez?

If you want to learn more about Ibanez guitars, make sure to visit the official website of Ibanez.

Summary

As you can see, Ibanez SR305E is a truly amazing 5-string bass guitar. Although it’s not the best bass in the world, it’s definitely one of the coolest basses of this type that you can currently find at this price level. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all bassists who are looking for a great sounding and reliable 5-string bass.

What do you think of that model? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were hoping to find. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:

Bass Punch

Bass Punch is curated by a group of passionate guitarists and bassists, offering a wealth of informational content. This collective of experts shares their insights, techniques, and knowledge with readers, aiming to educate and inspire enthusiasts across all levels of proficiency. The blog serves as a hub for those seeking to deepen their understanding of bass and guitar, providing valuable resources and guidance from seasoned professionals in the field.