If you’re thinking about getting the Ibanez GSRM25 5-string bass and you’re not sure if it’s worth it 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. Surely, it’s quite cheap, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Ibanez GSRM25 is a fantastic instrument. It certainly looks, feels and sounds like a bass from the higher shelf. It may not be perfect, but it’s one of the best cheap 5-string basses that you can find on the market.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the GSRM25 model so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world! Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that guitar. Additionally, we’ll see if it has any disadvantages. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds!
Specs & Pricing
Ibanez miKro GSRM25 is an affordable 5-string bass that exceeds all the expectations. This guitar has everything you need in order to start your own musical journey with a bass of that type.
What makes it so cool and popular? Well, the guitar features a poplar body, a comfortable maple neck and easy-playing Jatoba fretboard. This selection of woods makes this guitar pretty lightweight, so it’s a really big advantage of that model. It’s also nicely balanced, so there’s no neck dive.
What’s important, this is a short scale bass – it has a 28.6″ scale length. It’s significantly smaller than a regular bass, so it’s perfect for younger players or bassists with smaller hands and shorter fingers.
Ibanez decided to equip that model with the dual single-coil pickups which give you access to quite a lot of various bass tones. Whether you’re searching for a fat, thumpy tone or something a bit more aggressive and punchier – this bass won’t let you down.
When it comes to pricing, the GSRM25 is actually really affordable. It’s not the cheapest 5-string bass in the world, but it’s definitely one of the cheapest models out there. And honestly, it will be really tough to beat it at this price level.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Ibanez GSRM25 is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate bass players. No matter how advanced you are on the guitar, you will most likely appreciate the high quality of that cheap bass.
However, 5-string basses aren’t really recommended for absolute beginners. If you’re searching for your first guitar, you should probably stick to the Ibanez GSRM20, which has only four strings.
It is a perfect guitar for any bassist who’d like to experience something completely different. Using 5 strings instead of four changes a lot and it opens a lot of new tonal opportunities, so if you’d like to try that – this bass is for you.
The GSRM25 is very versatile, so it can be used in for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into blues, rock, funk, grunge or metal – this guitar will definitely do the job.
Overall, the vast majority of bass players will appreciate the great quality of this instrument. There’s just not too much to complain about, especially when you think of how affordable it actually is! That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Ibanez GSRM25
Just like any other cheap guitar, the GSRM25 has its own advantages and disadvantages. Don’t worry though – it’s really difficult to find any major cons of that bass.
As I mentioned before, this bass offers a fantastic value for the money. So even though it’s not a perfect instrument, it’s still really cheap, so complaining about any flaws isn’t even necessary.
The only thing that you need to be aware of is the fact that the GSRM25 usually comes without a gig bag. If you’re planning on commuting or traveling with that guitar, you’ll have to get it separately.
Apart from that, there’s nothing to complain about. It’s really well made, it sounds good and it’s really cheap. How can you argue with that?
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Ibanez GSRM25 or you simply have a feeling that this is not the right fit for you, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other affordable basses out there. Of course, it all depends on the size of your budget and your own personal preferences.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, you should definitely consider getting the Yamaha TRBX305. This is a mid-level 5-string bass suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. It’s a bit more expensive than the GSRM25, but it’s a bit better. This is a perfect model for a bit more advanced bassists who are looking for something from a higher shelf.
Alternatively, you can also consider getting the Squier Contemporary Active Jazz Bass V HH. This is an another excellent 5-string bass which looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive guitar. I have to admit that I’m a huge fan of that guitar, so I can definitely recommend it to everyone who’s looking for a good and reliable 5-string bass.
If you’re just starting out, perhaps Ibanez Talman TMB30 will be the best choice for you. This is a really cool and inexpensive short scale bass which offers a surprisingly good value for the money. Of course, it’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s a great bass to start with.
Want to find out more about Ibanez?
If you want to find out more about basses made by this legendary Japanese manufacturer, make sure to check out the official website of Ibanez.
Summary
As you can see, Ibanez GSRM25 is a really cool 5-string bass guitar. Considering how affordable and well made it is, it’s definitely worth the money. I think that it’s a perfect axe for any guitarist who wants to try playing on a bass of this type.
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 at Bass Punch, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
