Ibanez GSR205

$279.99 to $367.68 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (21)

7 Reviews

Find out who is using Ibanez GSR205

5 community setups

3 wishlisted

38 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (16)

$299.99

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4.5 (15)

$279.99

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4.3 (121)

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5.0 (3)

$298.72 15 available New

$219.00 2 available Used

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4.0 (78)

$279.99

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4.5 (6)

$279.99

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$283.00

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£279.00

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Average Price: $289

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Ibanez GSR205 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Ibanez GSR205". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Dive into the rhythm section with the Ibanez GSR205, a bass that redefines what it means to blend affordability with performance. Since its inception, the Soundgear series has been a hallmark of quality and innovation, offering sleek design and unparalleled comfort. The GSR205 continues this legacy, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned players on a budget. With its lightweight body, smooth playability, and dynamic tone, this electric bass stands out in a crowd of ordinary instruments. Whether you're laying down the groove in the studio or bringing the low-end live, the GSR205 delivers consistent performance night after night. Don't let the price tag fool you; this bass packs a punch that rivals its more expensive counterparts, complete with the rigorous setup and inspection Ibanez is known for. Get ready to experience a bass that refuses to compromise on quality or sound.

Key Features:

Dynamic PSNDP neck pickup and PSNDJ bridge pickup for versatile tonal options
Sleek, lightweight body for comfortable playability during long sessions
B10 bridge ensures stable tuning and precise intonation
Smooth maple neck and jatoba fretboard for effortless movement up and down the scale
Ibanez’s renowned Soundgear sleekness and comfort, tailored for budget-conscious players without sacrificing quality

Product specs

Brand	Ibanez
Model	GSR205 Gio 5-String Bass
Finish	Black, Black Night, Deep Violet Metallic, Jewel Blue, Roadster Orange Metallic, Transparent Red
Year	2004 - 2025
Categories	5- and 6-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Blue, Orange, Purple, Red
Frets	Medium Jumbo
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	5-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	34"
String Type	Steel

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Ibanez GSR205 have?: The Ibanez GSR205 features passive pickups with an active preamp, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres.
Is the Ibanez GSR205 suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Ibanez GSR205 is part of the Gio series, which is known for being beginner-friendly due to its comfortable playability and affordable price.
How many frets does the Ibanez GSR205 have?: The Ibanez GSR205 comes with 22 medium jumbo frets, offering a comfortable playing experience across the neck.
What is the neck material of the Ibanez GSR205?: The neck of the Ibanez GSR205 is made from maple, providing durability and a bright tonal quality.
What is the scale length of the Ibanez GSR205?: The Ibanez GSR205 has a 34-inch scale length, which is standard for full-sized bass guitars and offers a balanced tension and feel.

Videos

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maxproud

Ibanez GSR-200 & GSR-205 - maxproud review

maxproud

Ibanez GSR205. Buen 5 cuerdas de iniciación.

Bass Advisor

Ibanez GSR205

GoodOldDeathMetal

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional value with a strong bass to buck ratio
Versatile Phat EQ for diverse musical styles
Great for live performances across multiple genres
Easy to adjust with included setup tools
Distinct, rich tone control with varied pickup sounds
Comfortable neck, similar feel to a 7-string guitar
Fast, unlacquered neck ideal for quick playability
Retains tuning stability well, even during extended use
Robust construction, built to last

CONS

Factory strings are low quality and may require immediate replacement
Fretboard may arrive dry; needs conditioning
Finish wears quickly with frequent slap techniques
Not ideal for studio recording due to dry sound
Electronics may degrade over time, potentially needing replacement

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez GSR205.

Features and functionality

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The GSR205's 34" scale length can lead to a wobbly B string, resulting in a darker, less defined tone for the lowest notes.
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Owners note that the GSR205's passive pickups require a 9V battery for the Phat II EQ, emphasizing the importance of unplugging to conserve battery life.
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Comparisons

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The Ibanez GSR305 offers additional features like an active three-band EQ and 'Tone Tap' switching, making it a better choice for long-term 5-string use.
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User experience

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One owner used the GSR205 as their main bass for nearly a decade, highlighting its durability despite its entry-level status.
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The active electronics' battery life varies widely, with some experiencing up to a year if unplugged when not in use, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance.
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Value and pricing

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The GSR205 is recommended for those dabbling in 5-string basses, but the GSR305 provides better long-term value for a moderate price increase.
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Setup and maintenance

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Fret buzz on the GSR205 can usually be resolved with a proper setup, though warped necks, while rare, may require more extensive attention.
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Mods and upgrades

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Upgrading the GSR205 with Seymour Duncan Blackouts and a high mass bridge can significantly improve its sound and feel, transforming it into a gig-ready instrument.
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Use cases and applications

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Players with extensive gig experience have successfully used the GSR205, noting it grows with upgrades and can be a reliable gig bass after modifications.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

theviolentunicorn

270

7 months ago

First Ibanez 5 string

For a beginner? Great! For a backup? Even better!!! I really only use this thing for Korn tones lol

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Orchestra Metal slam death metal

orty156

338

over 1 year ago

Good for beginners.

It was my first bass and now after 10 years I'm writing a review. So the playability is simply great as usual with Ibanez. I wasn't a fan of used electronics from the beginning, and after 8 years the pickups stopped working almost completely. So I replaced them with humbuckers from the Czech brand RM pickups. So now the electronics is passive with the possibility to switch the connection of the pickups (serial/parallel). And now, even after 10 years, it's still perfectly playable and easy to adjustable like when it was new.

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

vhr0

over 5 years ago

Good for beginners

Great price and decently made bass perfect for beginners, however, if you're pursuing to continue bass, you should likely switch to a higher caliber bass, as the tone isn't the greatest, and overall can't do as much as other basses can.

pedro_dargen

306

almost 5 years ago

Good

Great neck, feels like a 7 string guitar neck in some way and I love it!

The pickups works wonders and keeps in tune nicely enough

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Composer

peter_juelsgaard

over 9 years ago

Sturdy, trustworthy, hasn't ever let me down. Well priced, multifunctional & does almost everything you want it to

The second 5-string bass I've owned, & the one that has stuck with me for the longest time, though I will probably sell mine soon enough. Great for beginners, intermediates & pros alike, as it has a fast, unlacquered neck, pretty well-sounding pickups, it doesn't go out of tune very easily & it's pretty much built like a tank. The 34" scale does, however, create a slight tone issue, when downtuning the low B (as it is with any 34" scale bass)

jonathan_west

almost 7 years ago

Love This Guitar

As my first bass guitar I believe I picked a gem! I read reviews on various brands and models and decided that for the price it couldn't be beat. My assumptions were correct! I really enjoy playing this instrument and my praise band leader loves the sustain it provides.