Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (7)
$429.99
Guitar Center
3.5 (2)
$429.99
Amazon
4.5 (85)
$429.99
Reverb
$408.49 New
$424.83 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (44)
$429.99
Thomann
4.7 (105)
$379.00 $377.00 $2.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£350.00

Average Price: $419

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Ibanez SR305 Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Ibanez SR305 Bass is a versatile five-string powerhouse that's perfect for both budding bassists and seasoned players seeking a reliable workhorse. Renowned for its sleek design and comfortable playability, this bass effortlessly bridges the gap between affordability and professional-grade performance. Its Agathis body offers a warm tonal foundation, complemented by the dynamic range of two Ibanez EXF pickups. The SR305 isn't just about looks; its active three-band EQ allows for precise tonal sculpting, ensuring you can dial in the perfect sound for any musical style.

The Maple neck is designed with a contoured bolt joint, providing smooth access to upper frets, while the Maple fingerboard offers a crisp, articulate feel under your fingers. With five control knobs, you can masterfully adjust the bass, mid, treble, and pickup balance to suit your personal preference, making the SR305 a canvas for your musical expression. Whether you're slapping, fingerpicking, or playing with a pick, this bass delivers consistent tone and reliability.

Key Features:

  • Agathis body for warm tones
  • Two Ibanez EXF pickups for versatile sound options
  • Active three-band EQ with five control knobs
  • Maple neck with contoured bolt joint for easy playability
  • Maple fingerboard for a bright, articulate response

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model SR305 Soundgear 5-String Bass
Finish Candy Apple, Champagne Gold, Iron Pewter, Metallic Gray, Moon Shadow, Orange Sparkle, Pearl White, Root Beer Metallic
Year 2008 - 2015
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories 5- and 6-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Brown, Gold, Grey, Orange, Red, Silver, White
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Material Maple, Rosewood
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 5-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 34"
Series Ibanez Standard

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Ibanez SR305 Bass have?

The Ibanez SR305 Bass is equipped with PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups, which provide a powerful and articulate sound suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Is the Ibanez SR305 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez SR305 is ideal for both beginners and experienced bassists due to its lightweight body, comfortable neck, and versatile tonal options.

Does the Ibanez SR305 Bass have active or passive electronics?

The Ibanez SR305 features passive pickups combined with an active preamp, allowing for enhanced tonal control through its 3-band EQ.

What is the neck construction of the Ibanez SR305 Bass?

The Ibanez SR305 Bass has a 5-piece maple/walnut neck, which enhances playability and provides a stable and resonant tone.

How does the 3-way Power Tap switch on the Ibanez SR305 work?

The 3-way Power Tap switch on the Ibanez SR305 allows you to select between humbucking, single-coil, and Power Tap modes for a wide range of tonal possibilities.

Revived Guitars (Nuno Santos)

Revived Guitars (Nuno Santos)

About the Ibanez SR305

Video thumbnail for About the Ibanez SR305 by Revived Guitars (Nuno Santos)

About the Ibanez SR305

Revived Guitars (Nuno Santos)

Revived Guitars (Nuno Santos)

Video thumbnail for Ibanez SR305 5 string active Bass tryout by AstralToneworx

Ibanez SR305 5 string active Bass tryout

AstralToneworx

AstralToneworx

Video thumbnail for Ibanez SR305 5 string bass customized with onboard overdrive and Nordstrand Pickups by Alberto Rigoni

Ibanez SR305 5 string bass customized with onboard overdrive and Nordstrand Pickups

Alberto Rigoni

Alberto Rigoni

Reviews

PROS

  • Fast and smooth neck enhances playability

  • Great value for intermediate players

  • Versatile active EQ preamp for varied tones

  • Holds tuning exceptionally well

  • Ideal for live performances

  • Affordable price point for its features

  • Works well for both beginners and experienced musicians

  • Pickup quality enhances 5-string performance

CONS

  • Frets may not support super-low action

  • 5th string usage might be limited for some players

  • Requires extensive EQ adjustment for optimal sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez SR305 Bass.

User experience

  • After a month of gigging and practice, one owner praised its wide tonal palette, which easily spans from warm and buttery to punchy growl.

    Source
  • Owners have noted that while the SR305 plays well, its sound may lack aggression, making it more suitable for genres like reggae and R&B.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The cerulean aura burst finish of the SR305 is highlighted as visually stunning, often exceeding expectations set by online photos.

    Source
  • Recent SR505 models include an active-passive switch, providing more tonal flexibility and potentially improving sound quality over the SR305.

    Source
  • The onboard preamp helps enhance tone, though some find it not exceptional without upgrades.

    Source
  • The Ibanez SR305 requires a 9v battery and has no passive bypass option, meaning it won't produce sound without a battery.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The SR305 is praised for its smooth action and slim neck, though the close string spacing can make slap techniques challenging.

    Source
  • Owners report that the SR305 is surprisingly lightweight, making it ideal for long gigs without causing back strain.

    Source
  • The thin neck and tight string spacing may appeal to guitarists transitioning to bass.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • If the SR305 battery drains quickly even when unplugged, swapping the two black wires on the output jack may resolve the issue.

    Source
  • A proper setup is crucial; string spacing is 16.5 mm, which may challenge slap techniques initially.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • One owner swapped the SR305 bridge pickup for a Bartolini P25P for enhanced tone, similar to a P-bass pickup.

    Source
  • Upgrading pickups and bridge can significantly improve tone, as suggested by several owners.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users find the SR505's Bartolini pickups have a more defined low B string presence compared to the SR305's PowerSpan pickups.

    Source
  • Some users have transitioned from high-end models like Warwicks and Stingrays to the SR305, finding it more comfortable and versatile despite the lower price.

    Source
  • Sterling by Musicman and Yamaha BB are considered by some as better alternatives, depending on location.

    Source
  • Yamaha TRBX305 and Ibanez 505 are recommended alternatives, offering similar value or quality.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
imtiaz_ahmad

killer bass

The neck is so fast and smooth... the operation is easy apart from that sexy look...great bang for price... perfect for intermediate players

Roles:
Genres:
rikoflishas

5 string, perfect to play Bleed by Meshuggah :P

lucas_smith

The Most Comfortable Workhorse Bass I Own

This is my main bass. I will say right off the bat, my edition is in blue, with a walnut/maple neck and 3-band EQ with volume/blend; it's the best bass I've played in ages just for the fact that it does everything it tries to accomplish but first and foremost does everything that it says it should do. It's not a Warwick or a Lakland, no, but it's perfect for what I use it for. I took up bass less than a year ago, and use this for my current live band. It is for sure a workhorse.

rvoxes335

Inexpensive, verstatile, decent sounding bass

Inexpensive and great for dabbling in bass playing, if you're a guitar player. Regret bothering with the 5th string since I don't use it much, but it's nice to have there when a song calls for it. There are better basses out there, but this sounds and plays well and is more bass than this guitarist has a need for.

tylerjt

Really great price

Sounds great for the really low price. I paid £230 for it. My 15 watt amp doesn't do it any justice but when I get the right EQs after about an hour it sounds perfect. If you're going to downtune, get .140+ strings.

joeboult

My perfect bass.

Every bass gig I play, I play on this one. My Washburn is my back-up but I never need it. Holds tuning beautifully, stupidly versatile and the active EQ preamp and pickup selector really allows a range of tones and styles, and the neck is extremely comfortable.

krakob

Super high value entry level 5-string

Lovely bass! It has served me well for a long time and only cost me about €250 used. My only gripes with it are that the frets aren't the best, so it runs into trouble with super-low action.

paddywatermountain

easy to play and light

I use this bass in studio and live aswell. Tuning: Standart 5 string

matthew_mccormick_minor

Quality Bass when you can't spend thousands

Something about those pick-ups really do the 5-string justice. You can pull any sound out of this instrument with the right set-up, but it pretty much makes metal all by itself.

laurenguitarr

nice guitar good feel

dont have exact one but similar Ibanez-GIO-Mikro-GSRM20MPL-Metallic-Purple-Short-Scale-

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ryan Farrell uses Ibanez SR305 Bass

Ryan Farrell

Bassist

Mushroomhead

...
Verified via Photo

You can see in the image that Ryan Farrell is playing the Ibanez SR305 bass.

See how Ashton Powers uses Ibanez SR305 Bass

Ashton Powers

Bassist

Why Human

...
Verified via Photo

Ashton’s main bass used during live shows and on recordings

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez SR305 Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
Electro-Harmonix Hot Wax
Electro-Harmonix Hot Wax Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Jackson Soloist
Jackson Soloist Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Jackson JS22-7 Dinky
Jackson JS22-7 Dinky Extended Range Guitars
1
Fender Jaguar Special
Fender Jaguar Special Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

Show yours
skoico

skoico

Gear IQ 161

romalane

romalane

Gear IQ 64

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