Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand known for putting out consistently great builds at super affordable prices.
This continues to ring true for the Ibanez SR405EQM, a bass guitar build that offers some impressive specs for a modestly priced instrument.
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Ibanez SR405EQM Electric Bass Guitar
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PROS
CONS
Ibanez SR405EQM Specs
Type of Guitar: Bass
Body Type: Double Cutaway
Number of Strings: 5
Tonewood: Mahogany
Orientation: Right-Handed
Neck Size: 34”
Color: Dragon Eye Burst,
Weight: 13-14 lbs
Pros
There are a ton of features that make the Ibanez SR405EQM stand out among the competition! Let’s explore the positives:
Gorgeous Aesthetics
You’ll shine on stage with the purchase of this beautiful instrument. The Ibanez SR405EQM is a beautiful, mahogany solid body guitar with a quilt maple top and a beautiful gloss finish. While there are some custom colorings out there on the market, this design is primarily available in its infamous Dragon Eye Burst coloring.
This coloring really stands out on its double-cutaway body, accented by some slick cosmo black hardware. This is one mean looking bass and will shine bright in any stage spotlight. If aesthetics are important to you, the Ibanez SE405EQM will hit all the right spots.
5-String Bass
The inclusion of the fifth string on this Ibanez model can provide a different sound compared to the standard 4-string models that are more commonly available. While this can present a learning curve to some players, adapting can be well worth it.
With the inclusion of the fifth string, you can reach new lows, reaching tones that 4-strings just can’t get to. If you’re into playing heavier music or simply want to explore adding a little extra weight to your sound, a 5-string bass is a great option to explore. And lucky for you, this Ibanez model is one of the more popular, fairly priced 5-string bass guitars on the market today.
Reliable Hardware
The hardware this model is equipped with has it built to perform. You’ll find two PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups on this bass guitar, providing a level of output and clarity that measures up to other bass guitars in its class. Equipped with a three-band EQ and power tap switch, you’ll be able to easily navigate different tap options for more control in shaping the tone of your instrument.
The bridge on this model, an Accu Cast B305, has adjustable saddles with a good amount of sustain. You can play hard on this guitar with no worry about overstrain and make adjustments as needed with ease.
Low-Cost Pricing
One of the biggest appeals of this bass guitar has got to be its low price point. This is the perfect instrument for players on a budget who still want a solid instrument in their arsenal. This guitar hits a great middle-spot in the bass guitar market, offering impressive features and solid design that deliver a great performance.
Cons
Here are some cons you may want to keep in mind when considering the Ibanez SR405EQM:
Learning Curve
While the inclusion of 5-strings makes this bass a standout, it can present a bit of a learning curve for some players. Musicians who are new to bass guitars may want to consider a more common 4-string option if they’re looking for a first-time instrument.
The 5-strings will change your approach to how you play and contribute to a pretty hefty weight and size difference. The fifth string means a wider neck that may take some getting used to for first-timers. Additionally, the bodyweight on this guitar comes in at a hefty 13 pounds, making it a bit of a struggle to hold for some players.
Sound Preferences
Some reviewers have noted that while this Ibanez is a solid build, there are some inconsistencies with how it sounds. Some players find that this model can sound a little thinner than other bass models on the market.
While the sound can be impacted by a wide variety of factors- tuning, adjustments to the action, amp used, adjustments to levels- this is a common point brought up among reviewers online. Keep in mind that while solid, this is a discounted guitar, with decent but lower-quality hardware than some of the more expensive bass guitar models out there.
What Are the Components of the Ibanez SR405EQM?
Here are some of the components that put in the work on the Ibanez SR405EQM:
Pickups
Developed by Ibanez, the PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups found on this model are designed to deliver a rich, dynamic tone. These pickups will allow you to navigate different frequencies easily and become increasingly impressive the higher you go.
Bridge
This Ibanez model has been fitted with an Accu-cast B300 bridge. Here you’ll find string-to-body vibration easily conducted, with an impressive precise level of intonation. To make it even better, this bridge has fully adjustable saddles for even further customization and adjustment abilities.
Power-Tap Switch
The electronic build of this Ibanez is impressive and offers some unique tonal ranges. Here you’d find a 3-band EQ that works alongside the coil tap switch to provide a variety of different bass tones. These include a single coil Tap Mode, a humbucking Series Mode, and a Power Tap Mode that combines the two.
Tap Mode is punchy, the Series bright and warn, and using Power Tap mode will give you the clarity of a single-coil combined with the wider end of a humbucker. With these different options, the tonal possibilities are endless.
Controls
Alongside the Power Tap switch, there are many other controls found on this model that will help you perfect your sound. The front of this bass guitar features a balancer, volume knob, treble boost/cut, mid boost/cut, and bass boost/cut, all in a slick cosmo black color.
What Types of Music is the Ibanez SR405EQM Best For?
Thanks to the great pickups and diverse variety of controls found on this model, the Ibanez SR405EQM is suitable for a wide range of musical genres:
Rock
Once you shift into the humbucker mode of your pickups, this bass guitar becomes a rock machine! With the right tuning and customization, this bass guitar will deliver the heavier, grungier tones that suit rock and punk music. Plus, it has an aesthetic look to shine on any rock stage.
Jazz
Shift into a cleaner, single-coil sound, and you’ll find yourself creating the perfect notes for any Jazz track. This bass can deliver some pretty clean notes, and as a 5-string bass, you can hit some pretty impressive lows that suit this genre.
What Ages and Skill Levels is the Ibanez SR405EQM Suitable For?
Though this model's price point makes it impressively accessible for first-time players on a budget, this bass is better suited to a more intermediate player. Of course, a first-time player could learn to navigate this build, but there is a learning curve here. In particular, younger players may find it difficult to adjust to this model's wider neck and heavier weight.
Experienced bass players can better take advantage of this system, navigating the 5-string notes with more ease. Some experience is also required to better utilize the impressive tonal adjustments and sounds this machine is capable of playing.
Comparison Overview
Other bass guitar models on the market compare to the specs found on the SR405EQM:
Ibanez SR405EQM vs Ibanez SR505
The SR505 draws a lot of similarities to the SR405EQM, but there are a few key differences that set these models apart.
The most notable difference between these two models comes in their body build. If you’re not a fan of the Dragon Eye Burst coloring on the SR405EQM, you may prefer the Brown Mahogany and Sapphire Blue color offerings available on the SR505.
These bass guitars have the Ibanez Accu-cast B305 pickups, but the SR505 features a different pickup. Rather than the Dual Coil pickups found on the SR405EQM, here you’ll find MK-1 soap bars from Bartolini. This is a more universal pickup offering found on bass guitars.
Ibanez SR405EQM vs ESP 205
The ESP 205 is another 5-string bass guitar that offers some good competition to the SR405EQM.
The ESP 205 comes at a much higher price than the SR405EQM, but with it comes some impressive hardware. This is a maple bodied guitar with black nickel hardware and features ESP SB-5 pickups.
The ESP also comes in a natural satinwood grain finish and the much sought after black satin favored by many players for its unique look. You may get more longevity out of the pricer ESP, but the SR405EQM still holds its own here with similar specs and a lower price range.
Conclusion
If you want to buy your first 5-string bass guitar, you won’t be disappointed by the SR405EQM. Here you’re getting a good build and some great tonal control at a price point that’s nothing short of approachable. This is definitely one of the better builds in this price range on the market today.
People Also Ask
Here are some of the most common questions players have regarding the Ibanez SR405EQM:
Is the Ibanez SR405EQM Hard to Play?
If you are unfamiliar with 5-string bass guitars, you’ll encounter a bit of a learning curve with this Ibanez model. However, once you get into the swing of things, this guitar can be a joy to play. With great control over your tone, a comfortable neck, and balanced weight, you’ll have a fun time as you play.
How to Care For an Ibanez SR405EQM
Your bass guitar can last a lifetime when you take the care it needs! Be sure to clean your bass guitar at least every ninety days. With this cleaning, take off your strings, wipe them down, clean and oil the frets, and do your best to clean the bridge and pickups. Finishing it off with a good body polish will keep your bass looking pristine.
How to Date an Ibanez SR405EQM
If you want to figure out the date for your Ibanez SR405EQM, you’ll need to locate its serial number. All Ibanez models have a serial number branded on the body that will tell you its build date, where it was manufactured, and even the specific factory it hails from. You can often find them on the headstock or neck plate.
Who Plays an Ibanez SR405EQM?
The Ibanez SR model has been a much-beloved bass guitar for many legendary musicians. Though we can’t speak to the SR405EQM model specifically, we can name a few icons who have enjoyed using their Ibanez SR bass models. These include Sodom bassist Tom Angelripper, Suicidal Tendencies bassist Stephen Bruner, and Testament bassist Greg Christian.
How to Adjust the Truss Rod on the Ibanez SR405EQM
If you’re having bowing issues due to high tension, adjusting the Truss Rod may be needed. To do this, you’ll need to loosen all your strings and remove them by pulling them through the bridge at the bottom. You’ll then thread new strings into your guitar, feeding them through the bridge to the string tree on the headstock, and tighten to your desired tension.
