I had an Ibanez GSR200 bass for something like 15 years. Paid $100 for it brand new, with a HSC at a GC in Phoenix in the early 00s. Loved it, was always floored at how nice it played and sounded for a cheap, entry-level bass. Had pro bass player friends play it and they said the same thing.

Then I decided I wanted a 5 string bass and GC took the GSR200 in trade (gave me more than I paid for it) and I got a Fender 5-string... (big mistake!) one of those "metal" ones they put out in the 90s - I don't remember the model number. I have a buddy who has one and it's amazing. The one I got, however, was a total pile of junk - warped neck, among other issues - just a poorly cared for bass. So, I sold it.

Then I got my Ibanez SR305 a few years ago for Christmas from my awesome bride. Loved it too, and it had a huge sound to it.

Then, I inherited Moose's EXB445 last fall, which I also love and will never sell - it is, however, a 27-year old bass with 27-years of fret wear and such.

Not long after that, I sold the SR305 to help fund my Jackson Pro H7, but now I'm thinking I want another 4-string. Preferably one with a different pickup configuration. The EXB has 2 Js in it and I don't quite get the fat tone I was getting with the 305 or even the GSR200.
Wanting a 4-string doesn't so much have to do with the tone, but more a desire for variety. But, in the end, I want a fatter tone I'm not quite getting with the EXB. And, having something brand new has the appeal of being able to take better care of it than whomever owned that Fender HM and whomever had Moose's bass when it was stolen.
That got me looking at grabbing another GSR200, but reviews of newer ones are hit and miss. Maybe I get one as nice as I had, maybe I get one that's typical current Ibanez entry level quality (i.e. teh suck)
? None of the fiddle stores around here have them in stock, either, so it's not like I can go play one and choose the best of the bunch.
Spent the last few days pouring through all sorts of list articles and YT vids on best cheap basses and have landed on either another GSR200, a Jackson JS Spectra or a Yamaha TRBX...

Before I go that route, would simply buying better pickups for the EXB445 make a big difference in tone? Or, do I really need something with either a P pup or humbuckers to fatten up the bottom end? Always loved the sound of 1/4 pounders, but not sure they're a huge improvement over what's in the Ibby stock... And, honestly, for the price of those, I could buy another GSR200...
One of the common denominators in the two Ibbys I loved tonally was the active bass boost they had. Since I no longer have them to make a clinical comparison, I don't know for sure that was it, but I do remember using it a lot.
#AnalysisParalysis...


Then I decided I wanted a 5 string bass and GC took the GSR200 in trade (gave me more than I paid for it) and I got a Fender 5-string... (big mistake!) one of those "metal" ones they put out in the 90s - I don't remember the model number. I have a buddy who has one and it's amazing. The one I got, however, was a total pile of junk - warped neck, among other issues - just a poorly cared for bass. So, I sold it.

Then I got my Ibanez SR305 a few years ago for Christmas from my awesome bride. Loved it too, and it had a huge sound to it.

Then, I inherited Moose's EXB445 last fall, which I also love and will never sell - it is, however, a 27-year old bass with 27-years of fret wear and such.

Not long after that, I sold the SR305 to help fund my Jackson Pro H7, but now I'm thinking I want another 4-string. Preferably one with a different pickup configuration. The EXB has 2 Js in it and I don't quite get the fat tone I was getting with the 305 or even the GSR200.
Wanting a 4-string doesn't so much have to do with the tone, but more a desire for variety. But, in the end, I want a fatter tone I'm not quite getting with the EXB. And, having something brand new has the appeal of being able to take better care of it than whomever owned that Fender HM and whomever had Moose's bass when it was stolen.
That got me looking at grabbing another GSR200, but reviews of newer ones are hit and miss. Maybe I get one as nice as I had, maybe I get one that's typical current Ibanez entry level quality (i.e. teh suck)

Spent the last few days pouring through all sorts of list articles and YT vids on best cheap basses and have landed on either another GSR200, a Jackson JS Spectra or a Yamaha TRBX...

Before I go that route, would simply buying better pickups for the EXB445 make a big difference in tone? Or, do I really need something with either a P pup or humbuckers to fatten up the bottom end? Always loved the sound of 1/4 pounders, but not sure they're a huge improvement over what's in the Ibby stock... And, honestly, for the price of those, I could buy another GSR200...
One of the common denominators in the two Ibbys I loved tonally was the active bass boost they had. Since I no longer have them to make a clinical comparison, I don't know for sure that was it, but I do remember using it a lot.
#AnalysisParalysis...

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