Ibanez SR4000E Prestige Bass Guitar  

I bought my SR4000E, in the Transparent Black, this past July 2011 and I'm still blown away at how ideal of a bass it is.  I played a P bass I bought new in '68 and always liked the warm, smooth tone it delivered but I was limited on the bright, crisp tones in the Mid & Upper registers which some genres and tunes call for.  With this SR I can dial up ANY tone I want; active Bartolini Pickups and EQ give almost unlimited tone control.  Since it comes standard with the Elixir roundwounds, and the Black Tusk Mono-Rail IV bridge with locking saddles on each string, the first thing I noticed was the incredible sustain no matter where I am on the neck.  The rock solid Mahogony body contributes to the sustain as well.

Speaking of this SR's neck, another reason I decided on it was how narrow at the nut and how thin all the way up to the last fret it is.  The playability is wonderful, especially since my hands aren't the largest nor my fingers the longest.  So, sometimes on my P Bass, that was a challenge on high speed demanding songs. At the end of a 4-6 hour rehearsal or recording session, I could feel the extra demands on my fretting hand/arm. Not so with this SR.  I also use a 5" wide leather strap that adds to the comfort level.

This SR is truly a precision Japanese instrument in everyway and I am glad I did my research and got the Bass I can enjoy for the rest of my life.  No, I'm not paid by Ibanez or Musician's Friend to sing this SR's praises, just a fellow bassist who appreciates honest feedback from other's who own and use these products so we can make a more informed decision based on experience, not just theory.

Lastly, back in the late 60's and early 70's, I ran my P Bass through an Acoustic 360 "monster" that would peel the paint off the walls.  Now, I use a GK MB210 Ultralite with a 410 Extension Cab.  All of it fits in the back seat of my Hyundai Sonata; that's a welcomed change and my back loves it too.

All the features offered on this instruments give the musician the flexibility to play any genre of music.

Solid mohagony body, 5 piece Bubinga/Wenge neck with wenge fretboard.  Top quality materials such as Gotoh tuners, Bartolini pickups and EQ system make this instrument stand out.

Prices have risen in 2011 for this model but I still think it's a good value for the money.

Really the pinnacle of bass guitars unless you want a boutique instrument and pay thousands more.  The craftsmanship, tone, feel and playability of Ibanez SR 4000 truly distinguish it from other bass models who try to convince you their product is equal.  It's like driving a Yugo and then a Lexus.  Play one and I think you'll agree that the SR4000 prestige is a top-notch instrument for the discriminating musician.