Although the SR1200E is not the top of the range, a zone reserved for Ibanez’s Prestige models, it is apparent that this bass is a definite step up. With fancy timbers, an extensive electronics package and the winning SR bass formula, how can this instrument possibly go wrong?
BUILD QUALITY
The sleek Ibanez Soundgear body now feels even more slimline and organic than before, and the bass looks well constructed, with some very classy visuals. Its warm, natural look works very well with the gold and black hardware combination and the curved body feels well finished and rounded across the whole shape. The natural grain is extremely smooth and the figuring on the ovangkol top is quite something.
The slim body horns add to the comfort of the bass, offering ideal access to the upper frets, and although the SR range is known for lightweight bodyshapes, the positive point is that this bass is an ideal weight and balances very well on and off a strap. The slim, reduced neck profile is a real bonus and the 37mm nut width draws comparisons with a Jazz bass in terms of profile, accessibility and playability.
Some players may find the string spacing a little tight around the nut, but it does add to the comfort and playability of the overall package and the neck widens slightly as it reaches the body. The neck is reinforced with tone-resonant titanium to add stiffness and stability and in terms of resonance, despite being a bolt-on design compared to a through-neck, the neck matches the body in its organically rich tone.
The neck joint is tight with no discernible gaps, and the set-up is seriously top-notch with no sharp frets in evidence, a really comfortable string action courtesy of fresh Elixir strings and a high degree of overall finishing throughout. The headstock is the customary SR range shape, slimline but effective, and is fitted with gold Gotoh tuners which operate very smoothly.
The rosewood fingerboard has been fitted with oval abalone position markers and white side dot markers, while the gold Mono-Rail IV bridge allows action and intonation adjustments to be made. Each saddle can be locked in position for maximum harmonic performance and tone transference. The black plastic controls consist of volume, pickup pan, a three-band EQ, an EQ bypass switch and a mid-toggle switch to select mid frequencies at 250 or 600Hz.
Nordstrand ‘Big Single’ pickups have been used in a soapbar format, but with the tonal delivery of a powerful single-coil pickup in each position. The control cavity is impressively neat and tidy, being well shielded with all the cables tied back. A nice touch is the very handy penknife-like tool that houses all of the allen keys, screw- drivers and gauges needed to set up the bass.
PLAYABILITY AND SOUNDS
Ibanez has definitely gone to town with this bass: the resulting instrument is a real joy to play. Everything about it feels and looks as though time and care have been taken to produce an instrument that will please the buyer from the day of purchase.
The design, execution and resulting bass are a winning formula and at this price, it could definitely give some higher-priced basses a serious run for their money. Players who like a bulkier instrument may comment that this bass doesn’t feel substantial enough in their hands, but with playability like this, why complain?
Obviously, the tonal performance is a matter of taste, so we recommend you try this bass before handing over your cash, as the tonal make-up of the SR1200E may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you are after a warm, vintage tone you won’t get it with this bass.
However, Ibanez have produced a very impressive bass that balances very well, plays remarkably easily and has more than enough tonal options. With the included toolkit and gigbag/gigcase, many a player may be enticed to give this bass a test-drive of their own.
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