Have you considered getting either of the Ibanez SR300 or the SR400? Perhaps you are caught in between the two options and can’t seem to find which of these guitars is best. Understanding this, therefore, we have compiled a thorough comparison review of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400.
Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 – Comparison Overview
No time to stay around for the long review of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400? Get the summarized version here.
Rating Of Features In General Of The Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400
First off, we must admit here that both guitars are really good guitars. Ibanez is one of the most popular guitar makers in the world, and for all the right reasons. Their guitars are affordable but not at the expense of performance.
Now both guitars are great, expectedly. They also work for heavy metal music in particular as well as hard rock too. That’s not to say though that they don’t work for other kinds of music though. These are pretty versatile guitars as we found from our review.
Okay for features, the SR400 definitely beats the SR300 and that’s for one major reason – the body. There’s no way agathis can stand up to maple or mahogany in any competition. Agathis is just not that great.
It does sound close to mahogany but not the good kind of close where you can use agathis as a substitute for mahogany. You can’t.
It just sounds like the poorer version of mahogany, really. Some people, however, might say it’s not bad, just different.
Maple, on the other hand, is harder so the sound is much brighter, bolder, and with a bigger punch. So, generally, more people would tend towards the SR400 for its maple body. But then again, from customers’ reviews online, the general observation is mostly good, agathis body and all.
Which leads us to the electronics. There are different electronics used for both of these guitars but they revolve around the CAP EXF-N2, PowerSpan dual coils, and IBZ DX. Of course they come in pairs – one for the neck and the other for the bridge. And generally, they work good.
Lastly, in looks, these guys are killing it. They are really attractive guitars.
Are The Ibanez SR300 And SR400 Overpriced?
The Ibanez SR300 and SR400 are both well-priced guitars. They look good, super high end, and well-constructed. When you touch them, you can feel that sleekness that tells you that a high level of quality went into the construction of these guitars.
Also, as for features, the guitars sound great and come with excellent pickups. Plus, they’ve been known to be super durable. So, whatever investment you’ll be making would definitely be worth the money.
There’s hardly anything you need in a guitar that you won’t get in either of these guitars. Well, save your unique tastes and wants, these guitars are actually great the way they are.
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR500 – Comparison of Major Specs And Features
Ibanez SR300 |
Ibanez SR400 |
| Double cutaway body construction | Double cutaway body construction |
| Agathis body | Maple body |
| 5-piece maple bolt-on neck | Maple neck |
| Rosewood fingerboard (maple fretboard for 300M) | Rosewood fingerboard |
| 34 inch scale | 34 inch scale |
| 24 medium frets | 24 medium frets |
| Accu-Cast B100 Bridge | Accu-Cast B20 Bridge |
| CAP EXF-N2 Humbucking Neck Pickup | IBZ DX-P Neck pickup |
| CAP EXF-N2 Humbucking Bridge Pickup | IBZ-DX-J Bridge Pickup |
| 12 inch fingerboard radius | 12 inch fingerboard radius |
| 1.50 inch nut width | 1.50 inch nut width |
| 4 strings (5- and 6-string models also available) | 4 strings (5- and 6-string models also available) |
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – What Situation Is Each Guitar?
Ibanez SR300 |
Ibanez SR400 |
| The Ibanez SR300 is a guitar for beginning as well as intermediate bass guitarists. The features on here are typical of a beginner guitar except for the performance which is out of this world. Besides, it also comes really affordable which is great for the budget of the average beginner. Plus, you also find that the SR300 comes with a slim neck. A slim neck makes it really easy, not to forget fast, for you to play your guitar. It’s also really great for the beginner and easier for them to adapt while learning to play. Furthermore, like you’d discover from research and experience, Ibanez guitars are known to be especially great for metal music. However, we’re really impressed by how this guitar, and indeed Ibanez guitars still manage to remain pretty versatile despite how metal-focused they are. Now that said, the SR300 comes with an agathis body which many criticize for its sound. Truth is agathis isn’t the best sound you’d find in the market. It kinda sounds like mahogany but not exactly. Sounds more like a lower end version. So, it does not pack all that punch and low end growl that harder mahogany has. Ibanez guitar electronics are usually fantastic and this also goes for all the electronics of the SR300 (there are several models of the SR300, by the way). They are pretty good, and especially in the case of the PowerSpan dual coils, they are good enough to make your agathis body sound really good. | The Ibanez SR400 is pretty similar to the SR300. The only difference between both guitars is that the SR400 comes with a maple body rather than agathis. So, since the same things apply to both guitars, we will now head on to talk about the only difference between both guitars and that is the maple body. A maple body is obviously much better than agathis. In the first place, maple is heavier than agathis and harder too. So, naturally, it gives a brighter sound and also a higher level of bite than an agathis body. So, that’s all here. The SR400 is also great for metal as well as other kinds of music. Plus, its electronics and pickups are really good. They are humbuckers and are excellent for cutting through a mix and also for recording and live playing as well. |
What Features Do The Ibanez SR300 And The SR400 Have In Common?
Both of these guitar series are made with maple bolt-on necks.
They’re both made with a double-cutaway body construction.
They both come with Rosewood fingerboards.
They’re equipped with 34-inch scale lengths with a 12-inch fretboard radius and 24 medium frets.
These guitars are available in 4,5, and 6 string models.
If you’re a lefty, both of these series cater to your needs with a left-handed version.
Maple Necks
First feature, maple necks. Both the Ibanez SR300 and the SR400 have maple necks and this translates to a lot of things.
First off, you probably already know that maple is a pretty heavy and dense wood. This means that it naturally makes your guitar somewhat heavy. It’s even somewhat worse for the SR400 which also comes with a maple body.
However, Ibanez already sorted that problem for us. These guitars are impressively lightweight for their maple necks, especially the SR400. We guess the double cutaway body construction has something to do with that. We explain that in the next section.
That said, let’s get to the sound of the necks. Maple is hard wood and normally with guitar tonewoods, the harder the wood, the brighter the sound. The same is the case here as a maple neck gives both guitars a pretty bright sound.
With maple, your high frequencies as well as upper mids are well pronounced in addition to the bass frequencies.
Lastly, maple necks are really durable because they are naturally hard and solid. Add this to the fact the necks are bolt-on necks and you can see how this guitar neck would last you really long. You can literally have this guitar for years and it would still be in tip-top condition.
Double Cutaway Body Construction
A double cutaway construction has two major benefits which are not necessarily linked to performance but are linked to ergonomics instead. So, here’s the deal…
With a double cutaway construction, you’d require less wood to make the body of the guitar. This, therefore, means that the guitar won’t be as heavy as if it was a single cut away.
A more important benefit though is that a double cut way construction makes your guitar more ergonomically friendly. So, you now have grooves and contours where your hands can rest while you play.
This feature becomes especially important when you have to play for extended periods at a time. And for the beginners who might have to put in hours of practice at a time while learning, a double cutaway body is super important and beneficial.
Rosewood Fingerboards
Rosewood is commonly used as a guitar fretboard material for many reasons. Its denseness, its greasiness, and its sound. Let’s see how each part comes to play in making rosewood a great fretboard material.
First, the denseness… your fingerboard is that part of the guitar you naturally interact with the most. This means that if it’s prone to getting damaged faster than other parts of your guitar with constant use.
Thankfully, rosewood is pretty hard and about medium weight. So, it isn’t prone to getting damaged so easily. It lasts really long and requires little maintenance.
Furthermore, rosewood is greasy. That is, it produces oils naturally which means that you won’t need to use any finish on the fingerboard. You would, however, have to ensure that you condition regularly so that you can ensure that your fretboard is always in the best of conditions.
Finally, the rosewood fingerboard is another reason these Ibanez guitars are versatile. With its deeper and fuller notes, rosewood produces guitars that are great for jazz and shred.
34 Inch Scale Lengths
A 34 inch scale is known as a long scale in guitar parlance. Long scale does not necessarily mean that your bass will come with an extraordinarily long neck length.
A 34 inch scale is actually the average scale length you find for any random bass guitar. So, as long as you’re an average sized adult, a 34 inch scale would not be too long for you. Besides, a 34 inch long scale is perfect for a 4-stringed guitar.
If you’re buying for a child though, our advice would be to go for different guitars altogether. That is, something with a scale shorter than 34 inches.
Bolt-On Necks
A bolt-on neck is one of the several kinds of necks a bass guitar can have. It’s not the best though, that would have to be the through-neck. However, bolt-on necks do have their benefits.
In the first place, bolt-on necks are stable. They are not easily prone to damage and they are also really easy to install and take out. Why? Because the neck is screwed on to the body of the guitar. This, therefore means that you only need to unscrew and re-screw to replace a faulty guitar neck.
Besides that, bolt-on necks actually add to the sound of your guitar. They have been known to bring a significant level of bite and attack to your guitar’s tone which is one of the reasons they are commonly used.
Lastly, bolt-on necks are inexpensive to install. And, naturally, inexpensive production costs will definitely translate to a less expensive product. Through-necks, on the other hand, are more costly to install, and are therefore only found on pretty high-end guitars.
24 Medium Frets
Both guitars come with 24 medium frets. But why is this important?
Well, the more frets you have, the more notes you have on your strings. Solo players especially are going to love this feature.
Although you really won’t even ever have to get to the 24th fret, it’s still great to get enough space along the upper frets for your fingers while you play.
12 Inch Fretboard Radii
A 12 inch fretboard radius makes a somewhat flat fretboard which has its pros and its cons.
On the one hand, it’s great for playing lead and also works for those times you need to achieve a really large bend. The flatter the fretboard, of course, the easier it is to achieve both these things.
But why exactly is this? Well, it is because a flatter fretboard means that the string height is shorter. This ultimately makes it easier for you to depress your strings, making solos and bends easier. This is a benefit that really goes well with heavy metal music.
On the other hand though, a flatter fretboard makes it really tough to play barre chords. You’d need a rounder fretboard which means a smaller fretboard radius.
Number Of Strings – 4, 5, And 6 Strings Available
This review is on the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 which are actually 4-stinged bass guitars. So, let’s talk a bit about that.
4-stringed bass guitars are the basic and also the most common types of bass guitars you’d find. They are enough for the average bass guitarist and there are even bassists who never use more than the 4-stringed bass guitar.
As a beginner, a 4-stringed guitar should be your first bass guitar. It’s easier to learn with especially if you have no prior history with guitars. 4-stringed bass guitars will make your guitar easier to learn and practice with.
That said, besides the 4-stringed, the SR300 and SR400 also have 5-, and 6-stringed models as well. These are models usually requested for by expert bassists who are looking to explore.
With the 5-stringed guitar, you get an extra string which is the lower B. This makes it possible for you to achieve even more bass with your bass guitar with altered tunings or an effects pedal.
Lastly, you have the 6-stringed model. Of course, as you can tell, that means more bass for you. Again, this might not be the beginner’s first choice. However, it’s actually quite easy to play, especially if you play a regular guitar.
Before we go though, one more thing… The 6-string bass guitars usually come with a flatter fretboard at 15.75 inches. Of course, we already know what that translates to. And if you need a refresher, check out the sub where we talked about fretboard radii.
Left Handed Bass Guitar Model
Another point of similarity between the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 is that they both come in a lefty version. These lefty versions share the same features as their parent guitar, that is, the SR300 and SR400, respectively.
However, they both only feature just 4 strings. That is, there are no 5-or 6-string variants of the left-handed SR300 and SR400.
The sad thing about the SR300L and SR400L though is that they are no longer available. Sure that’s a bummer for lefties, and if you’re one, consider getting something else from Ibanez instead.
Ibanez SR300 Vs Sr400 – Features Unique To Each Guitar
Features Unique To The Ibanez SR300
The Ibanez SR300 comes with an Agathis body.
It is equipped with the CAP EFX-N2 Pickups. with a 3-Band Style Sweeper EQ.
Agathis Body
The Ibanez SR300 has an agathis body except for the SR300E which comes with a mahogany body. We will discuss that later though. Anyway, the SR300 has an agathis body which we have to admit that not many people are pleased with.
Well, here’s the lowdown on agathis. Agathis actually does sound closer to mahogany than any other kinds of tonewoods hard as it may be to believe.
Of course, it does not sound as high-end as mahogany, sounds more like a poorer version but it does.
Agathis is usually found on budget guitars because it is not as expensive as mahogany. So, it’s no surprise that it is found on the SR300. The SR300 is a budget guitar as we mentioned earlier.
We noticed that a few people were bothered that an agathis body doesn’t produce a sound powerful enough to cut through a mix. Well, while that might be true, it’s also true that that’s the reason for your EQ. We will discuss that in a bit.
However, we will mention here that most users were impressed with the sound of the Ibanez SR300 – agathis body or not. Probably thanks to the electronics which we are going to be discussing next.
CAP EFX-N2 Pickups
The CAF EFX-N2 pickups are the pickups used on the Ibanez SR300. Some people say they don’t sound any different from Bartolini MK-1s. Bartolini MK-1s are found on the more expensive SR500 and are supposed to be an upgrade to the pickups on lower end guitars.
Alright, here’s all you need to know about the CAP EFX-N2s. they are humbuckers just like the Bartolini pickups we mentioned in the last paragraph. They are considered better than single coils by many because of their hum cancellation ability.
Thanks to this hum cancellation ability plus their darker and thicker sound, humbuckers are great pickup choices for music genres such as metal, heavy metal, or hard rock. Also, the fact that they compete favorably with the MK-1s means that they are pretty good stuff too.
Following the normal standards, these pickups come in a pair. There’s one for the bridge and another for the neck. To fully understand the import of this fact, you might want to check out this article we did a while back. It should help you understand the situation of things better.
3-Band Style Sweeper EQ
The CAP EFX-N2 is paired with the 3-band Style Sweeper EQ. this EQ system is an active circuit which does a wonderful job sharpening your tone.
It is especially great at scooping your mids clearly. Thus, this makes the pickup great for slapping styles while delivering a powerful, low-end rumble.
The system is pretty easy to use and allows you select from an array of beautiful tones pretty easily. All the tones are already equalized, so it makes your choice really easy. You can switch from a modern to a classic sound in a bit and all that without fiddling too much.
In function, this EQ system comes with a rear tone knob that functions as a multi-tone knob (2 knobs in one). It takes a little getting used to to understand how to use the knob. But with time, you’ll be able to use this quite easily.
Paired with the right amp, this pickup allows you enjoy a great level of versatility with your guitar thanks to its plethora of sounds. You’ll be able to play to all kinds of music genres from metal to funk to rock.
Several Models Of The Ibanez SR300 Available
The Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 is still on and this time, we want to take a look at the different models the SR300 comes in. Trust us when we say there are several of them. And, of course, you can count on us to give you our opinion on each of them.
Ibanez SR300M
This has the suffix “M” to signify the maple fretboard it has rather than the rosewood fretboard the SR300 usually comes with. Besides that though, every other feature of the SR300M is exactly the same as its rosewood fingerboard variant.
Alright, let’s get to what maple brings to the table that’s different from rosewood. Well, in the first place, maple is hard wood, so it’s brighter. Rosewood, on the other hand, is softer and less dense which makes its sound mellower and darker.
So, in other words, the SR300M packs a punchier tone and brighter sound than rosewood. It also has a higher level of clarity than rosewood. Watch this video and spot the difference between both fretboards.
By the way, the SR300M has been discontinued.
Ibanez SR300DX
The “DX” suffix this time represents “Deluxe.” This might make you think that it is a newer model than the SR300. However, it is not.
The Deluxe version is actually an older model than the SR300. It shares a lot in common with the SR300 but also differs in a few areas.
Alright, let’s point out the similarities here. Both guitars feature an agathis body, a maple neck, and 24 medium frets.
On the other hand, though, the SR300DX comes with a rosewood neck rather than maple.
We discussed rosewood in the section on similar features, although we discussed it in the light of “fingerboards.”
Still on the neck, although slim like that of the SR300, it’s a 3-piece neck rather than a 5-piece like the SR500.
And finally, another difference (besides the pickups on each guitar) is that the SR300DX comes in a 4-, and 5-string model only. It doesn’t have a 6-string variant like the SR300 and SR400.
Note though that right now, only the 4-stringed and 5-stringed models are available.
Now, let’s delve into the main difference between the two guitars – their electronics.
IBZ DX Pickups – Split And Single-Coil Dynamix Pickups
As usual, these come as a pair – one for the bridge and the other for the neck. These pickups are good and the user feedback concerning them are also glowing. Even with the 2-band EQ, the pickups are really impressive.
These pickups are pretty versatile in their sound. So, with them, the SR300DX can sound lovely for metal, the same way they’d sound great for rock or other styles of music. Plus, the knob makes it really easy for you to switch your style on the spur of the moment.
It might take some getting used to working with the knob of the EQ system, though.
Furthermore, the electronics here are an active circuitry called “Phat”. This Phat functions just as you might think it does. It makes your guitar’s tone fatter by balancing the highs and the lows in your gutiar’s tones.
This Phat control helps your guitar to produce that heavy low B sound. Your chest would practically rumble. Plus, it’s already distorted, so, there’s no need to get a distortion pedal.
Ibanez SR300E
The SR300E is an upgrade to the SR300 especially in the aspect of the electronics.
For one, the body is mahogany which is a better tonewood than agathis. Remember we said that agathis is a mahogany wannabe. Now, the SR300E gives you the real deal. The body of the guitar gives you a real warm sound with a tone that packs a punch too.
Let’s see the areas where it shares similarities with the SR300. First, it has a maple neck too, with a rosewood fingerboard and 24 medium frets and a double cutaway construction.
The Ibanez SR300 also offers 4-, 5-, and 6-string models as well. And all of them are available for purchase.
Now, let’s look at the electronics of the SR300E…
PowerSpan Dual Coils
The PowerSpan dual coils are excellent humbuckers which give your guitar’s tone a lot of power. It comes with stainless steel poles which improve the output of your pickups. So, they sound much clearer and fuller with a more encompassing sound.
Of course, it comes as a pair with one for the neck and the other for the bridge.
What’s more? The pickup comes with a control called the “Power Tap Switch”. By toggling this switch, you’ll be able to easily transition from one mode to another.
There’s the “Normal Tap” for the single coil mode, “Series Tap” for the humbucking mode, and the “Power Tap” for the normal mode with an emphasized lower end.
But why would you need a single coil when you have humbuckers, right? Well, don’t forget that single coils have an expressiveness and better bite and attack than humbuckers. They also sound crisper.
Furthermore, although the humbucker has the darker, thicker sound suited for metal and hard rock, the single coil is better for country music. Therefore, since you have access to both types of pickups, you can switch your styles easily. All you need to do is to tap once!
Lastly, this pickup also comes with a 3-band EQ and a passive circuit. So, it’s quite versatile and will not require batteries to work.
Ibanez SR300EB
The SR300E and SR300EB are pretty much the same except that it comes with black hardware. The SR300E, on the other hand, comes with chrome hardware. Yes, the “B” stands for Black.
It comes with 4-, 5-, and 6-string models.
And this ends our section the features unique to the SR300 on the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 comparison. Let’s get to the next section.
Features Unique To The Ibanez SR400
The guitars in this series are made with Maple tonewood.
They all come with IBZ pickups.
Maple Body
Still on the comparison between the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400, we will now go into features unique to the SR400. First up, we look at its maple body which is different from the agathis body of the SR300.
Maple is a hard, dense wood with a bright, punchy tone that’s beautiful and percussive. It also pronounces all the frequencies of your sound really articulately. The high ends and upper mids are really clear so you always sound clear and your sound easily cuts through any mix.
Of course, your bass frequencies also come out quite punchy and the sustain it produces is also pretty impressive too. The waves in the wood also make maple quite stiff. This stiffness is what makes maple vibrate really nicely and more freely which is good for your sound and tone.
In addition to that, maple is pretty attractive with its grains. The aesthetics of a maple bodied guitar is simply breathtaking and will always leave you awed every single time.
IBZ Pickups
The Ibanez SR400 comes with the same pickups as those of the SR300DX – IBZ DX. We’ve already discussed this so we won’t go back to it. Just check that section to get the information on these pickups if you need a refresher.
Several Models Available
Ibanez SR400QM
The Ibanez SR400 has several models available and the first one we’ll be looking at will be the SR400QM. “QM” stands for “Quilted Maple.” So, as you can deduce, the SR400QM comes with a quilted maple top.
Now, the SR400QM comes with a couple of similarities and differences it shares with the SR400. For the similarities, the SR400 has a rosewood fretboard with 24 medium frets, and a 12 inch fretboard radius.
For the differences though, the SR400QM comes with a mahogany body. Mahogany tends to give a warmer sound than maple. So, the SR400 sounds brighter than its quilted counterpart, although the presence of the quilted maple top over the mahogany body definitely brightens the tone a little bit.
Furthermore, the SR400QM uses black hardware with the same pickups as the SR300, the CAP EXF-N2 pickups. So you can read our section on that to get the information you need. If you read that already though, then stay with us as we continue comparing the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400.
Ibanez SR400EQM – With PowerSpan Dual Coils
The Ibanez SR400EQM is pretty much the same as the SR400QM. However, just like the SR300E is an upgrade to the SR300, the SR400EQM is also the upgrade to the SR400QM. In fact, both situations are pretty similar.
The major upgrades to the SR400EQM are the same as those as on the SR300E. The SR400EQM comes with a mahogany body, a quilted maple top, as well as the PowerSpan Dual Coils. And these exact upgrades also apply to the SR300E.
Now, we already discussed these individual features before(mahogany body, PowerSpan dual coils) we won’t go over those now for lack of time. But you’ve got all the information you need either way. So, you have enough resources to make your decision.
By the way, it comes in the 4-string and 5-string version.
Ibanez SR400FL – Fretless Version
Alright, it’s time to give a little bit of an education in this section of our comparison review of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400. Some people might wonder why anyone would choose a fretless guitar over a fretted one since it’s comparatively more difficult. Well, fretless bass guitars do have their pros.
For one, with a fretless bass, you’re in total control of your tone since there are no frets to hinder the vibration. You fingers call the shots, determining vibration and pitch.
Also, it’s easier for you to remain in tune during a live performance. You can easily fix any tune issue mid-performance by simply sliding your fingers a little since you’re no longer limited by the tones set in stone by frets.
Sliding harmonics too! Sliding harmonics help you create those unique notes in the upper register of the bass easily. And you can only do that with a fretless guitar.
Lastly, fretless guitar don’t demand as much energy to depress the strings when compared to fretless basses. So you save energy during practice
All that said, it’s important to point out here that most of these benefits can only be harnessed by an expert player. It’s always best and easier for a beginner to start out on the guitar using a fretted bass. Otherwise, it could quickly get discouraging.
The SR400Fl shares the same features as the SR400 except that it is fretless. It is no longer available, though.
Why The Ibanez SR400 Is Simply The Better Of The Two
The SR400 series is made with Maple, unlike the SR300 that’s made with Agathis. Maple has a brighter sounding bass than agathis and is generally considered a better quality tonewood than agathis.
However, one of the guitars in the series, the SR400QM, comes with a mahogany body. But even that still comes with a quilted maple top that makes it better than every guitar in the SR300 series.
Finally, the SR400 is available in a fretless version. You don’t get this option with the SR300.
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – Unique Cons
Ibanez SR300
- Agathis body isn’t considered a quality wood choice for most guitarists and it doesn’t sound as good as maple or mahogany. There’s the SR300E though which comes with a mahogany body.
Ibanez SR400
The Ibanez SR400 has no unique con.
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Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – Pros Common To Both Guitars
Next section of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 review leads us to the common pros both guitars share. Let’s check them out in the table below.
Ibanez SR300 |
Ibanez SR400 |
| This guitar comes very decently priced especially for the kind of performance it delivers. Even its agathis body wasn’t enough to really hamper the sound of the guitar badly. | This guitar is also decently priced as well. Ibanez has been known to make some of the best guitars for the money, after all. This guitar could easily compete with the Fenders and Gibsons and yet isn’t so high end that it’s out of reach for the beginner. |
| The SR300 is ergonomic and lightweight since it comes with a double cutaway construction. This makes the guitar really comfortable and convenient to hold especially for long periods at a time. Plus, an agathis body would make your guitar pretty lightweight. | The SR400 is also lightweight which is pretty impressive for a maple bodied guitar. Once again, Ibanez has, amazingly, made a guitar that’s lightweight irrespective of a heavy, dense tonewood on the body of the guitar. |
| All the models of the SR300 come with really amazing pickups. The PowerSpan dual coils, especially are really good quality. The sound is good and the three modes are quite fantastic as well. | The SR400 also shares this same pro. Actually both guitars and their variants basically share the same pickups. |
| This guitar as well as its different variants come with 4-, 5-, and 6-string models. Well, there might be one or two models without a 6-string but we already mentioned that. | This also applies to the SR400 |
| Slim neck profile makes this guitar really easy and comfortable to play. Plus, it’s also great for beginners still learning to play the bass. A slim neck means a fast neck which you’d enjoy when you have to play. | This also applies to the SR400 |
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – Cons Common To Both Guitars
We’re slowly reaching the end of this review of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 and now we discuss what cons both guitars share.
Ibanez SR300 |
Ibanez SR400 |
| There’s only one small con this guitar has which pertains to the neck of the guitar. Although slim and fast, it might become a little too narrow for a 6-stringed guitar which might make it a little difficult to play especially for the beginner. | Also applies to the SR400. |
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – General Feeling Among Customers
Here’s a brief summary of customer’s opinion on the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 debate.
Ibanez SR300 |
Ibanez SR400 |
| The Ibanez SR300 is a popular guitar among customers. That comes as no surprise as Ibanez is a pretty popular guitar brand in the market and for all the right reasons too. Many have come to learn that they can depend on Ibanez for budget friendly guitars that do not sound like budget friendly guitars. This fantastic, inexpensive piece blew many people’s minds for several reasons. It does come as a small surprise seeing that an agathis body isn’t exactly the most highly recommended guitar body in the market. What’s not surprising though is that the agathis body was not an instant hit for many customers. Although some came to like the guitar better with time, we’d be lying to say that there weren’t any complaints because there were a number of them. Fortunately, the pickups made up for all of that. Even the 2-band active pickup didn’t turn out so badly. The PowerSpan dual coils were definitely a hit though. So, overall? Positive reviews all around! | Mostly four and five star reviews for the SR400. So, it’s mostly praise for this guitar. From price to value to the features and performance, the SR400 really impressed most of its users. Many said they loved the looks of the guitar as well, not just the sound. As you know, looks matter as much as sound. Okay, maybe not as much but they do matter. No one wants to play an ugly guitar, right? And then it looks and feels really sleek, some might even say sexy. All these add up to make the guitar really attractive to many bassists. Also, many found the electronics of the SR400 quite versatile with a really impeccable sound. And the neck? Totally love! It’s fast and slim which many bassists found to make playing easier and more comfortable as well. Ergonomics was also another point where this guitar scored huge points, of course. On the whole it was really difficult finding a bad review of this product. Of course, there were those who would have wanted one or two things swapped. But on the whole, the reviews of the SR400 were mostly positive. |
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – Final Thoughts
And now for our final thoughts on the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400 debate. These guitars are great guitars and getting any of them would be a great choice. It really depends on your budget. Some of them are currently unavailable though. However, we have put the links to purchase the ones available here. Check them out.
Thanks for staying with us all through the review of the Ibanez SR300 vs SR400. It was fun doing this with you. We hope all the information from this review helped you make a choice!
Ibanez SR300 Vs SR400 – Frequently Asked Questions
What is soundgear by Ibanez?
Soundgear (SR) is a brand of electric basses that was first sold in 1987. The SR bass replaced the Roadstar II Bass series.
It had many upgraded traits such as rounded off angles, slightly smaller size, super-sleek lines, and fully arched tops.
The main reason the Soundgear bass was created was to have a reliable and durable thin, fast, yet smooth professional bass.
Did Gibson sue Ibanez?
In the late ‘60s, a little after Ibanez had started to achieve fame and success in the United States by manufacturing replica copies of classic Rickenbacker, Fender and Gibson guitars, Gibson and Fender began to lose sales to their Japanese opponent.
However, in 1977, Gibson’s parent company filed a lawsuit against the Hoshin Corporation for copying their headstock. However, the lawsuit was settled away from the court and Ibanez agreed to replace the headstock with a different design.
Which Ibanez guitars are made in Japan?
Prestige models by FujiGen Gakki are produced in Japan.
They were first introduced into the market in 1996 with RG3070 as the first product.
Because of its impeccability, only a few were produced like the RG3120 and the well equipped RG2020X.
What is the best Les Paul Copy?
ESP LTD EC-256 is one of the most affordable yet quality copies one can find.
It has a two-split function humbucker and the body and neck are made of mahogany.
The split function makes it very versatile as it helps you to pick between a humbucker sound and a single coil option.
With its thin U neck, this guitar suits players who love to place their thumbs at the side or back of the neck.
It also has LTC machine heads that assist in keeping the guitar in tune for an extended period of time.
Are Rickenbacker guitars still made?
As at the time of writing, Rickenbacker is still reproducing its 4000 series of bass guitars.
The 4000 series are the first of Rickenbacker’s bass guitars which was launched in 1957.
Why are Rickenbacker guitars so expensive?
One of the reasons Rickenbacker guitars are expensive compared to others is because their instruments are made in the United States where labor is way more expensive.
Apart from that, Rickenbacker does not create as many outputs as other US guitars companies like Fender. So, their products are not as available on the market. And because the demand is more than the supply, according to the principles of economics, prices go up.
Are guild guitars still made?
After the launch of GAD line-up in 2015, Cordoba took over as owners of Guild and changed all of their operations.
However, under Cordoba, two new lines Newark Street (electrics) and Westerly Collection (acoustics) were released, paying homage to all of Guild’s production origin and history that took place at those places.