Gearank Recommendation
The GSR200 appeared on our recommended list for Bass Guitars Under $300 when we published the first edition back in September 2016.
It remained on the list until June 2021 when it was out-ranked by newer models.
Overview
The Ibanez GSR200 is an affordable standard-size bass guitar with Ibanez’s trademark playability and impressive tone versatility.
It is part of Ibanez’ Sound Gear line, which is well known for its quality and tone-shaping capabilities, only this one is stripped down to keep the price affordable.
The GSR200 comes with a standard scale length of 34″, a nut width of 1.614″, and a flat fast action 12″ fingerboard radius.
Ibanez equipped this bass with two single-coil pickups (P/J) for tone variation, but what makes it special is the addition of Ibanez’s Phat II EQ knob, which is essentially a bass boost built in for emphasizing the lows better.
When we were analyzing user reports it was interesting to read how some parents who bought this bass for their kids ended up “borrowing” the bass from them because of its quality. We even saw one report of a person who is still happy with it 5 years after buying it and saying it still plays and sounds good.
If you prefer Ibanez’s flat fast action fingerboard but want a standard scale one in the sub $200 price range, then you should get the GSR200.
Specifications
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple (Bolt-on)
- Neck Profile: GSR4
- Fingerboard: Jatoba
- Scale Length: 34″
- Nut Width: 1.614″
- Fingerboard Radius: 12″
- Frets: 22 Medium
- Neck Pickup: Dynamix P neck pickup (Passive)
- Bridge Pickup: Dynamix J neck pickup (Passive)
- Controls: Phat II EQ, Master Tone, Neck Volume and Bridge Volume
- Bridge: B10
- Weight: 9 lbs.
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Audiofanzine | StAmp! | 40/100 |
| Audiofanzine | Hoagie | 80/100 |
| Guitar Squid | Maurice Lundgren | 73/100 |
Demo
About the Author
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
