Head to head
Ibanez GSR206SM vs Ibanez SR305E
They are closely matched on paper, so the differences are in the detail. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 15 rows that actually differ marked out.
GSR206SM
Natural Grey Burst
Six strings for the price most brands charge for four
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Ibanez GSR206SM7.5
- Ibanez SR305E8.7
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| GSR206SM | SR305E | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Ibanez |
| Model | GSR206SM | SR305E |
| Finish | Natural Grey Burst | Pearl White |
| Instrument | Bass | Bass |
| Fretline score | 7.5 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (272) | 4.3 / 5 (52) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric bass | Electric bass |
| Body | GSR solidbody | SR solidbody |
| Body wood | Poplar | Okoume |
| Top | Spalted maple | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on, five-piece |
| Neck wood | Maple (GSR6) | Maple and walnut, five-piece (SR5pc) |
| Scale length | 34" (864 mm) | 34" (864 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba with white dot inlays | Jatoba with white dot inlays |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Fret size | Medium | Medium |
| Bridge | B16, 16.5 mm string spacing | Accu-cast B125, 16.5 mm string spacing |
| Neck pickup | Dynamix H humbucker (passive) | PowerSpan Dual Coil (passive) |
| Bridge pickup | Dynamix H humbucker (passive) | PowerSpan Dual Coil (passive) |
| Configuration | HH | HH |
| Electronics | Phat II active bass boost | Ibanez Custom Electronics three-band EQ with three-way Power Tap switch |
| Controls | Neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, tone, Phat II EQ | Volume, pickup balancer, bass, middle, treble, Power Tap switch |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Metal, Funk, Jazz, Pop | Rock, Metal, Funk, Pop, Jazz, Indie |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Ibanez SR305EHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez SR305EHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez SR305EStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez SR305EBuild and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.