We're fortunate to get our hands on some of the finest instruments available today, and we can confidently say that the Ibanez Premium SR1355B 5-string electric bass guitar punches above its price range in every way. Sporting sleekly contoured African mahogany body, gorgeous walnut/panga panga/maple top, rock-solid 5-piece panga panga/purpleheart neck, and bound panga panga fingerboard, the SR1355B is a boutique-quality instrument with flawless playability. That quality is borne out by its pair of aggressive Nordstrand Big Single pickups, which deliver massive, roaring tone infused with monumental sustain. The 5-piece neck is strong and sturdy, with premium tuners on one end and a Mono-rail bridge at the other. Custom Ibanez electronics with 3-band EQ complete the setup.

Massive, aggressive tone from Nordstrand pickups

With a “super-packed” coil, the Big Single is considered by Nordstrand to be the "tonal giant" of their pickup offerings. Ibanez spec’d a pair of these aggressive-sounding single-coil monsters for the Premium SR1355B. In addition, you have the powerful sound-shaping capabilities of Ibanez’s Custom 3-band EQ, which gives you control over boost/cut for bass, mid, and high frequencies, a mid-frequency switch to fine-tune your midrange, and an EQ bypass. No matter what tonal texture your music calls for, this instrument’s superb electronics will get you there fast. Fingers, thumb, or pick — the SR1355B’s electronics have you covered.

Mono-rail bridge enhances definition and sustain

Ibanez specified their excellent Mono-rail 5 bridge for the Premium SR1355B. Unlike single-body bridges, each Mono-rail saddle is completely separate from the others. This does two things for you. First, since they aren’t connected, the saddles create minimal sympathetic vibration. This prevents unused strings from ringing. Second, each saddle is double-anchored, allowing energy to transfer efficiently between the string and the body. As a result, bassists here at Sweetwater are raving about the SR1355B’s astonishing clarity and sustain.

Ibanez: a brief history

Ibanez began its life in 1908 as the Hoshino Gakki company in Nagoya, Japan. However, the company didn’t get into the guitar business until 1929, when it started importing Salvador Ibanez guitars from Spain. In 1935, Hoshino Gakki began building Spanish acoustic guitars under the “Ibanez Salvador” name, which was later shortened to Ibanez. Although Ibanez began manufacturing electric guitars in 1957, the company was relatively unknown in the West until the 1960s, when it started producing guitars based on American designs. By the late 1970s, Ibanez stopped producing derivative instruments and began manufacturing the innovative original guitar and bass designs that the company is now known for. Ibanez is also famous for its effect pedals, most notably the Tube Screamer. Music Experience is proud to offer to you such a fine line of distinguished musical instruments.

What Ibanez Says...

For 30 years the SR has given bass players a modern alternative. With its continued popularity, Ibanez is constantly endeavoring to answer the wider needs of a variety of players, at a variety of budgets. But no matter what the specs, the heart is the same-SR continues to excite with its smooth, fast neck, lightweight body, and perfectly matched electronics. "Designed to Inspire", all Ibanez Premium series are manufactured with select tone woods, high-profile electronics, hardware and dedicated skills of craftsmanship and care in details for your musical journey. The richness of sound, stunning appearance and unrivalled playability of the Ibanez Premium series will open the gate of your reservoir of inspiration.

Walnut / Panga Panga / Maple top / African Mahogany body

The Walnut/Panga Panga/Maple top flaunts a gorgeous wood grain. African Mahogany used as body wood delivers a rich mid-low end..

Nordstrand™ Big Single pickups

Nordstrand™ "Big Single" crams as meaty a single coil as can fit in a soapbar style pickup, producing a full-bodied, powerful, aggressive tonal texture, while still retaining the clarity that's characteristic of single coil pickups.

Atlas 5pc Panga Panga/Purpleheart neck with KTS™ TITANIUM rods

The Atlas 5pc Panga Panga/Purpleheart neck provides a well-balanced note attack and tone with rich sustain.The neck is constructed with KTS™ TITANIUM reinforcement rods, increasing its stability and adding sustain.

Medium frets with Premium fret edge treatment

Medium sized frets enhances the accuracy to your notes. The Premium Fret Edge Treatment offers a super smooth, comfortable performance.

Gotoh® machine heads

Gotoh machine heads provide super precision, an ultra smooth feel, and minimal back lush.

MR5S bridge

The MR5S bridge has adjustable saddles for variable string spacing by +/- 1.5mm, answering every bassist’s specific string spacing needs.

Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ w/EQ bypass switch & Mid frequency switch

Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ is our latest refinement on the concept of simple, straightforward, no-nonsense EQ control. The Boost and Cut for the Mid Control are each centered on slightly different frequencies, an innovation that delivers a preset range of the most favorable bass tones. Precision tonal control, including a switch to choose passive-only operation. When the EQ bypass is activated, the treble tone control knob becomes the global tone control for the passive circuit.

Panga Panga fretboard

Panga Panga features a beautiful wood grain which produces a tight low and mid range, along with a sharp attack on high end.