The Ibanez SRMS725
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
Reviewing the SR Workshop Ibanez SRMS725
To 5-String or Not To 5-String
So, my first 5-string. I'm late to the game with extended range basses, but I've never had an interest in one. Most of what I play doesn't require a 5-string, and the things that do, I can play on a modified 4. Heck, before getting the Ibanez SRMS725, my only experience with a 5 was at a music shop a few years back. That experience, as it would turn out, would shape the way I look at the SRMS725 and the role it plays in Ibanez's bass lineup. Anyway, back to my 5-string avoidance for just a moment.
I was introduced and raised on a 4-string. Fives weren't nearly as common in the 1980s (long live the '80s!). Most shops back then were well-stocked with 4s with limited, if any, 5s. Honestly, I can't remember ever seeing a 5 at any of my local music stores. I'm sure they were there as the decade progressed, but I don't recall any. Plus, if you did happen to find a model you liked, they were pretty expensive. For me, it was all about the four. However, I've wanted a 5 for a while now. Enter the Ibanez SRMS725.
A Brief Demo of the SRMS725
First time through there's an FX chain on. Second time, it's just the pure sound of the bass. No amp. No FX.
(coming very soon)
Note: I'm planning on doing other videos, including a comparison with a modified 4-string SR.
A Metal 5-String SoundGear
The biggest draw for me for this 5-string was that it was an Ibanez SoundGear (or SR if you prefer). I'm a certified SoundGear nut. So, when Ibanez introduced this bass back in 2024, I was intrigued. It definitely screamed metal, with its metallic-blueish-green color, high-gloss finish, black hardware, and the silver, high-tech looking Fishman pickups. The multi-scale neck, though logical on paper, wasn't something I was ever particularly interested in. One thing about sticking to one type of instrument is that you really get to understand its capabilities and limitations. I just didn't know if I'd like the fanned frets. But I was interested in everything else about the bass.
Component | Details |
|---|---|
neck type | SRMS5 for Multi Scale / 5pc Maple/Walnut neck |
neck joint | bolt-on |
top/back/body | Okoume (a lightweight, low‑density African hardwood) |
fretboard | Panga Panga fretboard / Off-set white dot inlay (Panga Panga is a very dark, dense, and extremely durable African hardwood) |
fret | Medium frets |
number of frets | 24 |
bridge | MR5S bridge (adjustable saddles for variable string spacing by +/- 1.5mm) |
factory string spacing | 16.5mm |
neck pickup | Fishman® Fluence™ neck pickup |
bridge pickup | Fishman® Fluence™ bridge pickup |
equalizer | Fishman® 3-band EQ w/Single Coil Mode switch (push/pull), 3-way Voice Select switch |
Neck | Dimensions |
|---|---|
Scale | 901.7mm/35.5" - 864.0mm/34.0" |
Width at nut | 45mm |
Width at 24th fret | 68mm |
Thickness at 1st fret | 19.5mm |
Thickness at 12th fret | 23mm |
Radius | 305mm |
Troubled Start with this Ibanez
There were two issues with this bass that I experienced at the start. One was an easy fix. The other was worrisome. Let's look at the second issue, first.
Wiring Gone Wrong
When I first took the bass out and plugged it in, I was greeted with...nothing. Nada. Zip. After checking my cables, rebooting, and doing everything else one would do, the culprit ended up being a drained battery. I thought that was a little odd since I've never had any bass arrive with a dead battery. OK, things happen. I replaced it with a battery from one of my other basses that I predominantly played in passive mode. That drained out in about a day. Maybe that battery was already low on gas. I plugged in a new, out-of-the-package battery. Three days later, and with only a few of hours of play in an otherwise unplugged state, dead battery.
I researched what it could be, and everything pointed to a wiring issue. I downloaded the Fluence pickup wiring guides from the Fishman site (thank you, Fishman) and realized the battery ground wire was, indeed, incorrectly soldered to the treble pot. It needed to be soldered to the ring lug of the input jack to turn off the battery when the cable is removed and turned on when a cable is inserted. If the circuit isn't broken, say hello to a dead battery in a few short days.
Even though I had little experience soldering, having done it only one other time, I decided to give it a shot, warranty be damned. I didn't like the idea of shipping a brand-new bass back...somewhere or dropping it off at one of my local guitar shops. After nervously getting a decent joint, I let the bass sit for 24 hours and then tested the voltage. No change. No drain. Everything worked as expected and it's been fine ever since (whew!).
Now, this was an issue from the Ibanez factory, not the retailer. I'm still surprised the QA process didn't catch it before leaving the factory floor. Not like the model is brand new; it's been in production for several years now. And not that any new bass or guitar should have an issue like this, at a price point of around $1,500USD, and never having an issue with a new Ibanez bass before, I was pretty surprised. Anyway, problem solved. On to the next hiccup.
Fishman Fluence Pickups Run Hot
I prefer a passive bass nowadays. I do like active pickups/preamps (and love the ability to switch between the two on the SoundGear Premiums), but damn, do those Fishman Fluence pickups run hot!
When I first played the bass, there was some distortion. At first, I thought it may have been my amp mod. I turned it off and the distortion was still there. I then removed any type of synth or mod, rebooted, and still had distortion. Maybe it was my DAW? Checked for updates, rebooted again and played direct. Distortion. Then I plugged it into a physical amp. Distortion. What the heck was going on?
Turns out to be a known issue with the Fishman Fluence pickups/preamp. At least on the SRMS725. I had to lower the pickups pretty far to reduce the magnetic grasp of those metallic demons. I don't know why, but a lot of SoundGears arrive with pickups set way too high. Forget about the distortion-leaning Fishmans, unless you're a really dainty player, your fingers are going to come into contact with the pickups. Even worse if you're an especially aggressive player. I will say, though, the last couple SoundGear Premiums before the SRMS725 had a reasonably set pickup height straight out of the box. But I digress.
Pickup distortion problem solved by lowering them.
Overall Feel and Playability of the SRMS725
Playability, appearance, and sound are all subjective. This is just my opinion
of the SRMS725. Your mileage may vary.
What I like about the Ibanez SRMS725:
Pros | Description |
|---|---|
Design | I'm a big fan of the SR design from headstock to body. |
Color/finish | Striking metallic green with a high gloss finish. It's a finish I'd like to see on more SR Premiums. |
Pickups/preamp | As you'll see below, I have an issue with the pickups, but they offer a lot of flexibility to help dial-in a tone you'll probably like. |
Low B | Very tight low B string. Nothing floppy here. |
Bridge | I'm a fan of the Ibanez mono-rail bridges and although the SRMS725 comes with the "S" version, I've yet to move the saddles one way or the other. But I like having the option. |
Weight | With the Okomue body, the bass sits at a comfortable weight of around 8.5lbs, plus or minus a few ounces. Mine came in at 8lbs 5oz. |
Price | At around $1,500USD, it's an affordable mid-tier 5-string. |
What I'm indifferent about:
Meh | Description |
|---|---|
Painted neck | The back of the neck is smooth, but the solid black paint, which is a little uneven in places, gives the bass a bit of a synthetic look. Matches the aesthetics of the pickups, but...I can take it or leave it. Playability not affected.  |
String rigidity | I was a little surprised by this, but all the strings are a little too taut. Works well for the low B, but there's an overall rigidity to the bass that may put some people off. It's all going to come down to what type of music you play and the feel you like. |
Pickup layout | I didn't think about this until I got the bass, but I'm the type of player who likes to anchor his thumb to the top of the pickup. I didn't know if the slanted layout of the pickups would be an issue. Turns out, it's really not. There's no "falling off" the pickup and no sharp corners. Quick adjustment. |
RATIO® Machine Heads by Graph Tech® Guitar Labs | The tuners are your traditional Gotoh style tuners. But these machine heads by Graph Tech provide "each string with its own specific gear ratio." The Ibanez product page goes on to say, "...once you know what it feels like to tune one string, you will know what it will feel like to tune the rest of the strings." What does that even mean? I don't know, but the tuners do what they need to do, tune. |
What I'm not a fan of:
Cons | Description |
|---|---|
Not a true SR | It's a SoundGear in body design and name only. |
Active preamp | There's no pure passive mode. Battery required. |
Fishman Fluence pickups | While I like the sounds you can get out of this combo pickups and preamp, this setup runs super hot and super loud, which can cause unwanted distortion. |
Nut | This was a huge surprise and something I never thought about until the side of my hand came into contact with it. The bottom of the nut is sharp. I mean, really sharp. At some point, your hand is going to run into it. I'll probably file it down.  |
Multi-scale | Some players love it. Some players hate it. Personally, I'm not a fan. It's surprisingly easy adjusting to playing a multi-scale, so I think those fears are over blown. I actually have more of an issue switching from a 4 to a 5 at this point. For a lot of the things I play, however, the multi-scale just doesn't add enough value. Another thing, and this is purely subjective and, admittedly, a little odd, is the physical layout of the frets and fretboard. Looking at the fretboard while playing can be disorienting. I know, it sounds weird, but it just doesn't feel right. |
My Biggest Gripe about the SRMS725
This is a direct result of my guitar shop experience playing that other 5-string and I can sum it up like this...
The Ibanez SoundGear SRMS725 is not an Ibanez SoundGear. It's a Dingwall in SR clothing.
That 5-string I played in the music shop? Yep, it was a Dingwall. I don't remember the exact model, but it was a Dingwall 5-string. Fanned frets, slanted pickups, loud and hot, chunky neck.
The SRMS725 feels and plays just like that Dingwall. You have, of course, those fanned frets of a multi-scale. A big selling point and main distinguishing feature of this bass. The neck is also a little on the chunky side, especially compared to other SR 5-strings. And the pickups are very hot and very loud.
The body is decisively SR, but the playability, pickups/preamp, and overall feel is certainly not.
(Before anyone has a conniption, Dingwalls are fine instruments. They're just not for me.)
Final Thoughts
Do I dislike the Ibanez SRMS725? Definitely not. I enjoy playing it and having it in my rotation. And to be fair, the SRMS725 is part of Ibanez's SR Workshop line, the company's experimental line of guitars and basses where Ibanez clearly states the instruments, "...may not be for everyone."
Even though it doesn't have the heart of an SR, the Ibanez SRMS725 is still a solid instrument to play and own.
DD
PS After playing the bass for a week or two, I decided to change the strings. Little did I know that a multi-scale bass requires a specialized set of strings to accommodate the different scale lengths of the neck. Lesson learned.
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