SR490 Vs. SR300DX - Worth it?

weedhopper · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject: SR490 Vs. SR300DX - Worth it?

hey, new to the board, but have been playing bass (specifically Ibanez basses) for a year now. I currently own two Ibanez basses, a Black SR300DX with the phat boost, and an iron pewter SRX300. I love both, but have been looking at the SR490 as a replacement to the sr300dx. My question is this... Is there THAT much of a difference in tone to justify selling a perfectly good bass and spending more hard earned money?

Thing is, the SR300DX sounds really great, is lightweight, and I love the tones I can get with it and my current rig. To anyone who knows... is the SR490 going to sound that much better?

Also, the mahogany finish... is it an oil finish or a clear polyurethane?

Also also.. anybody know how much the sr490 weighs? (my back is fubar)

looking forward to a reply...
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SRXThunder · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 6:52 am Post subject:

Hmmm...in all reallity you have asked a very tough question. Is the 490 a better bass then the 300? Yes. The 490 is a high quality bass. It has a higher level of construction, better playability, and (if I remember correctly) a fuller tone then the 300. Here's the catch, if you are happy with the playability, tone, and quality of the 300 why change? I payed $250 for my very first bass back in '85. It was an Arbor Shark. I loved the way it played, it had great tone, and was a really nice bass (especialy for the money). However, at the time, everyone else was playing Jackson, Charvel, and U.S. Krammers. As soon as I had enough cash saved up I "upgraded" to a U.S. Charvel, an $850 bass. And I have regretted letting go of the Arbor ever since. Maybe it was because it was my first bass, but I have never played a bass that I was as completely happy with as that Arbor. I tried to get the exact weights of each for compairison, but the Ibanez web site is currently down. I'll try to revisit it later today. Have you played the 490 yet? Try to go down to the local G.C. and jam on one for a while, see what you think. Also, remember that every bass plays different. You may play a few and decide that your 300 is just a better quality bass. I've had that happen as well. My current bass is a Fender Jazz 5, MIM. I played several of the U.S. models when I was looking, as well as other brands, but when I played the one I currently own I knew that was the one I was going to buy. It just felt right. I don't know if that makes sense or not. As far as the finish, I think it's polyurethane. Again, without seeing the web site I don't know for sure, but I believe the 490 is still a Korean model and has the cheaper finish. Sorry about the long responce. I'm the only one in the office today and I'm bored out of my mind! Welcome to the forum and keep us posted on what you decide to do.
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weedhopper · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:03 am Post subject:

Thanks SRX for the quick response... I must have missed the weights on the Ibanez site when I checked it last. (And it's still down as of this posting...)

As far as actually laying my hands on a 490 and playing it, no. I have not. Heh, been kinda afraid to. I know the quality is going to be as good as or better, and I have already developed a love affair with the SR4 neck , so I know that's going to be alright as well. Laughing

I am happy with the DX's tone, but that's kinda pushing me towards this puchase even more - my thinking is that:

the pickups are relatively the same

the EQ is better - more control

the bridge is better - similar to my SRX, mmm beefy!

the woods and neck construction are better

All this well help enhance the tone, check?
I mean, i'm sure the tone will change since it will be colored by the wood/eq/bridge differences, but if anything, wouldn't it be slightly warmer and fuller?

heh, I guess I'm just trying to reassure myself!! I need to go play one... My local dealer has an SR495 in stock, but no 4 stringer... should sound similar though
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SRXThunder · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:27 am Post subject:

I don't recall if the 490 has the same electronics as the 300. I may be wrong (the whole memory thing), but I thought the 490 had the next step up in electronics. Once the web site comes up, we'll know for sure.
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weedhopper · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:04 am Post subject:

well, the pups are the same, but the eq and pre amp is where it gets different...

The DX has the Phat bass boost, a volume for each pickup and a tone knob. I think the 490 has a 3 band eq, and master volume with a front/rear pup selector/blend knob - no phat bass boost.

But like you said... when the site comes up again...
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