A review of the Ibanez SR Aerium 4-String Semi-Hollow Bass

Ibanez has always made great basses and the new Ibanez SR Aerium (SRH500) 4-String Semi-Hollow Bass is just another fine example of their high quality and craftsmanship. This bass however, seems to really stand out from the rest, and not just because it is a semi-hollow body. Tone has a lot to do with play in this bass, and by that I mean classic tone and even classic upright tones, as close as you can get without the bulky and hard-to-transport upright bass.

The SRH500 sports only a AeroSilk Piezo system powered by a 9volt and is controlled with volume and tone controls. Depending on your right hand placement on the body, whether it be near the neck or closer to the bridge, you can go from warm and full bodied tones to tight and punchy tones.

The body has a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, with one ‘f’ hole near where your forearm would come over the bass. This area also has a contour, which really makes this bass even more comfortable to play.

The neck is a 5-piece combination of Jatoba and Bubinga woods complete with a 24 fret rosewood fingerboard with medium frets.

The strings are D’Addario Chromes .045 -.100 gauge.

On the test drive of the SRH500 on a few gigs, compliments galore, especially on how close the projected sound was to a traditional upright bass. It also leant itself to quiet times around the house when I couldn’t crank up the amp and the projected sound unplugged was even enough to just sit around and work on stuff without being too loud.

This new series from the Ibanez Bass Workshop also offers a 4-string frettless, 5-string fretted, and 5-string fretless.

Check out the Ibanez SR Aerium 4-String Semi-Hollow Bass and SR Aerium series online or at an Ibanez retailer near you!

www.ibanez.com