Back to navigation


Fabulously Playable 5-string Bass





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





If you’re serious about your tone, Sweetwater Sales Engineers recommend the Ibanez Premium SR5FMDX. This 5-string solidbody bass offers impeccable playability, huge tones, and major flexibility that all bass players will appreciate. First up comes a mahogany body with an eye-grabbing flamed maple/ash top that serves up warm, rich tone with plenty of bright clarity. The body is bolted to an ultra-playable 5-piece panga panga/purpleheart neck with a flamed maple fingerboard. Next comes a pair of Nordstrand Big Single pickups with an active 3-band EQ for flexible, aggressive tone. The Premium SR5FMDX has other superb features that include Ibanez’s Premium fret edge treatment, a TUSQ nut, and a MR5S bridge. The Ibanez Premium SR5FMDX is a bass that’s ready for action onstage, in the studio, and anywhere else you want to play.





Nordstrand Big Single pickups deliver the goods





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 SR5FMDX. 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 SR5FMDX's electronics have you covered.





Serial 211P01230604830


Serial 211P01230604830


Supremely playable neck





The Premium SR5FMDX has a 5-piece panga panga/purpleheart neck with a slim Atlas-5 carve for an inspiring playing experience every time you pick it up. It comes with an attractive birdseye maple fingerboard with medium frets. Ibanez gave the Premium SR5FMDX their exclusive Premium fret end treatment for smooth and comfortable playability. What’s more, the neck comes with KTS Titanium reinforcement rods, so the neck won’t budge when the seasons change. If you’re looking for a bass that plays as well as it sounds, the Ibanez Premium SR5FMDX won’t lead you wrong.





MR5S bridge for a customized feel





A good bridge makes a great bass an exceptional one. Ibanez knows this too, which is why they loaded the Premium SR5FMDX with an MR5S hardtail bridge. This bridge provides you with a wide intonation range, making testing out new string brands and gauges a walk in the park. But the real star of the show is the adjustable saddle width. The saddles come from the factory with 18-millimeter string spacing and are adjustable /-1.5 millimeters. Each saddle also comes with its own fine tuner and Teflon washers for smooth tuning action right out of the case.





Serial 211P01230604830


Ibanez Premium SR5FMDX 5-string Bass Guitar Features:


5-string bass guitar designed for performance


Mahogany body with flamed maple/ash top delivers bright punchy tone with richness


Comfortable 5-piece panga panga/purpleheart neck feels at home in your hand


Flamed maple fingerboard with Premium fret edge treatment promotes a smooth playing experience


Titanium neck reinforcement ensures the neck stays straight as can be


Nordstrand Big Single pickups produce an aggressive tone


Onboard EQ with 3-way midrange switch lets you tailor your sound further


MR5S bridge offers adjustable string spacing and spot-on intonation