Ibanez GSR206SMNGT Review (2023)

Build Quality:
Hardware:
Electronics:
Sound:
Value:
Average:

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Pros:

• Full Tones
• Fun Design
• Powerful Sound
• Solid Tuning Stability

Cons:

• Heavy
• Bolt on neck
• Cheap Nut

It is very hard to find an affordable anything that works. It is harder still to find an affordable bass guitar that works. The hardest thing to find is an actually affordable six string guitar that makes an actually good sound, while also looking good. Thankfully I have no life, and don’t want any, unless it is in some way related to finding amazing musical instruments. So let me tell you about the Ibanez GSR206SMNGT GIO and why you should be looking to pick it up, if you are looking to buy a six string bass guitar.

Body Quality

The design of the guitar is rather basic. There is not much variation one can, and should, expect in the price range of this guitar. Still, the manufacturers are kind enough to attempt even a slight differentiation from the rest of the guitars. They produce a double-cutaway bass guitar that does not look like it stands out in any way, though with its right wing considerably slimmed down and slightly straighter than what you are used to in the shape, the guitar starts to look a little more unique. Add in the great gray, see-through illusion, and sunburst coloring of the guitar, and you actually get an instrument that is pleasant to look at.

The body of the guitar is built out of mahogany, which is one of my favorite hardwoods that is ever used in the construction of bass guitars. It is one of my favorites for the simple reason that it is an actual quality hardwood. It resonates incredibly well with the low tones of the guitar, while also having a nice and powerful spike in the mid tones. The high tones feel a little hollow, but still, gain the character so unique to mahogany. The hardness of the wood guarantees that it will remain undamaged throughout the many years of usage. The only problem you might have is the weight of the guitar, though it is not something you should fret over, as you will eventually either get used to it or sit down.

The neck of the guitar is made out of maple, which is a traditional choice among all guitars, especially often seen used by manufacturers trying to prolong the life of their guitars. The maple is extremely sturdy and resistant to warping, meaning that your guitar will remain together for many years to come. The neck of the guitar is bolted onto the body of the instrument, which works well in the case of this instrument, because of its already sturdy body. The fretboard of the guitar is made out of rosewood.

Hardware

The guitar comes with a B16 bridge, which is an improvement on the B15 bridge seen in other models, in terms of sustain. The B16 system does result in a little less action, but the sustain is always worth it.

The nut of the guitar is made out of a cheaper plastic material than I would like. This means a little bit of fret buzz being present in the guitar, though the harmony of the guitar remains unaffected.

The tuning machine of the guitar, its design, works well with the rest of the instrument. The tuning stability leaves a little more to be desired and yet it does not do too much in terms of annoying the player.

Electronics

The guitar comes with a double pickup setup, with one pickup located at the neck of the guitar and the other located at the bridge. The two DXH-6 pickups provide the instrument with a slew of positive qualities. The high output of the pickups allows for a very powerful sound, while the nuanced pickup scheme provides a very detailed, thick and expressive sound. It is a great stock pickup set up that I, at the risk of sounding a little over the top, love.

The controls of the guitar are rather detailed, with the guitar having to individual volume knobs, one master tone knob, and one Phat II EQ.

Ibanez GSR206 Sound

The sound of the guitar may sometimes feel like something out of a fairy tale. I mean where else can a person get so much out of such a cheap guitar? The sound is powerful, capable of taking over a room the second it is first played. The tonal range of the guitar is wide, with the low tones being especially thick and full, while the mids are expressive and strong. The high tones could use a little more of a boost, but they still provide a good enough detail to be highly enjoyable.

Conclusion

This guitar is a great bargain for anyone looking for an affordable 6 string guitar. It provides a great look, and adds on a whole lot of great sound. The guitar is more than you will ever have bargained for, which is why it comes so highly recommended by me.

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