Ibanez GSR206SM - Overview and Best Prices

Ibanez GSR206SM Review
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  • 3 Prices - New from $379.99 >
  • From Ibanez's 2021 SR series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 34"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Spalted Maple top
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Dynamix H (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Dynamix H (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • B16 bridge
  • Bass GSR6 Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Specs
Ibanez GSR206SM Specifications
Ibanez GSR206SM
General
Brand: Ibanez
Year: 2021
Configuration: HH
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: SR
Colors: Burst
Left-Handed Version: No
Body
Top: Spalted Maple
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar
Bridge: B16
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Tuners: Ibanez
Fretboard: Jatoba
Neck Material: Maple
Decoration: White dot inlay
Scale Size: 34"
Shape: Bass GSR6
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 22 Medium
Fretboard Radius: 15.748"
Nut: Plastic
Nut Width: 54mm (2.126'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Dynamix H (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Dynamix H (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 0
Knobs: Dome
Volume Controls: 2
Tone Controls: 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black

Our Scores and Tone Evaluation

Playability 72
Sound 79
Build quality 60
Value for money 80
Overall Score 70
Tone Evaluation
  • Heavy Metal
  • Hard Rock
  • Jazz
  • Blues
  • Funk
  • Country
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez GSR206SM
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Active Preamp
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Price Overview

Its average competitor's price is $1000, which means that the Ibanez GSR206SM is around 62% cheaper than the competition. This takes into account all instruments of the same category in our database with 6 strings and Fixed bridge that are made in Indonesia.

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User Reviews & Feedback

Not all instruments are created equally. That's why it's important to have different opinions. Here's what our users who have played this instrument say. If you've played it before, help others by voting below!

Weight

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Tuning stability

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Neck speed (thickness)

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Neck access to high frets

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Neck profile shape

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Fret edges

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Pickups noise

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Pickups power

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Ibanez GSR206SM's construction is balanced for most hand sizes.

Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. Make sure you test this bass—or another one with similar characteristics—before buying.

Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Ibanez GSR206SM meets 3 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness, which means that it's not bad for beginners, but it could be better. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players to get used to.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez GSR206SM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

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Playability

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. A longer scale length means longer distance between frets, brighter tone and more string tension—which means lower action, but more difficult bending of the strings.

Here's the Ibanez GSR206SM's 34" scale length compared to other common sizes:

Ibanez GSR206SM Scale Length Comparison
Ibanez GSR206SM's scale length (at the top) compared to other popular sizes

This is considered a long scale bass, and it's the most popular choice for several reasons. Even though it might be more difficult to play than short scale basses due to their increased string tension, their punchier low-end results in a clear and defined bass tone that can cut through in a mix, making them well-suited for genres like rock, metal, and funk.

Neck Profile

Ibanez GSR206SM Neck Profile
Ibanez GSR206SM's neck profile

The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. This is a highly subjective thing, but most players indeed prefer certain types of necks (like Cs and Ds) because they feel nice in most hands.

The Ibanez GSR206SM's neck thickness is approximately 0.827'' (21mm) at the first fret, and 0.866'' (22mm) at the twelfth.

These measurements were taken either from the official Ibanez website, or, in case this information wasn't provided, by researching multiple online marketplaces and forums where owners of this model have posted their measurements.

It has a C type neck. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big.

Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.

Fretboard Radius

When it comes to fingerboard radius, personal preference will dictate which one is better for you. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending.

The Ibanez GSR206SM has a 15.748" fingerboard radius.

Here's an image comparing this fretboard radius to other popular choices:

Ibanez GSR206SM Fretboard Radius Comparison with Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul
Ibanez GSR206SM's fretboard radius compared to others

Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the Ibanez GSR206SM has the same radius across the board.

Playability compared to main competitors

Ibanez GSR206SM
This model
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
2.126'' Nut Width
15.748'' Fretboard Radius
35'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
2.126'' Nut Width
37.402'' Fretboard Radius
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
2.126'' Nut Width
15.748'' Fretboard Radius
33'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
2.126'' Nut Width
37.402'' Fretboard Radius
35'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
2.126'' Nut Width
37.402'' Fretboard Radius

Nut Width

Ibanez GSR206SM Nut Width
Ibanez GSR206SM Nut Width

The Ibanez GSR206SM has a nut width of 54mm (2.126''). This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string bass. This is what most players find as a balanced width for both playing chords and single notes across different strings. If you have an "average" hand size, or you're not sure what nut width you'd like, this is a safe bet.

Frets

The Ibanez GSR206SM has 22 frets. Even though 24 frets has become really popular, there's still a good reason to get fewer frets; the pickup at the neck position will be further away from the bridge. This makes the neck pickup achieve a warmer tone. You might want this if you're playing Jazz or similar genres.

However, if you don't care about the warmer neck pickup, more frets will always be better. It's always nice to have the option to play higher notes if you want to.

It comes with nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. If you use your instrument a lot, you might need to replace the frets after a few years. But this is unlikely as most people change instruments before this happens.

Fret Size

Ibanez GSR206SM Fret Size Comparison
Ibanez GSR206SM's fret size (in orange) compared to other popular sizes

Finally, let's talk about fret size. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently.

The Ibanez GSR206SM's frets are Medium size. With medium frets, you can feel the fretboard more than with jumbo frets, but it's still easier to press the strings cleanly than with small frets; notes might change their pitch just slightly if you press hard on the fret. Also, if you need to do some fret leveling after years of playing, you'll have some room to sand them down without having to replace them.

Playability Score

Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Tone

Wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar or bass. Instead, the hardware, especially the pickups, will be the most important thing to look at. Bur first, let's see the quality of the wood.

Wood

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar Body
Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple Neck
Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba Fretboard

Poplar Body: It's similar to Alder in terms of tone as it has a fat low-end with strong mids, but it's a lot cheaper and softer. It's a bit heavier so it's mostly used for tops.

Maple Neck: This is one of the most popular types of wood used in all kinds of guitars. It's heavy, strong and compact, which makes it great for necks. However, it's also used for fretboards, bodies and tops due to its light color, resistance and beautiful patterns. When it comes to tone, it highlights the mid and high frequencies.

Jatoba Fretboard: It's an exceptionally hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end.

Pickups

This bass comes with pickups from one of the top brands: Dynamix. So you can expect well built pickups with great sound that shouldn't need an upgrade anytime soon.

These are passive pickups, so you can expect a rounder sound and a moderade level of output.

Preamp

The preamp is an electronic circuit that serves as an intermediary between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its primary function is to boost and shape the bass's raw signal before it reaches the amplifier. This allows for greater control over the bass's tone, volume, and other sound characteristics. Preamps often include tone controls, equalization settings, and sometimes even onboard effects, enabling bassists to tailor their sound to their preferences and the musical context.

This bass has a Active preamp. Unlike passive basses, which rely solely on passive pickups and tone controls, active preamps require a power source, typically a 9-volt battery, to operate. The active preamp offers several advantages, including the ability to boost or cut specific frequencies, resulting in a more versatile and customizable tonal palette. Active basses are favored in genres where precise tonal sculpting and extended tonal options are essential, such as jazz fusion or progressive rock. However, they do require occasional battery replacement or recharging to ensure optimal performance.

The Ibanez GSR206SM's configuration is HH. With this pickup combination, you'll get warmer tones and more output than using single coils. Humbucker pickups cancel the noise that single-coil suffer from, which also results in a warmer tone. This pickup combination isn't only for high-gain music like Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Their warmness is also popular for Jazz, Indie, R&B, Blues and more.

More with the same pickups

Ibanez GSR206SM
This model
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Dynamix H Bridge Pickup
Dynamix H Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Dynamix H Bridge Pickup
Dynamix H Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Dynamix H Bridge Pickup
Dynamix H Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Dynamix H Bridge Pickup
Dynamix H Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Dynamix H Bridge Pickup
Dynamix H Neck Pickup

Versatility

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with more options for coil split or coil tapping. This makes it less versatile than some competitors.

What music genre is it good for?

As a 6 strings, Solid Body bass with HH configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Hard Rock or similar. However, you can use almost any bass for any genre. This is just the typical type of music for this particular one.

Sound Score

Pickups 95
Sustain 70
Versatility 77
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 79

Build Quality

Country of Origin

Knowing where the instrument is produced is a good way to know how well it's built. Some manufacturing countries are known for having higher quality standards. For example, most expensive instruments are made in the US or Japan, but there are some exceptionally great countries—like South Korea—that are building a good reputation.

The Ibanez GSR206SM is made in Indonesia. Many people prefer the quality of an Indonesian guitar over a Chinese. Respectable brands like Epiphone, Ibanez and Schecter are building in this country because of the great quality and lower price. Some people like to compare them to the ones built in Japan during the 80s, when Japanese guitar makers made a name for themselves.

Still, remember that we're taking about Ibanez here, which is a brand with good renown. They know how to use cheap labor in this country without sacrificing too much quality. So you shouldn't end up receiving a useless or ugly instrument.

Bridge

B16: The advantage of fixed bridges is that they don't require any kind of set-up. This makes it extremely easy when changing strings because you don't need to adjust anything besides tuning the guitar. Also, the fact that the bridge is directly attached to the body will help to increase sustain. The disadvantage is the lack of versatility since you can't create the same vibrato effects as with tremolo bridges.

Nut Material

Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your bass. A well-cut nut will make sure it stays in tune and will make it more comfortable to play.

In this case, the Ibanez GSR206SM has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Neck Joint

The neck joint is the part where the neck of the bass meets the body. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive.

This bass has a Bolt-On neck joint. Even though this type of neck was looked down upon for a long time, nowadays bolt-on necks are well built and provide just as much sustain as any other join method. First of all, it's cheap to make because it consists of simply 4 bolts that attach the neck to the body. And you can travel with the guitar more easily, swap out the neck if you damage it, or upgrade to a more comfortable neck later on.

Build Quality Score

Quality of materials 45
Features 70
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 60