Ibanez SR305E-PW

Aaaaah this is such a nice bass!

I have an almost identical model Ibanez SGR i got second hand, about 10 years ago. I'm happy about that one too, but it's getting really old. And back then, i paid not much less than the price at which Thomann sold it new!!! (Only found out too late)

This one plays easy with a supple touch, light, the standard issued strings are surprisingly good sounding, etc. Usually, changing the strings is the first thing when i get a 'new/new to me' guitar. But i'll just stay with these, that is another 70-80 Euro save.

Recently, when researching this bass and another fretless one, i read some ominous reviews about the 'unboxing'. Something about the packaging, something about the basic settings of neck, bridge, strings, etc. and some small traces of damage to the finish of the guitars supplied by Thomann.

I must say, i bought two basses in the past years, and a third one is on its way as i write this. My experience with the unboxing has been impeccable, as with the dozens of other products i bought from Thomann over the years.

Not only was everything always in perfect condition, but the two basses were also readily playable. This is of course subject to personal preferences, so i did tweak and adjust a bit over time, but the 'action', the octave and all the stuff that needs to be set was always ready to play. And everything was always in perfect condition.

I am in Amsterdam, which does not necessitate complicated transportation scenario's like when you're in Australia or Senegal, so perhaps i just got lucky. Anyway, i never had any of these problems in the dozens of purchases i did with Thomann.

And when something was not to my complete satisfaction (i once got a Left bass drum support stand instead of a Right one, or i got a bass drum accessory that, upon hearing the sound of it did nothing for me), Thomann took it back at no cost.

That is, they sent me the other support stand and i could keep the first one, and they took back the sound enhancer and reimbursed me. Including shipping both ways. So these folks really know how to keep me very happy.