Ibanez GSR200 vs Yamaha TRBX174: Which is Better & Why?

Struggling to choose between Ibanez GSR200 and Yamaha TRBX174?

As both of these models are quite popular and because they have a lot of core similarities, it can be tough to know which option is the best for you.

With the whole weekend testing of both these models, I can assure you, you’re not going to make a “wrong” decision here. However, there are some differences that might make one bass model better than the other for your specific needs.

Here’s my Ibanez GSR200 vs Yamaha TRBX174 Comparison:

Ibanez GSR200 vs Yamaha TRBX174: Comparison Overview

Both of these basses are perfect beginner instruments that help you to get started with bass on a small budget. Let’s get into the matter:

Body Construction and Material

Both of these basses come with a stylish-looking double-cutaway body made from a top-notch Mahogany tonewood. GSR200 features a walnut urethane coating on the top which definitely makes it look alike premium bass. Whereas TRBX174 has a simple glossy finishing.

Mahogany wood delivers an excellent resonance in the sound while providing you a well-balanced and stable bass tone. Also, a double-cutaway design provides you an extra fret for calling lots of fingers work high up on the neck.

Here both models have the same body material and almost similar body design, But I think, when it comes to the body construction and the quality of the material used, there is no one that can beat the Yamaha’s instruments (at a similar price range!)

Electronics and Sound Quality

Looking into the Electronics part, GSR200 provides you a combination of Precision style pickup in the center and Jazz style pickup at the bridge end. Both of these pickups are amazing and delivers a great sounding tone to your bass amp.

Whereas Yamaha bass comes with two ceramic pickups placed in a PJ configuration. that means, we’re having a split single-coil pickup (Precision style) at the neck and one single-coil pickup (Jazz style) near the bridge end.

Also, for the control layout, Both feature almost similar controls including 2 volume knobs and 1 master tone knob. But Ibanez models get an edge here with its active EQ knob that allows you to boost and enhance your bass tone.

Well, I think, TRBX174 electronics allows you to explore more on the myriad of tones, which is quite helpful during your learning curve. But I definitely prefer a GSR200 here, thanks to the Active EQ knob, which lets you explore more tonal options.

Flexibility in the Neck Profile

Flexibility and stability is another important aspect to check for before buying a beginner bass guitar. Both GSR200 and TRBX174 feature a Maple wood neck profile combined with a 22 frets Rosewood fretboard.

As both basses feature a bolt-on neck joint, you get a lot of ease during any kind of repairing or while setting up your bass. Also, it adds a kind of twangy and snappy tone to the sound.

From a hands-on experience, I didn’t find a tie-breaker factor here. GSR200 has a relatively thinner neck, which is recommended for a beginner, as it helps to fret the note properly while learning. whereas satin finishing on the Yamaha bass makes it feel great and comfortable to hold while playing.

Quality of Hardware

GSR200 is equipped with chrome-plated standard hardware designed by Ibanez itself. A fully adjustable bridge configuration is provided here that takes care of the intonation and string action while keeping your bass stable. From bridge pins to the tuning heads, everything performs amazingly well with a minimum of buzz.

On the flip side, Our Yamaha TRBX174 model comes with a Vintage style bridge configuration that allows you to adjust all four saddles individually. This bridge system is combined with a standard set of die-cast tuning machine heads, as a result, you get a very smooth and accurate tuning quite easily.

As both of these are entry-level bass models, We can’t expect premium quality hardware here. But I recommend you for the GSR200 model here because its quality control is relatively better than TRBX174 in terms of hardware.

Ease in the Playability

This is the one place that I suggest you be more conscious, as it can make or break your whole learning curve of bass music.

Either we look towards the body design or control layout, both basses show so much similarity. Although Yamaha’s bass is a little heavier but still both models provide an almost similar playing experience.

But:

If we dive into the nitty-gritty of the specs, I find the GSR200 model beats TRBX174. From the versatility of the electronic system to the comfort of the neck profile, Ibanez offers ease in performance especially for a player who just started learning the bass.

Best Suitable For

Ibanez GSR200 or Yamaha TRBX174: Pros and Cons

Here I’m putting the pros and cons side by side just to make your job even more easier:

Check Demo Sound: GSR200 vs TRBX174

My Final Thoughts:

As I mentioned at the beginning, When it comes to Ibanez GSR200 vs Yamaha TRBX174, there’s really no single winner. both of these basses are great options, and you certainly won’t go wrong with any of them.

However, with some small differences, I prefer to go with the GSR200 model. due to its ease in playability and more versatility in electronics, it’s an amazing bass to play. But if you certainly want to keep things simple and prefer excellent sound quality first, Yamaha TRBX174 would the best choice for you.

So, that is it for today guys! I hope you made your decision. I want you to put down your choice in the comment section and why you think that would a perfect option for you.

In this way, you can also help other readers to make their decision even more clearly. Also, don’t forget to share this comparison with your friends to check which bass do they like the most?

Happy Music!

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