Ibanez GSR105EXMOL Review: Simple 5 String Workhorse Bass

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Ibanez GSR105EXMOL is a five string electric bass aimed at the lower mid-range price tier. The listing focuses on a mahogany body, a maple neck, a jatoba fretboard and a single humbucking pickup. A natural oil finish rounds out the published spec.

Published details leave several practical specifications open. The listing does not state scale length, control layout, bridge type, tuner type or included accessories. This review can only evaluate what is documented, plus general expectations for this style of instrument.

For players seeking a straightforward low B instrument, this simplicity may be welcome. The single pickup reduces complexity and keeps the feature list focused. The lack of a published spec sheet is the main tradeoff to note before buying.

Body, Neck and Playability

The body is listed as mahogany, a common tonewood in entry level and mid range basses. Mahogany generally contributes a warm, rounded resonance, but the exact sonic result depends on construction, pickup and strings. The listing does not publish weight or body thickness.

The neck is maple, and the fingerboard is jatoba. Maple offers a bright, stable foundation in many bass designs, while jatoba is a dense fingerboard wood used as an alternative to rosewood. The listing does not specify neck profile, nut width, fret count or fingerboard radius.

Playability on paper is a mix of known materials and missing dimensions. Five string basses typically need a slightly wider neck than four string models to accommodate the low B, but without published nut width that cannot be confirmed. Buyers should treat playability as something to verify in person or through a seller's return policy.

Pickups and Tone

The only published electronics detail is one humbucking pickup. A single humbucker typically delivers a thick, rounded response with less single coil hum than a split coil design. The exact placement of the pickup is not stated in the listing.

Because there is no bridge pickup or blend control described, the GSR105EXMOL likely offers a focused voice rather than a wide palette of bass tones. Players can still shape the sound with amplifier EQ or external pedals, but the onboard tone shaping may be limited. The listing does not state whether a passive tone control or volume control is included.

For styles that need a fat low end and a direct midrange, a single humbucking pickup can work well. Five string bass lines in rock, metal, pop and contemporary worship often rely on that kind of fundamental heavy tone. Guitarists doubling on bass may also appreciate the simple pickup setup.

Hardware and Electronics

Most hardware specifications are not published in the listing. The bridge, tuners, control layout, strap buttons and any electronics beyond the pickup are undocumented. This makes it difficult to judge long term reliability or upgrade potential from the listing alone.

What can be said is that the bass uses a five string layout with a single humbucking pickup. The natural oil finish is described as the visible finish on the mahogany body. The listing does not mention active preamp, battery compartment or coil tap functions.

• Body: mahogany
• Neck: maple
• Fingerboard: jatoba
• Pickup: one humbucking pickup
• Finish: natural oil
• Scale length: not published in listing

Build Quality and Finish

The natural oil finish is the main finish detail in the listing. Oil finishes tend to be thinner than thick polyurethane and can give a more organic feel to the body wood. The listing does not state whether the mahogany has an open grain look or a smoother pore fill.

Build quality at this lower mid-range tier generally means functional woods and hardware, with some variation from unit to unit. Since the bridge and tuners are not named, there is no published evidence for upgraded hardware. The simple single pickup design leaves less wiring to go wrong, which can help reliability.

Without physical inspection, the finish consistency and fretwork cannot be evaluated. Buyers report that instruments in this class can arrive with minor cosmetic imperfections or rough fret ends, but that is not a universal rule. A return period is useful if the listed finish does not meet expectations.

Setup Out of the Box

The listing does not describe factory setup, string action or relief. Budget and lower mid-range basses often ship with a generic setup that works but may not suit every player. Buyers report that a truss rod adjustment and bridge saddle tweak are common first steps on new instruments in this tier.

Because the scale length and string gauges are not published, it is harder to predict how the low B will feel or intonate. A proper setup can improve note clarity and reduce fret buzz, especially on the thicker fifth string. The listing does not mention whether a setup tool or hex wrench is included.

Players who are comfortable with basic bass maintenance can likely dial in the action to taste. Beginners may want to budget for a professional setup or ask the seller about out of box adjustment. The GSR105EXMOL should not be judged solely on its factory setup condition without verification.

Daily Use and Practice

A five string bass extends the low end down to B in most standard tunings, which can be useful for modern styles and for avoiding detuning a four string. The GSR105EXMOL keeps the control set minimal as described, which may appeal to players who do not want to manage a preamp. The listing does not state string spacing, so the feel for slap or fingerstyle remains unknown.

The mahogany body may add heft, but the listing does not publish weight. This matters for long practice sessions and gigs. Without an included strap or case mentioned, buyers will need to plan those purchases separately.

For daily practice, the single humbucker and passive likely design, if that is indeed the configuration, should be easy to plug in and play. The lack of a published control layout is a minor frustration, but most single pickup basses use at least a volume control. Buyers should confirm the controls before relying on a specific setup.

Versatility and Styles

The GSR105EXMOL's versatility is constrained by its single pickup specification. Without a bridge pickup, coil split or active EQ described, the onboard range is likely narrower than a two pickup bass or an active model. That is not automatically a flaw, but it sets clear expectations.

The humbucker's warm, round character should suit rock, pop, metal, funk with a pick, and any style that benefits from a strong fundamental. Clean fingerstyle playing may lack some of the snap and articulation that a bridge pickup or treble control would provide. The five string range adds low notes that suit modern R&B and worship music.

Players who only need one good bass tone rather than a broad array of sounds may find this bass easy to live with. Those who switch between a bright, scooped slap tone and a deep reggae thump on the same song may find the single pickup limiting. The listing does not state whether the humbucker is positioned at the neck, middle or bridge, which also affects the voice.

Who Should Buy It

This bass fits players who want a simple five string instrument at a lower mid-range price. Beginners moving from a four string for the first time may appreciate the lack of a complex control scheme. The listed woods are familiar choices that should provide a conventional bass feel.

The GSR105EXMOL also works for guitarists doubling on bass or for practice at home where the low B is needed for certain songs. Because the listing leaves out hardware details, buyers who prioritize a known bridge and tuners over simplicity should look elsewhere.

Overall, the buyer profile is someone who values the five string range and a single humbucking pickup over tonal flexibility and published specification depth.

Verdict

The Ibanez GSR105EXMOL is a focused lower mid-range five string bass. The published build of a mahogany body, maple neck, jatoba fretboard and one humbucker offers a straightforward foundation, but the listing leaves many practical details unspecified.

A single humbucker can produce a useful, thick low end and suits modern styles that do not demand rapid switching between contrasting tones. Players who need a bridge pickup, active EQ or a fully documented hardware list may find this bass too limited.

For the right buyer, the GSR105EXMOL is a no frills route to five string range. The main advice is to verify scale length, control layout and setup condition before buying, since those facts are not published in the listing.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

IYV IBHLFF5-400 Headless Bass

Players who want an affordable headless multi-scale bass and are comfortable filling in missing specification details through other research.

Read the IYV IBHLFF5-400 Headless Bass review →

Squier Sonic Precision Bass

Beginners and budget-conscious players who want a classic Precision Bass sound and comfortable playability in a lower mid-range instrument.

Read the Squier Sonic Precision Bass review →

Ibanez GSR200SMNGT

Players who want a visually distinctive lower mid-range bass and can accept some unknown specifications.

Read the Ibanez GSR200SMNGT review →

Questions Buyers Ask