🎸 Stray Of The Day 🎸

🪲 Meet Harrison 🪲

When he joined us, he was dusty, dirty, and forgotten. Now, look at him shine! He’s going to make music and look glorious while he does it!

Ibanez Soundgear SR305E (Cerulean Aura Burst) – 2020

A sleek, low-profile modern 5-string powerhouse, this 2020 Ibanez Soundgear SR305E arrived with only minor honest wear but all the usual compromises of a factory setup. His action sat unnecessarily high, tuning stability left plenty to be desired, the fret ends were sharp, and after spending years tucked away in the back of a wardrobe, his roasted Jatoba fretboard had become dry and lifeless. We couldn’t let that stunning Cerulean Aura Burst finish remain hidden away.

Sarah began by restoring the beautiful solid Nyatoh body, carefully bringing that incredible reverse burst finish back to a deep, mirror-like gloss. The ergonomic contours really come alive under the light, making him an instrument that demands attention whether on stage or hanging proudly at home. Finally, he was treated to a premium carnauba wax finish, helping to protect the gloss from sweat, handling and the hazing that darker finishes can often develop over time.

Jordan then turned his attention to the renowned 5-piece maple and walnut SR5 Slim neck. After setting it perfectly straight, he carried out a full fret level, recrown and mirror polish across all 24 medium frets, ensuring effortless slides and smooth bends without choking out anywhere on the neck. The roasted Jatoba fretboard was then deeply cleaned and conditioned, restoring its rich chocolate tones while leaving it slick, fast and glass-like under your fingertips. The darker fretboard beautifully highlights the crisp white position markers, creating a striking contrast against the Cerulean Aura Burst finish.

To complete the neck work, Jordan individually rounded every sharp factory fret end before carefully rolling the fretboard edges by hand, giving this modern workhorse the smooth, broken-in feel normally associated with far more expensive Custom Shop instruments.

Next came the electronics. The entire control cavity was serviced, flushing away the stiff factory grease to leave every control smooth, responsive and completely crackle-free. His PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups, paired with the Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ and Power Tap switch, deliver an enormous range of tones, from tight, punchy modern lows and warm vintage character to aggressive growl and articulate, piano-like clarity. Combined with the bolt-on neck and solid Nyatoh body, he offers exceptional transient attack and impressive sustain.

Finally, Jordan completed a full professional setup. The neck relief was precisely adjusted, the nut slots were carefully filed and graphite lubricated to improve tuning stability, and each bridge saddle was individually adjusted for accurate action and intonation. Particular attention was paid to the notoriously difficult low B string, ensuring it remains tight, punchy and perfectly articulated rather than loose or muddy.

By adopting this bass, you’re not just getting an incredible-looking instrument, you’re getting a professionally restored, player-first setup that lets the SR305E perform exactly as Ibanez intended. Whether you’re laying down grooves in the bedroom, recording in the studio or taking to the stage, he’s ready for whatever you throw at him.