Have any of you heard or owned of these ''rareish'' ibanez basses? (pics included)

Bassman1Seb · #1 03-10-2012, 09:53 PM

I own a 1986-1987 Ibanez rb-999 and wanted to see if any others on talk bass have owned or played these rare funny looking basses haha. I got it from my dad who said he'd let me have it if i fixed it up. So, a little re-wiring and soldering and boom, she sings! I like the tone that the bass gets, but personally the neck pickup is sometimes a little boomy for my liking

The bridge pickup gives me nice tight punchy tones that sound amazing when recorded. Oh also it's probably the best bass iv'e used for recording because of the dead quiet pickups and eq! no hiss or hum whatso ever even when hooked into pedals

So if you've played or owned one of these basses let me know what you think of them

meatwad · #2 03-10-2012, 09:58 PM

I never owned one, but a guy I knew in the early 90's did, and it sounded pretty damn good, IMO. I love me some 80's Ibanez.

curbowkid · #3 03-10-2012, 10:18 PM

I have never seen one before but it looks like ibanez took a swing at Warwick too

Spleenface92 · #4 03-11-2012, 12:39 AM

That has got to be the most compact headstock I've ever seen. Do you have any more pics of it? I'd love to see a full shot of the front and back.

bassteban · #5 03-11-2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbowkid

I have never seen one before but it looks like ibanez took a swing at Warwick too

I suggest yet a better look at one- they're nothing like a Warwick(I like both, but I like the DK AND Celine Dion).

JPSBassist · #6 03-11-2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbowkid

I have never seen one before but it looks like ibanez took a swing at Warwick too

Spector
BC Rich
Fodera
Gibson
Steinberger Sound
Status
Rickenbacher

Just so that we're clear... these are the companies that Warwick has "borrowed" inspiration for its designs from.

Was your comment a suggestion that the Ibanez design in this thread was a borrowed design from Warwick?

If so, I find it rather interesting that you'd think anyone has borrowed anything from them... especially Ibanez, who has a very long history of innovative and original designs (since the 1950's).

I have nothing but respect for Ibanez's CEO, Mr. Toshitsugu Tanaka, whose reputation for integrity is well-established.

Just keeping it real.

And defending Ibanez. It's an insult to suggest that they'd "take a swing a Warwick" when in fact Warwick is the biggest swinger in the bass guitar marketplace today.

Darnell Jones · #7 03-11-2012, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman1Seb

So if you've played or owned one of these basses let me know what you think of them

The Bean Bass, Sting played one for a while.

Rano Bass · #8 03-11-2012, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

Spector
BC Rich
Fodera
Gibson
Steinberger Sound
Status
Rickenbacher

Just so that we're clear... these are the companies that Warwick has "borrowed" inspiration for its designs from.

Just keeping it real.

And defending Ibanez. It's an insult to suggest that they'd "take a swing a Warwick" when in fact Warwick is the biggest swinger in the bass guitar marketplace today.

Really???

Oh... i just realized you are a Spector fan

And i like Spector basses.

eyeballkid · #9 03-11-2012, 06:49 AM

No animosity here or attachment to any brand, but reality is that in the early days of the 80s ibanez probably had to industry record for "lawsuit" basses for designs they blatantly copied. Its a matter of history that noone needs to take offense from. Some of them were quite awesome and the company today is rather innovative whether or not its ones particular brand of choice....I dig on old ibanez's even if ive never owned one.

garp · #10 03-11-2012, 07:28 AM

I’ve played an RB888 and an RB999, but never owned either one. Terrific basses, IMHO. I was very tempted to grab a new RB999 back in the day, but ended up going with the RB850 instead, which I still own. The Ibanez Roadstar II series really had some great instruments.

James Hart · #11 03-11-2012, 07:39 AM

great playing and sounding basses... I was very close to buying a grey one (revisited the store a few times, had cash in hand even) but couldn't get past the body size. I'm too big of a guy to wear that tiny of a body.

Johnny Alien · #12 03-11-2012, 08:12 AM

Show your Ibanez BEAN BASS!

The pictures mess with my eyes. The photos look distorted. Very interesting bass.

Johnny Alien · #13 03-11-2012, 08:15 AM

Also check this one out....

Baixo Ibanez RARIDADE - RB999GM - 1986 - Edição Limitada - Valinhos - Instrumentos Musicais

andreaska · #14 03-11-2012, 10:04 AM

Unique body shape and nice to play, hast its own character. But for me no allround bass - actually I prefer my new Spector.

nixdad · #15 03-11-2012, 10:16 AM

I sold several of these to women back in the 80's. The body shape didn't get in the way of their natural endowments...

**DeanT** · #16 03-11-2012, 10:53 AM

I recently sold one. The "Bean" bass. They are light, solidly built and sound great. The neck plays well, very smooth and fast. If you can find one in good shape you won't be sorry. The stock Ibanez pickups are very responsive with lots of low end.

I sold mine because I had bought it used and it was pretty beat up. I go tired of trying to get the neck to stay where I wanted it.

curbowkid · #17 03-11-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

Spector
BC Rich
Fodera
Gibson
Steinberger Sound
Status
Rickenbacher

Just so that we're clear... these are the companies that Warwick has "borrowed" inspiration for its designs from.

Was your comment a suggestion that the Ibanez design in this thread was a borrowed design from Warwick?

If so, I find it rather interesting that you'd think anyone has borrowed anything from them... especially Ibanez, who has a very long history of innovative and original designs (since the 1950's).

I have nothing but respect for Ibanez's CEO, Mr. Toshitsugu Tanaka, whose reputation for integrity is well-established.

Just keeping it real.

And defending Ibanez. It's an insult to suggest that they'd "take a swing a Warwick" when in fact Warwick is the biggest swinger in the bass guitar marketplace today.

Oh I know, I love ibanez and I love Warwick, simply a stupid comment

it's just the body reminded me ALOT of a streamer

wraub · #18 03-11-2012, 05:43 PM

I always liked the Bean bass, always considered it a cheaper budget alternative to the Steinberger, i.e. compact on stage and sounds good.

However, I do love my 2 RB885s...

wraub

ERIC31 · #19 12-04-2012, 09:52 PM

I really want to get one of these basses. I'll have to check around in my area because I want to play one before I put down some cash. I'm imagining playing a gig for hours with no shoulder fatigue! =)

DiabolusInMusic · #20 12-04-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

Spector
BC Rich
Fodera
Gibson
Steinberger Sound
Status
Rickenbacher

Just so that we're clear... these are the companies that Warwick has "borrowed" inspiration for its designs from.

Was your comment a suggestion that the Ibanez design in this thread was a borrowed design from Warwick?

If so, I find it rather interesting that you'd think anyone has borrowed anything from them... especially Ibanez, who has a very long history of innovative and original designs (since the 1950's).

I have nothing but respect for Ibanez's CEO, Mr. Toshitsugu Tanaka, whose reputation for integrity is well-established.

Just keeping it real.

And defending Ibanez. It's an insult to suggest that they'd "take a swing a Warwick" when in fact Warwick is the biggest swinger in the bass guitar marketplace today.

I am not that educated in my Ibanez and Warwick history, but I do know that only one of the mentioned companies has "lawsuit basses"...