Ibanez updates website!

[Mr_Music90]

The Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders) signature guitar looks sick!!

Also, I'm very amazed by the new BTB, SR, SRX and Grooveline basses. Not forget new signature basses

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

I'm actually excited with the stuff Ibanez put out for bass. I'm also interested in some of their guitar stuff, like that 9 string guitar theyre prototyping. I'm really thinking I may have to check out their new BTBs this year...and those new premium SRs look killer!

Looking at the new Premium BTB basses with Nordstrand PUPS, it may be a hard challenge to choose a bass, since the SR's have my attention as well

[IngerAlb]

Originally Posted by Toptube

It would definitely be nice to get some new colors. Some shades from the rainbow maybe
But otherwise, the SR line is pretty well represented from top to bottom.

We get the basic models (30X/50X/60X/70X) with just one finish colour if 5ers. We don't get any of the intermediate models, like the 375, 405, 750 and so on and no maple fretboard models nor fretless. And since the used market is floded with Ibbys at very cheap prices, there's really no incentive to buy a new instrument. Which is good for the average buyer, but I imagine not so good business wise for Ibanez. Which is precisely the point of releasing new stuff (or at least a bit of "make up"). I for ex have a 505 + 505M, 605, 705 and a SRT905DX (all bought new). There's really nothing I could possibly buy now even if I wanted to...

As for 7's, well I think Ibanez is seeing an opportunity to offer a value option for a growing niche. More and more people are playing 6 and 7 string basses. Metal, Prog and other types of music are really in a growth spurt right now with younger people. and man, people are so different from one body to the next. I know for you and me, playing with that many strings would be a stretch. But there are people out there for which its about as strenuous as brushing their teeth. Those people are amazing and they shouldn't have to pay $3,000 to have a custom instrument made so that they can express their musical potential. That's what I think Ibanez is doing, anyhow.

IMO it's a bit irresponsible to neglect your flagship line and release something that's always gonna be a small niche product.

Maybe I'm indeed old and bitter, but IMO if you need a 7 strings bass to reach your full potential, you're playing the wrong instrument.

Its a global recession right now. I think some of their extra bass models haven't been selling so much. So this year they paired down to focus on what's actually selling, while still offering a couple of new options for potential growth areas. In the past few years the SRX line has changed aesthetically like very other year. Yet I would always see them as blowout leftovers. Very few of them would sell. I think the SRA and SRT had similar fates, they just didn't try to keep them around as long.

(Again) IMO the SRX was a failure from get go. I'm not suprised at all they're not doing very well - because once the hype of being "SRs on steroids" evaporated, ppl realised the SRs were better in every single aspect.

On the other hand, even with this recession I doubt they're not selling SRs for ex; I see new owners joining the Ibby club and most of the time they've bought a SR30X/50X, a 20X or a BTB.

Ibanez is a huge brand; if they can't make it in the bizz, no one can. They have a massive dealer network (prolly only Fender tops them) and the muscle to move their products. But they seem to have lost the direction during the past few years: they do this and that, release some weird limited edition instruments with little commercial value, diss their main selling products, and overall act like someone without a well thought plan.

[Root 5]

It really annoys me that Ibanez offers so few colour choices; you're lucky to have two to choose from.

Japanese companies are all about cost cutting & efficiency - this is why they do it.

[Veldar]

Does the 7 string have a low F# or a high F?

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by Veldar

Does the 7 string have a low F# or a high F?

High F

[TolerancEJ]

@Veldar - With minor adjustments, you could set it up from F# if you wish.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

With minor adjustments, you could set it up from F# if you wish.

Indeed! Not the kind of thing I like though BEADGC is good enough for moi

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Indeed! Not the kind of thing I like though BEADGC is good enough for moi

If I owned one, I might do it for variety. I already have a GTBD-7 tuned from B to F.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

If I owned one, I might do it for variety. I already have a GTBD-7 tuned from B to F.

High F isn't really bad, but F# is xD

[millsbass5]

I generally like their basses. But, dammit!! I wish they would do a 19mm Soundgear 5'er. And good grief, lower the price on the Grooveline Series. I really like the looks of those, but not for that kind of jack.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

...And good grief, lower the price on the Grooveline Series. I really like the looks of those, but not for that kind of jack.

Agreed. The Grooveline prices are way off. The TB'ers that actually like the design aren't able to afford them.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Agreed. The Grooveline prices are way off. The TB'ers that actually like the design aren't able to afford them.

Well the Prestige SoundGears aren't cheap either...

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Well the Prestige SoundGears aren't cheap either...

That's true, but Soundgears are already enjoyed by many bassists. I could almost justify it because it's an instantly recognizable model from their lineup.

[Mr_Music90]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

That's true, but Soundgears are already enjoyed by many bassists. I could almost justify it because it's an instantly recognizable model from their lineup.

True, but their Premium basses are more affordable. Not the same quality like the hand build Prestiges, but not all TB-ers can't buy the Prestige, if they like it.

[jaywa]

Been waiting over a year for a replacement sweepable midrange pot for my older BTB, which is proprietary and I'm told can't be gotten from any other source.

Not impressed with Ibanez AT ALL. Gonna sell mine as soon as it's playable again and will never be buying another one.

[IngerAlb]

Groovelines are indeed way off; the most expensive Prestige is almost half the price.
As for quality, I'm sorry, but the Premiums are on par with the Prestige (pretty much the same quality - just less controls and different electronics).

Umm...and no 19mm SRs For that we have the BTBs. SRs are perfect just the way they are: narrow neck, tight string space - they cater to a different crowd.

@jaywa: sorry bro, but it seems your local dealer sucks big time. The guys at Ibanez are usually quick when it comes to this kind of things. Try contacting one of their staff members on the official forums - I see them oftem solve such issues. Good luck

[austentaciousC]

The "coming soon" 7 string BTB looks cool. As far as "competing with guitarists with 8 strings", music is just music. I bought a 7 string ESP guitar when Korn and Limp bizkit were all the rage in the 90's and played the hell out of it. Music changed and you were hard pressed to find an affordable 7 string you didnt have to special order in the early 2000's. Will 8 string guitars go away? No. Will you hear them on modern radio anytime soon? Maybe. Do they threaten our place in a band as bass players? Maybe in 1% of the bands i can think of off the top of my head.

[Veldar]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

@Veldar - With minor adjustments, you could set it up from F# if you wish.

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Indeed! Not the kind of thing I like though BEADGC is good enough for moi

Well I want to have higher notes because My guitarist isn't a lead player and is fine with me soloing, and want to have a axe I can use against those Djent kids.

[Epitaph04]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

Maybe I'm indeed old and bitter, but IMO if you need a 7 strings bass to reach your full potential, you're playing the wrong instrument.

That has absolutely nothing to do with it.