Ibanez vs Fender neck profile

[oldcatfish]

Ok, first of all...if this is in the wrong forum sorry, moderator please feel free to move it.

I recently was at GC trying out a few basses. I loved the tone of an Ibanez SR370 that I tried out. It was a beautiful instrument, and had a great balance and overall feel, but I prefer a chunkier more Fender like neck, so I bought something else.

But the Ibanez got me thinking. I started on a p-bass copy, so I learned the basics on that type of neck. But I am also a guitar player and on the Ibanez style necks, I find myself naturally wanting to jump all over the place and play fills, a lot more than I ever would on the Fender style necks. If I had started on an Ibanez, I'm almost certain that I would have turned out to be a more "flashy" player, rather than the more "in the pocket" type of player that I am. By the way, I'm not suggesting that there is anything wrong with being a flashy player, just that it's a different approach.

So my question to both Fender players and Ibanez players--do you feel that the neck profile you initially chose has influenced your development as a player. Or is it just the old lead guitar player in me, feeling something familiar in the slim Ibanez neck profile. In other words, are most of you Ibanez players flashy, and the Fender players not. Personally, the two die hard Ibanez players that I know ARE both flashy---but both are also primarily guitar players, and don't consider bass as their primary instrument...so I won't count them.

[soundman502]

I think I see what you mean. I play both as well. I have a 76 Jazz 4 string, and an 05 Ibanez 5 string. When it comes to playing, I definitely have an easier time playing the Ibanez. I know some of this comes from string spacing and setup, but it is much easier for me. I'm a player that uses every inch of my neck and every string, and I have to admit that I probably lean more to the colorful side, but I don't neglect the pocket either. I love both of my basses, and play them equally, but as for tendencies from one to the other, the Ibanez allows me to be faster/easier. Just .02

[thedudebrah]

I started on an Ibanez GSR190 starter bass, and now I have 8 fenders and a Music Man. Don't even acknowledge the Ibby anymore. You could say I'm more of a pocket player, but I almost prefer it that way. I'll play a fill when I feel it only adds to the song.

[oldcatfish]

Yes, you both get exactly what I'm talking about. The string spacing and slim Ibanez neck almost begs you to jump around on the neck. And for the record, I also prefer not to be to too flashy...because I could see myself becoming the dreaded "lead bass player" that no one wants. Again, I'm not putting down flashy players...but I could see myself getting out of control on an Ibanez.

[MonetBass]

To clarify, the Precision neck profile is considerably chunkier than the Jazz neck profile. Like you, I am also a guitarist and prefer the slimmer profile necks, which is why I have Jazz basses and not Precisions.

[oldcatfish]

Yes a P neck is different than a J neck....but not as different as an Ibanez neck is to either. And for that matter, Musicman necks are also closer to a Fender style than Ibanez. At least the SR series, which is what I've played.

I think for me, it's not just the slimness of the Ibanez neck, but the fret spacing. It's more like a guitar, so the years of lead guitar playing just kind of wants to happen on that style of neck.

[Sparty]

I played musicman for bout 15 years and have now changed to ibanez sr600 and Lakeland. Both of which the necks (I feel) are defo quicker and easier to get around. To me I feel my playing has become tighter rather than flashier due to this. Also the weight difference is immense. Decades of playing heavy guitars has not done my shoulder any good hence this is the main reason for moving to a lighter guitar.. I feel tho if I'd have started with the SR600 I would probably be a bit more flamboyant than I am now...

[mystic38]

This...

I tried a P bass, top heavy and neck profile of a brick.. a "jazz bass" type neck for me, regardless of manufacturer..

ended up with G&L SB-2

Originally Posted by MonetBass

To clarify, the Precision neck profile is considerably chunkier than the Jazz neck profile. Like you, I am also a guitarist and prefer the slimmer profile necks, which is why I have Jazz basses and not Precisions.

[Kmonk]

I've played necks with many different profiles including Fender Jazz, Precision, Ibanez and Alembic 4 and 5 strings. I have found that none of them has effected my development as a player. I can usually adjust to the different neck almost immediately. I do prefer to play some songs on basses with thinner necks though. Especially if there are a lot of fast walks, runs, or a long stretch between notes.

[oldcatfish]

Originally Posted by Sparty

I played musicman for bout 15 years and have now changed to ibanez sr600 and Lakeland. Both of which the necks (I feel) are defo quicker and easier to get around. To me I feel my playing has become tighter rather than flashier due to this. Also the weight difference is immense. Decades of playing heavy guitars has not done my shoulder any good hence this is the main reason for moving to a lighter guitar.. I feel tho if I'd have started with the SR600 I would probably be a bit more flamboyant than I am now...

--This is how I feel, except I prefer how the heavier basses do encourage me to NOT jump around the neck too much.

[cfsporn]

Plenty of "flashy" bassists learned on/played a P. Steve Harris, James Jamerson, Billy Sheehan, John Entwistle.

My first bass was a SX P clone, followed by an Ibanez GSR200. I would be a flashy player (if it weren't for my crippling lack of skills), and I love a chunky neck.

[Papersen]

Obviously depends on your personal preference.
I`ve played several of both extensively and although Ibbys generally have thinner, faster necks they to be poor sounding (not all of them) don`t make a huge difference.

Their tighter string separation makes it more difficult in some aspects (slapping for example).

My favorite neck profile is generally associated with Jazz basses. OTOH, I generally dislike Pbass neck profiles. If you want a slim Jazz neck profile, try a Geddy Lee.

[Rip Topaz]

I actually started on Ibanez and eventually migrated to Fender.

For the first 25 years or so of my playing career, I played Ibanez (and other similar basses), my main bass for almost 15 years was a well-worn SR400. I loved that bass, and when it finally needed replaced, I searched out an identical one.

I eventually sold it to a friend that needed a bass, and at the time I had a decent collection so I didn't mind helping him out.

Somewhere along the line I came to prefer chunkier necks, specifically the P-bass.

I'm still playing just as flashy as I did on the thinner necks, and don't feel like the Fender profile has slowed me down at all. I actually feel like the Fender neck profile allows me to play more comfortably than the thinner, "faster" necks of Ibanez.

[powmetalbassist]

I started on Yamahas (P copies) and now play Ibanez 80's/90's RD's and SR's. The P necks are wide fat and just never really felt comfortable enough to play all over the neck.I have small hands so made things a little more challenging. When I discovered the miracle of Ibanez I was just blown away. So much easier for me to play and move around. After 7 years of Yamahas I switched and took about a week or two to get used to the new string spacing, but I was sold on Ibanez and have been for the past 4 years.

Because of playing Yamahas for years I play in the pocket primarily (you know...know your place as a bass player), but also move around the neck when I can now that I have more freedom with the ibanez. The neck profile defiately affected my playing but my influences and idols from my youth were some of the solo and groove kings of bass: Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, Cliff Burton, Greg Christian and Victor Wooten.

[BBQV]

I started out on a Precision, tried other stuff and came back. I now have a problem finding necks wide and thick enough, the only production models today are the Fender Roger Waters Signature and the Yamaha Attitude. But then again, I'm nowhere near a flashy player...

Billy Sheehan, on the other hand, is, and we share the same preferences when it comes to neck-specs...

[DiabolusInMusic]

No, I do not think what bass a person starts on or prefers has an influence on their own personal playing style.

A bass is nothing more than a tool in a person's hands. That is like saying I swung a hammer before I turned a wrench so I became a carpenter instead of a mechanic.

[Rip Topaz]

I do believe that if you spend enough time with ANY bass, you'll become comfortable enough with it that even if that bass has limitations, you'll start to adapt and eventually it will show in your playing style.