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Ibanez Experts -- Lend Me Your Ears

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plangentmusic

Inactive
Jun 30, 2010
1,922
45
Manhattan
#1
I always thought Ibanez basses were a good deal. But they've since ventured in to the high end -- almost boutique bracket.

So I compared a SR500 with bartolini's and bubinga neck and a beautiful walnut finish. Really cool bass. Sounds like a Ibanez. I don't know what it is (the low mass and thin neck?) but Ibby's have a sound. 500 bucks! Nice.

Then a I tried another Ibanez. Same dimensions. Same bubinga neck. Bartolini's. Similar controls. Similar sound -- sounds like an Ibanez.

TWO THOUSAND BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What am I missing?
 
#4
plangentmusic said:
Yes, it was the prestige.

I think they're all made in Japan.

So again...why the difference in price? What's supposed to be so great about the Prestige?
Click to expand...
Only the prestige models are made in Japan. They're made with materials that are considered higher grade. Everything is nicely beveled and there's a noticeable attention to detail.

Several on here have said they are worth the price tag. I don't know if I agree, but I haven't played a prestige.
 
#5
Check the specs on the site. Pretty big difference in wood quality, electronics, pickups,hardware and overall quality control if you ask me. All bart's are not the same. "Real" Bart's on the Prestige model, cheaper ones on the lower end models. Different Pre's as well. Not sure about the neck profiles.

If you saw and played them both and couldn't tell a difference then go for the sr500 and save yourself some cash.

*Previous owner of a SR3006.
 
#6
perfektspace6 said:
Check the specs on the site. Pretty big difference in wood quality, electronics, pickups,hardware and overall quality control if you ask me. All bart's are not the same. "Real" Bart's on the Prestige model, cheaper ones on the lower end models. Different Pre's as well. Not sure about the neck profiles.

If you saw and played them both and couldn't tell a difference then go for the sr500 and save yourself some cash.

*Previous owner of a SR3006.
Click to expand...


Well, they had a slight timbre difference, but nothing necessarily superior, and as mentioned, they both had an "Ibanez" sound.


Funny, how in this case, a Japanese model is supposedly better. It changes year to year.

I think it's another example of just adding bells and whistles and charging a lot more.
 
#7
I had an SR605 for a 5 string and now have a SR4005E Prestige. I can hear and feel quite a difference between the two but yes, as Plangentmusic said, they do both have the Ibanez sound.
The 4005 has, to my ears, a clearer, more focused sound and has a better B string. The wood is much much better on the prestige bass as well as the hardware. The Ash on the 605 seemed low grade.
The neck profiles feel about the same but the fretwork leaves something to be desired on the 605. Nothing that a trip to the Guitar Mechanic couldn't remedy but nonetheless, The 4005 is very good out of the box.
The 4005E is a $1599.00 bass which is not a bad price for a professional instrument.
I think Both basses are worth their prices.
 
#8
The $2K one is most def a MIJ model. If you've never played a MIJ Soundgear, they are a totally different animal than all other variations of SR made in Korea, China, Indonesia, etc... That's not to say those other countries havent produced some nice models, but the Japanese ones always had much greater attention to detail, and the consistency from one to another was very tight. I used to buy a new SR every year until they quit making them in Japan and I can tell you - the quality is night and day different.
 
#9
plangentmusic said:
Well, they had a slight timbre difference, but nothing necessarily superior, and as mentioned, they both had an "Ibanez" sound.


Funny, how in this case, a Japanese model is supposedly better. It changes year to year.

I think it's another example of just adding bells and whistles and charging a lot more.
Click to expand...
MIJ has always been the best except when compared to MIA. But they don't make Ibanez basses in America.
 
#10
If you like Ibbies than the prestige is tip top, I played a couple SR505's for YEARS, they did me good, I was thinking I would step up to a Prestige but alas time was up for Ibanez and I, and I craved something with more lumber and a deeper tone :) and didn't like the electronics on the regular SR's either, I played a bunch of other brands and decided on something a lil more old school. Those Ibanez' are pretty nice for the cash, and if you dig the feel and sound, theres no reason not to drop a grand on a nice bass.
 
#11
it's about like a squier P bass and a MIA p bass. If you can't tell the differences then lucky you, no need to spend that much money. But for someone who wants a truely professional instrument,with extreme attention to detail,superior craftsman ship and materials, the real deal. It's the thing to go for.
 
#12
5string5fingers said:
it's about like a squier P bass and a MIA p bass. If you can't tell the differences then lucky you, no need to spend that much money. But for someone who wants a truely professional instrument,with extreme attention to detail,superior craftsman ship and materials, the real deal. It's the thing to go for.
Click to expand...

Mmmm, sounds a little insulting ..."If you can't tell the difference...."

Actually, I think my ears are pretty good. Been at this a loooong time. I also think there's a lot of cross sensing happening. People assume because something is more expensive it's therefore superior. I'd bet good money you couldn't tell the difference if you didn't know which was which.
 
#13
The same thing could be said for almost every brand of bass. A Spector Euro vs. a USA, A Mexican Fender vs. a USA, A G&L Tribute vs. USA. Skyline Lakland vs. USA etc. Why single out Ibanez?
What's the point? If I'm happy with my bass and you are happy with yours, Who really cares?
 
#14
plangentmusic said:
Mmmm, sounds a little insulting ..."If you can't tell the difference...."

Actually, I think my ears are pretty good. Been at this a loooong time. I also think there's a lot of cross sensing happening. People assume because something is more expensive it's therefore superior. I'd bet good money you couldn't tell the difference if you didn't know which was which.
Click to expand...

You made my point. I never said I COULD hear a difference. People hear what they want. If you don't here the "difference" if this is or not,no body can say but yourself,then great,because you saved yourself a grand.
 
#15
Sometimes the only real diff between lower price and higher price version of a model is pretty much just cosmetic. With "higher grade" this or that just giving a minor sound change. Then of course theres times when one just finds the sound of a lower price model better to their ears. This can be due to electronics or woods or a combo of these. And yes, sometimes people listen more with their eyes rather then their ears.
 
#16
The prestige SDGR series from 2009 moved production back to Fujigen in Japan which was the best move ibanez have made in years. Previously they were coming out of Cort in Korea and while the quality was good, it just didnt match up with FG. As someone who has seen the factory (i used to work for ibby) they are the best in the biz. The woods are properly treated and the luthiers attention to detail is perfecto. I personally only use FG basses but for those that are on a budget, the new stuff coming out of CT Indonesia is really good, these factories have really improved their QC over the years and the instruments speak for themselves, the SR500 is one of the best finished and best sounding basses ive seen come out of Cort...which is why its been ibbys top seller for a while now.

And i might add, for anyone looking for Fujigen quality but cant afford a prestige...look for a second hand SR800 or 1000 from 88' onwards as these were all MIJ's and the necks are exactly like a Prestige.
 
#17
jamswinna said:
The prestige SDGR series from 2009 moved production back to Fujigen in Japan which was the best move ibanez have made in years. Previously they were coming out of Cort in Korea and while the quality was good, it just didnt match up with FG. As someone who has seen the factory (i used to work for ibby) they are the best in the biz. The woods are properly treated and the luthiers attention to detail is perfecto. I personally only use FG basses but for those that are on a budget, the new stuff coming out of CT Indonesia is really good, these factories have really improved their QC over the years and the instruments speak for themselves, the SR500 is one of the best finished and best sounding basses ive seen come out of Cort...which is why its been ibbys top seller for a while now.

And i might add, for anyone looking for Fujigen quality but cant afford a prestige...look for a second hand SR800 or 1000 from 88' onwards as these were all MIJ's and the necks are exactly like a Prestige.
Click to expand...
That makes me seriously consider looking for an SR800 or 1000.

I really hate the look of the new Prestige basses I have to say. Never been a fan of natural finishes or gold hardware. But the 80s and 90s SR1000s looked quite good.
 
#20
One thing I've heard about several different brands lately is that the better models have a graphite layer under the fingerboard to add stability. In the long run, those kind of things can make a difference, but for those of us who find a $2000 bass way out of our price range, it's nice to know that you can get a good tone with a lesser expensive instrument. Doesn't mean we wouldn't prefer to have the better model, just have to work with the budget we have.
 

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