Recent content by truejiro

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's comments! One thing that stood out to me is how many people outside Japan have been playing Ibanez basses since the 1970s. I knew they were more popular overseas than they were in Japan, but I never expected to see so many passionate fans here. I was...

Haha!:laugh: I know exactly what you mean. I'm not a fan of narrow string spacing either.

I also own a Bacchus Strong 5, and it's an incredibly well-built bass. The neck has remained remarkably stable over the years, so I can always pick it up and play with confidence.

That Ibanez Jazz Bass looks fantastic! I really like the black block inlays—they give it such a cool, classy look. They're very rare in Japan. I hardly ever see one here.😲

I started playing bass around 1990, and at that time, I think Yamaha, Fernandes, and Fender Japan were probably the brands I saw the most. Aria Pro II and Greco were also very popular. Of course, Ibanez was available as well, but it didn't seem to have the same presence as those other brands. At...

Over 30 Ibanez basses!? That's truly impressive! Ibanez has always had a much bigger presence overseas than it did in Japan, so there actually weren't that many Ibanez players around me growing up.

Yes! We actually have almost the exact same expression in Japanese, "Tonari no shibafu wa aoi." (The neighbor's grass is green.) It means exactly the same thing. :laugh:

Judging by the serial number, it's one of the highly regarded Fender Japan basses built by FujiGen. If it's also in excellent condition, I think it's a very special instrument. If you let it go, it might become the one that got away... the bass you'll always regret selling! 😄

The Aria Pro II LEB is definitely another great example of the excellent Japanese basses that came out during the 1980s.

I completely understand choosing an instrument because of the neck. That's actually the most important factor for me as well.

Thank you for your kind words about Japan! I also have a lot of respect for the craftsmanship and engineering that came out of Japan during the 1970s and 1980s. It was truly a special era for musical instruments.

Thank you! That's a really interesting perspective. It wasn't just musical instruments—Japanese manufacturing as a whole built an incredible reputation during that era. I also have a great deal of respect for the sound of that period and the passion the builders put into their instruments. And...

I've actually never spent much time playing an Ibanez. The music stores near me never really carried them! 😅 It seems Ibanez has an even stronger following overseas than it does here in Japan. I think the 1980s were a special time, when Japanese builders were all pushing each other to make...

Thank you. That's a really interesting perspective. Rather than simply copying Western instruments, I think Japanese builders tried to understand them deeply and then create something in their own way.

Haha! These days, even toasters are expensive! 😄