Reviews by Joe Nerve

This was my first "real" bass, or first bass costing over a few hundred bucks. The one I had was Bubinga with a Wenge neck, and active MECs. I believe it was a '98. The bass had awesome action and played like a dream. I felt it almost had a spirit to it, maybe due to the woodiness and love I put into it waxing and doting over it. Anyhow, I originally bought the bass because I wanted a bass with lots of bottom, and this one couldn't be beat. Not even by Warwicks costing $1000 more. I was...

I absolutely love this bass. Seems like a toy as described, but is really quite solid. I was pleasantly surprised when I got it. Had great action, great feel due in part to the short scale, and actually sounds pretty good in a band situation. Had a lot more thump than I expected, sits nicely in the mix, and cuts through well. The amp and beats are great for practicing, this doesn't get very loud however. Maybe loud enough to jam with a single lightly played acoustic... But it's more for...

I bought this bass new in 1999. I believe it was a '98. While I was happy at first, the bass sounded OK and felt great - that happiness took only a few months to disappear. I don't give a rats ass about tuners, generally, but the ones on that bass (Fender ultralites I believe) were absolutely horrible. All 4 of them had play in them, and it took me a considerable amount of time to tune the bass. Took it to an authorized tech and was told that's just the way they were, and there was nothing...

Bought this bass because I liked the way it looked, plus always liked the P/MM pickup configuration, which is tough to find. Caught it while on sale, and got an added 15% off with a coupon at Musiciansfriend. I was completely blown away. The bass has super low buzz free action, and sounds awesome. It can get really deep thumpy and dark, gnarly and Jaco like, and with the humbucker kicked in gets a real sweet Warwick like growl happening. Bass can do a great P or J imitation, and is capable...

Wound up returning this one. Bottom line for me was this, cut and pasted from a review below: If you want an inexpensive fun toy to fiddle with, and maybe use for some songs I'd say go for it. If you plan to make this your main bass, you might want to rethink it. I think Ibanez took a chance here putting it on the cheapest bass they could possibly come up with, and well... that's what they got. A simple tone control may have swayed my decision, but oh hwell. Links to my original much more...