2018 Ibanez Speculation Thread

[Aidil]

A BTB singlecut with Fan Fret would be nice. I really liked the SRFF, but I can't live with the narrow spacing.
A 6 string FF with nordstrand P/J Pickup system would trigger GAS for me.

the new fanned fret basses, the SRMS series, will have new Mono Rail 5s bridges which have sideways movable saddle to change string spacing ± 1.5 mm from standard 16.5 mm. So by calculation, the string spacing might become 18 mm.

The Ibanez Guitars Facebook page has a very short video showing some of the new models at Bass Player Live. The BTB33 replacement clearly has a ramp. The new SRMS is also visible.

so the ramp is poplar burl also... nice.

 

[skeeler]

the new fanned fret basses, the SRMS series, will have new Mono Rail 5s bridges which have sideways movable saddle to change string spacing ± 1.5 mm from standard 16.5 mm. So by calculation, the string spacing might become 18 mm.

so the ramp is poplar burl also... nice.

On a 5-string, there are 2 strings on each side of the center string, so the outermost strings (the B and G) will have to move twice as far as the increment in spacing you are trying to achieve. For example, if you want to increase by 1.5 mm (from 16.5 to 18, say), then the E and D strings will have to move 1.5 mm, but the B and G strings will have to move 3 mm.

In other words, if the bridges are screwed to the body at 16.5 mm spacing, and there is ± 1.5 mm in adjustment, the largest (even) spacing you will be able to achieve is 17.25 mm.

Yeah, the poplar burl ramp might be cool. I'll need a better look at it.

Thanks again for passing on the inside information.

 

[Bassworship1]

@Aidil

In that video on Ibanez Guitars from Facebook their was a killer looking Ibanez Premium that looked to be a Blue Burst. Can you get me a better picture of that bass or some information about it?

 

[Bassworship1]

From the brief video on Ibanez Facebook post there was some very nice finishes on those basses. I'm anxious to see and hear more about them.

 

[Aidil]

On a 5-string, there are 2 strings on each side of the center string, so the outermost strings (the B and G) will have to move twice as far as the increment in spacing you are trying to achieve. For example, if you want to increase by 1.5 mm (from 16.5 to 18, say), then the E and D strings will have to move 1.5 mm, but the B and G strings will have to move 3 mm.

In other words, if the bridges are screwed to the body at 16.5 mm spacing, and there is ± 1.5 mm in adjustment, the largest (even) spacing you will be able to achieve is 17.25 mm.

Yeah, the poplar burl ramp might be cool. I'll need a better look at it.

you're right... the 1.5 mm sideways saddle movement on 5 string configuration isn't going to be as wide as on 4 string. Hence on 6 string, it will be even more limited. Still, 17.25 mm spacing might appeal better to some than 16.5 mm.

But...

if initially the bridges aren't screwed to the body at 16.5 mm spacing and they moved them sideways to achieve all at 16.5 mm, then the final spacing might become 18 mm on a 5.

@Aidil

In that video on Ibanez Guitars from Facebook their was a killer looking Ibanez Premium that looked to be a Blue Burst. Can you get me a better picture of that bass or some information about it?

I don't have clearer picture of it. All I know, the model name is SR2605-CBB.

 

[ghoulcaster]

Isnt the blue burst the Adam Nitti sig? If not it looks very similar. Shame to see the EUB doesn't appear to be there, I was wondering if it came in 5/6 string, scale length, and of course what it looks like

 

[skeeler]

17.25 mm spacing might appeal better to some than 16.5 mm.

Agreed. If I can retrofit these bridges to my BTB33 (17-nn spacing) or if they come on the new Volo, then 17.75-mm spacing is possible, and that's about perfect for me.

 

[skeeler]

Isnt the blue burst the Adam Nitti sig? If not it looks very similar. Shame to see the EUB doesn't appear to be there, I was wondering if it came in 5/6 string, scale length, and of course what it looks like

THere's another blue one, not the Adam Nitti model, in the video.

There's also no sign of the Affirma in the video. I hope to see more info about that soon.

 

[skeeler]

Photo:

 

[JesseMalaska]

I’m sure it’s totally worth it, and if I had the money I’d buy it, but what’s the point of them releasing it at that price?

If they stripped it down and made it $2000 they’d sell a bunch. Yes I’m just a teacher, not a corporate accountant, so try not to bash me too much.

Yeah, I would love to buy it too... but with that prize. Nah man...

Yes, 2K prize would make me to jump on it instantly!

 

[el murdoque]

That FF SR 6 string has a nice look to it. Shame I don't like the SR. It just does not feel right to me.
And I never got why they have that input jack. I'd mess up the top wood around the edges quite fast.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Its available. Its already on Ibanez website.

Finally! Yay! [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Will cost more than 7K

Heck, the last thing I'd heard, back when it was only being shown at some European NAMM-equivalent show and wasn't confirmed as a commercially available instrument, was that it would be over $9k, so this is an improvement!

 

[MikeOnBass73]

I'm not speculating, I'm wishing: Please make a Thundercat Signature model available!

It is. It's called the TCB1006. Musiciansfriend is to have them in stock in a few days for $7,000.00. Too rich for me though.

 

[hypercarrots]

That FF SR 6 string has a nice look to it. Shame I don't like the SR. It just does not feel right to me.
And I never got why they have that input jack. I'd mess up the top wood around the edges quite fast.

Output jack

 

[NoiseNinja]

If I were to go beyond the actual question OP asks, which I by the way answered ebony for, more as a wish, than really a prediction or speculation:

I wish they would make a higher quality version of their Mikro basses, if it was up to me based on the Ibanez SRC6, just 4 string, 28,6" scale, 38mm nut and perhaps keeping it passive, like the original Mikro, but with the same basic design and quality of the SRC6.

I know I would be all over it at least!

Here's a picture of the SRC6 that typically are sold for around 700$ from new:

30" scale Fender Bass VI type instrument taking into a new and more modern direction and with mahogany body, jatoba/bubinga 5 piece neck and rosewood fretboard, which I guess then, according to my wishes, and given it is being made illegal to use, should be replaced by an ebony one.

Probably too much to wish for, since I doubt there would be much of a market for such a bass, but then again they recently made that hybrid fretless/fretted bass, so maybe sales figures ain't something Ibanez takes too serious after all.

 

[skeeler]

Here are additional photos from Bass Player Mag. The new replacement for the BTB33 clearly still has a scale length of about 33 inches. It also has the new BTB shape and the zero fret. I can't tell if it or any of the other new basses have the adjustable-spacing bridges that Aidil said are on the new fanned-fret models.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I’m sure it’s totally worth it, and if I had the money I’d buy it, but what’s the point of them releasing it at that price?

If they stripped it down and made it $2000 they’d sell a bunch. Yes I’m just a teacher, not a corporate accountant, so try not to bash me too much.

My job IS accounting and I still can't afford Thundercat's $7K signature bass. LOL

 

[timmit65]

"COLORS!!!!! For crap sake how much wood grain can we have?????? PAINT more basses!"

Yes please! An SR 500 in glossy black please!

 

[ole Jason]

I'm hoping they get over their obsession with rosewood fretboards this year. Bring on the maple, ebony, and wenge.

 

[Bassworship1]

^^^

Yes I would love to see some Ebony Fretboards on the better Ibanez basses.