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Why those two in particular? They are pretty different sounding basses. I would recommend neither and get a Yamaha BB425X personally! 
Why those two in particular? They are pretty different sounding basses. I would recommend neither and get a Yamaha BB425X personally!
Honestly, those are just what I'm family with. I own an Ibanez and a squier 4 string. I also have a Yamaha, and its my least favorite of the lot.
Apples and watermelons.
Opposite feel, opposite electronics, opposite looks.
Personally, I'd opt for the Squier because I've owned a handful of SR-series, lower-end basses and ended up never leaving the TR cover on because of seasonal movement. So seasonal, in fact, it was as though every time I looked at the bass the action was different. I've only owned one Squier (and several Fenders) and much less tinkering is ever needed in that respect.
Respeck
Opposite feel, opposite electronics, opposite looks.
Personally, I'd opt for the Squier because I've owned a handful of SR-series, lower-end basses and ended up never leaving the TR cover on because of seasonal movement. So seasonal, in fact, it was as though every time I looked at the bass the action was different. I've only owned one Squier (and several Fenders) and much less tinkering is ever needed in that respect.
Respeck
Couldn’t be two more different basses.
If you want a P-bass sound, get the P. There’s only a chance the Ibanez will get close to the P sound. If you want a 2-p’up humbucker sound, get the Ibanez. there's no way the P will get that.
Also consider string spacing. Ibanez 5s are 16.5mm at the bridge — very narrow. The Squire is somewhere around 18-19mm. And the nut size is very different, with the Ibanez much narrower.
And then there is the overall fit and feel. The Ibanez neck is very slim to match the tight string spacing. The Squire will have a beefy neck. And the body sizes and weights are similarly contrasting.
It all comes down to what you like.
If you want a P-bass sound, get the P. There’s only a chance the Ibanez will get close to the P sound. If you want a 2-p’up humbucker sound, get the Ibanez. there's no way the P will get that.
Also consider string spacing. Ibanez 5s are 16.5mm at the bridge — very narrow. The Squire is somewhere around 18-19mm. And the nut size is very different, with the Ibanez much narrower.
And then there is the overall fit and feel. The Ibanez neck is very slim to match the tight string spacing. The Squire will have a beefy neck. And the body sizes and weights are similarly contrasting.
It all comes down to what you like.
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Neither. Get a Sterling SUB 5.
honestly I gotta tell I deeply agree with andreasr
thumbs up for the subs for me
Cheers,
Wallace
thumbs up for the subs for me
Cheers,
Wallace
Why though? that is the only option I noticed has active pickups. maybe I will go check 1 out at lunch today, they have them in stock locally
I've been fairly impressed with the SR series five string basses. I currently own an SR605 that I play a lot. I can't tell from playing them in stores that the SR4XX or SR3XX basses would suit me any less than the SR605 does. It took me a long time to get comfortable on a five and it is the tighter Ibanez SR string spacing and thin necks that made that possible for me. So if it were me I would go Ibanez, no question. Now that does not mean that you should, of course, but my experience says that Ibanez makes a good bass so I think you have nothing to fear on that front compared to the Squier. As others have said an Ibanez won't sound like a Fender. They sound great but if you want that Fender sound....
I've played a lot of Squier and Fender fives in stores and I owned a MIM Jazz V for over a year. They are well made basses with the classic Fender sound. My left hand just could never really get comfortable on their necks with one exception. For a while (don't know about current production) the MIA Deluxe V's had asymmetric necks and those seemed to work quite well for me too. Likewise for a couple of MTD and Kingston basses with asymmetric necks that I played once in Bass Club Chicago's store. The Fender V layout just does not work for me unless it comes with an asymmetric neck, that is the only bad thing I have to say about the Squier and obviously that may not apply to you.
In short I think you are looking at two suitable and affordable basses. The decision is yours really, I don't think either one has any fundamental flaws. Personally if I were going to give a wider spaced five a try I would look at the Kingston CRB or Saratoga, but I don't know if they fit your price range.
I've played a lot of Squier and Fender fives in stores and I owned a MIM Jazz V for over a year. They are well made basses with the classic Fender sound. My left hand just could never really get comfortable on their necks with one exception. For a while (don't know about current production) the MIA Deluxe V's had asymmetric necks and those seemed to work quite well for me too. Likewise for a couple of MTD and Kingston basses with asymmetric necks that I played once in Bass Club Chicago's store. The Fender V layout just does not work for me unless it comes with an asymmetric neck, that is the only bad thing I have to say about the Squier and obviously that may not apply to you.
In short I think you are looking at two suitable and affordable basses. The decision is yours really, I don't think either one has any fundamental flaws. Personally if I were going to give a wider spaced five a try I would look at the Kingston CRB or Saratoga, but I don't know if they fit your price range.
The pickup is passive, it has an active EQ like the Ibanez.
And why? Because it melts face.
I have a squier VM precision 5. It's nice, but it does feel bigger than other 5's I've had.
Mine's modded with an extra P pickup near the bridge which I find kind of essential to get the tones I like.
I have a squier VM jazz 4 string which I like a little bit better.
I'm not a fan of Ibanez until you get to the BTB's or portamentos, which I've never owned but tried and liked.
Mine's modded with an extra P pickup near the bridge which I find kind of essential to get the tones I like.
I have a squier VM jazz 4 string which I like a little bit better.
I'm not a fan of Ibanez until you get to the BTB's or portamentos, which I've never owned but tried and liked.
I agree. For Ibanez I'd suggest SR505 and up, but I haven't tried the new coil tap ibbies yet. The older ones were ok, but not my fav. But Squier 5s don't do it for me at all.
Anyway, in its price class the SUB is the best 5 string I've personally found.
Just gave an Ibanez and a SUB a sit down. they did have a squier in, but I didn't even pick it up. I like both. im not super comfortable with a 5 string, so neither felt better than the other to my hands really. I did not plug in, because the tech was helping someone spot a grounding issue, and I was trying to be polite.
Lunch ended much too fast today. the ibanez, to me, is much cooler looking of a bass. the SUB is damn cool, I love the pickup look on it. I need more time with them.
Lunch ended much too fast today. the ibanez, to me, is much cooler looking of a bass. the SUB is damn cool, I love the pickup look on it. I need more time with them.
Ive owned an Ibanez 305 and 505. They're both very good and I dont just mean for the money. They're some of the best playing 5 strings I've played, but you have to like that string spacing. I sold a Fender Jazz V deluxe for the SR505 and I did not regret it. Every once in a while I GAS for a SUB because those things are just awesome.
I have a Yamaha BB425x, a Schecter Stiletto Vintage, and an ESP B55. I had a SBMM Ray35 for a while, but couldn't live with the weight of it. The Schecter has the best sounding B string out of them. The Yamaha has a great feeling neck and sounds really really good..albeit it ain't the prettiest thing to look at lol. The ESP, while cheap, is a pretty decent sounding bass.
Those SBMM SUB basses definitely have my attention..great sounding and a lot lighter than the SBMM Ray series.
Those SBMM SUB basses definitely have my attention..great sounding and a lot lighter than the SBMM Ray series.
Something in between those two, also with a maple neck would be the Squier VM Jazz V.
I'm not a fan of the wide fretboards on the Squiers though, much prefer my Yamaha in terms of feel, the Ibanez would be even slimmer.
If you can't play both to make a decision based on feel, just check out as many demos as you can to see which you prefer the tone of.
