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Any Ibanez EX series owners

D

drerio

Aug 8, 2010
81
2
#1
I know that this is a discontinued series for Ibanez just wondering if there are any owners of an Ibanez (year?) EX series PJ bass?.... guy on CL in my areas has one for sale and says the pu have been replaced with EMGs. It is hard to make out on the picture to verify. I do think he has it overpriced, but just want to even know if anyone has any positive or negative experience with this particular series bass.

Did a search, but did get any good hits on this particular series.
 
#2
The EX Bass Series [1989-1995], actually starts with the RG guitar...which was all awesome and all Japan back in '87. Ibanez was working with potential new factories in Korea, but wasn't sure if putting the RG name on these guitars would damage the reputation of the RG name and Ibanez. So they used the 'EX' name, or Experimental...

I personally really like the EX's purely because they have the RG styling...one of the tech guys i worked with had a 404 in Jewel Blue set up to look like a PGM with pink controls and f holes etc...looked and sounded great.

but it still is a basic Korean build...so if the one your chasing rises into 2nd hand MIJ pricing, i'd let it go.
 
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#3
Swin said:
The EX Bass Series [1989-1995], actually starts with the RG guitar...which was all awesome and all Japan back in '87. Ibanez was working with potential new factories in Korea, but wasn't sure if putting the RG name on these guitars would damage the reputation of the RG name and Ibanez. So they used the 'EX' name, or Experimental...

I personally really like the EX's purely because they have the RG styling...one of the tech guys i worked with had a 404 in Jewel Blue set up to look like a PGM with pink controls and f holes etc...looked and sounded great.

but it still is a basic Korean build...so if the one your chasing rises into 2nd hand MIJ pricing, i'd let it go.
Click to expand...

Thanks... this really helps.
 
#5
I remember having one in high school. Bought one in spring of 89, black, rosewood board, chrome hardware, PJ configuration, but it didn't say EX, but I'm quite sure it was an EX or a pre-EX labeled EX bass.

After a few years, I really liked the sound of JJ pickups. Had it routed, custom plated with some EMG JJ's. Then I started to dig heavier strings, and that's what did it. The bass started to fall apart - literally. The neck warped around, fretboard & back of neck eventually cracked. I might have the headstock still around and a bridge & knobs, but that's it. Really dug that bass.
 
#6
I love my red EX series bass. It's still my go-to for almost all gigs. I have a MIM Jazz and a 78 Tele bass but I always seem to pickup the EX when I gig. It's light and has a super feel. Stock pup sound great for passive.
 
#7
I own one. It's amazing, my go-to, my ideal bass. I have the EMG pickups, and they're perfect, either P or J side. Fast, comfy neck. Never had to service it, no problems. No matter where it's made, it sounds and plays great. My only gripe is the heavy metal looking headstock... leads to prejudice and presumptions about my style. Oh, well.
 
#10
I know this is an old post and I'm new to the forum. But I was doing some research on my Ibanez and came across this post. Thank you for the backgraound information on these. I've had a hard time tracking anything down...

I own a Black Ibanez EX-Series, 4 string Fretless. I bought it in 1995, back when I used to play a lot... Now my daughter mostly uses it on her Rocksmith video game... I've always loved it and taken care of it. I guess they are not very common guitars. Especially the fretless ones.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you find one in good condition, I'd buy it.
 
#11
The Ibanez RD707(MIJ) is a much better version of the EX. The RD has a 3 piece quartersawn maple neck and OEM Dimarzio's. The EX has a one piece regular neck.

To me...the RD is the heavy metal version of the Precision. Great basses...
 
#16
Please Help I'm wanting to sell one off my old basses, I loved it but I've upgraded and need the space only, I can't find much info about it or what it's worth, and one know the year or what they go for any help would be very appreciated
 

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#17
shadowtippy said:
I have an exb-405 that I picked up for about $150. It has dual split coil pups, not the p j configuration. I prefer it over my Fender
Click to expand...

Still got it? I’m building up a 405 body with a 33” scale five-string conversion neck that I made. I noticed how similar the body shape is to the Warmoth Dinky P, which I think is a gracefully attractive shape. The Ibanez has longer, pointy horns, just a bit. Part of me wants to trim them!

4174B299-3937-413C-81A3-3C7B847B9C20.jpeg
 
#18
ctmullins said:
Still got it? I’m building up a 405 body with a 33” scale five-string conversion neck that I made. I noticed how similar the body shape is to the Warmoth Dinky P, which I think is a gracefully attractive shape. The Ibanez has longer, pointy horns, just a bit. Part of me wants to trim them!

View attachment 2819455
Click to expand...
I still have it.
20171120_211512.jpg
 
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#20
I have a black EX 5 string with 2 J EMG Select pickups. Slim fast neck. I bought it new in 1994 and it's held up well through all of Michigan's temperature and humidity extremes, no problems. Except the electronics were junk when I bought it. I first took out the worst pot and put in a 3 way switch. Later I just wired it in series direct to jack. Eventually I'll probably get a loaded Jazz control plate and swap the parts in, but I like the series sound sometimes. I use a 130 B string set. I don't play it that much right now, lately I prefer the Kramer or the Zdressy.

Mine has a 3 piece quartersawn neck. IMO that is the superior way to go. I built my 6 string the same way.

I happen to love the headstock, it is my favorite of any bass I know. I liked it so much I expanded it for a 6th tuner and used it when I made my 6 string.

IMO they don't seem to be as pointy in person as they look in catalog pictures.
 

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