Anyone else think Ibanez should change their SR body?

[elgranluis]

I think all bassist refer to the sound gear shape as “modern shape” lol

 

[Bass Jack]

My first bass was a SoundGear. I quite like the body and it was (still is, still got it) a fine bass. It’s the headstock, though, and the amateurish logo that make my teeth itch.

 

[el murdoque]

The most successful and iconic basses, among them the J, the P, the Ric, the Stingray, the Höfner and many others have not changed their body shape because someone thought that after a couple of years of repeating the same thing, it's time for something new. They kept going because they were successful.

IMO Ibanez is one of those few companies that relentlessly comes out with new design ideas, not afraid to leave the trodden path and trying something new. Fender currently offers 4 models in total. P, J, Jag and Mustang.
Ibanez has 9 'standard' models plus several pro models that are not just an upgraded version of their standard line but something else entirely.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Ibanez has many options aside from the SR line. For every person that thinks the SR body shape is boring, 10 will remark how much they hate the BTB/ATK/Iceman/Ergodyne/grooveline/etc bodies.

I think I’m one of the few that actually liked the Grooveline design, but Ibanez’s price point was insane! Maybe a used one will show up at some point, but I wasn’t willing to buy it at the MSRP price.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I remembered this thread in the Morph of the Ibanez Musician to Soundgear. Too bad most of the image links aren’t working. At the time, we were still using Photobucket for our image links; this was before they changed their terms.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-slow-but-deliberate-morph-of-the-ibanez-musician-into-the-ibanez-soundgear.676900/

 

[nilorius]

There are a lots of brands none changing their succesfull model bodies for a long time. People like SR body and they will buy and play it, still in the future.

 

[equill]

Nope. Loved it when I first saw it in the '80s, still love it now.
Just not exclusively; I also have more exciting shapes in my collection.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

It's one of the more ergonomic bass shapes around, like the Strat, some things are hard to improve, you end up changing them just for the sake of change itself. Every time Fender tried that, they got hammered by the market. Turns out musicians are actually a pretty conservative bunch. My only gripe with the SR series was that dreadful "Brown Mahogany" finish that started peeling off the day you bought it. That and the bewildering number of models, they should pare that down some to what actually sells.

 

[Matty Koff]

My first bass was an SR500, and while I ended up selling it at some point that body is thin and lightweight. If anything change the pickups to Nordies.. the body is fine imo.

 

[somegeezer]

SR is a gorgeous shape. No idea what you mean.

 

[Outbush]

I'm not bashing Ibanez! I played them on stage from 97- 2002 in my nu metal days. I'm looking for a 24 fret bass and every time I see a Ibanez I think.. Damn these are some boring looking basses. They are hella good basses, especially in the $700 price range, but the same body shape since the 80's. Am I alone in thinking aboot this?

please no - it’s the most comfortable bass I’ve yet played!

 

[ardgedee]

OP, you're pretty much asking for an Ibanez SRX.

Ibanez has, in the past, made an SRX line which is pretty much the Soundgear with more obvious variations in the body (they might have slab bodies, or pickguards, or the body carve or silhouette is different) and the neck (mostly thicker or wider). Still recognizably Soundgears, though.

If Ibanez changes the SR body it won't be an SR any more, which is probably why they had the SRX. I like the Soundgear design; it's not the prettiest but the ergonomics are great. It's small and light without feeling small. And I'm too old to care about its associations with nu-metal.

 

[thabassmon]

Sort of, I use one so I'm cool with how it is, but I can't help but think if the incorporated the deeper cutaway from the SRF700/705/706 line and started offering 30 fret models that'd be cool.

 

[Watchootognbout]

The BTB line is interesting.
But the rest are meh!
I've always passed over the SR line for that very reason.

AND.........coupled with the fact that those "brown wood" SR basses aren't really brown wood.
But some kinda stain.
Which comes off and leaves a light patch where your fingers come in contact.

 

[Watchootognbout]

......Fender didn’t change the shape of Jazz and Precision basses either. Never change a winning team....

That's the very reason that I wave off their stuff too!
Traditional paint,pickguard and chrome.

A win for many.
Not for me.

 

[ruju]

Nope, looks good to me. I mean, there's alot of choice out there. If you don't dig the look of the SR basses, look elsewhere.

 

[braud357]

I was looking at the Ibanez online catalog last night ! The SR would be the only style that they make that I would be interested in (yes, I am old-fashioned !)

 

[BobKos]

The SR body shape is very comfortable to me. I think that in part is what makes the SR series a perennial winner for Ibanez. If you are in a store and play one you will remember it. You might even buy one. I know I did. So I don't think Ibanez should change it. IMO it is a great design.

 

[superblues]

I have no issue with the SR body shape. I find it well proportioned and comfortable. It’s the necks I take issue with. I would like to see Ibanez move towards a slightly larger, jazz bass profile on their 4 string SR necks.

 

[Hummergeist]