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Begginner and confusion about Ibanez GSR line

jolo

jolo

Middle Aged Beginner
Jul 16, 2008
20
0
#1
:help:
I am about to be a "middle-aged", bass guitar beginner (no guitar experience at all).
Anyway, I am friends with a pro bassist, guitarist and teacher. My 21 year old son is a excellent guitarist.

The bottom line is that I am ready to purchase my beginner bass and I would like it to be a Ibanez GSR 200xxxxxx.

BUT ...I have some confusion about the Ibanez GSR line, really from confusion of some things I have just heard from some music stores.
I hope you can help me with this.

Here is the link to the Ibanez GSR web site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I was looking (and have tried out), a couple of the GSR200-xxx line. What I am not sure about is there has been a recent small change (upgrade), to the GSR200-xx.

BUT ...What I really wanted was a GSR200FM-TBS (TRANSPARENT BLUE):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. It has some small differences over the GSR200xxxxx.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I live in southern Colorado and I have had some difficulty finding out some information and getting what I want from a music store.

What bugs me is that at the Guitar Center that I went into (in Colorado Springs), they told me that they have the Ibanez GSR200FM-XXX series as discontinued and can't even order it. None in stock there or any of their nearby stores.
However, I was told by the Guitar Center salesperson that Guitar Center doesn't get their Ibanez or other guitars directly from Ibanez, that they go through their warehouse (or wholesaler).

Can some of those who might be aware of the Ibanez GSR line and any recent changes to it, please help me out and let me know the accuracy of what Guitar Center told me ?

Recommendations of good places to purchase Bass Guitars would be helpful.

Thanks,

Jon :)
 
#2
I'm not sure what your asking. Are you asking about the changes in the GSR 200 series? Or about Guitar Center getting them from a wholesaler? If that's the case what do you care who they get them from, as long as you can buy one. It's possible GC decided not to carry the GSR series anymore. But there should be some available at other stores.

If you have any other music shops near you, go there and see if they have the GSR series. You can also buy them online at places like Musician's Friend, but then you can't try them out first.
 
#4
DeanT said:
I'm not sure what your asking. Are you asking about the changes in the GSR 200 series? Or about Guitar Center getting them from a wholesaler? If that's the case what do you care who they get them from, as long as you can buy one. It's possible GC decided not to carry the GSR series anymore. But there should be some available at other stores.

If you have any other music shops near you, go there and see if they have the GSR series. You can also buy them online at places like Musician's Friend, but then you can't try them out first.
Click to expand...

DeanT,

I am sorry. I understand that I have a "rambling" style of writing and I have the type of mind where I think "wide", rather than straight. It gets difficult for me at times to stay on one topic.

Here is the bottom line of what I was asking.

  • I wanted to find out if there has been some very recent changes in the Ibanez GSR line. Specifically where the GSR200FM-xxx series being discontinued and the GSR200-xx line being upgraded, therefore obsoleting the GSR200FM-xx line ?
    _________
  • I received some different information when speaking to the three Colorado Springs music stores that are in Colorado Springs where I live. Guitar Center being the largest. Apparently Guitar Center stores have their equipment ordered for them and have little in the way of choice. They don't work directly with the manufacturers and if they order anything that is not in the store, it can only be from the main Guitar Center warehouse only.
    ________
  • Especially since I will be new playing the Bass, I would have much preferred to make my purchase in a local store. Since I am ignorant about Bass Guitars, I figure that I might need and would want the "potential" value added service that I "might" get from a local store.
    What is interesting is that the Guitar Center retail stores are run independently of the Guitar Center web site. So I would not get any potential "value add" service or the ability to return defective gear to the Guitar Center retail store if ordered from their web site.
 
#5
As far as a bass being discontinued or changed "upgraded" by a manufacturer. Don't think of it like buying a computer. Basses don't become obsolete from one model year to the other. If you like the older model...get it. Just see if you can talk the guy in the store down on the price a bit.

As far as getting "value added" services from Guitar center. All I can say is HA HA HA. If you want to support them because they're a local shop and it keeps your money in the community, that' s fine. Just don't expect the guys working there (making broad generalizations here...so any competent GC workers out there don't get too offended) being of any meaningful help to you in the future for anything. You'd be better off asking your buddy questions and dealing with anything you have to do to your bass yourself (i.e. maintenance, choosing strings, etc...).
 
#6
mward69 said:
Get one from Ebay, I LOVE the way the GSR basses play....I have the 5'er and use it more than my Fender Jazz.
You can get one from $100 - $300 bucks.
Click to expand...

mward69,
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Can I ask you why I would want to make a purchase from eBAY, as opposed to a retail store or a Internet store ?
Many times a retail store or manufacturer will also have a ebay store as well. This is the case with the best (by far), portable media players on the market, the Cowon line, which is far, far above the quality and flexibility level of Apple's Ipods.

If you personally know of a reliable ebay seller, I would be interested.
I find the lowest price of the two Ibanaez GSR200FMs being consistently at $239.99, no matter where I look. I have no problems with the price.

I will tell you that I so sometimes order from eBAY, when I am looking for something special that I cannot find elsewhere.
One of the things to be cautious of with some eBAY vendors is that they can have inflated shipping/handling fees. I know of people that purchase items, then sell them at their cost on eBAY, but they embed a profit with having inflated shipping fees. Ebay will then sort the items at the selling cost, not the gross cost of the item, so some items, which are actually sold at a considerably higher amount, will show up with the lower priced items.
I have had ongoing dialogs with eBAY about this, as I consider this as fraud. BUT ...I am happy to say that eBAY has added shipping/handling to the top line, next to the selling price when doing a search.

With anything ordered via the web (or from a retail store as well), it is VERY important to look at return fees, responsibilities of the buyer and seller. I purchase lots and lots of computer equipment (it is my profession), on line and I only deal with a very small handful of on line companies because I know that they will be there if something doesn't go right. I also look for the ones that will "Cross ship", if I get the wrong or damaged item.
Who needs the aggravation.

I always have felt that a consumer only learns about a vendor/store when things DON'T go right. Mistakes and damaged merchandise can happen in the best of circumstances. It is how it is handled by the seller is what I think is the most important part of whether a seller/store/vendor is a solid company or one to stay away from. There is a lot more than the bottom line price.
The solid, good companies to deal with are those that look at problems in a transaction as ways to create customer loyalty, not nickel and dime the customer.
An example of this, which is not a instrument dealer, but about customer loyalty when there are problems is the reason I only would purchase carpet cleaning/vacuums and cleaning products from Bissell and would never, ever go near a Hoover.

Thanks, please let me know about eBAY.

Jon
 
#9
I own a Ibanez GSR200, it was my first bass. I feel the GSR200FM is really a waste of extra money, all you really get is a nicer finish. I got mine in black, which I do not recommend due to its ability to show dust in a matter of hours. Overall, its a pretty sweet bass. Its great for beginners, nice thick neck so you have lots of space to hit the right notes. Its somewhat versatile, though the tone is a little weak. I had mine for about 9 months before any problems came up. All it really was, was just some buzzing and one of knobs was getting loose. All in all, I would definitely recommend buying this bass to a beginner, even an intermediate bass player such as myself. I still use it, its very durable, I have dropped it several times though it still sounds good as new. So as I said before, an ideal bass for beginners, get one.
 
#10
Beta said:
Invalid Link Removed?

Invalid Link Removed?

If it's on the GC Web site...
Click to expand...

Sorry Beta, but I think you have the second link wrong.

I am aware that it is on the GC web site, as it is on several sites.
I do want to get the Transparent Blue GSR200FM.

Isn't it odd that the GC stores can't order it and have it as discontinued ? The GC stores and web site are managed as total separate companies.

Speaking of that, I was told the GC owns Musician's Friend ??



Thanks,

Jon
 
#11
RobBass33 said:
I own a Ibanez GSR200, it was my first bass. I feel the GSR200FM is really a waste of extra money, all you really get is a nicer finish. I got mine in black, which I do not recommend due to its ability to show dust in a matter of hours. Overall, its a pretty sweet bass. Its great for beginners, nice thick neck so you have lots of space to hit the right notes. Its somewhat versatile, though the tone is a little weak. I had mine for about 9 months before any problems came up. All it really was, was just some buzzing and one of knobs was getting loose. All in all, I would definitely recommend buying this bass to a beginner, even an intermediate bass player such as myself. I still use it, its very durable, I have dropped it several times though it still sounds good as new. So as I said before, an ideal bass for beginners, get one.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts Rob.

There is a $39 difference between them at most places on line.

I think there is a difference in the electronics as well. I am sure it is a small difference. My friend the Bass player thought it was worth the $40. I would be interested in the Transparent Blue Burst.
I highlighted what I saw the differences are.
Thank you again.

Here are the specs of each one from the Ibanez site:
GSR200FM
Neck: GSR4 neck
Neck Type: GSR4
Body: Agathis body/ Flamed Maple top
Frets: Medium frets
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlay: Pearl Dot Inlay
Bridge: B10 bridge
NeckPU: STD P neck pu
BridgePU: STD J bridge pu
EQ: Phat II eq

GSR200
Neck: GSR4 neck
Neck Type: GSR4
Body: Agathis body
Frets: Medium frets
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlay: Pearl Dot Inlay
Bridge: B10 bridge
NeckPU: PSND P neck pu
BridgePU: PSND J bridge pu
EQ: Phat II eq
 
#12
MyUsernameHere said:
As far as a bass being discontinued or changed "upgraded" by a manufacturer. Don't think of it like buying a computer. Basses don't become obsolete from one model year to the other. If you like the older model...get it. Just see if you can talk the guy in the store down on the price a bit.

As far as getting "value added" services from Guitar center. All I can say is HA HA HA. If you want to support them because they're a local shop and it keeps your money in the community, that' s fine. Just don't expect the guys working there (making broad generalizations here...so any competent GC workers out there don't get too offended) being of any meaningful help to you in the future for anything. You'd be better off asking your buddy questions and dealing with anything you have to do to your bass yourself (i.e. maintenance, choosing strings, etc...).
Click to expand...

MyUsernameHere,

If you and the others would indulge me with another question.
It is apparent to me that I am going to go the Internet ordering route.

Could you help me as far as how service/return/warantee
policies differ between some of the Internet vendors that you have ordered from ??

I have ordered several times from a couple of the larger large music sites, but never had to make a return or had a problem. I feel that It is only when an order has some difficulty, is when I really find out if the store is a good one to deal with or not.

Thanks,

Jon:hyper:
 
#13
jolo said:
Sorry Beta, but I think you have the second link wrong.

I am aware that it is on the GC web site, as it is on several sites.
I do want to get the Transparent Blue GSR200FM.

Isn't it odd that the GC stores can't order it and have it as discontinued ? The GC stores and web site are managed as total separate companies.

Speaking of that, I was told the GC owns Musician's Friend ??


Thanks,

Jon
Click to expand...

Missing a quotation mark in the URL code.

GC owns MF.

I don't know why you just don't buy the thing. I mean, if you have a son who plays an instrument, and you say you've ordered from music sites before, why the dance?

It's not terribly uncommon for places to offer items online only, by the way. I know Circuit City does it all the time (not that Circuity City is a model business). I think it provides some justification to the expense of maintaining an e-commerce site, and it's just impractical for stores to stock or even order everything. The same company makes money whether you buy it online or in a store.
 
#14
Wow that's awesome!

I've only been playing for 5 months and the GSR 200 is the only bass I have. You might have some problems with fret buzz, but a few adjustments and technique refinement will change that.

I got it for $100 used and I love it!

Best bass you can get for $100.
 
#16
Beta said:
Missing a quotation mark in the URL code.

GC owns MF.

I don't know why you just don't buy the thing. I mean, if you have a son who plays an instrument, and you say you've ordered from music sites before, why the dance?

It's not terribly uncommon for places to offer items online only, by the way. I know Circuit City does it all the time (not that Circuity City is a model business). I think it provides some justification to the expense of maintaining an e-commerce site, and it's just impractical for stores to stock or even order everything. The same company makes money whether you buy it online or in a store.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I have to tell you that it is my ignorance about the bass that is making me hesitate. Although I am just going to get it. I am obviously, very analytical and have done research, purchasing and budgets for a large international non-profit and I try to be very complete. If this was an electronics or computer type of item, I would know where to "good", reliable" online vendors are, go there and be prepared with the exact part number and version.

I do think it is a very good idea for anyone to be cautious about what web vendor that they use. The return policies and support can really vary. I don't have time for the "bullcrap" that can occur with damage on the manufacturers side or the shipping side.

With my son's guitars. They have been purchased at a local, small music store, where we have developed a relationship with and where my son's guitar teacher, and my friend gave him lessons. BUT .....he cannot get me the Bass that I want. As time has evolved for his store, they are doing more and more repair and selling on consignment or just used equipment, but do have some new equipment. He does have a lot of the local pros as customers. Because he and his only full time staffer are phenomenal on customizing, analyzing, fixing and setting up their instruments, he has long term relationships with people doing gigs.
It is great that when my son will bring in one of his guitars and give it to "Bill" to sort of "tune up", he gives it to his repair expert and when finished, they thing sounds like it was brand new. If rarely charges my son anything. Only if there are some parts, for doing that.

But, I have to go mail order on this one and I am a "virgin" with buying a stringed instrument, which I know nothing about online. Something like a amp, tuner, and my harmonica's is a different story.

Thanks,

Jon
 
#17
I want to thank all of you.
I ordered my Ibanez GSR200FM Bass Guitar in Trans Blue Sunburst.
I will be receiving it on 07/23 from American Musical Supply.
I also order my amp and tuner with it.

I will be back with more questions and I hope you will be as kind and patient with me as you have in this, my first post.

I was so pleased by your help as well as the vast resources of this forum and its "mission", that I have become a "Gold Member".

Thanks,

Jon
 
#18
Good luck with your new bass! I've dealt with items needing returns with AMS, MF and M123. I've returned 2 guitars, a tube amp, and one tom out of a 5 piece set so far and all went smoothly. These companies do try to keep the customer happy. All will give you a return label and you can either schedule a pickup at your house or drop it off at a UPS store. There is no added cost or hassle for returns, but you will likely be required to wait until the item arrives at the returns department before they will send out the replacement. Your other option is to put a second charge on your credit card so that the replacement will ship out right away and then receive a refund for the first charge once the return is received.
 
#19
Music store personnel, particularly at the big chain music shops, are notorious for not knowing what they're talking about and just telling you anything that pops into their head at the time. Do your research on the Internet before you go into the store, this way you can tell when they are trying to blow smoke up your backside.
 

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