• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best Ibanez Bass?

#81
I have an older wood EDB405 that weighs 9.5 pounds and a slightly newer one that weighs 8.5. The few Luthite EDCs I've picked up seemed to be on the heavy side, but I don't know the exact weight since they weren't mine. My 3 Luthite EDA905s weigh around 8 pounds, but the bodies are small. As another poster mentioned, they're terrific basses with a hi-fi sound.

garp said:
My only qualm with the Luthite-body Ergodynes is the extra weight. By size/volume, the body on my EDB605 is smaller than any of my Fender Jazz basses, but due to the synthetic Luthite material, the EDB605 is definitely the heaviest bass I own. Not really a problem for me, but I’d probably think twice before choosing it as my sole instrument for a long gig. My guess is that the newer Ergodynes got a bit lighter when they switched the bodies over to ash, basswood and maple.

Other than that, my Ergodyne experience has been totally positive.
Click to expand...
 
#83
FeistyMclovin said:
I understand that there's no such thing as a 'best' bass in any category, but what Ibanez bass would you recommend? I want to upgrade from my GSR200, but I'm a little lost. There are so many models, and I really don't know where to start.
Click to expand...

6 string. Gerald Veasley model. gvb1006
fretless. Gary Willis expensive ver,
5 string. SR limited annual edition.
4 string G104
 
#85
Still tweaking it out, but Im really starting to love my SR-1205.....As a "Swiss Army Bass" its pretty versatile -- not as chameleon-like as a G&L ASAT/L-Series but it can do a lot of things very very well and has an added bonus of having the fastest neck in my collection thus far
 
#86
FeistyMclovin said:
I understand that there's no such thing as a 'best' bass in any category, but what Ibanez bass would you recommend? I want to upgrade from my GSR200, but I'm a little lost. There are so many models, and I really don't know where to start.
Click to expand...
I have an SR1400. It's good if you like Nordstrand fat singles. Otherwise, it's total trash. ( just kidding )
I've tried out a BTB 5 string, which I liked because of the wider string spacing.
I tried out an SRX 4 string, which was pretty nice for an under $500 bass but it was very heavy.
I wish I could afford a Grooveline because I like the body shape.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcake
#87
If you're an advanced player like me, the sr505 would be a good choice. I've also have tried out some lower leveled Ibanez basses and they're actually not too shabby. I currently own an Ibanez gsr205b and it sounded pretty cool. I was curious about this bass because it has a mahogany body(which I'm a fan of). also I bought this bass to hold me over until I am able to purchase a higher leveled Ibanez bass(which I plan to buy sometime this year). other than that, some of the lower leveled Ibanez basses like the sr305 and the sr405 are pretty decent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty
#88
TolerancEJ said:
The GSR is more like an entry model for Ibanez.
Click to expand...

Yeah true, but some of them are pretty decent despite the mix opinions. I currently own an Ibanez grs205b and it's pretty unique for a lower leveled Ibanez bass. especially since it has a mahogany body. I would say that this is a good Ibanez bass to own to hold you over until you're able to afford a higher leveled Ibanez bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TolerancEJ
#89
Being an ibanez guy, I can tell you that the progressive upgrade would be an SR model: They retain the fast, slim neck you're used to from your GSR, the body is comfortable, and the upgraded electronics, as compared to the gsr. The gsr are the "precursor" to the SR. The sr250 to sr400 have the ibanez made humbuckers (which are not bad at all), and the sr500 have Bartolini humbuckers, as you move to higher models the pickups become "nicer" norstrand and electronics get upgraded. So, it's not difficult to figure out and pick which bass you want, as others say.
 
#92
TheMartianBassist said:
Are you speaking from experience for the GVB1006?
I just ordered one. Super excited.
Click to expand...

Yes. The thing is amazing. The quality is not like my two Prestige. I have the ATK1200 and the G105. It's not the same. Think Gary Willis expensive model. This bass might not even be made by Ibanez or Fujigen.　(Fujigen actually makes basses for tons of other companies, if I remember correctly they make wood panels for Lexus) From the looks of it closely resembles my Sugi Night Breeze. It's commonly said that GW is made by Sugi. Sugi's starting price is 3000 for the standard no frill stripped down model and anything with a top is 3800 and up, which most likely is the reason why GVB1006 is expensive.

I never thought much about spacing because I just play pretty much whatever I buy and I buy anything that looks like fun but despite the spacing, it's very easy to play slap. I am now starting to think that it's not the spacing that matters with this guitar but it's the string tension and low action. Low action can be achieved by a good fret board but string tension is an issue you can't change a whole lot without changing the bridge or bridge position. I compared this one to my SR4006 Prestige, which is one of the easiest to play in my collection. (I have a bunch of 3000 bucks and up bass) and it plays even better than the SR4006.

Tone is subjective so I won't get into that, but it sounds good to me.

Overall it's worth the price and more. Ibanez makes guitars that no one else would ever bother to mass produce. String spacing like this with such a playability is quite amazing. If you want something like this, you have to go to a custom shop and if they've never done it before, chances are they won't get that string tension right. Ibanez has the $$$ to pump into the R&D and it shows.

One last thing. Grooveline is another good one. Ibanez took their time and dumped a boat load of money into this one. I know the guys that were consulted when they made this thing. Most won't understand the build quality or parts quality of the Grooveline but everything is well thought out. Too bad people didn't like the shape. The GVB1006 is just like the Groove line. They took their time to make it. Sadly most will say "too expensive" for an Ibanez. Oh well...... but hey! You'll love it!!
 
#95
Would like to try a BTB1405E, but the nicest Ibanez I've played was an SR 1600. Felt, sounded and played great - those Nordstrand big singles are monstrous! Wasn't mad on the looks of the 1600 & ended up buying a stingray. The 1400/05 in deep rose flat though has the looks to match the sound.
 
#96
J Gold said:
I now have 2 Ibanez 6 strings, the Terra Firma, and the fanned fret. The build quality on these instruments is way above what one expects in an Indonesian built, sub $1000 instrument.
Click to expand...
How do you find the sound of those basses? Are they produce the same sound?

I own the 5 string Terra Firma and having serious GAS for the 6 string SRFF. But I'm also having little bit of doubt whether I should have 2 basses with same humbucker pickups configuration (although they differ in number of strings and I'm aware they have different kinds of pre-amp). Not that I don't like the sound of Bartolini BH1 pickups in the Terra Firma... It just that... I'm more a J bass kind of person.

Unfortunately, it seems that I cannot coil tap the BH1 to operate as singles just as in J bass, nor I can swap them with other single coil pickups cause currently no other pickups have the same dimension as the BH1.
 
#97
Crystalman85 said:
Yeah true, but some of them are pretty decent despite the mix opinions. I currently own an Ibanez grs205b and it's pretty unique for a lower leveled Ibanez bass. especially since it has a mahogany body. I would say that this is a good Ibanez bass to own to hold you over until you're able to afford a higher leveled Ibanez bass.
Click to expand...
I agree. My original quoted post was from 2010. Since then, there's been a cool GSR206. Simple & to the point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crystalman85
#98
I was looking through a lot of old Ibanez catalogs last night and IMO a vast majority of what Ibanez produced in the 80's are a cut above anything they are producing today.

Is there a reason why the body lines on newer basses (in general, not just Ibanez) look like they're growing tumors?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Raw N Low
#99
I have owned several Ibanez basses over the last 4-5 years. Here they are int the order of what I've played.

Ibanez Prestige 4005
Ibanez SR1805
Ibanez SR5BBLTD
Ibanez BTB 1405
Ibanez SR1605
Ibanez SR755
Ibanez BTb675

All was good but there is a huge difference in the standard SR and BTB basses compared to the premium and Prestige level. The standards are still very good basses for the money but big difference in quality and sound.
 
#100
DigitalMan said:
I was looking through a lot of old Ibanez catalogs last night and IMO a vast majority of what Ibanez produced in the 80's are a cut above anything they are producing today.

Is there a reason why the body lines on newer basses (in general, not just Ibanez) look like they're growing tumors?
Click to expand...

You can thank the boutique basses that are being made with the fancy woods. Somehow it became more about art form (or someone's interpretation of....) over comfort and playability.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheMartianBassist

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back