I would disagree with this. My Dingwall Super J has a tremendously skinny neck, and the only one I’ve found to be more stable, out of the many basses I’ve owned which include some real baseball bats, is my Status Graphite carbon fiber neck.
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Confusion about Ibanez basses
- Thread starter Lowlou17
- Start date
Here is a pic. LTD had been around for just a few years when I bought this from mars music! About 1999? Korean made with factory emg’s.
Dingwall Super J is nice! Dream bass. Maybe my statement is for more “budget basses” !!
Go play some Ibanez basses and make your own informed decision. You will get the "what I have" opinions here. You just need to play some. Good luck in your search.
You get what you pay for (most of the time).
Pay for a prestige instrument, whether it’s an Ernie Ball MM bass, a Yamaha, a Sadowsky, or an Ibanez Prestige bass, you’ll get a prestige instrument.
Pay for a $400 instrument, you get a $400 instrument.
Pay for a prestige instrument, whether it’s an Ernie Ball MM bass, a Yamaha, a Sadowsky, or an Ibanez Prestige bass, you’ll get a prestige instrument.
Pay for a $400 instrument, you get a $400 instrument.
The SR505 is the only 5-String I've ever picked up that didn't feel like a baseball bat. They can be had used for $500, sometimes less. The "Brown Mahogany" finish on a lot of wore away prematurely, so there are plenty around in perfect shape other than the finish wear. The electronics are good, most people describe it as a "modern" tone, whatever that means. I'm primarily a pick player, so the tighter spacing feels right to me, as it would to most guitarists. If you like a wider spacing, that's not going to be Ibanez.
Prestige are top of the line, Premium would be next. There are so many models I'm not sure which is which, but generally the higher the model number the better the quality (or at least the higher the price).
Strangely enough, same holds true for my mid-tier 755 even when compared to my KTS-equipped Premium 1405.
Riis
The quality per dollar of most mass-produced instruments is amazing, and Ibanez continues to be a leader there. Lots of variety in terms of price and features. Hard to go wrong, unless you're really obsessed with the name on the headstock.
The GIO is entry level. I gave one to my daughter for Christmas one year. She later upgraded to an aerodyne jazz, but I gigged with the GIO once, and it was a fine bass.
My main bass for a decade was an SR905. Slim neck, and fast. I got rid of it, and still wish I hadn’t. (To add, I own Skold, Muckelroy, Stambaugh, and Rob Allen basses now) For a straight ahead rock or funk gig, the 905 really did the job. YMMV
I was not a fan of the bartolini pups/pre in it—it wasn’t as crisp and clear as I needed for the next challenge; chords were unacceptably thick with the barts. I tried changing strings… But I know now I could have changed the pre and likely improved the sound, for me. Again, YMMV.
I also owned the Gary Willis fretless and fretted GWB1 & 2, respectively, and they were great basses as well (traded during a Fender phase I had). I haven’t played the budget versions, but they get excellent reviews here.
Finally, I played a portamento in store when I was looking for a fretless. I thought it played and sounded great. I really hated the finish, though, so moved on.
Good luck!
No argument there! I honestly don’t know what the entry level stuff is and I want to steer clear of it.
My perception is that, in general, the quality and accoutrements in the SR line go up as the numbers go up.
Turnaround
Commercial User
Times change and Ibanez has stepped up its game. Not really a cheap bass:
Ibanez Prestige SR5000 Bass Guitar - Wenge
But even back in the 70's Ibanez did make some high quality basses such as the Musician.
Planning to go tomorrow. Problem is (2) guitar centers and (2) Sam ash all about 30 miles apart. May take several weekends but there’s no rush.
When it comes to 5 and 6-string basses, few companies have as many offerings as Ibanez for several budgets.
If you like a slender "skinny" neck and tight string spacing, then check out the Soundgear line.
If you want something with a wider neck, wider string spacing, and a 35" scale neck, check out the BTB line.
Within those lines...
Prestige is the best of the best, made in Japan.
Premium is the next step down. Premiums are pretty dang nice!
Standard is the next step down from that. Within the Standard range, you get budget to mid-price. The higher the number, the nicer the appointments.
If you like a slender "skinny" neck and tight string spacing, then check out the Soundgear line.
If you want something with a wider neck, wider string spacing, and a 35" scale neck, check out the BTB line.
Within those lines...
Prestige is the best of the best, made in Japan.
Premium is the next step down. Premiums are pretty dang nice!
Standard is the next step down from that. Within the Standard range, you get budget to mid-price. The higher the number, the nicer the appointments.
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I had a Talman that played a felt like a heavy Fender P. I loved it but a guy offered a straight up trade for a Hartke combo amp and I dove for it. I also have a big jazz box hollowbody AFB 200 that I love and am not getting rid off
I think Ibanez is a great target brand for your budget. I've got three, albeit purchased used in that price ballpark, and they're all great instruments for the prices I paid. I think something in the SDGR "Soundgear" series would suit you well.
