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Confusion about Ibanez basses

#62
Obviously if you looked at an Ibanez lately you can see they are no longer making Fender clones. And a lot of Ibanez aren't even made in Japan anymore. Ibanez is it's own thing now. Fine instruments, but if you are looking for a P bass I think look elsewhere.
 
#63
Lowlou17 said:
I remember hearing of Ibanez back in the 70s. It was touted pretty much as a good but cheap alternative to the Fenders and Gibsons of the world. No one I knew bragged about having an Ibanez back then.
I have an Ibanez TR-50 and I love the tones.
I’m looking to get a 5 string. Currently I own a Sterling StingRay5 but the neck feels like it’s a 2x4. That’s my only knock on the Sterling. I want to replace it and I’d like to consider an Ibanez. (It does appear I’m a Fender man since 3 of the 5 basses I own are Fenders and I love them). However, I’m open to other brands and am curious as to what Ibanez has to offer in a 5 string pbass. In my mind, Ibanez is still a cheap guitar and it appears it’s a better instrument than I’m willing to give it credit for. Please educate me on Ibanez and what is a good bass new or used for a max $500 budget. Thanks!
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Might do better going through the pages of this club. Lots O'Peeps here like 'em and talk about 'em.
The Ibanez Club (Part 6)

Also, a lot of information here:Ibanez Wiki
 
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#64
I have been playing bass since 1999 on and off. And I have been an Ibanez user since then with a couple of other brands thrown in for good measure (SX, Brice, Douglas, Squire, etc). Though life situations beyond my control forced me out of playing for a few years and ever accumlating bills also required me to sell of most of my equipment except for a 1993 SR-400 that I am in the process of refurbishing.

Well, life has recently had a turn around for me and I'm looking to get back into bass playing again. I have been visiting local music shops to look at basses, especially Ibanez. My budget right now justifies basses with the SR-300 to SR-500 model range. From what I've found, I really like the bodies of most of these basses but for some reason, the necks and fingerboards seem cheap compared to basses in this model range 8 or 9 years ago when I was actively playing. Has Ibanez changed that much since I've been out of music? Or is it just me?
 
#65
Figbassist75 said:
...SR-300 to SR-500 model range. From what I've found, I really like the bodies of most of these basses but for some reason, the necks and fingerboards seem cheap compared to basses in this model range 8 or 9 years ago when I was actively playing. Has Ibanez changed that much since I've been out of music? Or is it just me?
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What, in particular, jumped-out at you? I have nothing in the 300-500 model range but Ibanez is building to a price-point and any number of things may have changed. Case-in-point: my 12 y.o. has a wenge neck...now they're using panga-panga.

Riis
 
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#66
Zooberwerx said:
What, in particular, jumped-out at you? I have nothing in the 300-500 model range but Ibanez is building to a price-point and any number of things may have changed. Case-in-point: my 12 y.o. has a wenge neck...now they're using panga-panga.
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It seemed like the necks I looked at in that range were similar to the necks they used to put on their Gio models in the late 90's early 2000's. The neck on my 1993 SR-400 seems like a more well made neck. They all played and sounded great, it's just felt like the necks could have used a little more work. I wasn't the only one who noticed this. A fellow player in the shop yesterday mentioned more of the same. He's coming back to Ibanez too after a few years playing other brands.

It could be it's just my long absence from shopping in music stores too. Ibanez is still my favorite brand and will be along as they continue to produce great sounding instruments.
 
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#67
Figbassist75 said:
the necks and fingerboards seem cheap compared to basses in this model range 8 or 9 years ago when I was actively playing.
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I have 6 SRs with builds from 08-19 in 2,3 and 8 hundred ranges and have had a couple of 5xx, and in terms of shapes and stability, I have no idea what you're talking about. Previously I've owned many MIK and MIJ and don't find a build quality difference I'd pay much of a premium for.
 
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#68
Figbassist75 said:
It seemed like the necks I looked at in that range were similar to the necks they used to put on their Gio models in the late 90's early 2000's. The neck on my 1993 SR-400 seems like a more well made neck. They all played and sounded great, it's just felt like the necks could have used a little more work. I wasn't the only one who noticed this. A fellow player in the shop yesterday mentioned more of the same. He's coming back to Ibanez too after a few years playing other brands.

It could be it's just my long absence from shopping in music stores too. Ibanez is still my favorite brand and will be along as they continue to produce great sounding instruments.
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Given your concerns, I'd pass on the newer store offerings and look for something along the lines of an older mid-tier model, preferably pre-2015 #600 and up. You're looking at $550-700 from what I've gleaned. I'm seeing 505's going for $400-500. On the plus side and on rare occasion, I run across Premium models in the $700-900 range which easily justify the extra coinage. I bought both my 755 & 1405 (2012) here on TB and they are both solid platforms as-is or with aftermarket upgrades.

Riis
 
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#69
Snert said:
I have 6 SRs with builds from 08-19 in 2,3 and 8 hundred ranges and have had a couple of 5xx, and in terms of shapes and stability, I have no idea what you're talking about. Previously I've owned many MIK and MIJ and don't find a build quality difference I'd pay much of a premium for.
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Unfortunately, I had to stop playing and sell off most of my equipment around 2019 when I fell on hard times due to unexpected situations. Like I said previously, it could be it's just that I hadn't shopped in music stores or played a new Ibanez in several years. I do love the brand though. Even though my financial situations have improved, I don't see myself ever going beyond and SR-500 or 600.
 
#70
Zooberwerx said:
Given your concerns, I'd pass on the newer store offerings and look for something along the lines of an older mid-tier model, preferably pre-2015 #600 and up. You're looking at $550-700 from what I've gleaned. I'm seeing 505's going for $400-500. On the plus side and on rare occasion, I run across Premium models in the $700-900 range which easily justify the extra coinage. I bought both my 755 & 1405 (2012) here on TB and they are both solid platforms as-is or with aftermarket upgrades.

Riis
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That's definitely an option. One of the best basses I played before having to take a leave of absence from music was a 2000 model SR-400 with a natural finish owned by a friend. It was stock and the pickups put out some of the best sound I had ever heard. If I could find a model like that well-cared for, then I would be set.
 
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#71
Figbassist75 said:
That's definitely an option. One of the best basses I played before having to take a leave of absence from music was a 2000 model SR-400 with a natural finish owned by a friend. It was stock and the pickups put out some of the best sound I had ever heard. If I could find a model like that well-cared for, then I would be set.
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I'm seeing a handful on Reverb and such for ~$300. They appear to have those whacky proprietary pickups & elex. Do any match your recollections?

Riis
 
#72
I went to see my luthier today for a setup and mods to my Fender. Guitar Center isn’t too far from there so I dropped in. I was reminded very quickly why I don’t go there often. They are surly, rude, and hate their job. Anyway, as luck would have it there was a Sterling Ray 5 similar to mine and 2 Ibanez Soundgear 5 strings. One was a 405E and the other a 505E. I REALLY like the feel of that neck. Much thinner than the Sterling. It’s a big enough difference that you can see it. On the Sterling at the 12th fret with a baseball grab my thumb and index finger are about a 1/2 apart. On the Ibanez they touch, that’s pretty significant. There was a lot of fret buzz but I think it’s mostly because they keep the strings loose and they would need a proper set up. Fret spacing was really nice too. Didn’t have to stretch as much from the 3rd to 5th frets on the Ibanez. Again, it was visually noticeable. Price wise it’s a little beyond my budget but well within reach. I’ve posted the pictures here. I must admit, that dragon eye finish looks really nice. Going back to surly people at GC, when I asked the guy, what’s the difference between a 405E and 505E he started off by saying “the 405 is a 4 string that’s what the 4 stands for.” I asked him if he wanted to count the strings and try again. “Oh! The 4 just means it’s a different finish.” I told him that’s what the letters were for. “I don’t have time for this” and he walked away. Nice huh? Welcome to South Florida boys and girls!
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#74
Lowlou17 said:
I went to see my luthier today for a setup and mods to my Fender. Guitar Center isn’t too far from there so I dropped in. I was reminded very quickly why I don’t go there often. They are surly, rude, and hate their job. Anyway, as luck would have it there was a Sterling Ray 5 similar to mine and 2 Ibanez Soundgear 5 strings. One was a 405E and the other a 505E. I REALLY like the feel of that neck. Much thinner than the Sterling. It’s a big enough difference that you can see it. On the Sterling at the 12th fret with a baseball grab my thumb and index finger are about a 1/2 apart. On the Ibanez they touch, that’s pretty significant. There was a lot of fret buzz but I think it’s mostly because they keep the strings loose and they would need a proper set up. Fret spacing was really nice too. Didn’t have to stretch as much from the 3rd to 5th frets on the Ibanez. Again, it was visually noticeable. Price wise it’s a little beyond my budget but well within reach. I’ve posted the pictures here. I must admit, that dragon eye finish looks really nice. Going back to surly people at GC, when I asked the guy, what’s the difference between a 405E and 505E he started off by saying “the 405 is a 4 string that’s what the 4 stands for.” I asked him if he wanted to count the strings and try again. “Oh! The 4 just means it’s a different finish.” I told him that’s what the letters were for. “I don’t have time for this” and he walked away. Nice huh? Welcome to South Florida boys and girls!View attachment 5308055 View attachment 5308056 View attachment 5308057
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Why waste your time?!? When purchasing anything, I forego the sales associates and talk to the guys in the service / repair department. They're stuck with servicing the gear and will be brutally candid about what they've encountered, good vs. bad, best buys vs. absolute dogs.

Riis
 
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#76
Lowlou17 said:
I went to see my luthier today for a setup and mods to my Fender. Guitar Center isn’t too far from there so I dropped in. I was reminded very quickly why I don’t go there often. They are surly, rude, and hate their job. Anyway, as luck would have it there was a Sterling Ray 5 similar to mine and 2 Ibanez Soundgear 5 strings. One was a 405E and the other a 505E. I REALLY like the feel of that neck. Much thinner than the Sterling. It’s a big enough difference that you can see it. On the Sterling at the 12th fret with a baseball grab my thumb and index finger are about a 1/2 apart. On the Ibanez they touch, that’s pretty significant. There was a lot of fret buzz but I think it’s mostly because they keep the strings loose and they would need a proper set up. Fret spacing was really nice too. Didn’t have to stretch as much from the 3rd to 5th frets on the Ibanez. Again, it was visually noticeable. Price wise it’s a little beyond my budget but well within reach. I’ve posted the pictures here. I must admit, that dragon eye finish looks really nice. Going back to surly people at GC, when I asked the guy, what’s the difference between a 405E and 505E he started off by saying “the 405 is a 4 string that’s what the 4 stands for.” I asked him if he wanted to count the strings and try again. “Oh! The 4 just means it’s a different finish.” I told him that’s what the letters were for. “I don’t have time for this” and he walked away. Nice huh? Welcome to South Florida boys and girls!View attachment 5308055 View attachment 5308056 View attachment 5308057
Click to expand...
True about the staff at guitar center - at least for the one near me.

Also true on the Ibanez neck. I have a 5 string Soundgear and the narrow neck is great! I also have a Lakland 55-02 that sounds great but has a much wider neck. For me the narrow neck on the Soundgear is just easier to play.
 

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