rockstarbassist
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I have a top end BTB neck-thru model arriving today. Their high end stuff (especially the older wenge Custom stuff from the late 90's, of which I had a 6 string model) is really excellent.
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does ibanez have a bad rep?
- Thread starter ROFLMFAO
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I have a top end BTB neck-thru model arriving today. Their high end stuff (especially the older wenge Custom stuff from the late 90's, of which I had a 6 string model) is really excellent.
I don't think so, I had an SR300dx for about 6 years. Love the thin necks. But even before the sound gear I liked passive electronics so now that I can afford a fender that's where I'm at. I like them, other than the annoying (to me) battery changes I had no problem for all the time I had mine. If they have a bad rep it's not from me.
i have a late 80's SDGR600
like everything about it except:
the body wood is too soft. take off that control cavity cover to replace the battery more than 5x, remove the strap pegs, replace pickups and you will be wood glue n toothpickn
the black hardware loses its black, granted my Ibby is over 20 years old
i like thin necks and i like their body shape. anyone who has had the DI signal to a board says it sounds 'hot'.
like everything about it except:
the body wood is too soft. take off that control cavity cover to replace the battery more than 5x, remove the strap pegs, replace pickups and you will be wood glue n toothpickn
the black hardware loses its black, granted my Ibby is over 20 years old
i like thin necks and i like their body shape. anyone who has had the DI signal to a board says it sounds 'hot'.
To start with your question: Not that I've ever heard.
I started out on a borrowed GSR200 about 10 years ago. It had a good fretwork, a comfortable neck and balanced well. The main thing? It sounded like a bass.
I've since played some older MIJ Ibbies. They're were as well made or better than comparable MIA instruments of the same eras.
As already mentioned, some players don't like the necks or string spacing. That's why there's more than one brand or style of bass.
The Peavey T-40 is a great bass. I sold the one I had because I didn't like the neck. I have a BB-300 that I will be selling soon for the same reason.
I started out on a borrowed GSR200 about 10 years ago. It had a good fretwork, a comfortable neck and balanced well. The main thing? It sounded like a bass.
I've since played some older MIJ Ibbies. They're were as well made or better than comparable MIA instruments of the same eras.
As already mentioned, some players don't like the necks or string spacing. That's why there's more than one brand or style of bass.
The Peavey T-40 is a great bass. I sold the one I had because I didn't like the neck. I have a BB-300 that I will be selling soon for the same reason.
IME their lower-priced models (GSR200, etc) are crap, but once you get away from those they're great instruments if that's the tone and feel you're after. The only caveat I have with them is their electronics can be kinda bleh, but that's an easy fix. My SR sounded great and was a featherweight but I didn't dig the ultra-thin neck. Different strokes.
I guess if the only Yamaha bass I ever played was one of their "beginner" basses, perhaps I'd be a "Yamahater" but since I know better, I am a big fan of their higher-end stuff.
Have played several Ibanez basses including a really nice BTB I wouldn't mind owning. Guess if I just played their $150 model, I might think they were crap too!
Then again, perhaps you should look at the value you get for your dollar! Ibanez is pretty darn good in this area!
Have played several Ibanez basses including a really nice BTB I wouldn't mind owning. Guess if I just played their $150 model, I might think they were crap too!
Then again, perhaps you should look at the value you get for your dollar! Ibanez is pretty darn good in this area!
Ignorance can truly be bliss. From time to time, I meet a great player who just has a ball playing his "Non-PC" bass, and he or she sounds great!
The internet and your "friends" can provide some great information, but no one knows what works you except for you.
The internet and your "friends" can provide some great information, but no one knows what works you except for you.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I owned a SR506 and I couldn't wait to get rid of it. Found it impossible to get a good setup and impossible to intonate, from what I've heard wasn't just mine. Granted the only others I've played were store setup, I owned one for about 29 days. Tried to set it up 3 times, had a pro try, tried myself again. Took it back and got a BTB 676, although that is in the process of getting replaced by something lighter.
So Ibanez don't suck but some do... just like any $1k> bass can...
So Ibanez don't suck but some do... just like any $1k> bass can...
I think that the general consensus on the forum is that most of the SR's <500 are usually weaker, but everything 500 and up is awesome. I would like to see someone play my Ibanez and tell me it sucks.
Ibanez as a firm does not have a bad reputation at all. They do however make instruments that work for rank beginners right up through touring pros and session men, so it might be easy to mistake an instrument meant for one group for an instrument meant for another. And again, if you don't like the specs of a bass it won't matter to you who made it. I personally like a 34" scale 6 string with 16.5mm spacing. Give me a Fodera that's 35", 6 strings and 20mm spacing and I won't do much but admire its inherent beauty 
Another less than "everyone knew that" fact about Ibanez is that they do not actually own a factory. They bring their designs and specifications to factory and basically 'order' the instruments. For a long time the Japanese instruments were made by Fuji Gen Gakki in Japan (where the Japanese Fenders were also made, as well as the higher end Yamaha instruments), but you can see instruments made by Cort, Samick, and World among other companies all over the 1990's and 2000's instruments by checking the first letter of the serial number.
Generally speaking, the high end Japanese instruments marked "Prestige" or "J Custom" are extrememly well built. That doesn't guarantee they will be your cup of tea though. The recent addition of the "Premium" line consists of instruments made outside of Japan but under the direction of the master builders who create the Prestige and J Custom instruments. I have only played the Premium guitars so far myself, but the one I played (a 7 string electric) was beautiful.
Another less than "everyone knew that" fact about Ibanez is that they do not actually own a factory. They bring their designs and specifications to factory and basically 'order' the instruments. For a long time the Japanese instruments were made by Fuji Gen Gakki in Japan (where the Japanese Fenders were also made, as well as the higher end Yamaha instruments), but you can see instruments made by Cort, Samick, and World among other companies all over the 1990's and 2000's instruments by checking the first letter of the serial number.
Generally speaking, the high end Japanese instruments marked "Prestige" or "J Custom" are extrememly well built. That doesn't guarantee they will be your cup of tea though. The recent addition of the "Premium" line consists of instruments made outside of Japan but under the direction of the master builders who create the Prestige and J Custom instruments. I have only played the Premium guitars so far myself, but the one I played (a 7 string electric) was beautiful.
Well, if you insist! (address PM'd... no guarantee you'll get it back, damn post office!)
As other's have said, they have a wide range of products with different production qualities. Most of the stuff in the stores is on the lower end. The SR500 series is very much a budget bass that tries to include some professional "style" features. In a bass of that cost, there are compromises that have to be made, particularly with regard to wood selection and fit/finish. As you move up the SR series from their, you can really see some marked differences in how nice the instruments become. But most folks only pickup the $300-$600 instruments in the stores, so that's what they associate Ibanez with. Also, Ibanez doesn't have any Fender clones anymore, and that alone is enough to put off a whole bunch of folks right there. So just play what you like and don't worry about it.
These discussions are so dumb. Are we talking about basses they made 40 years ago, 30, 20, 10? Recent production? Their $150 basses? Their $2500 basses?
People say they don't like Ibanez because of the thin necks. Ok, so they don't like a MODEL by Ibanez that has thin necks. Clearly one model represents a company that has been making guitars for 40 years.
People say they don't like Ibanez because of the thin necks. Ok, so they don't like a MODEL by Ibanez that has thin necks. Clearly one model represents a company that has been making guitars for 40 years.
I find ibanez, for the price, to be one of the best. Their craftsmanship is great. Their lower end models like the gsr have bad electronics, but that's the same with any instrument under 200. Other than that they roll with mighty might, bartolini, EMG, and I've seen some come stock with others. As far as bashing saying the neck is too thin, they are geared to be fast and slick, so if your looking to play slower things, your hand may cramp up. I've played many ibanez models, both guitar and bass, and have nothing but good things to say given the price point. Besides, if you want TOP craftsmanship, go with the prestige, obviously. I've seen some ibanez basses with the same specs as warwicks for nearly half the price (minus brass frets and MEC electronics). Ibanez may not be an American company but they put out a good product. You can't pick up a 200 dollar bass and expect top craftsmanship, it doesn't exist. I owned an ibanez gsr190 and it beat all other basses in its price class (75 dollars). I have played nearly every ibanez model with the exception of some of the higher end rare models. I would take them over fender, Yamaha, sx, schecter, etc, any day of the week. They may not be top quality, but they are damn close, given the price. My friend got a 90s 305 and it was super comfy and we were able to get the lowest action I've ever seen on a bass, on that bass. Guitar low. No fret buzz.
Love 'em. Love the fast necks, light weight, 24 fret access, reasonable price, great tone, straight necks, and very low string height with no fret rattle.
As I said in another thread, not all Ibanez models have thin "fast" necks, and I think way too many people base all their opinions of Ibanez on playing a Soundgear model. As an example, any ATK I've played has a pretty chunky neck, although I don't know if they are all that way.
Anyway, I always get a laugh out of people who talk about an entire line of products as if they are all the same, especially an older company that has produced at least a hundred different models through the years.
Anyway, I always get a laugh out of people who talk about an entire line of products as if they are all the same, especially an older company that has produced at least a hundred different models through the years.
There's nothing "wrong" with Ibanez basses. Just not every bass is for every player. I don't hate Ibanez basses, but they're not really what I look for in basses.
Great acoustic basses, there electrics are a little iffy, they varry a lot, I played 2 Prestege SG's at one sitting and both felt and sounded different, I didn't take either one home if that helps
The cheap ones are crap (GIO, gsr200). Past that, people say that they're good. I can't stand the necks, which is why I don't own a full one.
For the GIO that I bought forever ago and for a very cheap price (it basically fell apart within 6 months), I'm planning on using the body for a project and making a chunkier neck for it. Other than the falling apart thing, the crap electronics, and the stupidly thin neck, it was a decent bass. Balanced well and was light. I'm looking forward to using the body for something.
For the GIO that I bought forever ago and for a very cheap price (it basically fell apart within 6 months), I'm planning on using the body for a project and making a chunkier neck for it. Other than the falling apart thing, the crap electronics, and the stupidly thin neck, it was a decent bass. Balanced well and was light. I'm looking forward to using the body for something.
