• 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.

does ibanez have a bad rep?

#82
I just feel that for every tier of Ibanez pricing, there is a better option in another brand.

That and the entry level SR basses are the worst basses I've ever played outside of a Yamaha RBX170.

Are their midrange and high end basses terrible? Not at all. Are there much better instruments in those price ranges, both similarly styled and more traditional? IMO, very much yes.
 
#83
What is intersting about a thread like this is the chewing out on Ibanez whilst applauding other products made by the same company. Gakko(Ibanez) first big breakthrough came when they started to make Fender's Japanese range - still widely enthused about but not attributed to Ibanez. Many basses and guitars are made by all sorts of manufacturers - like Samick and Cort. Before you can broadly discount a manufacturer we would need to know which factory it came from and what quality controls had been put in place by the contractor. The guys who work in the factories would have a real laugh at some of the comments, considering the origins of the basses.

The manufacturers don't help either - where IS Ibanez's Premium Facility? What are the real differences between made in USA, Mexico, China, Etc for Fender. Nobody much wants to show us on YouTube or discuss.
 
#85
I know a friend of mine who trades in guitars and basses gets great bargains in the USA on Japanese Tokai, Ibanez, and Takamine. He says the USA built stuff holds its value far better in the USA and the offshore builds get depreciated far faster than they do in Europe - soooo .... - he buys them up and brings them back here where he can still get good prices. Since we make no mass market guitars in the UK we don't really have an issue on where something is made - but lots about quality. (That's why you see so many BMWs and Mercs here.)
 
#86
I have owned several Ibanez, Fenders and Alembics. Ibanez makes great basses at all price levels. I have always liked the way the play and sound. I don't think Carol Kaye would be using them if they weren't any good.

Everybody has their own opinion. Some people think that MIM Fenders are junk while other people love them and think that MIA Fenders are not worth the money. For some reason it seems that there are many players who pick a side and will never change their mind about a particular brand. My philosophy has always been to play what you like and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.
 
#88
Wish I still owned this
ATKbody.jpg

Fantastic bass. Ibanez USA custom shop. You could do a Ray, a P and a Jazz on this one.

Yes, I have owned a Lakland. This one spat like a Ray, which in my experience the Lakie won't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueAliceOasis
#89
I feel like Ibanez guitars and basses are the new working mans type of instruments. Maybe not the best in any price range. But the most accessable. Many pros use Ibanez and the company marketing is like a steamroller. Fender, Ibanez and Gibson are top 3 in any store you go into. All the Ibanez basses ive picked up have a really good feel to them and their own unique "brand tone". I like the way they feel especially being a heavy/chunky Fender player. I like Ibanez and I think their budget basses are some of the best instruments you can own. But Ibanez is never my first choice, oddly enough.
 
#91
I just put a new set of strings on and set up a 1992 RB886 for a student's Christmas gift. It seemed like a pretty solid bass to me. I used to play the Musician 924 basses (fretless and fretted) in the early 80s and the only thing I remember was the single coil Jazz pickup had some hum issues. One of my students has that bass (from 1982) and it's still going strong. Mike Porcaro, Sting and Michael Rhodes used to use them back then as well.
I see newer SR basses in the hands of students and they seem OK to me.
I've checked out Adam Nitti's two new ones and they seem really, really nice.
 
#93
What I love about Ibanez is that they have a their own unique sound, whereas so many other companies, including boutique, are just souped up Fenders. (Or trying to be).

I have 11 basses,2 of which are Ibanez and they're great. Though I would never spend 2k on an Ibanez -- for no reason other than the $700 models are not that different in sound and playability.
 
#97
I like some Ibanez basses but most of them are old and passive... Roadstars & such. SRs seem generic to me. BTBs are awesome players but I don't love the active/hifi tone. ATKs are awesome playing and looking but I don't really love active basses. They just don't have anything passive that interests me right now. I don't think they're "bad" basses... I'd just rather have something else.
 
#99
I believe the Ibanez RD707-RD727 four string bass is the best in simple design since the 2nd generation Precision. They made these in Japan in the late 80's. Then, Ibanez Korea started making a very similar bass called the EX, which was nowhere near the quality. The MIJ version had a 3 piece rock maple neck and OEM Dimarzio's(of course).

I tend to like the 707 more than the 727. I don't care for the shark inlays and lined fingerboard of the more deluxe 727. Even so, I'd take one in a heartbeat.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back