Entry Level Bass Under $1k - Warwick vs Ibanez

[big_aug]

So I'm a guitar player looking to pick up a bass. I'm happy with my guitars and have little desire to get another. I would like a solid bass to play around with and record.

I'm basically choosing completely on aesthetics as I know zero about basses. I'm leaning towards buying new as I just don't feel as comfortable with used basses as I do with guitars.

I like the looks of Ibanez and Warwick basses. I have no preference for pickups, scale lengths, etc as I have never really played bass. I know ibanez budget guitars are always good so I bet their basses are too. I don't know anything about Warwick other than I like the body shapes. I feel like I want a 4 string as jumping right into anything higher could be a big mistake. Maybe not but given my current level a five/sixer seems like a bad idea.

I bet this thread is made all the time. Sorry bass players

 

[joel406]

Get the Warwick.

 

[pcake]

which ibanez? which warwick?

i'm a big ibanez fan myself...

 

[DOMIT]

Wow... both make some great basses, and some great reasonably priced basses. Ibanez starts at a lower price point. For the $1000 you mentioned (more like $600-ish) you can find a used German-made Warwick. I don't think anything else under that $1000 mark will beat that.

 

[buldog5151bass]

That's a lot of money for an instrument you are choosing solely on looks. Stop looking at the headstock, and start playing some basses.

 

[big_aug]

That's a lot of money for an instrument you are choosing solely on looks. Stop looking at the headstock, and start playing some basses.

That's just not how I do things. I don't go play something for a couple hours and decide what I want. I buy something, play it for a few months, and then I either keep it or get rid of it. Playing something at a store is hardly enough time to make a choice. I like pretty much every guitar ive ever played at guitar center haha.

which ibanez? which warwick?

i'm a big ibanez fan myself...

I like the Warwick Streamers/Corvettes and the Ibanez SR series. I can do either for like $500 brand new.

 

[Lammchop93]

i would buy something cheap <$500 right now (buy used), until you can figure out what kind of sound/style you want. then spend a little more. Ibanez and Warwick are two different style animals if you ask me, and you may want to experiment before dropping a decent amount of money on a bass.

What kind of music are you playing?

 

[hondo4life]

I really don't want to talk anyone out of a nice Ibanez or Warwick, but "entry-level" should be more like <$300. Look at SX.

 

[DOMIT]

I really don't want to talk anyone out of a nice Ibanez or Warwick, but "entry-level" should be more like <$300. Look at SX.

Yup... and you can get great feel and sound at that price point if you don't care what the headstock says.

 

[big_aug]

Haha I guess my guitar buying has skewed my perception on entry level. I think I'll go with one of the $450ish Warwicks. Ive always had good luck with guitars in that price range.

 

[DOMIT]

I can assure you it isn't about the money.

 

[TMARK]

Ibanez SR650. I have lots of basses and that one still tempts me.

 

[hondo4life]

Yup... and you can get great feel and sound at that price point if you don't care what the headstock says.

My headstocks say "Hondo" and "SX".
I guess I literally don't care.

 

[Mekana]

I like both Ibanez and Warwick. That said, if you are deciding between one or the other for your first bass, see if you can try them out side by side. If at all possible, try them out with a strap, standing up. And then you can pick the one that:
Sounds best to you
Feels best to you
And
Balances/feels the most comfortable while you're wearing it

I have a German Warwick Corvette (5 string) that I love to pieces- BUT- the balance is all wrong for me and it physically hurts to play it standing up after a couple songs. So I only play it sitting down. And so it never comes out in a band setting anymore. Others obviously don't have this problem with Corvettes! I'm not saying they don't balance well in general- (my own experience does not apply to everyone)... my point is to try just the models you have narrowed it down to so you don't end up fighting the instrument while you're trying to get to know it.

 

[friendlybass]

So you like the exotic wood looks and "modern" pickups?

 

[skeeler]

Ibanez SR650. I have lots of basses and that one still tempts me.

I like Ibanez basses quite a lot. (See my signature.) The narrow necks and light weight on the SR series are key features for me. If looking for a 4-string under a grand, I'd take a hard look at the SR650 in either NTF or BBF finish. They are listed a 700 USD. If looking for under 500 dollars, I'd consider the SR400EQM (450 USD) or SR300E/SR300EB (350 USD) in any of the many colors.

 

[orange joe]

Check out the Ibanez ATK basses.great basses.

 

[TMARK]

I like Ibanez basses quite a lot. (See my signature.) The narrow necks on the SR series are a key feature for me. If looking for a 4-string under a grand, I'd take a hard look at the SR650 in either NTF or BBF finish.

I am always tempted. I like the SR650 almost as much as my Thumb. The Thumb gets the edge as far as tone but the SR650 feels just as good.

 

[davegt666]

A lot of guitar players around here where I live like the Ibanez basses because of the thin necks. Makes transitioning from guitar to bass easier I guess.

I personally don't like the Ibanez necks but its just something to keep in mind.

 

[Mikhail1]

I would never bash Warwick, they are very nice basses, but Ibanez basses give you a lot of bang for the buck. Seriously, play different models of each and buy which ever speaks to you.