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Fender or Ibanez

JackGibbonsBass

JackGibbonsBass

Guest
Apr 22, 2014
17
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29
#1
I know that there have been many comparisons made between fenders and ibanez but basically I am looking at buying a bass soon and I am torn between the ibanez srx360 and the Fender MPJ. The bass I have now is the most god awful thing on the planet, it cost me around £40 and its near enough unplayable it is styled on a P bass so the big chunky neck makes it difficult to play for me which is why I began looking a t a jazz bass. Tone wise everyone says go for fender and also for build quality but I have heard the ibanez are supposed to be the most playable basses neck wise.



So that's it which would you go for ?
 
#2
I own a fender P Bass and an Ibanez GSR 200 (both passive.) The P Bass sounds a little better IMO and the Ibanez with a slightly narrower neck is a little easier to play. My son has an Ibanez 5 string with the built in pre-amp. With just a little pre amp boost , I think it sounds as good as my P Bass. (Fender gods , please don't strike me.) I use the P bass for performances with the Ibby as a backup. All of these comparisons were made through an SVT classic rig.
If it's strictly playability , the Ibanez is probably the way to go. I've never played one I didn't like the feel of. If tone and reliability are more important , I vote for the P bass. The only two Fender jazz basses I have ever played had horrible action but this was due to lack of a proper set up and not an inherant problem to the basses. I prefer the tone of a P bass to the jazz basses though. YMMV
 
#4
Arkazail said:
Ibanezes are really comfortable, and the active pre-amp gives you a lot of control over your tone. I'd recommend saving a little more and getting the SR500 because their necks are nicer nd they have a 3-band pre-amp instead of a 2-band, but you're good either way
Click to expand...

Definitely the way to go. I own an SRX590 and an SR300, and I feel the tone is slightly better in the SR but the playability is in the SRX personally, as I am a small guy and the bass is lighter for me. The only reason I don't say get an SRX590 is that I don't think you can get them new any more and they are hard to find, so the SR500 would be easier to play and test in a shop etc.
 
#5
If it were my money, I'd go with the Fender, but that's my personal preference. So, the least subjective advice I can give would be to try out both, if you can, and see which sounds and feels better to you. I know that sounds like a bit of a cop-out, but sonically and ergonomically speaking, it's pretty much an "apples and oranges" decision.
 
#7
Fender. As to the neck on your cheepo, don't compare it to a P. I like both Ps and Js.
I have never owned an Ibanez, but they have a good rep. I have friends who have Ibanez guitars they love. I don't find them esthetically pleasing. I want to look good while I sound good. :roflmao:
 
#8
Yeah I had a go of the modern player jazz bass recently at dawsons but I was unable to have a go of an ibanez because I was stuck for time. I really liked the feel of the jazz but I will have to go back and spend a decent amount of time playing both. Personally I prefer the look of fender basses over ibanez basses but I'm trying to not let that be a major factor in my decision making.
 
#9
Gravedigger Dav said:
Fender. As to the neck on your cheepo, don't compare it to a P. I like both Ps and Js.
I have never owned an Ibanez, but they have a good rep. I have friends who have Ibanez guitars they love. I don't find them esthetically pleasing. I want to look good while I sound good. :roflmao:
Click to expand...
The cheapo bass really sucks but one good thing is that I haven't been able to lower the action because the truss rod is inaccessible but this has made my fingers a lot stronger and that is probably the only good thing to come of this bass.
 
#10
JackGibbonsBass said:
The cheapo bass really sucks but one good thing is that I haven't been able to lower the action because the truss rod is inaccessible but this has made my fingers a lot stronger and that is probably the only good thing to come of this bass.
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That could be true. Another thing to think about - resale value. Right now Ibanez is a pretty hot brand. But, what ever happened to Mosrite (for example). Fender has been around forever. The P came out in 51 and the J in 60. Fender has released variations of these iconic instruments, but they are still P & J.
 
#11
I played the same Ibby last year at a jam and loved the feel of the neck. I didn't care for the tone though. My main bass is a P bass and the tone is wonderful and neck is great as well. The neck on the Ibby is much slimmer neck if that matters to you. Just play them both and have a good time doing so. Have fun and enjoy.
 
#12
there are both the modern player jazz and the srx and sr500 at a local music store so I will head there soon to test them out. I have and ibanez sa series which I think plays wonderfully, a lot of people don't seem to like ibanez guitars or basses and I don't see why
 
#13
Arkazail said:
Ibanezes are really comfortable, and the active pre-amp gives you a lot of control over your tone. I'd recommend saving a little more and getting the SR500 because their necks are nicer nd they have a 3-band pre-amp instead of a 2-band, but you're good either way
Click to expand...
+1

I'm inclined to agree to saving up a little more for the SR500, or even see if you can find one used. I actually just sold one a couple months ago, and it's a great instrument. I just decided that I need 6 strings, and while I'm not replacing it with another Ibanez (I'm going Schecter), I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ibanez to anyone. The only reason I'm not replacing the SR 500 with a 506 or SR756, is purely because their extended range basses aren't 35" scale, and that's one thing I insist on.
 
#15
JackGibbonsBass said:
there are both the modern player jazz and the srx and sr500 at a local music store so I will head there soon to test them out. I have and ibanez sa series which I think plays wonderfully, a lot of people don't seem to like ibanez guitars or basses and I don't see why
Click to expand...

Oh, but many do:
Part #6 > http://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-ibanez-club-part-6.1011701/
Part #4 > http://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-soundgear-club-part-4.1020843/

And you've discovered the best way to find out what you like - simply by trying them out ... it's the best way. The smaller necks is a very major part of the attractiveness of Ibby SRs' for me having smaller hands, but I also love the smaller lighter bodies, and the 3-band active EQs.
Nothing against Fender - just my preferential choice.
 
#17
Probably the easiest playing bass I own is an Ibanez SR700. The neck is like a dream, especially for those without monster hands. The SR500 is the same bass with a lower grade finish although I also own an SR505, 5 string and I like the raw mahogany look and feel. Can't go wrong with these. I've seen a few go cheap on fleabay somewhat recently.

With that said, I'm mostly a Fender guy probably since I'm old. LOL! Although have been playing my Ibby's just as often.
 
#18
MoreBeer said:
Probably the easiest playing bass I own is an Ibanez SR700. The neck is like a dream, especially for those without monster hands. The SR500 is the same bass with a lower grade finish although I also own an SR505, 5 string and I like the raw mahogany look and feel. Can't go wrong with these. I've seen a few go cheap on fleabay somewhat recently.

With that said, I'm mostly a Fender guy probably since I'm old. LOL! Although have been playing my Ibby's just as often.
Click to expand...

I am more drawn to the fender if I'm honest. I would be more than happy weather either a fender or ibanez but right now it's a lot of money to spend for me and I want to make sure I get the right one for me.
 
#19
JackGibbonsBass said:
I am more drawn to the fender if I'm honest. I would be more than happy weather either a fender or ibanez but right now it's a lot of money to spend for me and I want to make sure I get the right one for me.
Click to expand...

I hate to bring reality into this discussion but Fender and Ibanez SR basses are like two classic basses but opposite poles of the magnet! I happen to own both and love both. But trying to ask which one is "best" is like saying I want to buy a vehicle but can't decide which is "best" between a Ferrari and a dump truck! There is no real answer until you decide if your purpose is to haul gravel or pick up chicks!
 

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