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guitars

A

acoustic58

Guest
Mar 18, 2015
82
8
#1
I apologize for all the questions regarding bass guitars that I have tossed out to this group recently. I have looked at the Ibanez 300, 400, 500, Yamaha 504 and the Sterling Sub4. There are many different opinions on each guitar and along with those opinions are different prices for each guitar.

The complaint on the 500 is unanimously the quality of the finish. For those Ibanez fans that like the sound of the 500 but did not want to deal with the finish issues, they went with the SR700. By doing that the price jumps from 600 to 800 and that is beyond what I want to spend on a guitar unless I was making a living with it, and I'm not. So many people like the 500's but I just have a hard time buying a guitar that I know has such a poor finish on it resulting in it looking like crap in a year. I know it's just cosmetics but I want both sound and looks and I should not have to be forced into making a choice between one or the other.

The Sr400 looks beautiful but some people do not like the way it sounds. Is this really a crappy guitar?? The problem sometimes is that when people, meaning myself, get caught up into into comparing guitars, all of a sudden you end up looking at a $1,000 bass when all you really wanted was a guitar that sounds good. There has to be something in the middle that would offer both a quality finish and great tone without increasing the price tag through the roof. That is where this forum comes in because as a lead/rhythm guitarist for over 30 years, bass is another world to me. All thoughts welcomed.
 
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#2
I have no experience with the basses that you are considering. And at $600, you are spending more than I did on ANY of my basses out of the box (I come closer if I add the mods, but only on one of mine). Nevertheless, I am going to add my $0.02.

1. You don't have to apologize for asking questions. This is a forum where we share info on basses. That's what we do, some of it is just people spouting off stuff and some is in response to questions. But it's all good! Just ask away!

2. I wouldn't worry a whole lot about finish quality on your first bass. First off, even the finish on my cheapies is pretty durable. Secondly, there's a high probability that you will either replace it or at least get another after a while. If it starts looking a little worn, we call that "mojo", cork-sniffers call it "patina" and Fender calls it "road-worn". At any rate, don't worry about it too much. Save those worries for when you finally learn what you really like/want (after years of playing) and you get your dream bass. I suspect that those people complaining about the finish are really finicky, and believe it or not, you will get more street cred off the bat if your bass doesn't look like it just came off the rack... well in the circles I travel in anyway! ; )
 
#3
Dab,

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. This bass guitar is going to be primarily used for recording purposes and it will also most likely be the only bass I will be buying. I am not looking for a starter bass that I can swap out later. I am looking right out of the gate for good quality at a decent price with a finish that will not wear off the body just by playing it. I hear ya on the Mojo concept. I have guitars that I have had for 30 years and every nick means something to me. Mostly because I had to much to drink that night but that is besides the point.
 

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