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Help Me Out Ibanez Experts
- Thread starter ejaggers
- Start date
The Talman. And I’m an SR fan in general. The more Fenderish look seems to do well with inexpensive basses.
Something about the SR design goes better with nicer fit and finish and finer grade hardware — maybe it’s the Japanese aesthetic of simple but refined.
The bolted together American look of the Talman works.
But maybe if you switched the colors, I’d change my mind.
Something about the SR design goes better with nicer fit and finish and finer grade hardware — maybe it’s the Japanese aesthetic of simple but refined.
The bolted together American look of the Talman works.
But maybe if you switched the colors, I’d change my mind.
I prefer the Roadsters to anything they put out, including the Musician, and I don’t know why they don’t reissue them!
30 vs 34" scale would be the deciding point for many right off.
Whilst I like SS basses, I could live without the hideous Fender colour, the PG and control plate which always make me think bad HS woodwork project, on all basses, not just the Talman.
I currently have 4 SR shaped instruments and like them, but that PHATII EQ is rubbish. Other than that I like it.
So, what I would do, is save for an SR305/375. Better pre and pickups and better finish on the 375e (I have a 370e).
Whilst I like SS basses, I could live without the hideous Fender colour, the PG and control plate which always make me think bad HS woodwork project, on all basses, not just the Talman.
I currently have 4 SR shaped instruments and like them, but that PHATII EQ is rubbish. Other than that I like it.
So, what I would do, is save for an SR305/375. Better pre and pickups and better finish on the 375e (I have a 370e).
If it has to be one of those two, the Talman. I don’t like the body shape or general vibe of that specific Talman but I think that’d be the better overall bass of the two, could best handle a wider range of situations and probably be a better value in the long run.
I know you didn’t ask so feel free to disregard the rest, but…If it were my $250 and I *had* to have an Ibby, I would be to hunt for a nicer used Soundgear to hit CL or the local pawn shop. Their resale value isn’t always the most solid and there are some gems to be had. Easy to land a nice upgrade over either of those two choices with a small bit of badgering. Recently a ~5ish year old quilted maple SR400 went for sub-$300 in my area…those SR370s A9X mentioned would also make a fantastic used gear target.
$250 is a tough budget right this moment though w/ Ibanez. I’d be looking elsewhere if I was on a $250 budget, there are *much* better choices to be had for the price; both new and used. I say this as a full-on Ibanez fanboy, this just isn’t an a price range where Ibanez shines. Good luck with the hunt!
I know you didn’t ask so feel free to disregard the rest, but…If it were my $250 and I *had* to have an Ibby, I would be to hunt for a nicer used Soundgear to hit CL or the local pawn shop. Their resale value isn’t always the most solid and there are some gems to be had. Easy to land a nice upgrade over either of those two choices with a small bit of badgering. Recently a ~5ish year old quilted maple SR400 went for sub-$300 in my area…those SR370s A9X mentioned would also make a fantastic used gear target.
$250 is a tough budget right this moment though w/ Ibanez. I’d be looking elsewhere if I was on a $250 budget, there are *much* better choices to be had for the price; both new and used. I say this as a full-on Ibanez fanboy, this just isn’t an a price range where Ibanez shines. Good luck with the hunt!
I get that about buying used, my curiosity is more about the Talman vs SR.
Ibanez has soooooo many models that I find it a bit overwhelming.
I've also had good luck with Squier and Epi so I was wondering how
Ibby stacks up in this price point....057912
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No experience w/ Epis but have liked what I’ve played from Squier. I’d say a great Squier (their QC is iffy) could have an edge over a new Ibby at the $250 price point. Problem is it isn’t apples to apples, as a new Squier CV will run you quite a bit more than $250 these days.
For what it’s worth, I bought a SBMM SUB Ray4 brand new from AMS on sale for $220 recently as a back-up beater to my Ibanez EHB1000 daily driver…I now reach for the Ray4 at least as often as the EHB. Not sure which is the primary and which the back-up anymore. Whoops. Those SUB Rays are some seriously fun instruments, go on sale fairly regularly, and are super convenient mod platforms like the Squiers.
For what it’s worth, I bought a SBMM SUB Ray4 brand new from AMS on sale for $220 recently as a back-up beater to my Ibanez EHB1000 daily driver…I now reach for the Ray4 at least as often as the EHB. Not sure which is the primary and which the back-up anymore. Whoops. Those SUB Rays are some seriously fun instruments, go on sale fairly regularly, and are super convenient mod platforms like the Squiers.
Also - whoops. There is an Ibanez bass in this price range I’d recommend checking out as a winner…had to look it up, you weren’t joking about Ibanez’s lineup being gynormous. I’ve noodled on a GSR100EX and LOVED it. Looks like they still make it and it’s going around $180 right now.
You're right that Squiers have increased in price, and the CV is more than these Ibby's.
But I own four Squiers none are CV's and only one VM.
All four are excellent although 3 are heavily modded....057912
Edited: I probably should have added the GRS to the poll as well, I forgot about those. I'm trying to find out which low-end Ibby is desirable.
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These two basses aren't even remotely similar. One is a shortie and the other a long scale 5 string. I would buy neither. As stated by others I would save up a little more money and buy a better long scale. If you want a short scale the Talman is the winner in this contest. If you don't then buy the SR.
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Personally I don’t much dig the Soundgears until about the 500 series, I do however love Talman basses. I definitely feel like my TMB35 is on par with my 310 and I can play it back to back with my SR655 and not feel like I’m really downgrading. When my band starts gigging again the 655 and the 35 will be going to the shows. 655 in standard low B, and the 35 in D standard.
I really like it’s P pickup, but the J isn’t my favorite. I put a G&L humbucker in its place, because… why not, right?
I really like it’s P pickup, but the J isn’t my favorite. I put a G&L humbucker in its place, because… why not, right?
Both are 5 string.
I play long, short, and medium scales.
Lots of good info in your post, thanks for sharing.
Are you saying, the higher the number the better the quality with SR models?
And does this apply to all Ibby's?
I couldn't agree with you more. See post #8.
057912
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Would only consider the Talman as being a bass that makes sense, just because of the neck profile/mass (there's enough) and I'd make the short scale work. Probably just change amp eq. to make it less thumpy. BUT, another vote for Indonesian Sterling. Becoming a favorite neck (I have 2)
