Help Me Out Ibanez Experts

[ejaggers]

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)

Thanks for the info about Ibby. Sterling has come up quite a bit on TB.
I'd never considered these before, guess I'll have to take a closer look.....057912

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Sound good - yeah given that I’d vote the GSR100EX, but that EX model GSR specifically as I didn’t care for the P/J version I tried. YMMV of course, at this price point it goes without saying that best route is to try them hands-on before buying as some amount of QC variability ends up baked into the price.

FWIW, the mahogany oil finish looks really nice in person and I don’t think pics do it justice.

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.

 

[Sid the Kid]

My dad has the Talman 5 and it is a good little bass. The neck has a pleasant plumpness to it and the 18mm string spacing is very comfortable.

He found a set of Short scale Curt Mangan strings that are hex core and have a 130 for the low b. It is the most satisfying short scale B string I have encountered.

 

[Waltsdog]

I had a first run Talman the QC was not good but the newer ones seem okay, the body shape makes it balance poorly with pretty horrible neck dive, nobody seems to mention that with this model.
Between the two I'd go for the GSR based on the balance alone.

 

[bigthemat]

I LOVEEE my Talman 605. I think they're wonderful, and I personally dig the "weird" body shape, but I've always been a fan of jaguar/jazzmaster/meteora shaped instruments

 

[nFinnyD]

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?

057912

All the models I’m aware of, yes. But the last one or two numbers only denotes “trim package” type things. It breaks down like this:

SR655
Soundgear of course
6xx is the series line
x5x means it’s got different finish, wood, inlay, binding, hardware color, etc from the x0x model
xx5 means 5 strings(0 would mean 4 string)

I would say that for the most part the first number tells you the quality level in relation to that same model only. In my opinion TMBs are better than the same series SR until the 600, likewise the difference in the SR100 to the SR600 to me seems to be more than the difference in the TMB100 and the TMB600. So for me, I’d much rather a low end TMB than SR.

 

[scottfeldstein]

30 vs 34" scale would be the deciding point for many right off.

This ^ My primary bass is a 35" scale. The B string is so good. I can't imagine going to a 30 after that.

 

[ejaggers]

My dad has the Talman 5 and it is a good little bass. The neck has a pleasant plumpness to it and the 18mm string spacing is very comfortable.

He found a set of Short scale Curt Mangan strings that are hex core and have a 130 for the low b. It is the most satisfying short scale B string I have encountered.

Thanks for the info.
I was wondering how the SS 5 fared, and was concerned about strings.
I talked to Curt about some sub short scale strings and he couldn't help me.

I prefer SS but have been very suspicious of fivers, and I have not seen any in stores,
but maybe I need to get out more.

All the models I’m aware of, yes. But the last one or two numbers only denotes “trim package” type things. It breaks down like this:

SR655
Soundgear of course
6xx is the series line
x5x means it’s got different finish, wood, inlay, binding, hardware color, etc from the x0x model
xx5 means 5 strings(0 would mean 4 string)

I would say that for the most part the first number tells you the quality level in relation to that same model only. In my opinion TMBs are better than the same series SR until the 600, likewise the difference in the SR100 to the SR600 to me seems to be more than the difference in the TMB100 and the TMB600. So for me, I’d much rather a low end TMB than SR.

Thanks for the education.
There should be an Ibanez University where I could go to become an expert.

I've heard that low-end Ibby's are not great,
I've also heard the same thing about Affinity's,
although that has not been my experience.

My Affinity's Kick A$$ although they all have been modded from hell to high water.
I also thought, mine at least, were pretty decent stock.

This is why I'm probing about low-end Ibbys.
I'd like to know their shortcomings and if they can be modded into awesome players,
w/o costing an arm/leg.

057912

 

[A9X]

This ^ My primary bass is a 35" scale. The B string is so good. I can't imagine going to a 30 after that.

This guy apparently has no issue with it;
Tony Grey Signature Monarch 6 Elite - DEPOSIT – Fodera Guitars
It is 30.75" not 30", and that could make all the difference. /sarc.

I've also yet to find a 35" bass that's any better than a 34". Different maybe, but not better.

I've heard that low-end Ibby's are not great

Not generally true. I have the bottom of the line 2019 six, SR256B and it's very good.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I rise in defense of Ibanez quality, and especially playability, across their entire range of instruments, top to bottom. It's really hard to go wrong with them. I've owned three of their bass guitars and they all played like a dream.

 

[ejaggers]

All the models I’m aware of, yes. But the last one or two numbers only denotes “trim package” type things. It breaks down like this:

SR655
Soundgear of course
6xx is the series line
x5x means it’s got different finish, wood, inlay, binding, hardware color, etc from the x0x model
xx5 means 5 strings(0 would mean 4 string)

I would say that for the most part the first number tells you the quality level in relation to that same model only. In my opinion TMBs are better than the same series SR until the 600, likewise the difference in the SR100 to the SR600 to me seems to be more than the difference in the TMB100 and the TMB600. So for me, I’d much rather a low end TMB than SR.

So what's the difference between an SR vs GSR?
057912

 

[A9X]

GSRs are budget. Maybe different woods, hardware and PUs but otherwise sized and shaped like an SR. Many gig with them and like them.

 

[ejaggers]

GSRs are budget. Maybe different woods, hardware and PUs but otherwise sized and shaped like an SR. Many gig with them and like them.

So would you say the GSR is on par with Affinity, and there's no top-of-the-line GSR?
057912

 

[ejaggers]

All the models I’m aware of, yes. But the last one or two numbers only denotes “trim package” type things. It breaks down like this:

SR655
Soundgear of course
6xx is the series line
x5x means it’s got different finish, wood, inlay, binding, hardware color, etc from the x0x model
xx5 means 5 strings(0 would mean 4 string)

I would say that for the most part the first number tells you the quality level in relation to that same model only. In my opinion TMBs are better than the same series SR until the 600, likewise the difference in the SR100 to the SR600 to me seems to be more than the difference in the TMB100 and the TMB600. So for me, I’d much rather a low end TMB than SR.

@nFinnyD,
Is the GSR is on par with Affinity, and there's no top-of-the-line GSR?
Also, do you have an opinion about the SR305DX?
There's a cheap one up for auction right now.
057912

 

[nFinnyD]

@nFinnyD,
Is the GSR is on par with Affinity, and there's no top-of-the-line GSR?
Also, do you have an opinion about the SR305DX?
There's a cheap one up for auction right now.
057912

Yea I would say Gio is basically the Affinity line.

as for the 300dx-

I would definitely prefer the powerspan pickups and current pre of the SR300 series over that. The build on them is fine in my experience but I’d want to put new pups and/or eq in the older model SR300’s

@nFinnyD,
Is the GSR is on par with Affinity, and there's no top-of-the-line GSR?
Also, do you have an opinion about the SR305DX?
There's a cheap one up for auction right now.
057912

 

[nFinnyD]

If it’s cheap enough, get a good set of pickups and you’d be set!