Hey guys, it's my first time using TalkBass.com however I just need help on this one...

[knight of ni]

Then I'd put away the fretless option. You can get a 6er, which certainly brings more option but also brings a limited choice in terms of strings esp. in europe. I'm not an Ibanez fan, so I won't give an opinion about the model you asked about.
Peavey grind 6 maybe worth considering : Peavey Grind 6 NTB - Brand New Special Dea : secondhand, pre-owned For sale, UK, On offer Eu USA, Warwick, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Bass Direct

 

[bobyoung53]

Well yh I should've thought of that... Even if it's Fender you wanna recommend then feel free to recommend

Well Ibanez basses are quality from what I remember when playing their acoustics but I would go try to find a used Fender to at least try them out, their newer basses are very good.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Then I'd put away the fretless option. You can get a 6er, which certainly brings more option but also brings a limited choice in terms of strings esp. in europe. I'm not an Ibanez fan, so I won't give an opinion about the model you asked about.
Peavey grind 6 maybe worth considering : Peavey Grind 6 NTB - Brand New Special Dea : secondhand, pre-owned For sale, UK, On offer Eu USA, Warwick, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Bass Direct

A guy I work with got one of these Grind 6 basses recently and really loves it. Seems like a good value at this price.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

If you like Ibanez then why not look at the SRH505F, five string fretless or maybe the SRH 705f five string fretless. Both are excellent fretless basses that are made fretless from the ground up and not converted. Worth a look. Good luck.

 

[lyonaudio]

Under £400? Here ya go for £329 (other finishes available).

Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass

Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass Laurel Fingerboard 3-Color Sunburst - Andertons Music Co.

Start simple, progress from there.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Okay, so if I'm reading this correctly you've been playing for 3 years on the same crappy bass, right? This means you must really love playing bass!

I've never played a Ibby Gary Willis, but I have owned an Ibanez SR400E so I'm well acquainted with the pickups and preamp and it sounds great! You have a three-way switch that gives you different overall pickup tones without even touching your EQ.

If you're really wanting a fretless I'd spring for the Willis because he was involved in the design and I'll bet the fretboard is going to be better designed for fretless. I would venture to say that most manufacturers make a fretless version of their lower to mid quality basses they use the same fretboard and just don't cut fret slots. The SR370E does have fret markers, which is nice, but the tolerances on a fretless fretboard need to be tighter than on fretted, so a upper range fretless will leave you less frustrated as you learn.

 

[nilorius]

I voted for SR, but a good choice could be used Ibanez GWB35.

 

[4stringfarley]

Of those listed, I say fretless. Forget everyone's perceived notion of what you should play with different genres of music. Play what you like.

I voted other because I'm not a fan of Ibby.

 

[foolforthecity]

I can vouch for the SR370EF I have a 375EF
View attachment 4027850

And I can vouch for the Ibanez EHB1005, a 7.6 lb gigger's dream

 

[T-BirdBassist89]

for the price range you are looking at you should look in to Schechter

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Under £400? Here ya go for £329 (other finishes available).

Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass

Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass Laurel Fingerboard 3-Color Sunburst - Andertons Music Co.

Start simple, progress from there.

I'd recommend a Squier P as well - my 2014 vintage modified P sounds and plays better than my MIA Fender P. I did swap out the pickups - the stock ones were ok, but not what I was looking for. Great build quality, no sharp frets, neck is perfect. There's always a bit of luck involved though if you don't try before you buy - there are probably some cruddy ones out there too.

I've owned a couple of Ibanez basses, they both sounded and played great.

As for 6 strings / fretless - both are great options, but depends on what style of music you're playing. If you're doing classic rock covers, then a 4-sting fretted will have you covered. Funk, R&B you might want a 5-string. Never saw the need for a 6-string, but one of my favourite players (Thundercat) uses those. Your choice in the end.

 

[Killing Floor]

I love fretless and I think it's a great tool to learn. Plus you can play anything on a fretless. That's where I'd go.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Absolutely, play what you want to play. If you can navigate around on a 6'er and play what you need to play then go for it!

Unless you're playing super jazzy runs I think a 6 is overkill. More expensive strings, wider fretboard etc.

 

[zon6c-f]

A backstory for some context...

A year ago, I got myself a Gear4Music Seattle Bass Guitar (White) and honestly, I hate the quality. Just a few weeks after I got the bass, I unplugged the bass from the amp and the screw holes that were responsible for holding the screws of the pickguard was stripped and I couldn't tighten the screws ever again. I sent the bass back to Gear4Music and their services were terrible! For some reason, when they returned the bass, they didn't do anything to fix it. The screw holes were still stripped. Not only this part of the bass was crap but also the pickups, the neck and the bridge is outmost terrible.

So next year hopefully, I can get a new, better bass but I have a problem, which is to pick the bass...

I have 2 options:

Ibanez SR370EF Fretless Bass in Brown Burst
Ibanez GSR206B-WNF GIO 6-String Electric Bass Guitar

I like the fretless one because I want to get some unusual tones and I like the 6 string because I want to get more range out of it. If you have recommendations, be free to recommend (only have budget under £400/$500)

Thanks,
I D K O K

P.S. The only brand I would like to avoid is Fender because well I already have a similar styled bass (which is the crappy bass I currently own) and I would like to try another bass of different shape.

I often offer this advice: Use Your ears and wallet capacity and forget our opinions ; please let us know what you decided on !

 

[fourstringbliss]

If you can try out one of the new SR's with the Powerspan pickups I think you'll be pleased. They stopped using those meh MK1 pickups and created their own and they sound great!! SR300E - SR400E.

 

[39-Bassist]

I know others have said this but you REALLY need to just go to a couple of stores and find what feels best for you and sounds good also. DONT look at the $ or name.
Find the right bass for you first (and it may take a hand full of different stores to visit to find what you like)
If the bass is a few more dollars than what you have then save for it and deal with what you have for now. OR find a used one of that model.
Just my 1-1/2 cents worth.
Remember, enjoy playing and it goes to 11!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

A backstory for some context...

A year ago, I got myself a Gear4Music Seattle Bass Guitar (White) and honestly, I hate the quality. Just a few weeks after I got the bass, I unplugged the bass from the amp and the screw holes that were responsible for holding the screws of the pickguard was stripped and I couldn't tighten the screws ever again. I sent the bass back to Gear4Music and their services were terrible! For some reason, when they returned the bass, they didn't do anything to fix it. The screw holes were still stripped. Not only this part of the bass was crap but also the pickups, the neck and the bridge is outmost terrible.

So next year hopefully, I can get a new, better bass but I have a problem, which is to pick the bass...

I have 2 options:

Ibanez SR370EF Fretless Bass in Brown Burst
Ibanez GSR206B-WNF GIO 6-String Electric Bass Guitar

I like the fretless one because I want to get some unusual tones and I like the 6 string because I want to get more range out of it. If you have recommendations, be free to recommend (only have budget under £400/$500)

Thanks,
I D K O K

P.S. The only brand I would like to avoid is Fender because well I already have a similar styled bass (which is the crappy bass I currently own) and I would like to try another bass of different shape.

Welcome to the board. It must have been a frustrating thing to go through with that bass. Was it new?

I wish I could give you some advice on Ibanez Basses, but alas, I'm a Fender guy. Best wishes.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I know others have said this but you REALLY need to just go to a couple of stores and find what feels best for you and sounds good also. DONT look at the $ or name.
Find the right bass for you first (and it may take a hand full of different stores to visit to find what you like)
If the bass is a few more dollars than what you have then save for it and deal with what you have for now. OR find a used one of that model.
Just my 1-1/2 cents worth.
Remember, enjoy playing and it goes to 11!

What he said.

 

[MrLenny1]

Welcome to TalkBass. The Place for Bass.
Happy shopping.

 

[I D K O K]

Even if you are a fender guy, be free to recommend fenders. I dont mind them at all