• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How Ibanez got it right.

#61
They're great basses, the only problem was that bridge. The bridge problem is pretty widespread and wasn't restricted to one year or even model I think. I had 2 break on me but Ibanez was great about giving me a free replacement. I just sold my last Ibanez but I think I can see myself going back in that direction one day especially because of their 5 string necks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiabolusInMusic
#62
JGbassman said:
There was a period where there was some issues with the sr bridges. If I remember correctly, there was an issue with where the string end attached that was pulling out or deforming. This was addressed by redesigning the bridge, adding more metal in that area. Ibanez made it right with the owners of the effected basses. It has been fixed, and there hasn't been any issues for a few years now.
Click to expand...

A few years = 25.

I have a 2008 SR506 (not as good as my SR885) which has that slotted bridge design and it has no issues either, and the C and G string put considerable strain on it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass
#63
Let's face it, mass-produced instruments these days are very playable instruments in a way that the Teiscos, Silvertones, et al were not. Much of this owes to Fender not patenting designs.
Where I think brands like Yamaha, Ibanez, etc. win is by taking standard elements (tuners, pickups, etc.) and having good quality control over the CNC routing and assembly. They all skimp on the electronics and pickups, as well as the finishing. However, those things are of a decent enough standard quality and dimensions that they can be upgraded, such that the instrument can grow with the player.
 
#64
I've owned a few IBBY basses. None are my main instrument, but I've never had one I was unsatisfied with. Some of their late-70's / early-80's Fender knock-offs actually sound and play as good or better than the real thing for a fraction of the price. I love their BTB series as you get so much value for the money, and as a dude with fat fingers I love the wide necks. I played a BTB305 that was my main bass through a lot of lean financial years, and as at times my only bass it did me very well. Now it's my backup, and I have a BTB405 fretless that is coming on Tuesday that I got for $425 out the door (on Ebay) that I am positive I will be happy with. Maybe next year at bonus time I'll upgrade my fretless to an MTD or Fodera or ??? but I'm more likely to buy a second cab and upgrade to a 1200w head and maybe some high-end pedals that I have my eye on.

Just as some people don't get that people like Ibanez, I don't get the Fendor or else folks, especially people who own more than one vintage P or J (or both!). Each of my basses has a purpose, and short of rocking a P with rounds, a P with flats, and maybe a fretless P I don't get it. J's sound awesome but the neck is too narrow for my tastes. All of which means different strokes for different folks. Back to the Ibbys, Ibanez provides a lot of value to a lot of folks, and whatever gets you playing is good, even "hipster" basses like Epi T-Birds, Danelectros, Silvertones, Univoxes, etc (which I don't get but to each their own).
 
  • Like
Reactions: JustForSport and alaskaleftybass
#65
Antisyzygy said:
You might try a Talman just to make sure. They're Fender-like.
Click to expand...

Do you have one? I have a TMB-300 (technically - the guy that has it currently still hasn't paid me for it LOL)....anyway, construction-wise, they are for sure decent-for-the-money: a lot of bass there for that price-point....the odd-thing about them (and I mentioned this on TB before) is that its the first time Ive owned a bass where its tonal-characteristics on one setting sounds one-way below the ~7th fret but then takes on drastically different characteristics above the ~7th fret on the same setting -- like, somehow, I swap pickup manufacturers going up-n-down the neck LOL...Weird huh?.....The fretwork and especially the electronics are where they shaved costs: the pots are very shoddy and it wont take much to break or dislodge the centers and the keys are of the budget variety......still, a very good bass for the money...Id certainly opt for its features over other budget basses, including SX and Affinity-series


As far as Ibanez overall: Great company, usually great sounding instruments......The SR Series with the Barts are very good sounding basses that play extremely fast and comfortable. I do think they are Generic twin-pickup sounding basses -- this is not a negative or even a bad thing, this is just saying they are non-descript sounding (I cant listen to a recording and go "Gee, thats gotta be a Sound Gear" just by listening alone)....I thinned the herd recently and got rid of my SR-1205 with the Nords....I didnt like those pickups but I know many folks that do
 
Last edited:
#66
Ibanez makes some exquisite Basses. I owned a BTB 7E that was fantastic. I ended up selling it, because it was an impulse buy, and I really couldn't get my head around 7 strings. Very nice Bass, and very nice conversation piece; someone else owns it, and I'm sure they're very happy. I greatly respect their higher end models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: XrisThaBassman
#72
Ibanez puts out good entry level instruments - besides that, I've seen many seasoned musicians playing Ibanez out on gigs, probably because they didn't want to risk the theft of a higher quality instrument but still wanted a quality -versatile sound - I've played both the SR series & the newer Talman basses - good tone - playability - and good looking design- they are dependable instruments - but in my opinion should not be compared to higher end designs.
 
#76
I turned my nose up at Ibanez until my back went south in the 1980s, and I needed something lighter. I bought a RoadStar RB 8xx, passive, and it was - dare i say it? - killer. Great bass, for the money or not. I liked it so much I later bought the active version of the same bass. I still have them. Didn't play them for a couple of decades, pulled them out recently, both worked like a charm, and sounded and played much better than I remember them.

I recently wanted something SUPER light, and the only company making anything lightweight (under 7 lbs) and viable is Ibanez. I bought an SR 400 that weighs about 6.75 lbs, and sounds superb. It's without question the growliest bass i own, including some high end stuff. It's the MK1 pickups, which I like much better than the "Bartolinis".

I tried to buy Ibby in the mid 90's, but I got one with a truss rod that actually vibrated inside the neck. I think their quality was off for awhile then. But these days, I love Ibby.

What I don't like about recent Ibbies is the finish - it's quite thin and non-durable. My recent purchase has a small chip in the very thin Claro Walnut top that is glaring against the underlying wood, so I'm already making plans to deal with what happens down the road. But for now, the bass is stunning.

Despite who actually makes the bass, Ibanez's ideas and design are what makes them what they are. Many have said "innovative," and I echo that. Who else puts pickups like Nordstrand on their basses? Who else comes up with that flip-open truss rod cover? Who else makes basses as lightweight and good sounding? Ibanez design has to be the most forward-thinking of all the production bass companies.

Other recent things from Ibanez include the Portamento that someone else mentioned (I'm jonesing for that bass!); that is a super-awesome fretless. While not often seen on fretless basses, the piezo bridge is de riguer for a fretless bass guitar.

In sum, I love them.
 
#78
Rib 13 said:
Do you have one? I have a TMB-300 (technically - the guy that has it currently still hasn't paid me for it LOL)....anyway, construction-wise, they are for sure decent-for-the-money: a lot of bass there for that price-point....the odd-thing about them (and I mentioned this on TB before) is that its the first time Ive owned a bass where its tonal-characteristics on one setting sounds one-way below the ~7th fret but then takes on drastically different characteristics above the ~7th fret on the same setting -- like, somehow, I swap pickup manufacturers going up-n-down the neck LOL...Weird huh?.....The fretwork and especially the electronics are where they shaved costs: the pots are very shoddy and it wont take much to break or dislodge the centers and the keys are of the budget variety......still, a very good bass for the money...Id certainly opt for its features over other budget basses, including SX and Affinity-series


As far as Ibanez overall: Great company, usually great sounding instruments......The SR Series with the Barts are very good sounding basses that play extremely fast and comfortable. I do think they are Generic twin-pickup sounding basses -- this is not a negative or even a bad thing, this is just saying they are non-descript sounding (I cant listen to a recording and go "Gee, thats gotta be a Sound Gear" just by listening alone)....I thinned the herd recently and got rid of my SR-1205 with the Nords....I didnt like those pickups but I know many folks that do
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have a TMB-100. I bought one as a cheap couch-play or gigging bass when the white and blue ones were on sale at GC for around 160. My main three basses are USA made and I don't want to be banging those around.

The tuners were fine IMO. They pretty much do what a 25 dollar set of tuners would do. I haven't yet had any issues with the pots, they feel relatively solid, however I haven't whacked them at all so we'll see.

Agreed on the pickups though, they're pretty cheap. They're about as cheap as you can make a pickup and have it still work. It was kinda off-putting when I got the bass because the other hardware seems more solid.

Also the pickguard is ugly as sin. That's going away on my Talman some day.

I haven't noticed much of a tone difference when shifting position on the neck, but the J pickup seems to be a little wonky in that it doesn't sound the same across the strings. I had to lower the bass side of the pickup quite a bit for it to sound right, and even then it's not perfect. Sort of woofy, especially if you turn the bass knob up at all.

I'm swapping pickups on my Talman the next chance I get. I like it overall. It can take action as low as any Fender I've owned, though not as low as a G&L. Its a great beater bass to keep around--one that someone wouldn't be fighting with to play but also one that you're not afraid to damage considering the price.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SpazzTheBassist
#79
onlyclave said:
SR885

SR885

  • Media owner onlyclave
  • Date added

Dude, I've played that Blue SR885 (Japanese made) since 1992 and there has NEVER been a bridge problem.

As far as you know you're making crap up.
Click to expand...

It wasn't an issue 25 years ago, it was a recent issue. I have nothing against Ibanez but it was a major, widespread issue.
 
#80
In 1987 I walked into a music store knowing nothing about bass guitars. I was playing other instruments and spending a lot of time in the studio. I asked for a bass that was inexpensive, but that I could grow into and use for recording. He showed me a shiny red Roadstar, and had to demo it for me since I couldn't play a note. I still have it and I've modded it over the years but it's still solid and studio- and stage-worthy.

In between I became a Fender guy. It was the weight of my jazz that pushed me to explore other options.

My latest is an SR605 and I could hardly be happier. It's a much finer instrument than my first ibby. I'd say it's better than my fender in many ways, though maybe not as sturdy. Not that it isn't sturdy, just a fender is built like a truck. I still say ibanez basses offer the best bang for your buck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NoBucks and Steve Borgstrom

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back