I Really hate to admit this....

[tfer]

My cheap Epiphone knock offs ( T Bird, Jack Cassady, Beatle Bass) can slap the snot out other folks $$$ boutique basses.

Its not tone wood, its tone fingers.

I bought my daughter an Epiphone Les Paul Studio last year, and was STUNNED at the fit and finish of the guitar.

I fully expected to have to do a bunch of setup work on it. I was wrong. Aside from a quick truss rod adjustment, it was exceptional out of the box.

I have nothing but respect for Epiphone now

 

[IamGroot]

My Epi T Bird and Jack Casady are excellent playing Instruments. I get compliments on them from other bass players a lot, whereas guitarist and drummers compliment my playing.

PS. Your daughter is very photogenic .

 

[armybass]

My SRF706 will be here tomorrow. Thanks again Talkbass. LOL.

 

[Arnel M.]

I love budget basses. And the TMB 100 stands tall in my list.

 

[IamGroot]

a little off topic and I know I will get roasted for this but, every time I see someone playing a P bass, I think to myself...boring.....

Its not what you have, but how you use it.

 

[Barisaxman]

I love budget basses. And the TMB 100 stands tall in my list.

I'd probably have a Talman, but man, the headstock is SOOOOO ugly

 

[Sue Egypt]

Whether a bassist likes the feel of Ibanez or not, at least they are pushing the envelope for us via their Bass Workshop, instead of pushing out the same thing for 60 years with different paint colors.

I almost bought an Ibanez SRS806 6 string because I fell in love with the look and tone of the thing. But it had the worst action even after I asked the in-store setup guy to take it down. Maybe I've set the bar too high because my Warrior plays so perfectly for me.

 

[Scottgun]

Why do you hate to admit this? Basses aren't like sports teams, you don't have to root for or against them...

The Blue Knight rules! The Red Knight sucks the big one!!!

 

[vlad335]

Just get it fixed. A single high fret is no big deal at all.

I’d agree that it shouldn’t pass a QC check, but s##t happens.

If Sweetwater is offering to pay for the fix, and you’re otherwise happy, go for it.

I took the bass to rehearsal last night and trying as hard as i possibly could, I still dinged it. Should have left it home if I was planning on returning it but really wanted to play it in a band setting.

Well this morning figured, what the hell I'll keep it and get it fixed. Put a new set of DR Sunbeams on her today and what do you know? The buzz is 90% gone!

What? I do not understand this at all! The DR string gauges are the exact same except for the B string. (.125 vs .130)



Whatever! It sounds so much better with the Sunbeams too.

 

[Relayer71]

The 'tone is in the fingers' argument is only half right: fingers cant entirely make up for tone...they can only maximize the physical attributes that are there on the instrument in question.....If a guy thinks good tone is rich harmonic structure piano-like tone, the best fingers in the world wont make dead flats sound like fresh rounds

I kind of agree with this.

There are a lot of factors. Good technique goes a long way, but it's even more than that: You can have someone who is technically playing well but isn't the most dynamic, nuanced or expressive player. Strings, set-up, amp, all of these things contribute as well.

But as for individual tone (whether it's good or bad, subjectively), I think this has a lot to do with fingers. I tend to sound the same regardless of what I'm playing through unless I'm using some extreme EQing or effects.

 

[vlad335]

I am amazed what a set of strings can do. These Sunbeams literally transformed this bass. The OEM D 'Addarios were obviously really bad but i have never seen this happen quite so dramatically. The SRMS805 honestly sounds like my Roscoe. No kidding, B string and all. Also have a Lakland 55-94 so I know a good B string.

The preamp in this thing is really good as well. Very responsive and a ton of tones can be had. Also quiet. The switch to turn the EQ on and off is an active/passive switch and the treble knob can be used as a passive tone with it off. Never seen this feature with a stock preamp before.

Ibanez made one helluva bass here!

 

[pappabass]

Why do you hate to admit this? Basses aren't like sports teams, you don't have to root for or against them...

Well, goes back a long way 20+ years ago,....I had to admit a older abused ibanez SDGR 200 ?? Sounded better than my fender jazz.

 

[pappabass]

There's a myriad of things I don't like about Ibanez/SDGR basses, but most of the are physical attributes of the instrument itself that go against my own personal preferences... I'm generally not a fan of the overall appearance/aesthetic vibe, the string spacing is too narrow for my taste, and I generally prefer passive instruments (which I am aware that they do offer).

Anyway, aside from that, I'm sure they're (mostly) great instruments, and I know for a fact that they (can) sound very very good in the right hands.

I am the same about ibanez & passive. my main player is a Fender P, but it just don't have the clean sound as my active eq LTD does.

 

[And I]

Well, goes back a long way 20+ years ago,....I had to admit a older abused ibanez SDGR 200 ?? Sounded better than my fender jazz.

lots of other factors, it's very subjective. could be that in this one room with this particular band and this particular bassist and the particular amp / speakers, it sounded better than your fender jazz would have. could be 99 out of 100 other scenarios where you'd prefer the jazz bass. continue to love your fender!

 

[Marikk]

About three years ago, I got myself a used (in great shape) Ibanez SR1205. I love it's small neck for a fiver, and it really is a good bass overall.

The one thing I don't like is the fact that the Nordstrand Big Singles are very noisy when the balance knob is anywhere except the 50/50 position. I'm thinking about changing them for Big Splits, but can't decide.

Anyway, here's a pic taken in March. Side note: I can't play with my fingers anymore because of a skin problem. They start bleeding after a couple of songs.

View attachment 3415569

That bass is nice, That shirt is awesome

I bought a Mikro to throw in the back of my truck,I did not expect much because of the price now My next bass purchase will probably be an Ibanez 6 str.

I got an orange Micro for my office, its really great. Makes for some nice wall art and when i have a few moments, I have a Roland bass cube tucked away

I have done frets in the past but didnt think it would be needed on a guitar that was supposedly inspected. If I bought this from Guitar Center or AMS, sure OK. I noticed it within seconds of playing this bass.

The woods on this guitar are top notch and it sounds pretty good but there are also a good deal of flaws. I oiled the fingerboard and noticed it not soaking in near the frets and in other spots in the centers as well. This was left over glue. One of the inlays is not flush with the fingerboard... Not sanded smooth.

THis was the first ever bass guitar I bought from Sweetwater and I am a bit disillusioned with the 55 point inspection that they tout. How could someone check this bass out and miss a blatantly high fret. THe other stuff I noticed, no problem with that.
I know this is a $999 bass and not a Fedora but I honestly think think this bass wasn't checked at all.

I told Sweetwater today that I wanted to keep this bass and didn't want to exchange it. Who knows what i would get next. The deal is that I can take it to a luthier and get it fixed and they will cover it. Pretty awesome service but I think I may return it now.

EDIT: Sorry for hijacking this thread.

You might be able to hit up Sweetwater for the coast or partial refund for a fret level if you put a little pressure on them.

 

[vlad335]

You might be able to hit up Sweetwater for the coast or partial refund for a fret level if you put a little pressure on them.

Yeah, they agreed to this. didn't even have to pressure them. Lol.

Sweetwater is a great seller I admit. This bass slipped through the cracks I guess.

 

[TrueNorthMatt]

That bass is nice, That shirt is awesome.

I know this is off-topic but thanks! Got it from 80stees.com a couple of years ago.

Here's a question to you Ibanez owners: I'm currently looking to buy new strings for our next gig in less than 10 days. We're a punk rock cover band (Bad Religion, Pennywise, NOFX, Lagwagon, etc.).

I'd like to try a new brand of strings, something with great punchy mids and a low E with a gauge of .125, if possible.

Right now I have Dunlop Nickel Wounds (.45-.125), and I find the mids to be kinda dull. Might be a bad fit with this bass, I don't know.

I've read good things about DR Lo-Riders (nickel), and I'm considering those.

 

[IamGroot]

I know this is off-topic but thanks! Got it from 80stees.com a couple of years ago.

Here's a question to you Ibanez owners: I'm currently looking to buy new strings for our next gig in less than 10 days. We're a punk rock cover band (Bad Religion, Pennywise, NOFX, Lagwagon, etc.).

I'd like to try a new brand of strings, something with great punchy mids and a low E with a gauge of .125, if possible.

Right now I have Dunlop Nickel Wounds (.45-.125), and I find the mids to be kinda dull. Might be a bad fit with this bass, I don't know.

I've read good things about DR Lo-Riders, and I'm considering those.

DR Lo Rider nickels are a good compromise for life vs sound quality.

 

[bluepeep]

I've had major GAS for a "Better" bass in the 2k range been looking every hour in classifieds for the past 5 months

Meanwhile I walk into GC and for $350 I pick up this thing that plays like a dream........

With a "Better" name on it and a $1300 price tag I'd probably trip over myself to get to the register to throw my money at em.....lol

Are those Ibanez pickups?

Really have to rethink laying out 2k right now.....ha ha but, still not sure I want an Ibanez -- What I should do is run back, grab this and make sure I really want 5 string....

 

[TrueNorthMatt]

View attachment 3419894


I've had major GAS for a "Better" bass in the 2k range been looking every hour in classifieds for the past 5 months

Meanwhile I walk into GC and for $350 I pick up this thing that plays like a dream........

With a "Better" name on it and a $1300 price tag I'd probably trip over myself to get to the register to throw my money at em.....lol

Are those Ibanez pickups?

Really have to rethink laying out 2k right now.....ha ha but, still not sure I want an Ibanez -- What I should do is run back, grab this and make sure I really want 5 string....

Here's what you appear to be looking at: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/SR405EQM-Quilted-Maple-5-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc

Looks like it's all passive... And yes: Ibanez pickups. No clue about what they're worth.

Is the one on the left used too?