I Really hate to admit this....

[drummer5359]

For a few years I funded my personal gear upgrades by flipping gear. I stumbled upon an older SR800 in one of those deals. Up until that point I had played several of the less expensive models and thought that "they were good basses for the money". That SR800 was a really good bass without factoring the price in. I hung onto it for a few years until someone that I knew needed a good bass. I sold it to him for what I had in it. The last time that I talked to him he was still thanking me for that bass.

 

[NeonVomit]

Ibby's are good. I like 'em. Feel sad I had to sell mine back in the day, but I was having a financial crisis.

Not everyone's cup of tea but imagine how boring life would be if we all played the same basses...

I'll get another one sometime.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I have much love for Ibanez. My first bass was an Ibby, and so was my second, and I played that one for 20 years.

A few years back, I picked up their little micro scale 5 string, and it is an amazing bass for $200

 

[nerkoids]

I like the Talman basses.

 

[chadds]

Basses are absolutely like sports teams. The P-bass is the Dallas Cowboys of basses. Or the New York Yankees, maybe. Either way everyone likes them except me.

The P-bass is like the Steelers.................................................
.....and that’s why.

 

[rashrader]

Srms805

I can see it!!! Beautiful.

 

[Deleted member 261632]

Still GAS'sing for an Ibanez 6 string bass, even when I am building my own basses since the last couple of years.

 

[brianrost]

Pretty much every Ibanez I've ever played except the super-cheapies sounded good, played well (those SDGR necks are crazy fast) and well built. I see plenty of people using them, especially the 5s and 6s. A buddy of mine still swears by his 80s Roadstar II and after playing it I agree it's a keeper.

 

[kerrycares]

Ha ha .... I had the same reaction to a guy playing in my buddies rock band.
“Bob” was playing an inexpensive Ibanez 4 string thru a used no name amp and homemade 12” cab with a line to the PA. And singing his ass off and doubling on keys.

I later joined the band with my trusty Bassmods 5 string and Aguilar Tonehammer 500 with 2 SL112 cabs with a line to the P A. And singing.
I later started using a P bass, Ibanez Black Eagle , Stingray or Squire Jazz since no B string was needed.

I just like the string spacing and neck shape of Fender style basses better.
The one exception is The Black Eagle which is really similar to a Geddy Lee jazz bass.

In this band either works, in other situations gotta have a 5.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I have always steered clear of Ibanez as they were deemed "entry level" instruments when I was growing up.
A friend bought one of the Prestige basses a few years ago. Nice build and everything, but to me, it sounded stale. He liked it so that's all that matters.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I was running through some pedals at my local L&M and just grabbed whatever was handy and it was an Ibanez. It was a mid-level example and dang if that thing didn't sound good, play good, did everything but look good!
It didn't make me buy one, but it did put them back within the scope of possibilities...
Fishheadjoe

 

[Chrome Dome]

I was an Ibanez snob until I played one a lot.

My current main bass is a SR500 with a really nice maple neck, w/ flatwounds.

I like it a lot although I am considering switching out the pickups for single coils (I've got single coil barts in another bass and really, really like the pickups in that one a lot).

Carol Kaye seems to be a big fan of Ibanezes and I trust she knows what she's looking for in a bass.

I am a big fan,if they are free? Just saying.

 

[murphy]

What?.....did he do with this?

 

[Sid the Kid]

What?.....did he do with this?

SIMS pickup retrofit. Pretty cool mod and pickups, but it’s a one way street due to a unique sized route.

 

[vlad335]

I can see it!!! Beautiful.

Uploading the pic today was super easy. Last evening no matter what I did, on my phone as well as my computer, it would not work. IDK, I think maybe Talkbass was acting up.

The bass is arriving today. I like everything about it on paper but worried about the string spacing. We shall see. Come on Fedex!

 

[rashrader]

Uploading the pic today was super easy. Last evening no matter what I did, on my phone as well as my computer, it would not work. IDK, I think maybe Talkbass was acting up.

The bass is arriving today. I like everything about it on paper but worried about the string spacing. We shall see. Come on Fedex!

Is it 16.5mm?

 

[GreyBeard]

Hmm....good enough for Carol Kaye....

And I bet the model she plays has been discontinued, or not.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Lots of basses sound good when operated by the right set of fingers.

Where's the sound? (Hint: not the bass.)

BINGO! A good player can make anything sound good, all things considered.

 

[And I]

Basses are absolutely like sports teams. The P-bass is the Dallas Cowboys of basses. Or the New York Yankees, maybe. Either way everyone likes them except me.

Then this P-Bass is on P.E.D.'s and gets a 10-gig suspension...

(Stole this pic from an old thread from @Doner Designs)

 

[Swingin]

I want to like mine more than I do. It’s only 7.5 pounds, balances well, has a comfy neck, and is my favorite color. The sound is just so bland though, especially when playing with a band. I’ve thought of upgrading the pickups, but keep hesitating because I could just put that money into something I want more. I also keep struggling with the perceived cheapness of it. It’s a tough call.

 

[groooooove]

those basses can sound great. especially with a good amp.


the trouble with bass guitar tone is that for many folks, getting a really nice sound that works with your band can be really easy. If you're playing more in the style of one of famous fodera guys - richard bona, janek g, whatever, those types of sounds are harder / more expensive to get - when you need articulation, definition, character, without being too thin and nasal, blah blah blah....

a while back i was on a jazz fusion gig and there was a rock/jam type of band on before us, bunch of local guys i'm friendly with. bass player is a killer player with a fine collection of fenders at home. he was playing a lawsuit ibanez P bass and it couldn't have sounded better - said he picked it up for $450 on ebay. good deal. that's all the bass some guys might need. but, for me, i "need" a bridge pickup with certain sound qualities, so i can't feel satisfied on (certain) gigs with just a nice P bass.