I Really hate to admit this....

[vlad335]

Each slot is cut to a different depth. If they are too high, it’ll make it difficult to play the first fret. Plug it into a tuner and check the open note vs the first fret. If it goes sharp when you fret it, the nut is cut too high. It’ll also rattle if it’s way too high.

Thanks for the info. Thats a good trick to learn. Open strings and first frets check out.

This is the second fret that's buzzing though. The first and 3rd frets are all playing fine so I still don't understand how it could be the nut.

I did a quick recording noodling around on the 2nd and 3rd frets...

 

[Rib 13]

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

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

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

 

[murph7489]

^^
oh but they sound like flats now...

 

[Relayer71]

I re-read my post, I don't think I mentioned Ibanez.

I notice you skip right over the part of my post, "The bottom line though is, if you like, who cares what it is or how much it cost?"

You didn't mention Ibanez, but the thread is about Ibanez so unless stated otherwise, I'm going to assume you meant Ibanez.

And didn't skip that last thing you mentioned. Just that it is also implying Ibanez basses are cheap. Not directly, but that's the implication I derived from the context..

Oh well, I agree with you, to each his own, play what you like!

 

[murph7489]

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.....

 

[rashrader]

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.....

Blasphemous. You just lost your TB Hipster Card.

 

[murph7489]

To reclaim some dignity, I will say that I truly understand the significance of the P bass and love all the great grooves that it has brought me from Motown, and other great rhythm sections like that. I had a 78 P and got rid of it because I just was both too young to know what I had and didn't have a proper amp for it..

 

[Pilgrim]

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

But I LIKE dead flats. Therefore, I don't see the problem.

 

[rashrader]

They should just admit it.... Rename this forum. It really isn’t TalkBass.com anymore. It’s TalkP-Bass.com these days. Every thread gets highjacked and turns into a P Bass discussion.

 

[lfmn16]

You didn't mention Ibanez, but the thread is about Ibanez so unless stated otherwise, I'm going to assume you meant Ibanez.

And didn't skip that last thing you mentioned. Just that it is also implying Ibanez basses are cheap. Not directly, but that's the implication I derived from the context..

Oh well, I agree with you, to each his own, play what you like!

Well, if you look hard enough you can find something in any post to be offended by.

The fact that you think I implied something doesn’t make it so. I’ve found that people who like cheap basses frequently find offense where none was intended.

I’m not saying it’s you because I don’t know you, but these same people have no problem being offensive about expensive basses.

 

[Relayer71]

Well, if you look hard enough you can something in any post to be offended by.

The fact that you think I implied something doesn’t make it so. I’ve found that people who like cheap basses frequently find offense where none was intended.

But you implying I was offended does not make it so. You're even implying I like cheap basses.

I don't let things said by anonymous strangers on public forums offend me

And to keep my post on topic, I actually prefer the higher priced Ibbys to the entry level. Not that there is anything wrong with those, I just prefer the bridges, pickups and nicer wood finishes.

 

[bassrique]

I'd like to add my perspective on Fender people being snobby and I'll add the Gibson guitar snobs as well.

Norland took over Gibson in the 70s and moved the factory from Kalamazoo to Nashville. It didnt go well. Their products went to hell quickly.

We know about CBS/Fender.

I wish I had pictures of my Brother's 70s Jazz. It was new from Manny's if I recall correctly. It was also junk. Enter Roger Sadowsky and those like him to rehabilitate the things into shape.

Keep that in mind Ibby players when you are at a gig and you can sense the snobbery from Fender guy.

Don't get me wrong, Gibson and Fender are as American as apple pie and I do love them, but enough is enough - not here so much as "out there". TBers tend to be cool.

Before I go I'll say that I looked at an Epiphone SG (?~$300) and a Gibson SG ($~1100) at GC the other day. Guess which one I thought was nicer? Same company I know but Gibson has been hit or miss for some time. Epiphone is putting out some nice product, but also hit and miss

Edit: "I'd like to ADD my perspective..."

 

[2strings2frets]

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.

 

[Rabidhamster]

The Ibanez basses I see all over reverb look really cool. Great tone wood combinations, colors, Nordy pups.
They have this stigma of being cheap instruments and maybe thats why I dont tend to take them serious.
But for the different tiers and price points they seem to offer allot.

The same people would play a vintage “Fender Japan” instrument with no second thought rotfl. Ibanez has always made good stuff, even when they didn’t.


That said, I’m still with you on the perception. Japanese Ibanez is finally getting to where it has respect, but lots of stuff Ibanez puts out actually is cheap, and says Ibanez without qualification, so that drags them down a bit.

 

[tfer]

Thanks for the info. Thats a good trick to learn. Open strings and first frets check out.

This is the second fret that's buzzing though. The first and 3rd frets are all playing fine so I still don't understand how it could be the nut.

I did a quick recording noodling around on the 2nd and 3rd frets...

Is the 2nd fret buzzing because the 3rd fret is too high?

If so, a fret file from Amazon will set you back about $20. It’s an easy fix.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I totally don't understand this. A bunch of people arguing about some Ibanez bass on the internet, man. Ok I like Ibanez basses.!

 

[tfer]

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.

 

[vlad335]

Is the 2nd fret buzzing because the 3rd fret is too high?

If so, a fret file from Amazon will set you back about $20. It’s an easy fix.

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.

 

[tfer]

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.

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.

 

[IamGroot]

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.