Ibanez 2024 release disappointing

[iTzPrime]

Back in the 90's Ibanez basses were NOT good; Now, Ibanez makes a really good product for the various price points, and having played quite a few bass brands over the years, I can honestly say that they are just about the best all around factory bass value wise. Playability and aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder.
That being said.....

They have a real problem with colors. Many of their color choices are, well, questionable. They also can't seem to understand that one boring or ugly color per model (in the higher ranges) does not cut it.
They do seem to understand the importance and beauty of tone woods, but then use too many on one bass or cover it in crap color.
They do not seem to understand that people do actually play 6 strings (many actually) yet do not offer many of them, especially fretless. No Steve Digiorgio 6? Really?
They had a great bass with the Single cut SRSC806. I have one and it's a beast! But they killed that model and never offered a 6 fretless.

I more than understand business and cost in manufacturing. But do they watch the aftermarket on their instruments? You would think a large corp like them would but I'm guessing they don't. They might learn a lot if they did.

Well having fewer colors allows them to reduce the costs.
Their aesthetic choices are varied. Some look awesome, some terrible - but at least they switch it up between years, so you get some variety

Furthermore a 6 string fretless? Assuming that 5% of all players play 6 String (and that is generous) and that 10% of those play fretless (which is generous as well), the market is maybe what 50 people in the US?

 

[Adam Felix]

Eh, like any big company, Ibanez looks at sales numbers and market research to determine what to produce and market.

Online forum dialogue like this is great, but it's only a small niche of a larger picture. If companies only went by what forums were talking about, there would be a whole bunch of niche stuff that our little clubhouse likes, but once everyone in the clubhouse has one (since clubhouse members are the only ones who want it), then there's no sales growth, no money to be made, and the company goes bye bye.

If string companies went by what forum users say, there would be a LOT more balanced tension sets out there, but the sales numbers (be it for off-the-shelf balanced tension sets or people buying singles to custom gauge their sets for balanced tension) and market research (including lengthy discussions with dealers all over the world regarding what's happening in their dealerships) indicate otherwise.

Would I like Ibanez to bring back the SRX line and BTB 4-strings? Absolutely. But that won't happen since the sales numbers weren't strong enough to keep those.

Would I like ESP/LTD to bring out more basses (maybe an LTD version of the Halibut)? Absolutely. They're some of my favorites. But US sales numbers indicate otherwise. They make more money from their guitars than their basses, hence why they're marketed more (even though their basses are damn good).

I get what you’re saying. But at the same time Ibanez shouldn’t underestimate forums. I’ve witnessed quite a few brands. Especially in the amp/pedal department that gets way too much hype than their products can bare. But it makes these bands profitable. Don’t underestimate hype in the community. I believe it’s an untapped opportunity for big companies like Ibanez.

 

[Adam Felix]

You mean like this short scale 5 string headless they just announced;

EHB1505S | EHB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

Looks sweet to me!

I actually missed that one. It would have fit the bill if it wasn’t headless and weird looking. Maybe I’m asking for too much.

 

[iTzPrime]

What disappoints me about Ibanez is the perpetual lack of colour choices for someone who doesn’t play death metal, thrash, doom metal.

Have a look at their lineup then? THere are more than enough that are colorful and would look out of place in a metal band

 

[Adam Felix]

The argument pointing out how few people actually play a, let’s say, 5 string medium scale bass, and therefore the market doesn’t value these type of basses, is a flawed argument. There’s a reason I don’t play one, it’s because there either isn’t one or because the options for one is too limited in regards to either price, quality, aesthetics, playability or sound. You simply can’t conclude that since few are playing X type of bass, that there wouldn’t be market for X bass.

 

[iTzPrime]

The argument pointing out how few people actually play a, let’s say, 5 string medium scale bass, and therefore the market doesn’t value these type of basses, is a flawed argument. There’s a reason I don’t play one, it’s because there either isn’t one or because the options for one is too limited in regards to either price, quality, aesthetics, playability or sound. You simply can’t conclude that since few are playing X type of bass, that there wouldn’t be market for X bass.

Well no, but you can scrape forums and check how many say they are willing to buy one and compare that to what else you have available. i.E Ibanez has a 5 string short string headless in the new lineup, so they do seem to take into account what people on forums are saying.

 

[nic_of_today]

34-35 multi scale BTB . Nice looking , but not my tone....

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Damn! That bass ticks many boxes! Probably the only thing that's keeping me from buying this is that the non multiscales are that much cheaper and more often found used.

Honestly I'm stoked about the new basses. This new 34-35 multiscale btb. The SRMS720 4 String mutliscale and and the SRD semihollow fretless all are looking to be great basses.

The only thing I'm still wishing for that they make the EHB 5 string multiscale with the T1 Ibanez pickups. The pickups sound amazing and they have an EHB 6 string model with those. I don't get why they don't do the 5 string. But eh, this new BTB 5 string multiscale is the next best thing, minus roasted maple neck and plus heavier weight.

 

[badinage]

SMRS725 looks pretty dang good to me.

1806e is the only Ibanez I currently own. You folks that are more familiar with Ibanez could be helpful if you'd tell me what I might like better as my first multiscale 5. Does Ibanez (or anybody) make a passive-only multiscale five? I'd prefer a bass (especially a bass that's a new-format for me) that I can leave "always" plugged up in the living room and as the little bookshelf amp stays "always on" a lot because of it's location, I'd prefer not to make my nervous minature dachshund jump with plug/unplug pops.

eta: Do they make one with more like an 18mm string spacing? Thank you.

 

[Naviiin]

34-35 multi scale BTB . Nice looking , but not my tone....

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I love this, simply because it's an example of Ibanez being in tune with a certain part of their buyers group and releasing something outside of the box. Bass forums are filled with questions and opinions about 34 vs 35 inch B strings on fivers, ideas about pros and cons and preferences. In comes Ibanez with a, for their manufacturing process, new Light Multiscale concept, trying to solve an issue that other major manufacturers haven't explicitly addressed and bringing it to the masses at a relatively affordable pricing. Nothing of this 'let's just color inside of the lines, let profit be our main objective and release a slightly different 60s P', just the balls to go for it.

 

[Naviiin]

SMRS725 looks pretty dang good to me.

1806e is the only Ibanez I currently own. You folks that are more familiar with Ibanez could be helpful if you'd tell me what I might like better as my first multiscale 5. Does Ibanez (or anybody) make a passive-only multiscale five? I'd prefer a bass (especially a bass that's a new-format for me) that I can leave "always" plugged up in the living room and as the little bookshelf amp stays "always on" a lot because of it's location, I'd prefer not to make my nervous minature dachshund jump with plug/unplug pops.

eta: Do they make one with more like an 18mm string spacing? Thank you.

Dingwall does the D-Roc 5 which I think is passive, but that's a 2k bass. If you go active Ibanez you're looking at 1.250 - 1.400 for a nice example.

 

[nic_of_today]

SMRS725 looks pretty dang good to me.

1806e is the only Ibanez I currently own. You folks that are more familiar with Ibanez could be helpful if you'd tell me what I might like better as my first multiscale 5. Does Ibanez (or anybody) make a passive-only multiscale five? I'd prefer a bass (especially a bass that's a new-format for me) that I can leave "always" plugged up in the living room and as the little bookshelf amp stays "always on" a lot because of it's location, I'd prefer not to make my nervous minature dachshund jump with plug/unplug pops.

eta: Do they make one with more like an 18mm string spacing? Thank you.

Yup, the 16.5mm string spacing on this seems a bit low. You could get the 4 string with 19mm spacing and do the BEAD thing.

 

[Dincrest]

Money talks, forum jibber-jabber walks. Want a big company to listen to you? Speak with your wallet. Want more short scale 5ers from Ibanez? Buy the hell out of the EHB1505s so they can see there is a profitable demand and worth expanding on or keeping in the lineup.

 

[Adam Felix]

Noticed some new models just put up. A new talman 5 string. And a cool looking red burst 4 string talman. I’m crossing my fingers for some more models to be released.

 

[Green Knight]

As a non-business guy, I'm interested to know how long people think a company SHOULD invest in a commodity before it realizes a significant profit, and also just how much profit justifies the continued inclusion/increased production of that commodity in their product line. I read frequently on TB the complaint that Fender and EBMM never tough it out long enough with their most innovative new releases, never giving them a chance to grow in popularity alongside their most established models. Other posters--presumably business guys?--insist companies should only offer what ALREADY sells, because actually selling stuff is the only condition under which they can continue to sell stuff at all. How can any company, then, mass-produce production basses that fill emerging niches, even when--like short scales--those niches have the long-term potential to compete with more conventional offerings?

 

[Snert]

Furthermore a 6 string fretless?

SRF706 | SR | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars introduced in 2017.

 

[Nightsprinter]

What disappoints me about Ibanez is the perpetual lack of colour choices for someone who doesn’t play death metal, thrash, doom metal.

Rumor has it that satan himself is on the payroll

 

[iTzPrime]

As a non-business guy, I'm interested to know how long people think a company SHOULD invest in a commodity before it realizes a significant profit, and also just how much profit justifies the continued inclusion/increased production of that commodity in their product line. I read frequently on TB the complaint that Fender and EBMM never tough it out long enough with their most innovative new releases, never giving them a chance to grow in popularity alongside their most established models. Other posters--presumably business guys?--insist companies should only offer what ALREADY sells, because actually selling stuff is the only condition under which they can continue to sell stuff at all. How can any company, then, mass-produce production basses that fill emerging niches, even when--like short scales--those niches have the long-term potential to compete with more conventional offerings?

Well it is usually a mixture.
The problem is with Fender and EBMM, that they basically not advertisted their innovative basses enough and gave them 1-3 years and then slashed the complete lineup.

In my opinion Ibanez does the perfect middle ground. They release a few obscure models every year (like shortscale headless 5 string now) and see how well it sells. They probably know about the ramp up and can see if it is worth it to put more R&D into it.
On the other side they have their SR line that sells amazing. Even then I find they innovate more there with colors and different pickups than most other established manufacturers.

SRF706 | SR | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars introduced in 2017.

I should have said another 6 string fretless. Obviously it does not sell good enough to warrant the signature one.

 

[Yahboy]

Yup, the 16.5mm string spacing on this seems a bit low. You could get the 4 string with 19mm spacing and do the BEAD thing.

4 string version has different scale. 33.5-34.5. I don't think the B string tone has notable improve.

 

[nonohmic]

I actually missed that one. It would have fit the bill if it wasn’t headless and weird looking. Maybe I’m asking for too much.

I think you might be, yeah.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I know they make good Basses. I just like the Roadstar/Musician body and headset k. I guess I'm A bit delusional to hope. I mean other companies still make " classic" designs. Musician Basses are sometimes called Japanese Alembics. That's a good thing, I think.