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Ibanez ANB205 - General Thoughts?

phillipkregg

phillipkregg

Jun 8, 2010
3,681
5,824
Nashville, TN
#1
So this killer Ibanez bass generated a lot of talk a couple years ago when it was first announced, but I haven't heard much since.

Haven't seen a NBD for one, and I haven't seen one show up in the classifieds.

Has anyone here actually played one in person? Or do you currently own one?

Currently considering buying one, but it would have to be sight-unseen and I'd like to get some feedback before I do.

There are no shortages of video demos, here's Adam introducing it:


And here he is tearing it up fingerstyle:


I love the tone - and generally like anything with Barts in it.

And can anyone tell me about the "passive buffer" behind the control plate? Adam talks about it in his first video, but I can't seem to find any details or photos of what that looks like. Is it just a passive knob in the control cavity?

Interested to hear what ya'll think!
 
#3
Mine arrives tomorrow. I've also got the ANB306!

That passive tone buffer is basically like a passive tone knob that you'd have on any passive bass (only it's inside the cavity). Typically on active basses there's no passive tone, but he wanted to have it for even greater control. Since it's a bright bass by default (ash+maple), that passive tone buffer allows you to kind of roll off the top end if you'd like.
 
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#4
jasonmatthews said:
Mine arrives tomorrow. I've also got the ANB306!

That passive tone buffer is basically like a passive tone knob that you'd have on any passive bass (only it's inside the cavity). Typically on active basses there's no passive tone, but he wanted to have it for even greater control. Since it's a bright bass by default (ash+maple), that passive tone buffer allows you to kind of roll off the top end if you'd like.
Click to expand...

That sort of thing has gotten common on active Jazz Basses. Sadowsky, Sire, Fender, and I think Lull and Spector have a passive tone control pot on the control plate, not inside the electronics cavity.
 
#6
First impressions... it's incredible. It's just so damn comfortable. The weight, the string spacing, the neck, the ergonomics, the balance. Really just tremendously well done. I need to change the strings, but then I'll do a better review.




Nitti2.JPG
 
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#7
jasonmatthews said:
First impressions... it's incredible. It's just so damn comfortable. The weight, the string spacing, the neck, the ergonomics, the balance. Really just tremendously well done. I need to change the strings, but then I'll do a better review.




View attachment 3660493
Click to expand...

I am looking forward to your review. Please post some video too.
 
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#10
jasonmatthews said:
First impressions... it's incredible. It's just so damn comfortable. The weight, the string spacing, the neck, the ergonomics, the balance. Really just tremendously well done. I need to change the strings, but then I'll do a better review.




View attachment 3660493
Click to expand...

Can't wait for your review! I've been a fan of Adam for years and it's nice to see his new signature basses get some love.
 
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#11
Yeah man, that thing is smoking! I wanted to grab on last year but I spent on other things. Looking to add one this year.

So, how's that B string? And have you tried the ramp? And those Bart dual coil J pickups...how are they?
 
#12
Basehead said:
Yeah man, that thing is smoking! I wanted to grab on last year but I spent on other things. Looking to add one this year.

So, how's that B string? And have you tried the ramp? And those Bart dual coil J pickups...how are they?
Click to expand...

I can truly, honestly say that it's one of the best B strings I've ever played. There's actual definition above the 12th fret, which I never count on with any instrument .

The pickups are incredible. My favorite tone so far is the bridge pickup soloed, highs cut all the way, lows slightly rolled back. Mids set to 800k and up just a tad. It's that super modern tight high-mid tone that lots of guys are doing now, but usually you'd expect it from an $8k bass and not a production bass. It's sick. I'm wild for it.

I haven't put the ramp on yet. I mostly play over the bridge pickup so the ramp isn't critical, but when I dry fitted it and tried it it was great!
 
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#13
jasonmatthews said:
I can truly, honestly say that it's one of the best B strings I've ever played. There's actual definition above the 12th fret, which I never count on with any instrument .

The pickups are incredible. My favorite tone so far is the bridge pickup soloed, highs cut all the way, lows slightly rolled back. Mids set to 800k and up just a tad. It's that super modern tight high-mid tone that lots of guys are doing now, but usually you'd expect it from an $8k bass and not a production bass. It's sick. I'm wild for it.

I haven't put the ramp on yet. I mostly play over the bridge pickup so the ramp isn't critical, but when I dry fitted it and tried it it was great!
Click to expand...

Your description sounds incredible.:bassist:
 
#15
PrimitiveMan said:
How are you feeling about the bass now that you've had it a couple weeks?

I have been wanting an SR bass with a maple board for awhile and have been thinking if this one recently.

What would you compare the neck thickness to?

Thanks
Click to expand...


I still love it to death.

The neck is a little beefier than a typical SR neck; it's more like a Fender J-bass neck -- a little more girth and more weight, which is helpful for sustain and *umph* from an ash body with a maple neck/fretboard.

But the balance of this thing is incredible. Not even a little neck heavy, it's just a pleasure to play for hours on end.

I'm sorry I haven't recorded a video yet, but it's coming!
 
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#16
jasonmatthews said:
I still love it to death.

The neck is a little beefier than a typical SR neck; it's more like a Fender J-bass neck -- a little more girth and more weight, which is helpful for sustain and *umph* from an ash body with a maple neck/fretboard.

But the balance of this thing is incredible. Not even a little neck heavy, it's just a pleasure to play for hours on end.

I'm sorry I haven't recorded a video yet, but it's coming!
Click to expand...

We’re waiting!:bassist:
 
#19
Dr. Cheese said:
I could live with that tone.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That tone is... rolled a bit *towards* the neck pickup (absolutely rare for me), treble up a touch, mids up a bit at 500k, bass down a bit.

For my whole life I've been a bridge pickup kind of guy, or at most using both pickups on full. On this bass, rolling a touch towards the neck gives the growl you want from a bass like this, and I'm into it.
 
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