Ibanez ANB205 - General Thoughts?

[bassix67]

Hey guys, I just got a ANB205 and am a bit disappointed. Like others I also was very interested in this bass especially because I am a jazz bass guy at heart thanks to Jaco, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey etc.......
Most of the videos I saw had me really excited about the Jazz bass sound.
I've dreamed about a light weight modern J style bass with 24frets.
Now for the sound.....
Something is missing! It has a midrangie, almost Music Man sound to it. I've gone thru every setting, different preamps and can't find the J Bass sound. I took it to a live video taping for church to really hear it and even though it has incredible Highs and lows, the midst were missing at times I couldn't hear the notes I was playing because that certain mid punch was missing.
Again I am a long J Bass guy and know the sound well. My first real bass was a 75 Jazz bass back in the 80's. I'm beginning to wonder if the midrange switch along with the mid pot isn't working properly or Adam's bass has more mods to get the sound. I really want to keep this bass but if I can't get the sound as advertised then its going back.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hey guys, I just got a ANB205 and am a bit disappointed. I also was very interested in this bass especially because I am a jazz bass guy at heart thanks to Jaco, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey etc.......
Most of the videos I saw had me really excited about the Jazz bass sound.
I've dreamed about a light weight modern J style bass with 24frets.
Now for the sound.....
Something is missing! It has a midrangie, almost Music Man sound to it. I've gone thru every setting, different preamps and can't find the J Bass sound. I took it to a live video taping for church to really hear it and even though it has incredible Highs and lows, the midst were missing
Again I am a long J Bass guy and know the sound well. My first real bass was a 75 Jazz bass back in the 80's. I'm beginning to wonder if the midrange switch isn't working properly or Adam's bass has more mods to get the sound. I really want to keep this bass

That’s odd because it sounds like a Jazz is the videos I listened to:

 

[jasonmatthews]

Hey guys, I just got a ANB205 and am a bit disappointed. Like others I also was very interested in this bass especially because I am a jazz bass guy at heart thanks to Jaco, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey etc.......
Most of the videos I saw had me really excited about the Jazz bass sound.
I've dreamed about a light weight modern J style bass with 24frets.
Now for the sound.....
Something is missing! It has a midrangie, almost Music Man sound to it. I've gone thru every setting, different preamps and can't find the J Bass sound. I took it to a live video taping for church to really hear it and even though it has incredible Highs and lows, the midst were missing at times I couldn't hear the notes I was playing because that certain mid punch was missing.
Again I am a long J Bass guy and know the sound well. My first real bass was a 75 Jazz bass back in the 80's. I'm beginning to wonder if the midrange switch along with the mid pot isn't working properly or Adam's bass has more mods to get the sound. I really want to keep this bass but if I can't get the sound as advertised then its going back.

What kind of sound are you looking for specifically? I can try to help you dial in. Don't forget about the passive tone buffer in the control cavity!

That’s odd because it sounds like a Jazz is the videos I listened to:

Worth mentioning, that first video is with his custom shop prototype, not the production model. But also worth mentioning... he doesn't play his prototype much anymore

 

[Dr. Cheese]

What kind of sound are you looking for specifically? I can try to help you dial in. Don't forget about the passive tone buffer in the control cavity!



Worth mentioning, that first video is with his custom shop prototype, not the production model. But also worth mentioning... he doesn't play his prototype much anymore

I don’t follow Adam Nitti much, but it seems he does not stick to one bass too long.

 

[bassix67]

That’s odd because it sounds like a Jazz is the videos I listened to:

Thats what I'm saying!!

 

[bassix67]

What kind of sound are you looking for specifically? I can try to help you dial in. Don't forget about the passive tone buffer in the control cavity!

I'm looking for that Marcus Miller type tone when both PU are open and the Jaco type when on the bridge PU. I have tweeked the
Passive control and Increased the volume on the NTMB. It just sounds like the mids don't sweep enough.
Question; when the mid pot is centered, does your mid switch make a minor or big difference? On mine, the switch only makes a real noticeable difference if the mid pot is on full.



Worth mentioning, that first video is with his custom shop prototype, not the production model. But also worth mentioning... he doesn't play his prototype much anymore

 

[bassix67]

I want that Marcus Miller tone when PU are both open and Jaco type tone when bridge is solo. Right now the bass sound thin in the mids. Like there is no mid punch and I've tried all the mid positions.

 

[jasonmatthews]

I don’t follow Adam Nitti much, but it seems he does not stick to one bass too long.

Oh quite the contrary!

For the longest time in the 90s he was a Curbow player... he had some amazing Curbow custom/prototype instruments and that's mostly all he used. He a few other instruments he'd bring out once in a while -- a Mike Lull, Yamaha fretless, etc -- but those Curbows were the main axes.

Shortly after he got his Warrior endorsement and he played a signature 5 for years until they built him his own Signature model 6-string. That bass was absolutely gorgeous -- walnut wings, purpleheart/maple neck, purpleheart fingerboard, Bart NTMB electronics and M-series pickups, Hipshot a-style bridge, 18mm spacing, etc. Shortly thereafter they also made him a signature series 5 which was an ash body (this should start sounding familiar). He played these instruments for years -- he was playing them when I started studying with him in... 2003? 2004? Whatever year it was.

When he got his Ibanez endorsement they built his custom-shop 6-string -- very reminiscent of his signature warrior but with different woods and a more... even tone, I'd say. Similar (but custom) bartolini NTMB electronics and M-series pickups, same hipshot bridge, same D'addario strings, same 18mm spacing. Then they built his production model, then the 5-string production model.

So point is... he's a loyal player! Sticks to the same models for years before a switch.

 

[jasonmatthews]

I want that Marcus Miller tone when PU are both open and Jaco type tone when bridge is solo. Right now the bass sound thin in the mids. Like there is no mid punch and I've tried all the mid positions.

Just to mention... the Marcus tone is classic 70s j-bass, scooped (mids down). Jaco is bridge+minNeck, high mids low treble. But the main difference is Jaco was 60s spacing, Marcus 70s spacing... so a 70s bridge pickup will be brighter with less bass (it's further back).

 

[bassix67]

Yeah I'm aware of the diff between 60's and 70's. My dream is a 60's pre CBS.

 

[bassix67]

I was a Marcus wanna be at Berklee back in the 80's with my 75 Jazz Bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Oh quite the contrary!

For the longest time in the 90s he was a Curbow player... he had some amazing Curbow custom/prototype instruments and that's mostly all he used. He a few other instruments he'd bring out once in a while -- a Mike Lull, Yamaha fretless, etc -- but those Curbows were the main axes.

Shortly after he got his Warrior endorsement and he played a signature 5 for years until they built him his own Signature model 6-string. That bass was absolutely gorgeous -- walnut wings, purpleheart/maple neck, purpleheart fingerboard, Bart NTMB electronics and M-series pickups, Hipshot a-style bridge, 18mm spacing, etc. Shortly thereafter they also made him a signature series 5 which was an ash body (this should start sounding familiar). He played these instruments for years -- he was playing them when I started studying with him in... 2003? 2004? Whatever year it was.

When he got his Ibanez endorsement they built his custom-shop 6-string -- very reminiscent of his signature warrior but with different woods and a more... even tone, I'd say. Similar (but custom) bartolini NTMB electronics and M-series pickups, same hipshot bridge, same D'addario strings, same 18mm spacing. Then they built his production model, then the 5-string production model.

So point is... he's a loyal player! Sticks to the same models for years before a switch.

Cool, as I said, I don’t follow him closely. I just have two albums on iTunes.

 

[Jon Draffan]

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

It looks like you have a DaDario's on the six, is that what you were going to put on the five? I just pulled the trigger on one of these and would love any thoughts about using it, adjusting the buffer... etc. Having tension about spending the money, but I want to get one before Ibanez decided to do things like... Stop installing American Barts, may be discontinue the model completely... Anyway that was the justification for responding to my GAS

 

[jasonmatthews]

It looks like you have a DaDario's on the six, is that what you were going to put on the five? I just pulled the trigger on one of these and would love any thoughts about using it, adjusting the buffer... etc. Having tension about spending the money, but I want to get one before Ibanez decided to do things like... Stop installing American Barts, may be discontinue the model completely... Anyway that was the justification for responding to my GAS

Yep! D'Addarios on both. I use the EPS170s (EPS170-5, and EPS170-6) typically.

 

[LBCaterson]

Hey all,
Not sure where to put this issue...figured this was as good as any.

I've had my ANB205 for about 2 months now and its AMAZING....

sort of.

I'm getting off the charts distortion, I believe from the preamp, when I turn the 2 internal gain pots up to full.
every bass I've ever had, my eq is usually set B-cranked to the max, M-at the center detent, H-from mid to cranked all the way as the style demands. and the tone has always been awesome, no matter the bass.

On this one, I turned the 2 internal pots up to max and the EQ to something like those settings and it sounds absolutely off the charts stellar when playing softly, but add any aggression into your playing at all and its a distorted mess. My amp isn't even showing peaking on that end, it seems to be the preamp itself that's distorting....

how do I get that amazing tone without overdriving it? Am I doing something wrong? WTH do these internal pots actually do??
any help appreciated, including any better places to post this problem

 

[Jon Draffan]

Hey all,
Not sure where to put this issue...figured this was as good as any.

I've had my ANB205 for about 2 months now and its AMAZING....

sort of.

I'm getting off the charts distortion, I believe from the preamp, when I turn the 2 internal gain pots up to full.
every bass I've ever had, my eq is usually set B-cranked to the max, M-at the center detent, H-from mid to cranked all the way as the style demands. and the tone has always been awesome, no matter the bass.

On this one, I turned the 2 internal pots up to max and the EQ to something like those settings and it sounds absolutely off the charts stellar when playing softly, but add any aggression into your playing at all and its a distorted mess. My amp isn't even showing peaking on that end, it seems to be the preamp itself that's distorting....

how do I get that amazing tone without overdriving it? Am I doing something wrong? WTH do these internal pots actually do??
any help appreciated, including any better places to post this problem

Have you changed the battery? Also, one pot is a passive tone knob and the other is preamp gain.

preamp can be left at 50%, tone ‘to taste’.

 

[LBCaterson]

Have you changed the battery? Also, one pot is a passive tone knob and the other is preamp gain.

preamp can be left at 50%, tone ‘to taste’.

I did change the battery, twice actually.
I tried turning the gain pot to different levels including down all the way, tone at various levels, and its still distorting at anything over like 40%ish of the tone regardless of the gain setting.

 

[LBCaterson]

I did change the battery, twice actually.
I tried turning the gain pot to different levels including down all the way, tone at various levels, and its still distorting at anything over like 40%ish of the tone regardless of the gain setting.

Hi all,
I am a certified moron.

I had the 2 pots flipped. What I thought was the gain was the tone and vice versa.

I'll be over in the corner wearing my cone of shame and pretending I know how to play a bass....

 

[Jon Draffan]

Hi all,
I am a certified moron.

I had the 2 pots flipped. What I thought was the gain was the tone and vice versa.

I'll be over in the corner wearing my cone of shame and pretending I know how to play a bass....

Yeah, you’ll get over the shame… The fantastic news is that you now have a properly (?) Functioning instrument that in my opinion is the best feeling neck I’ve ever played… and the fix was a little cut to the Ego. Unfortunately, I’m not a five string player and have owned and replaced two of them.

BTW, to whoever was asking about Adam’s ‘mods’… in one of the release interviews, he talks about the ANB205 being an instrument that can be replaced on the road, right off the shelf at a music store.

 

[rBass1962]

Hi everyone, I'm new and I'm here to give my opinion on this bass. I bought it about 1 year ago, convinced by the various videos on YouTube, however after the initial infatuation I was disappointed by the tone, which I can't make as I want it. It remains flaccid and rubbery despite all the possible settings of the on-board controls, I even opened the tones completely with the control hidden in the cavity. Of course my fingers are not Adam's, but this experience is very disappointing for me, in fact I put the bass up for sale, practically new and therefore also losing a lot of money. What do you think?