Ibanez basses played by pros?

[Kukulkan61]

I remember Benny playing BTBs for the longest time with Santana..

 

[Mechanical]

There's also this guy.

 

[jonnybass1]

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they have (mostly) avoided traditional designs for a couple decades or more. Think about it. Likely 9 out of 10 endorsed bass players play some sort of Fender, a Fender clone, or a bass that is clearly influenced by Fender designs (which includes most Lakland, Sadowsky, Lull, Ernie Ball, etc. basses). A good portion of the rest are divided by Rics, Hofners, and other traditional designs.

As for the body style of most Soundgear basses, Warwick and Spector occupy that same space. Sure, there are differences. But there are more similarities than differences. And if you're famous enough that endorsements are even an option, and Spector and/or Warwick are knocking on your door, Ibanez won't win that battle. For some reason, there's more status attached to those two companies.

Think about those who have bounced around from company to company. Steve Baily got Aria early on (when he was only known to true bass dorks like me), then Fender, then Warwick. Would Ibanez have made him a bass? Absolutely! But Fender and Warwick have more status attached to them.

Stu Hamm was probably a great fit for Ibanez. But he went with Fender (until his popularity dried up and then it was Washburn, if I recall). Now Warwick, for some reason. I feel like that was an emotional decision rather than business.

Lastly, for so long, Ibanez positioned itself as a "rock guitar company". During the 80s, they very much went after rock and metal guitarists and bassists. So, for many, that's their market positioning. (Yes, I realize they had Gerald Veasley and have had Gary Willis forever. But those are two bass dork exceptions.) And "guitar rock" just isn't as popular as it used to be.

Could Ibanez have made Bootsy a Star bass? Sure! But Warwick was interested.

Could Ibanez have made a superb bass for Otiel or Christian McBride? Of course. But Fodera was interested.

Short version: For some reason there's just not as much "street cred" for bass endorsements and Ibanez. If Fender, Warwick, Spector, Sadowsky, Lull, or any number of other high-end companies are in the running, Ibanez will get edged out almost every time.

So I'll put it back to you, @jonnybass1 … What pro jumps out at you as one who would be a perfect fit for some model of Ibanez bass? What artist jumps out at you as "Why doesn't this guy/gal play a (enter Ibanez model here)? It would be perfect for him/her! It's just silly for them to be playing a (enter company that actually endorses them here)."

Before the flame throwers come out.... I have no problem with Ibanez basses. I did (literally) thousands of gigs on a BTB 5. My current main player borrows several aspects of the BTB in its design. I currently own an early 90s magenta Ibanez pointy bass that I whip out for a few 80s rock songs tuned down to Eb in our set. I'm not saying that I HAVE a problem with Ibanez. I'm just trying to step back and look at the market as a whole.

I think you have a valid point in there... Ibanez have a low average price point $500-$2000 yes some are cheaper and some are more money but the ones I see in store that sell are that price. I guess they really don’t have the street cred even though they are fantastic basses. And can easily be played in any genre. I guess I am guilty too I sold my previous Ibanez basses (sr1205, sr485, sr300) and bought a Warwick and a Fender because I thought they were better. But my new used Ibanez seems to play and sound just as good and actually looks better than my Warwick or fender.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Gerald Veasley



Thundercat




These are two high profile Ibanez virtuosos.

 

[GBBSbassist]

As others have pointed out, there are already some notable pros playing ibanez.

Additionally, I think the headless bass they're debuting this year is going to make some serious waves in the prog/metal community. I think overall, Ibanez is going to come up big in 2020. I only recently got myself a higher end Ibanez, and I'm surprised I didn't do it before. It's such a great sounding and playing bass.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I don’t know your definition of a Pro and I don’t consider myself one at least not at the level of Wooten etc. but I’ve been playing sine I was 16 I’m 59 now so go with that. I’ve always wanted a Fancy wood bass because I always had and have your classics Fender, Lakland, etc. Ive been on the fence for sometime about this SR650E, anyone have any feedback on them? Every time I go to a music store and I see these Ibanez basses or similar ones I try them out and they feel really good and sound and look cool as hell!

 

[nilorius]

What is pro player, that's a difficult question for all time. As to me i play Ibanez GWB1005 and think that for at lest 10 years, i can call self a pro. Of course, there are a lot of players around me playing Ibanez and being better pros, but what i pro. Bass guitar is instrument you choose to playe yourself and also how to play and sound. If you play with your heart and know what you do - it's enough.

 

[Kro]

I think the headless bass they're debuting this year is going to make some serious waves in the prog/metal community.

I'd tend to agree with this. I'm not even close to being a prog/metal bassist, but those have piqued my interest. I could see them becoming very popular, and as with everything, lots of it comes down to style - what is currently in and what is currently out.

I remember a time when Ibanez basses in general were much more popular than they are now. Sooner or later, the pendulum will likely swing back in Ibanez's favor (we're right about ready for nu-metal nostalgia to be kicking in ).

Anyways, all that it will take is for one bassist to use one prominently for something that goes viral to light the fuse. It probably won't even be from an endorser. Could be anybody, even you, OP!

 

[jonnybass1]

View attachment 3677834 I don’t know your definition of a Pro and I don’t consider myself one at least not at the level of Wooten etc. but I’ve been playing sine I was 16 I’m 59 now so go with that. I’ve always wanted a Fancy wood bass because I always had and have your classics Fender, Lakland, etc. Ive been on the fence for sometime about this SR650E, anyone have any feedback on them? Every time I go to a music store and I see these Ibanez basses or similar ones I try them out and they feel really good and sound and look cool as hell!

I guess pro player is a wide open generalization. Because technically I’m a pro player I get paid to play regularly 1-2 a week although it doesn’t pay enough to live off...however I guess I am considering bands or groups that play big venues 1000 people plus regularly sold millions of albums etc.

 

[jonnybass1]

I'd tend to agree with this. I'm not even close to being a prog/metal bassist, but those have piqued my interest. I could see them becoming very popular, and as with everything, lots of it comes down to style - what is currently in and what is currently out.

I remember a time when Ibanez basses in general were much more popular than they are now. Sooner or later, the pendulum will likely swing back in Ibanez's favor (we're right about ready for nu-metal nostalgia to be kicking in ).

Anyways, all that it will take is for one bassist to use one prominently for something that goes viral to light the fuse. It probably won't even be from an endorser. Could be anybody, even you, OP!

Lol 10 years ago there was a chance it could be me...the biggest venue I play now regularly is under 500 people and no albums are gonna be made anytime soon

 

[bholder]

There's also this guy. View attachment 3677821

Beat me to it...

 

[waveman]

I bet a lot of pros have or have had an Ibanez at one point or another.

I don't have any myself, but the first bass I bought when I started playing again was an Ibanez.

Another pro here:

 

[Clark W]

I know that there are a few pro players who use Ibanez basses. But considering how many they seem to sell and the range of prices they have I don’t see them being played by pros. I just picked up a sr400qm and it playes and sounds as good as my German made Warwick. I just wondering why I don’t see them being played as often...

I have a 2018 SR400EQM that I bought new in August of 18. I gigged it religiously for about 6 months. Now I'm using a 2012 Ibanez SRX2 EX2. Although they are both Soundgears the neck profiles are slightly different. And the basic 2 band EQ on the SRX is easier to dial up a tone I like vs the 3 band EQ and coil tapping switch of the SR400. But the SR400 is still a great bass. And with the quilted maple top, it's the best looker I got too. I tend to get my best "cut through the mix" tones from it running just the neck pup.

Sweetwater pics of the actual 2018 SR400EQM I got

And the 2012 SRX2 EX2...

 

[Leo Thunder]

I sold my previous Ibanez basses (sr1205, sr485, sr300) and bought a Warwick and a Fender because I thought they were better.

And they weren't? No, of course not.

 

[Clark W]

And they weren't? No, of course not.

I won't be getting rid of my Ibbys. Not to say I won't buy a Fender, cause I did buy a Fender since buying both of my Ibbys. But I still have both of my Ibbys

 

[brianrost]

Well, if by "pros" you mean "famous pros", OK, not as many as Fender that's for sure!

However, I have seen and heard lots of pros using Ibanez, both SR and BTB. Almost all of them were 5s and 6s, which is probably important. If you want a real 6 (not a Bass VI), Fender, Sadowsky, G&L and many others don't even make them.

I would guess most of you have not seen a lot of zydeco bands, but I have and Ibanez 6s are super popular in that genre. I also have seen a number of smooth/fusion jazz guys using them, Gary Willis leading the pack with a signature model.

Ibanez is known for a "modern" sound and really doesn't address the market for vintage recreations, which also makes a difference in visibility. At the high end, they're a lower priced alternative to brands like Alembic, Fodera, Pedulla (RIP), Zon, Modulus, etc. I really like the playability of the SRs (never played a BTB) and the upper range ones sound good to me, punching way above their price level.

The lower end models aren't a magnet for pros, but I've seen plenty in use down in the trenches where they compete with Squier, Fender MIM, Peavey, Yamaha. Again, Squier makes no 6s but Ibanez sure does, starting at $300.

 

[mellowgerman]

Phil Lesh played an Ibanez for a bit... can't exactly say it was a stock, off-the-shelf model though

*EDIT: Phil apparently did not endorse this model nor did he play it on stage. It was however made for him.

 

[Clark W]

The lower end models aren't a magnet for pros, but I've seen plenty in use down in the trenches...

Once of the local area "pros" who has impressed me the most when I have been out listening to other bands, uses, get this... an Ibanez, Metallic Roadster Orange, Mezzo SRMD200. It is absolutely insane how well that thing cuts through the mix. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with his amplification. But my jaw dropped the first time I heard him playing it live. I asked him, so why the Mezzo? His response was it's light, it's cheap, it does the job and it allows him to leave the more expensive and harder to replace stuff at home.

 

[Maxdusty]

Part of the problem is Ibanez has a reputation as being the "Walmart" (I've heard this more than once) of guitars and basses. They've saturated the market with instruments for everyone - from the kid, to the beginner, to the garage warrior, to the discerning professional, to your Grandmother......they're all branded "Ibanez".
Fender made the delineation with Squier, Warwick with Rockbass, EBMM with Sterling, Gibson with Epiphone, sure Yamaha brands all their basses "Yamaha" but they don't have the variety and number of almost overwhelming choices that Ibanez have had over the years. It's a very unfair reputation, they make terrific basses at reasonable prices at all levels, go up to the prestige and premium levels and they can hang with other boutique basses.

 

[Seashore]

(we're right about ready for nu-metal nostalgia to be kicking in ).

It's been kicking in for a few years now and I'm still not ready.