Ibanez basses played by pros?

[Clark W]

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.

Never thought about the branding before, but now that you've mentioned it I can definitely see where it has probably hurt them.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

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

View attachment 3677919

I dont think he played it, at least at a show. I think they made it for him and gave it to him in the hope.

Edit: Ok I had to confirm this a bit I found this...
Phil Lesh Ibanez Bass! - Grateful Dead Music Forum

 

[Maestro29]

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’ve owned a few, an ATK, a mid level SR 6 string and one of the SR Prestige series. All three were unbelievable instruments. There are a decent amount of pro’s who play them, just not household names.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I really don’t know why? most Ibanez basses I see are very beautiful pieces of work!!

 

[bassfreakah]

I have always liked sr800’s the made in japan ones. They had the pj style pickups. Such a great sounding and playing bass, very cool looking too. Imo

 

[kodiakblair]

Possibly very true...as well as Europe.

Not "possibly" just true

Dave Swift is an Ibanez man,he took from Pino in Jools Holland's band near 30 years back. The big man and Ibby's are a fairly regular image on BBC TV.

 

[drumrtommy]

I have said this on the forums a couple of times, I believe Ibanez to make some of the best instruments around, really good bang for your buck.

I had a prestige Talman and that was modern and vintagey

I believe them to really be innovating right now, they are releasing a short scale and medium scale 5 string, the Talman and SRMD205 for very affordable prices, I already preordered the SRMD205!

the Mikros are pretty sweet too, I gig on the 5 string mikro, played it stock for awhile, replaced it with EMGs, not because it needed it but because I wanted to

 

[Maxdusty]

I have always liked sr800’s the made in japan ones. They had the pj style pickups. Such a great sounding and playing bass, very cool looking too. Imo

That's also part of the problem, an SR800 which was at the time one of the premium/prestige levels of Ibanez basses looks almost like the beginners Ibanez Gio GSR200 if you didn't know better. Didn't help that the only mention of the model# was on a clear sticker on the back of the headstock. Actually worked to my favor some years ago when a store that rhymes with "flitar benter" labeled such an instrument as merely an "Ibanez" bass and priced it like a used GIO. Got it for $80. They've gotten wise these days though.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

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:
View attachment 3677872

My favorite Ibanez player. For some she will always be associated with the Fender Precision Bass. Now she prefers her Ibanez. Doesn’t really matter what she is playing . She is one of the best ever.

 

[stingray69]

Tim Butler Psychedelic Furs - Ibanez Talman.

 

[kcducttaper]

I don't really follow names terribly much, but here's a couple bands that I've seen use Ibanez SR series in music videos.

Love and Death (Brian Head Welch from Korn's band)
Korn
Motionless in White

 

[jonnybass1]

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

Nope especially against the sr1205. That was a fantastic sounding/playing bass.

 

[Relayer71]

Never thought about the branding before, but now that you've mentioned it I can definitely see where it has probably hurt them.

But Ibanez does label them to some degree: they have a GIO sub brand (or at least they used to, not sure if it still exists), which is their lowest cost line of Soundgears. Aside from that, they're no different than Fender where it's about price range. Fender has their Mexico line of lower/mid priced instruments and then their US mid/higher priced instruments.

I do agree that Ibanez' problem is that they have always had way too many SKUs (styles/colors). But it's a problem from my (our?) perspective - the reason they are successful may well be because of this (and let's face it, they ARE pretty successful - last I read (a few years ago, admittedly) was that they were something like second or third largest guitar manufacturer, right behind Fender).

I think that in their respective price ranges, they make excellent basses. The preamps in the lower cost basses are lacking, but build quality is very good and in the under $1000 range, they're a great buy.

And some go on about their too-skinny necks but they make great instruments for 6-string guitarists transitioning to bass, younger players with smaller hands, people with short fingers, etc., not to mention any bassist who doesn't mind the skinner profile. Aside from this, they also have other lines with more standard neck thickness like the BTB and Talman. And the AFR and Talman have very distinct looks (especially the AFR).

I'm a Spector player now but still have the Prestige SR (their Japanese made SR) on my wish list (and curious about the AFR).

 

[GBBSbassist]

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!

Even though I just purchased a bass, I'm going to make sure I can swing the funds to buy this.

 

[pigpen1]

Considering how many they seem to sell that list is quite short. My local music store has a fresh batch 20+ every month.

If they sell a ton of basses why pay people to endorse stuff? Seems like it is unnecessary. They make great playing and sounding basses.

 

[Relayer71]

This is a beautiful bass (and great price):
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR1345BDWF--ibanez-premium-sr1345b-dual-shadow-burst-flat

And the pointy horns aren't my thing but this one is also a looker (and looks like it costs a lot more than $999):
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...standard-btb845-cerulean-blue-burst-low-gloss

 

[Leo Thunder]

And some go on about their too-skinny necks

Some don't know the difference between a guitar and a shovel.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Not "possibly" just true

Dave Swift is an Ibanez man,he took from Pino in Jools Holland's band near 30 years back. The big man and Ibby's are a fairly regular image on BBC TV.
View attachment 3677923

Dave Swift is definitely a pro's pro.

 

[Relayer71]

Some don't know the difference between a guitar and a shovel.

Yeah, you can make some real money with a shovel!

 

[malcarpian]

The current trend has sadly shifted back to Classic looking Fender or Fender clones.
Ibanez makes more modern-styled instruments.

Give it time.