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ibanez basses; premium and prestige?
- Thread starter buckangus
- Start date
If you're referring to the SR models, I think they're great, but some people find the necks to be too thin and narrow and the string spacing on the 5 and 6 string models too tight. For me that's perfect, but I'd recommend trying one out to see if it's for you.
Well...
With the arrival of my left handed Birdsong Fusion lined fretless bass in late May, the last open spot in my Bass Herd is filled. So, no more basses... But, I would have liked the high end Ibanez basses - if they had made any left handed ones. Sadly, Ibanez - like some other companies - seems to think that lefties don't have the scratch for them - or, that we're only worthy of inexpensive/"beginner" basses. So, I play basses like the Birdsong - or my Alembic - for consolation...
With the arrival of my left handed Birdsong Fusion lined fretless bass in late May, the last open spot in my Bass Herd is filled. So, no more basses... But, I would have liked the high end Ibanez basses - if they had made any left handed ones. Sadly, Ibanez - like some other companies - seems to think that lefties don't have the scratch for them - or, that we're only worthy of inexpensive/"beginner" basses. So, I play basses like the Birdsong - or my Alembic - for consolation...
I think they are super well built, but I prefer chonky necks personally. If you like thin necks they are hard to beat at either price point.
Never played an Ibanez guitar or bass I didn’t like. They’re solid instruments. 
Never played a Prestige but own a Premium 5. I had no problem adjusting to the 16.5 mm spacing. The proprietary preamp leaves something to be desired but upgrades are half the fun, aren't they?!? An outboard single band PEQ comes in really handy IME.
Riis
Riis
I had an SR-1000 Prestige and it was a wonderful bass. Beautifully made and sounded great and I love the skinny SR necks. Shoulda never sold it.
I have a premium, SR2605. One of the best sounding and built instruments I’ve played. There’s not a sound I can’t get.
Craftsmanship, feel and build quality are great, though I don't care much for the active EQ they throw in them. Can be bypassed though, so I just yank the battery out and use the toggle as a mute switch.
Absolutely abhor the "panga panga" wood used in most of the premium lineup. It's the poor man's wenge, and shrinks like hell in dry environments (splinters on the back of the neck, and fret sprout even with binding). Though I do live way up North, so anyone in milder climates likely won't have a problem with this.
Absolutely abhor the "panga panga" wood used in most of the premium lineup. It's the poor man's wenge, and shrinks like hell in dry environments (splinters on the back of the neck, and fret sprout even with binding). Though I do live way up North, so anyone in milder climates likely won't have a problem with this.
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I never liked the necks on the SR basses. But my EHB is the my favorite bass ever, and I've owned several of their guitars that I also love. Play an Ibanez, and at least you can rest assured you didn't overpay.
I've had both Premium and Prestige 5 string SRs. Great basses! If you like the Bartolini sound get a used Prestige, I don't think they are worth the new price. The Premium are nearly just as good, although the Prestige has a slightly thicker neck profile that I really liked. The Premium just have a different sound due to pickups
Many returned instruments, and bad (since deleted) reviews at my local Long&Mcquade suggest I'm not alone. But again, I'm up in northern Ontario, so I doubt if folks down in the States would have any problem.
I have 2 Ibanez Premiums, an ATK805 and an SR1105. Both are very well built, and they feel and sound great. These particular models are very different from each other, but they are of the same high quality.
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I have a couple of BTBs which I really like. Well built, nice wide necks, and good string spacing.
I used a 6 string Prestige neck for my Franken 6 fretless build in my sig. I liked it because it is thin and fairly wide. I'm running 18mm at the bridge and the neck is more than wide enough. Not sure why the consensus is that they are narrow necks.
