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Ibanez Love?

#102
I own quite a few Ibbys staring out in the SR655 line and going up, several BTB's and even a Grooveline which I love. I have many other high end basses, but my hobby is picking up used Ibanez 600-900 series SR's and modifying them with better hardware and paint. I play them in many rock fly in gigs, and I love the core size and what not. Just make SURE the 600 series you buy has a straight neck and you'll be good to go!!
 
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#103
I currently own a '78 Lawsuit (Silver Series) fretless P that has a tone to make angels cry.
I considered Ibanez for my next purchase.
There is that 6 string SR with the Nordy PJ pickups that looks sweet. And the SR with the fanned frets.
My issues with the SR series are:
-The string spacing is too narrow for my taste.
-The edges around the speaker jack. I played a new SR in a shop once where those edges were slightly fuzzy already.

Then, of course, there is the BTB. A 6 string fanned fret BTB with Nordy PJ pickups would have me running to the bank in an instant.
 
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#104
I am definitely an Ibanez guy. and I would say there's a lot of love for Ibanez basses here on talkbass. including the soundgear basses. I currently own an Ibanez sr305 and I do like this bass for it's p-bass like sounds(at least from my perspective it kinda sounds like a p-bass). I also tried out some other Ibanez soundgear basses whenever I go to a guitar center and a sam ash. recently I've been thinking about purchasing another Ibanez soundgear bass. I was thinking of either the sr505 or the gsr205(depending on my budget). I've played them both and I dig the sound quality. Not to mention that they handle effects pretty well. I know a lot people gave the gsr series a bad rap for being cheap, but I've tried one out myself and I thought they sounded pretty cool. they have an incredible punch for a low costed Ibanez bass. the low b string on the gsr205 sounded real punchy. I can understand that many people have their honest opinions on these basses, but I think these basses are not too shabby. it's just that there are some mixed opinions on these basses. some people like them, some people don't. personally I would advise to try one out and see if you like it. as for the sr505, I tried out this bass at a guitar center about a month ago and I totally dig this bass. it sounds smooth, warm, and punchy. and with the bartolini pick-ups, I can easily see why this bass was so popular. even though I do wish this bass would come in different finishes like black or red, I do dig the sound quality on this bass. if I happen to find a used, I totally would buy it.
 
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#105
I've had a couple of SR's (both fivers), and while I liked how they played, the looks just bored me to death. I used to borrow a buds '70's J copy (Nat/maple) for shows before I got a real bass back in the day.

I was very tempted by the Artcore's, but was hoping they'd come out with a short scale like my old Aria... Wish granted 2015 (Aria comparison included).
image.jpg


While at the shop working out my trades for this baby, I made the happy mistake of picking up a Talman 300, now I'm hooked (on these two at least).
image.jpg
 
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#106
I LOVE my SR1400. It's the mid-priced range, called Premium, between the regulars and the Prestige series. I own other more expensive basses (a gorgeous American Fender -P, a 5-string MTD, and just sold a MM Stingray that just didn't get played much).

L0WNW5m.jpg


I don't know if it's the light-weight factor, the thin neck, the beautiful top, the tone versatility, all of the above, or something else. I just play it much more often that their siblings.
 
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#107
I currently own the SR805 and have owned many Ibbys over the years. I firmly believe in owning 2 basses at all times and one of those basses has always been an Ibanez. The 805 is a great bass for almost any style and the stock pups and EQ are just fine (despite what other forum naysayers might have you believe). I play metal and rock as well as country and Praise and Worship and the 805 covers all of it nicely.
My only gripe with Ibanez is the fingerboard wood. I would love to see more maple fingerboards!! Before the TB universe blows up on me...it's not about rosewood vs ebony vs maple tone. At many gigs, the stage lights tends to get a little crazy and I have fewer problems seeing the frets (yup, playing for over 20 years and still look at the fingerboard) when there's contrasting wood colors (maple with black dots or squares).
 
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#108
I would love to get a BTB series Ibbey, they look and play awesome. Sound even better.

I myself have an early 90's ATK 300 for my main player. What a tone monster! Not the lightest bass around but I will make a trade off with weight when it sounds as good as the ATK does. What a versatile bass too. I love my P, P/J and J, but if I really want to stand out in my hard rock band, the ATK is always the way to go for me. Ibanez love all day over here.
 
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#112
Have been and will remain a fan of 1980s Ibanez Roadstars and Roadsters and Musicians. Fun to play. Solidly built.

Have a 5-string ATK now. Heavy as all get out, but can make the music go. Use it primarily as a back-up and keep it at my day job for the occasional unexpected opportunities to play. It's a solid instrument, and I got it used off eBay a few years ago for a song.

Talman looks interesting, but I've never fingered one. Would also like to try a 1970s (?) Challenger some day.
 
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#115
Ya they look cool but most of the time the Neck Goes in a couple yrs of hard play'n every weekend and some gigs middle of the week , I had a SG1500 Gave 1695.00 + for it... 2 yrs Poof Frets were gone and neck was at the last point action was lost,... I had several more in my time the same thing... Blah Blah Blah..... Never Again ....My 2 C Worth Nope ~~~~ I got some old Fender Jazz Basses from the early 70's Used ,. they Had know Neck Prob and Plenty of Life in the Truss .... Used Jazz Basses From then on....always Good Luck with them Vintage or newer .. or like I do Build them out of Parts,.. I also have a Lakland ,. Indo.. DJ4 it a 13 and No Prob with it at all Set it up back then and it has not moved any,... I keep my Basses Clean and do not beat them just Play them my 13 Looks New,.. and I have a JACO Fender Set It up and has not moved any " TI's 'strings has been on it for a Yr... Sound New...Sure some have know prob.. but I Did.. after Lots of Use all Yr Around...
 
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#117
mkfanforever58 said:
I was wondering about that passive tone thing. So when there is no battery it acts as a passive?
Click to expand...

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I haven't actually played one, but from the info on the product website looks like you've got (top-left to right, bottom-left to right):

Active / Passive switch | Pickup Blend | Volume
Treble | Mid | Bass

When you flip the switch to change from active to passive mode, your preamp is essentially "off" and your battery won't be needed.

In passive mode, you can still use the Pickup Blend and Volume knobs like normal.

With this particular preamp, passive mode also switches the Treble knob to a passive tone control (similar to the tone control on like a passive Fender bass). I had never seen that trick before so I thought it was pretty cool! If your battery ever dies mid-gig, you can always just flip the switch to passive, keep rocking and still have tone control on the bass. :bassist:

Edit: Totally missed the preamp pic lol

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#119
One of my local boutique shops here in NC appraised my 1980 Roadster at $200. I told them how can you appraise it without hearing it first and the guy said that he didn't care how it sounds, he's not going to put an 80s Ibanez bass on the wall at a ridiculous price. People hate on Ibanez, really unjustifiably so, because they have never taken the time with the instruments. I stand by my Roadster, people are always like, is that active? And I say to them, no it's passive, isn't that incredible? Sounds fuller than most active basses.
 
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