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They seem that way to me. They are d'addario flats of some sort, and sound like chromes. I could be wrong.[emoji1]
So this showed up about an hour ago...
First thought aftyer playing it was, wow theres a lot of sounds in the there. The V/V/V layout really does present some amazing options. Plays like i expected it to. Still working on the setup and thinking about maybe throwing on some White tapewounds I have laying around.
The side markers will take some getting used to but not as much as I expected. Been playing unlined fretless basses for most of my time. And wide neck basses at that. But overall its is a comfortable bass to play.
Oh and the piezo pickup is the first I have ever really liked. Sounds awesome.
First thought aftyer playing it was, wow theres a lot of sounds in the there. The V/V/V layout really does present some amazing options. Plays like i expected it to. Still working on the setup and thinking about maybe throwing on some White tapewounds I have laying around.
The side markers will take some getting used to but not as much as I expected. Been playing unlined fretless basses for most of my time. And wide neck basses at that. But overall its is a comfortable bass to play.
Oh and the piezo pickup is the first I have ever really liked. Sounds awesome.
Well... after tweaking and playing around with this several hours yesterday I finally decided the chromes just weren't working for me and set it up with Labella white nylon tapewounds. These strings are weird as they are doodoo on some bass and pure magic on others. Well the Portamento is pure magic. Feel and sound changed for the better. Played into the night and woke up early to smoke some pork. Playing it this morning I have removed the protective plastic. This bass is a keeper.
The range of sound available is a little overwhelming but honestly, it's all shades of good. Preamp is dead quiet and the piezo system is wonderful. Really, really great sounding. Bass plays a lot like he SR700 series IMO.Intonation is a little easier to hit vs other basses I've owned.
Honestly this is the first fretless I've owned that I could see using as a main player.
Some more better pics...
The range of sound available is a little overwhelming but honestly, it's all shades of good. Preamp is dead quiet and the piezo system is wonderful. Really, really great sounding. Bass plays a lot like he SR700 series IMO.Intonation is a little easier to hit vs other basses I've owned.
Honestly this is the first fretless I've owned that I could see using as a main player.
Some more better pics...
The more I play it the more I love it. I will replace it only if Ibanez will issue a new revision:
a) next model will be without magnetics, just the piezo is enough, delivering all the sound range I want; it will look clean, no black soap bars and just two knobs
b) minor improvement: side dots alligned with lines
Ok, I'm joking ;-)
a) next model will be without magnetics, just the piezo is enough, delivering all the sound range I want; it will look clean, no black soap bars and just two knobs
b) minor improvement: side dots alligned with lines
Ok, I'm joking ;-)
I feel the same way. Have never gotten along better with a fretless. I do like the magnetics but maybe one quad coil in the sweet spot. I will likely experiment with other pickups.
I'm very interested in trying one of these....maybe doing the 5 string E-C...does anyone have a shot of the neck side marker detail? Thanks
Me too if I want a really woody sound. Almost seems like what it was built for?
I still love my Portamento. It is the most versatile and easy playing fretless basses I've played. Really, really easy to get great sounds out of it. Had another local player who plays fretless (and is waaaay better than me) play it for awhile and he just can't get over it. I suspect he's buying one soon for himself.
Here it is live. Ignore the intro part that I totally screw up and my fairly terrible intonation.
Oh And the camera work might make you nauseous.
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Ok, I'm in, pic in a bit. This is a keeper.
Anybody guide me to a manual for this? The only one I got was the generic bass manual, nothing about the piezo system, nothing about pre amp etc.
This was a slightly used one from zzounds, so maybe the guy changed strings? I doubt it though. plastic wrap on the pu's..bass was made 5/28/14, so pretty new I take it.
From what I've read here so far, we are lowering the action a bit? makes sense.
I haven't owned an Ibanez in 30 years!...the last I had was a body through musician (think that's the one) and this reminds me of it. balanced, nice sounds, eminently PLAYABLE.
all in all really nice.
Anybody guide me to a manual for this? The only one I got was the generic bass manual, nothing about the piezo system, nothing about pre amp etc.
This was a slightly used one from zzounds, so maybe the guy changed strings? I doubt it though. plastic wrap on the pu's..bass was made 5/28/14, so pretty new I take it.
From what I've read here so far, we are lowering the action a bit? makes sense.
I haven't owned an Ibanez in 30 years!...the last I had was a body through musician (think that's the one) and this reminds me of it. balanced, nice sounds, eminently PLAYABLE.
all in all really nice.
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