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...Ibanez SDGR -vs- Fender...

C

cydonianknight

May 12, 2009
19
0
#1
Despite having done backround research on both these in terms of value for what you get, I am in need of a point in the right direction from fellow bassists.

I have an SX 70's Jazz bass which i like a lot. Its playability is smooth and has great clean sounds.

Im currently in the market for my second bass but am torn between;
(A)keeping to the more recession friendly price of the Ibanez SR500 which goes for Euro590

(B)saving for a Fender US Std Jazz Bass selling for Euro 1,300

Thanks
 
#4
good point...see thats where im unsure

i know the Ibanez range of basses seems to draw metal players. Now that to me is a genre a bit detached from my own style.

however, i want to become as well rounded as possible with my playing....so i wouldnt just say no to the ibanez straight off the bat.
because for the dough it seems to be a well loved bass with good reputation
 
#5
Actually, the Ibanez SoundGear is pretty versatile- all those knobs aren't just for decoration, you know, and have a very fast, playable neck, but yeah, Ibanez is pretty popular with metal players.

Have you thought about going with a G&L? I had an SB-2 years back, and it was an awesome bass. They don't have a lot of resale value, but they play very well, and sound great.
 
#6
+1 to WAY different sounds.

I have a MIM Fender Jazz and an Ibanez SRX390. I love them both, but they sound WAY different.

My $0.02 would be grab the Ibby and forget the Fender (for now). Before i get flamed... i would say that your SX would sound closest to the Fender. If you get the Soundgear you will be bolstering your sound more. While they DO seem to cator to metal players (haha shoot, my SRX390 is set up for C standard tuning in my metal band), the Soundgear series still "looks" classy and can fill out a wide array of sounds, from crusty squatter basements to nice clean church sanctuaries.
 
#8
to Byzcat:
forgive my ignorance...whats a G&L?


to Din of Win:
i was thinking that for where i am now...both skillwise and financially...the ibanez would be a quality buy am i right?

having said that my heart yearns for the far pricier fender jazz
 
#9
cydonianknight said:
to Din of Win:
i was thinking that for where i am now...both skillwise and financially...the ibanez would be a quality buy am i right?
Click to expand...

Skillwise is far too relative to answer. I've seen lousy players playing Rics and amazing players tear it up on a Squier. Financially though, yes... the Ibby is way cheaper. The Ibby is also a VERY good quality bass.

To play devil's advocate though... nothing is classier than a good Fender Jazz bass. You also will most likely get, in re-sale, pretty much what you paid for it. However, the Ibby won't re-sale for THAT much lower.


Like i said, i have a Fender Jazz and an Ibanez SRX390. Both of these basses are used in very different bands though. However, i will say that i also have an ATK300 that i use in the same band as the Jazz. While people commonly comment on the Jazz's look (midnight wine w/ black pickguard), my ATK gets complimented on looks AND sound. Fenders are just so safe that thier sound is to be expected in certain genres. It's fun to mix it up with something different. So again, i'd vote for the Ibanez...

In any case, will you be able to try them both out? That will probably be better than listening to our snobbery :D
 
#10
A G&L is, well, a Fender. (ducks rocks and bottles thrown by Fender players)

Leo Fender had gotten back together with his old business partner George Fullerton and formed a new company called G&L (George and Leo) and started making great instruments like Fender used to make before Leo sold the company.

The SB-2 has a narrow neck- (the same width at the nut as Ibanez SoundGear, but somewhat thicker).

They're fairly pricey, but you might be able to get a good deal on a used one.

G&L's don't hold their value for resale- bad if you've got one you're trying to sell, but if you're in the market for a used instrument, pretty sweet.
 
#11
I have an sx jazz and a sr500. I've played the sr500 for many years and my sx sits on its stand.

btw I'm not in a metal band either. I play Ibanez every sunday at church and then in a classic rock sounding band.
 
#12
to Din of Win:

sweet gear u got there. yeah i plan on trying them both 2moro. ive already tried the ibby;) a couple times and like its size and feel
however it is a case of me just desperately wanting to expand my exploration of sounds etc be that with a slighlty diff feel (ie) ibanez or with a tried and trusted rock solid jazz bass which is pretty much my dream bass

to Byzcat:

cheers i'll check it out
 
#13
mkrtu9 said:
I have an sx jazz and a sr500. I've played the sr500 for many years and my sx sits on its stand.

btw I'm not in a metal band either. I play Ibanez every sunday at church and then in a classic rock sounding band.
Click to expand...

really?? that sounds like you took to it straight away so.
the look of the sr500 is a bit kick ass as well IMO so thats probably another underlying reason im drawn to it.

how do you find its range (sr500) of low to high compared to the SX Jazz?
 
#14
Man, if a Fender Jazz is your dream... (and a good dream at that!) than by all means hop on it. You're still relatively new to the bass thang, so you will have many many MANY years ahead of you to mold your own sound and look to basses that will usher this along.

If a Jazz is your dream and you're able to pick one up now, do it!
 
#16
It's sounds like you're looking for something a little different, that's non-genre specific. Have you considered an Ibanez ATK? You can get a wide range of sounds out of those basses, and pulling them out at a gig doesn't seem to offend most vintage purists or metal guys.

Personally, I'm a Fender dude, but price point versus versatility, I think the ATK is where it's at. (On a side note, outside of the brands you've mentioned, I think the Yamaha BB414 is also an incredibly versatile, well playing bass for the money).
 

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