Ibanez SR 6 string - Premium or Prestige?

Generally, Ibanez Prestige lines are the best. They are being made in Japan. The highest quality also correlates with their high price tags, which only surpassed by some signature models created for a few famous players. Although, if one would compare the equivalent products from USA or European factories, Ibanez Prestige lines could still be considered cheap. Get one if you have the money for it.

But, the Premium lines are also top notches. They are the highest grade products that came out from Ibanez Indonesian Factory. They are generally priced below the Prestiges, but still higher than Ibanez standard lines. A lot of folks swear by their awesomeness and would say there could be no wrong if you have gotten Ibanez Premium line also.

As of now, I own several Ibanez products: 8 electric basses, 1 acoustic electric bass, 1 electric guitar, and 1 acoustic electric ukulele. None of them belongs to the Prestige nor Premium lines, or in other words, they are the Ibanez standard lines. Most of them were made in Indonesia and the others were made in China. Still, they are joy to play and none of them have made me regrets in owning any of them.

 

No, I haven't. Though I tried some of them in stores, thus not so much of real experiences like playing them in studios or on stages, nor as familiar as having some of the SR standard series.

Those I tried were older model of SR Prestige and SR Premium. They felt different from standard SR series. Probably because they were heavier, but in the same time they felt solids.

 

Go Prestige. The Premiums are pretty, but Prestige are built by Ibanez's best, and therefore, the small details are what matter. The Premium necks have never been reliable for me, whereas the Prestige line have been rock-solid for gigging consistency, because that wood is seasoned the longest, just like Bacchus and Yamaha's top models.

 

I wouldn't necessarily pony up the money for the premium or prestige. I have an older SR706 and it's a terrific bass that I got for ~$US400 with a moulded HSC in mint condition. The only thing I might change is the pickups to Nordie Big Singles, but that's not because the Barts are bad or inadequate, but mainly because I'm a tinkerer and want to hear what they sound like in person.

That's not to say you shouldn't get a premium or prestige just that you might not have to spend that sort of cash to get something great, especially if it's your fist foray into 6's. Hell, even my SR256 is a good bass.
BTW, I'm only a bit taller than you and this is the best 6 neck I found locally.