Hey guys, some of you know that I recently bought a new 6 string bass from SamAsh, and I have truely fallen in love with it. So much so, that I am going to write a review so that all of you non-Ibanez supporter's will see the light and actually notice that Ibanez makes some biatchin basses.
The first thing that I did when I saw this bass was drool. I looked at the magnificent burled poplar top and I couldn't look away. This is the most beautiful Ibanez I've ever seen (also the most expensive) and it was definately worth buying. I purchased the limited edition SR1006EFM from SamAsh and I got a good deal for it ($1500 with a case). When some of you see the price, I'm sure you gag, but if you look at all the options, and the quality that is in this bass, then you'll understand. The first quote that my instrctor said when he saw it was "Holy SH**! Why'd you buy a boutique bass?" He then saw the headstock and realized that it was in fact an Ibanez SR series.
The bass comes standard with a flame maple top, mahogony back, 5 piece maple/mahagony neck, Bartolini custom soapbar's (sound amazing) 3 band pre with mid sweep, gotoh tuners, and a mono-rail IV bridge. The limited edition versions either have a zerbrano top or a burled poplar. The controls were a tad confusing at first, but after fiddling with them for a few minutes, I got them down good. it has a notch in the middle for flat, -15 and +15 for Bass, Treble, low mid, and high mid. The pots are very smooth and have no noise. The mono rail bridge is fantastic, string changes are smooth and simple, and the individual saddles allow for solo string vibration instead of interference from the other strings. The Bartolini custom's are some of the best pickups I've ever heard. They can be extremely dark and warm low's, and have very bright soaring highs with excellent mids. One of the way's I could explain them is "hot", but that'd be an understatement, they're just true magic, props to bartolini for these fantastic pickups. The frets are very smooth and have no buzz. The action is incredibly low, and as I said in another post, like "cheesecake". The matching headstock also allow's for superior looks. The Gold hardware just fits in with the bass (it's smoke chrome on the standar version), and just looks magnificent. It was string with Elixer Nanowebs, which are excellent strings, and I would suggest them to anyone who doesn't like a thick coating feel, but loves long lasting strings. The rosewood fretboard is decked with wood inlays, and a special inlay at the 12th fret.
This bass is one of the best I've played (I've played quite a few high end fenders, Curbow's, Yamaha's, and other high end basses). Thsi bass blow's warwick out of the water, it's lighter, it sounds better, it has a 3 band preamp, and it's neck is very thin and smooth.
If you have 1500 to spare, then I would reccomend this case to you, you definately won't regret it, I haven't.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Pics can be found there.
I hope this review changes your mind about Ibanez's, and I hope this leads you to buy one in the future.
Greg
The first thing that I did when I saw this bass was drool. I looked at the magnificent burled poplar top and I couldn't look away. This is the most beautiful Ibanez I've ever seen (also the most expensive) and it was definately worth buying. I purchased the limited edition SR1006EFM from SamAsh and I got a good deal for it ($1500 with a case). When some of you see the price, I'm sure you gag, but if you look at all the options, and the quality that is in this bass, then you'll understand. The first quote that my instrctor said when he saw it was "Holy SH**! Why'd you buy a boutique bass?" He then saw the headstock and realized that it was in fact an Ibanez SR series.
The bass comes standard with a flame maple top, mahogony back, 5 piece maple/mahagony neck, Bartolini custom soapbar's (sound amazing) 3 band pre with mid sweep, gotoh tuners, and a mono-rail IV bridge. The limited edition versions either have a zerbrano top or a burled poplar. The controls were a tad confusing at first, but after fiddling with them for a few minutes, I got them down good. it has a notch in the middle for flat, -15 and +15 for Bass, Treble, low mid, and high mid. The pots are very smooth and have no noise. The mono rail bridge is fantastic, string changes are smooth and simple, and the individual saddles allow for solo string vibration instead of interference from the other strings. The Bartolini custom's are some of the best pickups I've ever heard. They can be extremely dark and warm low's, and have very bright soaring highs with excellent mids. One of the way's I could explain them is "hot", but that'd be an understatement, they're just true magic, props to bartolini for these fantastic pickups. The frets are very smooth and have no buzz. The action is incredibly low, and as I said in another post, like "cheesecake". The matching headstock also allow's for superior looks. The Gold hardware just fits in with the bass (it's smoke chrome on the standar version), and just looks magnificent. It was string with Elixer Nanowebs, which are excellent strings, and I would suggest them to anyone who doesn't like a thick coating feel, but loves long lasting strings. The rosewood fretboard is decked with wood inlays, and a special inlay at the 12th fret.
This bass is one of the best I've played (I've played quite a few high end fenders, Curbow's, Yamaha's, and other high end basses). Thsi bass blow's warwick out of the water, it's lighter, it sounds better, it has a 3 band preamp, and it's neck is very thin and smooth.
If you have 1500 to spare, then I would reccomend this case to you, you definately won't regret it, I haven't.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Pics can be found there.
I hope this review changes your mind about Ibanez's, and I hope this leads you to buy one in the future.
Greg
I'd reccomend that anyone who thinks Warwicks are the way to go for anything to try one of these basses. Compared to a an active Corvette, this Ibby blows it clear out of the water, in looks, playability, sound, weight, and overall comfort. The only thing the Germans have on it, is that neat little tool and care kit 
.
