Hi can any one help me
I am looking to purchase a new bass guitar but i'm stuck with what to get i'm currently looking at the squier 5 string v active jazz bass black and the ibanez srx 430 i prefer the ibanez for the looks but not sure about quality wise. Could someone please help me please
Thanks
wynne_tom
I agree with the earlier comment about musical style, budget, and personal preference, being factors to consider when choosing an instrument. Having owned two Ibanez's and two Squier's (including the one you're looking at), I think I can say a few things that might help you.
Both Squier and Ibanez's are probably the best bang for your buck basses out right now, especially in the "active" and "5-string" range. I love Ibby's, my main axe is a BTB 6-string, but I'm not a fan of their SRX line of basses. My friend has one, and I could never get a decent tone from it. However, I play in church, and I prefer a round jazz type sound, which I don't think the SRX's are made for!! I think the SRX's are made for agressive styles of music i.e. rock, punk, etc. But if those are the styles of music you play, you may do better with the Ibby. I know the Ibanez will probably feel faster due to it's extremely thin neck and tight string spacing. The Squier is a slapper's delight; a somewhat thick neck and a wider string spacing. Again, my opinion is somewhat based on the fact that I like jazz style basses, or basses that can give me that kind of sound. One thing about the Squier is that in almost any EQ setting you can get decent slap tones from it. That may be good or bad depending on how you play. I play a 50-50 mix of fingerstyle and slap, and even with the neck pickup soloed and the mids boosted I still get a very punchy slap tone from the Squier.
Quality-wise, I personally think both basses would mark the same. I've owned two Ibby's (SR405 and BTB) and two Squiers (MB-5, Active Jazz Deluxe): all four basses were solidly built, didn't have loose parts, had reasonably organized control cavities, and played well. Track record wise, Squiers may score a little lower. My MB-5 was probably the least solid of my four basses, but that's least solid of three superbly built instruments. (For the money, I'm not saying they're as well built as a Smith or Fodera)
Quick question, have you checked out Ibanez's new line of basses, the GSR's? They have 3 different 5 strings starting at $198 and ending at $299. The GSR205FM ($299) has an active EQ, although I don't think it is 3-band like the Squier.
Well that's enough for now lol! Try to play the basses your considering if you can. Hands-on experience beats other's opinions everytime in my book. I hope this helps you.
God Bless
