pharaohamps
Commercial User
- May 30, 2006
- 773
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- Owner, Disaster Area Designs / Alexander Pedals
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Ibanez stigma... is it just me?
- Thread starter rojo412
- Start date
Played the SR490 at practice... sounded good, played good, light as s#!t and I was very impressed.
Must find a 5'er in something now.
Must find a 5'er in something now.
I owned more prolly more than 10 Ibbys and I NEVER had to make any neck adjustements! Now I play Ws and those damn things need constant care and I'm forced to work on truss rods and action almost monthly - very sensible instruments, a hell of a lot more than what I would have liked to deal with...I'm sincerely regretting some of my Ibbys...I want a bass that doesn't need constant maintenance for a change, man, I'm getting tired
'95 ATK305. Is it as nice as my SR5? Nope. Does it kick ass? Yep.
Looks like you changed the pup
So image over substance. I get it.
I'll play what ever instrument sounds best to my ears and feels the best in my hands and against my body.
Sound/tone and what suits my own personal and indivdual preferences.
Couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about my "style and presentation and image" or what they think of the bass I'm playing.
That's what's been wrong with our society for too long. Shallow pretense over substance.
Oh, and I don't own or play an Ibanez. But I may check out a SRT800DX, soon.
I love Ibanez basses. If you like the string spacing I say try one, you may genuinely like it. Its the main reason I like them. My first bass was an Ibanez RB800 and so the string spacing feels right to me. There was a time (95 to...uhh...now) where I admit when I would see some of the people who played Ibanez I would feel a need to defend my choice. No, its not nice to judge people like that, I know, but they really do make some great stuff for not a lot of money. Or spend a lot of money on one and get a ridiculously good bass. My best advise is to try one...you'll never know until you do.
I've played a lot of basses, and none feel as good as my Ibanez. For $600 I bought my BTB Prestige with:
Bart Pickups
Bart 18v Pre with 3 band EQ
Neck through
Dual truss rods
35" scale
Monorail bridge
Neutrik locking jack
A buttery neck that's easy to play
That being said, I have a G&L Tribute that has none of those things and it's great too. Two polar opposite basses.
Bart Pickups
Bart 18v Pre with 3 band EQ
Neck through
Dual truss rods
35" scale
Monorail bridge
Neutrik locking jack
A buttery neck that's easy to play
That being said, I have a G&L Tribute that has none of those things and it's great too. Two polar opposite basses.
I used "other basses for years".. but one day, the guitarists and I went shopping.. I ended up in the amp room with an EDB600 based on that funky gray finish.
A little while later, the guitarists came in.. and went "hey, where's the other guy?" They heard what was coming out of the room, and decided it couldn't be me.. it sounded way too cool, and the playing was better than mine.. except it WAS me. They looked at me, and said "you gotta buy that bass.. it just made you a better player"... and they were right.
I've been on the Ergo's ever since. I bought the EDB605 sight unseen off the internet, and fell just as much in love with it. I've played damn near every Ergodyne I've ever come in contact with, and loved every one of them. I've never had problems with the electronics, the luthite, or the smell.. although I do acknowledge that the smell can be unusual.
I've now had the first EDB for more than 7 years.. it's needed adjustment less than six times in all those years.. it's done hundreds and hundreds of shows, and together, they've been recorded direct, no f/x, by at least 7 different artists (and I was only playing it twice) as the only bass on those albums.
I don't just like Ibanez basses, I swear by them. Give them a go, man.
A little while later, the guitarists came in.. and went "hey, where's the other guy?" They heard what was coming out of the room, and decided it couldn't be me.. it sounded way too cool, and the playing was better than mine.. except it WAS me. They looked at me, and said "you gotta buy that bass.. it just made you a better player"... and they were right.
I've been on the Ergo's ever since. I bought the EDB605 sight unseen off the internet, and fell just as much in love with it. I've played damn near every Ergodyne I've ever come in contact with, and loved every one of them. I've never had problems with the electronics, the luthite, or the smell.. although I do acknowledge that the smell can be unusual.
I've now had the first EDB for more than 7 years.. it's needed adjustment less than six times in all those years.. it's done hundreds and hundreds of shows, and together, they've been recorded direct, no f/x, by at least 7 different artists (and I was only playing it twice) as the only bass on those albums.
I don't just like Ibanez basses, I swear by them. Give them a go, man.
I had an sr950 that is kind of a hard to find bass...beautiful figured top..ebony fretboard, I replaced the AFR pickups with EMG's and there wasn't much of a diff. A really great sounding bass that would sound even better recorded. I stupidly traded it because of the "stigma" and in the Chicago scene at that time you had to play this or that to "rate" what a crock all of that business is. One of my favorite players Pete Trewavas plays an Ibanez on Transatlantic's latest record and it's one of the top 5 recorded bass sounds I've ever heard.
I have owned about 30 basses through the years, I took a couple years off from bass and this board. My first bass ever was an Ibanez TR50, my buddy still has it. It was a cheap POS. Being a fenderholic, Ibanez was just not my style.....then the Artcore came out. I bought one of the original single cuts, it was like $280 new. I still regret letting it go. It sounded sweet and fit and finish were awesome. I am currently GASing for an ATK, and will hopefully get one at christmas time. Honestly, I don't mind people having distaste for the brand it allows great deals, look at how cheap USA made peavey's are....some of those will crush Fenders.
I love Ibby's especially my SR800 and EXB. Saying that, I know how you feel - I feel the same about Fenders.
I just scored a BTB 555 of the Bay last week for $255 in mint condition. It has quickly become the hands down favorite in my stable.
It actually looks quite similar to your prestige.
Do ya think I'm a sucker for natural and red basses?
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I have never had anything against Ibanez, I think they make awesome instruments for the price you pay.
My very first bass was an Ibanez, the GSR200L. It was an good beginner bass but then I jumped to the G&L L-2000 Tribute that was served me well after I bought it, but I don't have so big hands and the fat neck made my hand cramp sometimes when I played.
For being an BIG Nick Beard fan (from Circa Survive) I saw that he played Stingrays(plays Precisions nowadays:'() but I never got the money to but one so I searched for a smililar sounding one, the ATK.
And after months of searching I found one on Ebay that was send to me from the states to me here in Finland An Korea 95' ATK300L. And it's awesome, love the maple fretboard that gives it a really aggressive attack.
phonepic:
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My very first bass was an Ibanez, the GSR200L. It was an good beginner bass but then I jumped to the G&L L-2000 Tribute that was served me well after I bought it, but I don't have so big hands and the fat neck made my hand cramp sometimes when I played.
For being an BIG Nick Beard fan (from Circa Survive) I saw that he played Stingrays(plays Precisions nowadays:'() but I never got the money to but one so I searched for a smililar sounding one, the ATK.
And after months of searching I found one on Ebay that was send to me from the states to me here in Finland An Korea 95' ATK300L. And it's awesome, love the maple fretboard that gives it a really aggressive attack.
phonepic:
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Until I played this used 6 string maple sdgr. Passive emgs w active controls. Used. I lowered the action a bit and she sings. Later on I bought a 5 string walnut ibanez. And I tell you what; comfortable to play. Again, I had to lower the action, but between the barts and comfortable narrow neck, I cringe everytime I look at m overpriced MIM fender jazz.
Now, I loathe the lower end ibanez and I will forever be a believer that every bass sounds a little different and it's really up to the player and how they play.
An ibanez can be decent if you find the right one.
Now, I loathe the lower end ibanez and I will forever be a believer that every bass sounds a little different and it's really up to the player and how they play.
An ibanez can be decent if you find the right one.
I don't think bongo would think less of you for any of that. But if you don't care about what people think of you, you won't become a signed recording artist. All of that "who cares" attitude of popular musicians is carefully tailored (or exploited) by marketing guys behind the scene.
I'm with you, I don't care that much either (although as a matter of personal pride as a man I don't want people to think I am a complete boob. No one does) but I have no illusions or desires concerning being a rock star. Again, I'm not saying you have delusions of granduer or anything, I'm just saying what I think bongo meant.
And OT, for me, Ibanez makes a fine product, they just aren't my thing. I'm a more traditional type of guy and Leo Fender's designs are what work. I'd own an MIJ or higher quality Ibby perhaps, jsut as I have owned plenty of other non Leo/unusual/cheap basses. They just don't excite me much.
I have same feelings about new Ibanez basses. But man, i want one of old fretless Musician so bad...like this one here:
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Drooolllll...it's just perfect in my eyes. If i could choose between Wal and this baby...well, i would choose both, tbh
but Musician would probably win just cause of the looks...
Or custom no-pickguard ATK, please though I don't really like the headstock tbh...
And some hi-end 4-string SR from 90's were really cool imo...
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Drooolllll...it's just perfect in my eyes. If i could choose between Wal and this baby...well, i would choose both, tbh
but Musician would probably win just cause of the looks...Or custom no-pickguard ATK, please
though I don't really like the headstock tbh...And some hi-end 4-string SR from 90's were really cool imo...
Very sweet basses.
I've always wondered what the difference between the BTB and BTB Prestige is. I've only seen a couple of BTB's and mine is the only Prestige I've ever seen in any Ibanez model.
1.) You've never tried any Ibanez.
2.) You've all these notions based on what SOMEONE ELSE is playing and doing or not doing, which are filling your head, and skewing your fair judgement.
I think if you can try to wipe the slate clean on item number 2, it will put you in the best position to fairly evaluate via item 1.
This, my advice, coming from a former owner of a couple Soundgears which were great basses, and who currently owns an old Musician bass, as well as Fenders, Stingrays, etc...
If items 1 & 2 can't be accomplished or achieved, then...
I have no Ibanez stigma, or stigma for any other bass, brand or model, which I have not yet tried.
Good luck.
IMO Ibanez makes decent "bang for the buck" instruments, pictures look nice and specs are good on paper.
I have similar opinion as the original poster about some of their instruments - it is not that I hate the brand, but when considering a new instrument they would be almost at the bottom of the list.
I realize that my opinion is based on my experience with their SR series or SoundGear as it was called when they introduced them in early '90-ies.
IMHO the whole line was always geared towards the clanky sound, IME it was always too midrangey and no amount of modding (changing the preamp/pickups) couldn't rectify the lack of bottom end of spectrum (this information came from few luthiers that did the modifications).
It's a shame really, because usually they have really comfortable necks and are easy to play. Two days ago I was at a local GC and I picked up a SR something 4 strings Bartolini pickups bubinga something neck, it cost around $500-$600, and it was amazing for a GC floor bass, played like butter just wonderful. Well, until you plugged it in an amp, and there it was the clanky sound with no low end, no amount of tweaking both the preamp or amp EQ couldn't squeeze any oomph out of it (amp was MB LMIII+ MB 1x15+horn box on the floor).
That being said, I really like the '80ies Blazer series and Roadster series basses, played a few and none of them were lacking in the oomph department.
I haven't played ATK or BTE series so I cannot comment on them.
I have similar opinion as the original poster about some of their instruments - it is not that I hate the brand, but when considering a new instrument they would be almost at the bottom of the list.
I realize that my opinion is based on my experience with their SR series or SoundGear as it was called when they introduced them in early '90-ies.
IMHO the whole line was always geared towards the clanky sound, IME it was always too midrangey and no amount of modding (changing the preamp/pickups) couldn't rectify the lack of bottom end of spectrum (this information came from few luthiers that did the modifications).
It's a shame really, because usually they have really comfortable necks and are easy to play. Two days ago I was at a local GC and I picked up a SR something 4 strings Bartolini pickups bubinga something neck, it cost around $500-$600, and it was amazing for a GC floor bass, played like butter just wonderful. Well, until you plugged it in an amp, and there it was the clanky sound with no low end, no amount of tweaking both the preamp or amp EQ couldn't squeeze any oomph out of it (amp was MB LMIII+ MB 1x15+horn box on the floor).
That being said, I really like the '80ies Blazer series and Roadster series basses, played a few and none of them were lacking in the oomph department.
I haven't played ATK or BTE series so I cannot comment on them.
Every time I hear someone say that the SR500 has no bottom end - I wonder why does mine then?
I can get deep into Motown and it's all in the little knob thingies that I get there.
The Barts are great and even though I've never had to change a battery YET in my copy with over 20 months of jams and gigs, I bet the day will come when I actually need to and that's when I bet the sound goes into the toilet.
Other than that - Ibanezzezzes are great. Typically I play the Cheese and Wine Tasting Cafe Tour crowds with it for jazz and smooth blues - so I guess I'm not pounding it very hard - but that's where the SR really shines in the deep clean lows.
The SR500 can range from glassy shrill all the way to Chocolate Land (my wife said that and I coined it for her) - so variety I have when other people do not.
I wonder if I'm just easily pleased or what?
I can get deep into Motown and it's all in the little knob thingies that I get there.
The Barts are great and even though I've never had to change a battery YET in my copy with over 20 months of jams and gigs, I bet the day will come when I actually need to and that's when I bet the sound goes into the toilet.
Other than that - Ibanezzezzes are great. Typically I play the Cheese and Wine Tasting Cafe Tour crowds with it for jazz and smooth blues - so I guess I'm not pounding it very hard - but that's where the SR really shines in the deep clean lows.
The SR500 can range from glassy shrill all the way to Chocolate Land (my wife said that and I coined it for her) - so variety I have when other people do not.
I wonder if I'm just easily pleased or what?
