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Ibanez stigma... is it just me?

#221
Ibanez has enough bass lines to please just about any type of player. Ok, many ppl like the SR/SRX/EDB lines because of the fast thin necks, but then there's also the BTB, ATK, and so on - those basses have beefier and wider necks, more body weight, etc. So if you don't like the "toyish" feel of a SR (for the record, I love 'em, SRs & EDBs are my favs), Ibby might still have a bass to your liking.

To me all these complaints about Ibbys are silly :) Test first, then talk :) Especially considering the recent models...I mean take the SRT900DX: if that bass sounds "thin" to you, then you've got a problem - 'cause that beast sounds VERY CLOSE to my Thumb BO - at half the price ;) Not to mention the SR500 - everytime I hear someone saying that bass sounds "thin" I can't keep myself from smiling; that bass has such an aggressive tone with a roaring bottom end and in your face mids! Every note kicks you in the chest like a rabbid mule, while the tone remains focused and clear..so I don't know what some folks are playing this bass through...that is not a "shy" sounding bass ;)

To me the best thing about Ibbys is how well and comfortable they feel - the ergonomics and the playability of these basses is fenomenal ;) I've been in the W boat for the last 2 years or so, but I'm about to switch back to Ibbys - for some (strange) reason, Ibbys just feel right ;)
 
#222
I grew up in the 70's and 80's and never owned an Ibanez. To me they were toys...not a real bass like a Fender. They were the basses of metal heads and hairbands in my book. But being a gear whore I finally got around to owning a few. And I liked them. The best I ever had was the Verdine White Sig bass. Man what an amazing axe that was. My son plays now and has a great Ibanez 305(?) white five string that is also a great bass. I don't own one now but if the right one came along...I would quickly snap it up. My Ibby snob days are over.
 
#223
I have a BTB Prestige that's a fine instrument. Easily in the same ballpark as basses costing thousands (yet I picked it up used for $600).

It was my first bass, so it has sentimental value, but it's also an awesome bass. I've had some professional players noodle around on and it have been advised to "never sell that bass".

I've done all the setup work on it, but I'm sure it's not as good as it could be. I've been considering taking it to have it professionall set up. The dual truss rods give me the heebie jeebies.
 
#227
To describe a particular brand comprising multiple lines of variously equipped basses with one or two adjectives is illogical at best.

Hell, sweepable mid plus standard tone/vol controls alone on one SR can take it's output from bone crushing to a 'thin' 'nasally' fart.
 
#228
I've had 6 Ibanez basses, an ATK500,an Ibanez ASB140,
an Ibanez RD500,an Ibanez SRX300,an SRX400, and my currentand only bass ans SRX690 and they have all been above average and most of them very different from each other. The ATK500(an older ATK with a flamed Koa top, great build quality) was a very cool bass that sounded awesome but was too chunky for me and the battery kept dying( I didn't know at the time to unplug the cable when not playing, obviously my fault not the bass's fault). The ASB140(great build quality) was just a beautiful bass. I put Chromes on it and it sounded great. Not the most comfortable bass in the world. The RD500 was a good bass(good build quality) and I liked the way it looked and it played decent(A little chunky for me) but the sound was kind of boring to my ears. Then I got the SRX300 in a trade(I had always wanted to try one) and the build quality was OK(some rough fret ends, flimsy tuners, typical low end stuff that's no big deal) but it had a sound that I really liked so I decided to get a higher end one. Then I got the SRX400(The single pup model with the pickguard, P bass on roids that has good ergonomics). The build quality was great, the playability was great(of course) and the sound was insanely good(to my ears). I loved this bass! I'd still have it except they discontinued the SRX690s and MF marked them down from almost $700 to $350 so I sold the SRX300 and the SRX400 to get it. I've always liked neckthroughs(probably because of Rickenbacker) and I love SRXs so it seemed like a great opportunity to get a great bass at a great price. I was not dissapointed. The build quality was near perfect, only a slight finish flaw in the clear coat by the fretboard. It sounds awesome but can't quite get the exact same sound as the SRX400 but close enough. It can get a lot of sounds the 400 couldn't so it's cool. I'm sold on Ibanez. I'd like to get a higher end( [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] )one some day but I'm happy with my SRX for now.
 
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#231
I had a feeling everybody missed these so I will repost them.
IMAG0053.jpg

IMAG0058.jpg


These are the best Japan SR's I've ever played. I get get any tone out of them and I don't care what people say about them. Not only that but you can't find these any more. I guess it's just all about timing and knowing what your going for. Back in the day those two basses would have hit me for $3600. I got both for $800 :D

Not to mention that the Ibanez Artcore is a waaaaay underrated hollowbody bass.
Photo0595.jpg
 
#233
I just bought an sr706 based heavily on the tone. The thing literally nails the sound I had been looking for in a sixer. And as a plus it plays wonderfully and looks nice too. I have to admit, the headstock design did bug me a little bit (why can't they just make it that much wider and run the strings straight across the nut to the tuners?), but there hasn't been any issues with it staying it tune, and such an issue is purely cosmetic to me and does not hold much sway over my opinion of the bass. All in all, it's a killer bass for a great price.
 
#234
I recently got a GSR200 for about a hundred bucks pre-owned. It's white and Duff McKagan-like and I customed it with a decal of my original artwork lizard tattoo.

Now, while this is definitely my weakest bass, I constantly use it as a bring-along. I just leave it in my car along with a Vox Amplug Bass, some headphones and an iPod. Waiting times and such become more bearable.

I think it's a decent bass and i wouldn't have any issues gigging with it. I don't think it is a bass worth upgrading though. I think it's happy enough being stock and living in my car.
 

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#235
I felt somewhat the same....I always was a Fender guy. Then a guitar player I was working with yrs. ago brought his sr400 with EMGs to the gig for me to set the action on. I thought it was ugly & kinda cheap looking [Color -Jewel blue] Then I plugged it in & dug it right away -Played fast & comfy,nice punchy tone. So I made him a low bid & he went for it. He had gotten it for his wife cuz she wanted to learn to play & in the closet it sat,until he started using it on his home studio stuff & brought it to me. Its sill my backup ax & even tho I get teased about the color,I love the thing. The only valid reason to hate Ibanez is Fieldy. [& maybe Barts]
 
#236
KingRAW said:
I had a feeling everybody missed these so I will repost them.
IMAG0053.jpg

IMAG0058.jpg


These are the best Japan SR's I've ever played. I get get any tone out of them and I don't care what people say about them. Not only that but you can't find these any more. I guess it's just all about timing and knowing what your going for. Back in the day those two basses would have hit me for $3600. I got both for $800 :D

Not to mention that the Ibanez Artcore is a waaaaay underrated hollowbody bass.
Photo0595.jpg
Click to expand...

Dude - I want that SR on the left. NOBODY in their right mind could laugh at that puppy!!:bassist::cool:
 
#237
TobaccoRipper said:
I tested a lot of Ibbys and in my opinion they are good Basses but not for me.
The Roadsters, the ATK's and the Musicians are my favs but dont' have that special thing I'm looking for when I play Bass. Especially i do't like the SR and GSR. I mean they don't give me that feeling when I pick up my Ripper or my P-Bass. It's not only about how they sound (they got a really good sound) it's just the whole thing.
Click to expand...

I have forgotten about the Ripper - Could you post a pic.??:confused:
 
#238
armybass said:
I grew up in the 70's and 80's and never owned an Ibanez. To me they were toys...not a real bass like a Fender. They were the basses of metal heads and hairbands in my book. But being a gear whore I finally got around to owning a few. And I liked them. The best I ever had was the Verdine White Sig bass. Man what an amazing axe that was. My son plays now and has a great Ibanez 305(?) white five string that is also a great bass. I don't own one now but if the right one came along...I would quickly snap it up. My Ibby snob days are over.
Click to expand...

I just scored TODAY a 1987 Ibanez RB 800 and an SRX2EX2. Last year I had a late 80's RB 800 and it is by far my favorite. I have probably owned 5-6 Ibanez basses since I posted the comments above and I can definitely say my Ibby snobbery is clearly behind me. Count me in as a Ibby fan boy!
 

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