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Ibanez stigma... is it just me?

#21
I don't like the soundgears. They make me think "metal," plus their necks are too skinny. All the same, I'd recommend a nice used one to a novice with limited cash.

I owned a Roadstar II P copy and rocked (and beat) the crap out of it. Loved the 2+2 headstock on a P! Thing was built like a tank but could have used a pup upgrade. Also, it had these "arrowhead" strap buttons that were genius. Passed it on to a noob when I got a real P.

Love the old Musicians.

I used to think BTBs were too pointy but now I'm currently GASing for a BTB575 at my local GC. Spent some quality time with it Saturday and it felt right, especially the neck. But do I need a 5, and how am I gonna get it past the missus?
 
#22
I have a love hate relationship with Ibanez.

I've owned various SRs since their inception in the late 80's and currently own an SR535.

Their overall quality is pretty good. I like the narrower string spacing on the neck but wish the spacing down by the bridge was a bit wider. It makes doing certain things, especially slap/pop more difficult.

The tone is my biggest grievance with Ibanez. There's something about it that I can't quite put into words that turns me off about it. Something with the mids/bass that doesn't quite sit right. Despite the mahogany body, IME/IMO, they are very bright sounding basses that will get a metallic clank type tone the second you dig in. I also do not find them to be very versatile basses. Fortunately, a different preamp like the NTMB or an Audere will solve these issues.

I personally wish there was a 5 string Roadstar. The 4 string model I used to own back in 1991 sounded very good and much better than the SR's out today.
 
#23
So you basically judged the company's entire line based on their entry level models?

I'll put my SR700 against the $2000 Warwicks any day. I'll take my SR every time. Also own an SRX695DX which has been a great 4-to-5 transition bass for me and sounds terrific. Also just picked up an ATK700 from a fellow TB'er and like the feel sound and look better than any EBMM I've played. I'm an openly admitting Ibanez fanboy, and for good reason. I see a 6 string BTB in my future.
 
#24
FWIW, I didn't want to say that the GSR200 was always a bad bass. In fact, it was one of the better, uber-cheap basses of the early 2000's and we sold a ton of them. I picked up a Squier MB4 and was reminded of it and it sounded and played fantastic. I just think the large numbers of them may have frightened me or something.

The stigma is just something that prevents me from giving them a shot. Yes, the new stuff is mostly pretty unattractive to me, but I never buy new basses, so I'm mainly judging the older stuff (mid 90s-mid 2000s).

The BTB series has a lot of good lookers at good prices, but I never liked and never will like Bartolini stuff, so I lump it all together with the pile.

If I can find a Musician or a Roadstar, I will certainly sit down and try to make friends, as those are definitely basses that I've heard nothing but good about.
 
#25
The Ibanez-fanciers around here speak very highly of the 1990-2000 era. I own three of those and must say they're very well made and hold up nicely. I've only had the 2008-vintage instruments for a short while, but am very happy so far.
 
#27
I dunno. In some circles Ibanez has an excellent rep. I guess it depends on who you know.

Most of their basses just aren't very interesting. The large majority have ordinary-looking bodies, and are painted in drab colors. I think most of their basses are designed on the assumption that bassists are terrified somebody might see them. :) Also, the pickup locations don't do it for me. They do have great electronics, but if you don't put those magnets in the right place, it's a moot point.

So, when they made a bass that acutally looks neat and has the pickups somewhere I want, I bought one (ATK). And I love it. The majority of their basses still don't do it for me, because of design decisions, but not because of any lack of quality or stigma.
 
#28
rojo412 said:
Maybe it was our hatred of the dreaded onslaught of GSR200's every holiday weekend "Super massive sellathon anniversary sale of the week" ....
Click to expand...

Hey, I resemble that remark! ;) I played a bunch of inexpensive basses at GC this past Christmas, and decided on the GSR200 as my 1st bass. Served its purpose well enough, but since buying a Lakland Skyline 44-02 (a bass I love, but wouldn't necessarily call "boutique"), the GSR200 now feels like a toy when I pick it up to play.

Did play some 80's-era Roadstars, as well as an upper-end 90's TR (600 Expressionist), that were nice before upping the ante for the 44-02.

I don't question your premise since most of my other hobbies include similar "stigmas". Rightly, or wrongly, a lot of times the decision to purchase (or not purchase) an item is more emotional than rational.
 
#31
Having experience working at GC AND being a bass player, I grew to hate, hate, hate the Ibanez (Eye-banes or I-bon-yay for the fancier types). Those and the Squier Bullets. Showing them that you don't, in fact, tune a Floyd Rose from the headstock without unlocking it. I feel like my hatred is completely unfounded. The guitars AND the basses both had decent action and the frets wouldn't cut into your skin like the Squiers would.
 
#34
I used to use an SR800 for 7 years as my main bass, then an EDC700 for a few years after that. I was happy with both, for the most part. The SR800 was light and fast, but as far as tone goes I preferred the EDC700. Never had any electronics problems with the Ergodyne, nor funky chemical smells. I recall playing the SR800 so much that I had dug a hole in the body with my thumb just above the neck pickup. :bassist:
 
#36
No hate or flaming from me. You like what you like. I happen to like Ibanez and you aren't sold on them. That's the great thing about there being thousands (well, maybe hundreds) of different brands. I always urge people to find a bass they like and then try an Ibanez in the same price range. I've just found that the Ibanezes usually play better than what they cost.

Like what you like, play what you play.
 
#37
If I wanted what was easiest play I'd probably just play with mice elf. I think there are three important factors in choosing a bass. Tone, tone and finally tone. I havent heard enough Ibbys to say I dont like the "Ibby" tone. But I dont like what Ive heard. No, Ill just take a Fender please.
 

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