Although I don't have as much experience as most of you probably, for me it comes down to this. Ibanez makes a good, fairly inexpensive bass with high quality, playability, and few issues. I like Ibanez's, I have no problem with them, but I've never really found one that I could love. They make good, generic, workhorse basses. what they don't do is make something special. ive never been blown away by an ibanez, but never have been really disappointed in one either. I've played Fenders, Yamahas, etc. that I felt were exceptional, and would be very happy about owning. not ibanez;s though. I cant really ever see me going "wow, i really really want (insert ibby here)," ya know?
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Ibanez stigma... is it just me?
- Thread starter rojo412
- Start date
A lot of people do, though. I love them because I have little girl hands. Yes, I can play my RBX A2 and its a great bass. But the SR4 neck is almost like having a shortscale.
Also the "twiggy" part is in your head. Most of the SR are 5 or 3 piece necks which I've never had any reason to believe would be any more susceptible to warping, breaking, or twisting. The 5-piece Wenge/Bubinga neck on my EDB550 is beautiful. I actually have more problem with the neck on my Jaguar. Its much more affected by climate/weather/string/guage changes. When I first got it, I considered it might just be a lemon neck. Turns out it just needed to be way more carefully tweaked.
I think everyone though just has a different "feel" that they want and everyone's hands are different. An interesting contrast is I friggin love the neck on my Lace Helix and its a bit fat D shape. But I don't like other big fat necks, just that one. Something subtle about the shape, thickness, and fretboard radius that just comes together for me.
Ibanez has 3 other variants of the SR now and they all have a different neck than the actual SR series. I recently had an SRT on a short visit and was suprised to feel how much thicker the neck is. Its actually the thickest SR. I didn't hate the neck, the think I didn't like about the SRT are the knobs and the American EMG pickups. The highs sound compressed, like a low quality MP3.
Again I think it just comes down to what you personally are wanting. The quality of Ibanez basses at any given pricepoint is not any worse than anyone else and is probably many times a little better. Tons of people talk about the wide variance in Fenders and how there are Production Squires now that are making people second guess the pricetag on a Fender.
For some people its just the aesthetics. I'm bored to tears with fender's color options (maybe options isn't the right word..) and their extremely safe aesthetics and designs. Yeah, they've got a heritage to uphold. But they could definitely afford to do a couple of experimental models. Instead, everyone else is doing what they aren't. I've got a maybe six pound Yamaha here with a body made out of various layers of mystery wood (the RBX4 A2) that was very affordable even before the blowouts, and the sound has plenty of low end and a lot of punch. I also can't believe the fretwork. I think the LED lights are cool >_> I've got an Ibanez with 5-piece wenge bubinga neck and an ash body with a rich walnut color stain that is just gorgeous. Yeah its not very tough, but hey...
Some people just don't like the shape of the SR. Ibanez does have other basses, you know. Yeah, they may not come in super pimped models but with all of the pickup and bridge swapping that goes on around here in fender derived designs, I think its acceptable that some of their alternative models come in the middle road and may need new pots or a different Pre-amp to REALLY satisfy a player looking for high-end.
You can't tell me though that Ibanez doesn't have some beautiful basses. The white Jet King with three single coils. The blue flamed top ATK with a light colored maple board. The SR700, either color. the brown looks more like blood red and its a rad looking thing. The new SR370M with a little gutsier looking take on a sunburst with a maple board that complements it really well. I don't even like sunbursts and I want it. several oil stain finishes. A variety of woods available throughought the line. You can get Ibanez basses with Mahogany, Zebrawood, Koa, Ash, Maple, Wenge, Bubinga, Jatoba. I've never strapped up an Ibanez in the current models offered that didn't balance near perfect. We're talking with the head going up, not even level. There is plenty to like.
I think what hurts them the most are the non standard routes. Should I buy a beatiful bass that I don't like the sound of, getting new pickups becomes expensive because I'm gonna need new routes. But I like this color option or whatever, so I can't just buy a different model with pickups that I might like better.
*for those that don't like the string spacing on the SR. I believe the SRX has a wider spacing. And the pickups are more of a normal shape so if you don't like them, replacing should be fairly easy. The neck is even a little thicker.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
This.
As a teenage musician in the late 70s and early 80s, Ibanez was the bass you got because you couldn't afford a Fender or a Ric. You could play them, but you always wanted "a real bass". That's how I got my Ibanez stigma.
Fast forward a quarter century, I was in the market for my first 5er. My teacher, who is superb and knows his stuff, had me try his Prestige. It felt good and I opened my mind up to owning one.
I found a very nice BTB455 with Barts for $300, so I bought it. I absolutely could not believe how well made and great sounding that bass was (once I got rid of those nasty Elixer strings). Quality from logo to jack.
Unfortunately, the neck proved too thin for my big mitts, and I returned to my comfy Fenders, adding an Audere for my dabble into active basses. I've heard that ATKs may be more my style, so I've got my eyes open for a good deal on one.
Bottom line: Like 'em or hate 'em, you have to admit that Ibanez has come a long way since they started.
Thin necks aren't limited to Ibanez's, though they definitely have a rep for that! The typical 4 string Fender or Squier Jazz neck, to me as a 5 string player, feels like holding onto a broom handle at the headstock. But the front to back of an Ibby is super slim.
i love my ibby ... '03 sr300dx (4 knobs) ...
it was a cheese slicer / aarow chucker when i got it, but the right set of strings a 1/4 turn to the right, and it plays effortlessly. it's comfortable - and that is rare for a fat guy that wears his bass fairly high. no fender rib dig ...
it was a cheese slicer / aarow chucker when i got it, but the right set of strings a 1/4 turn to the right, and it plays effortlessly. it's comfortable - and that is rare for a fat guy that wears his bass fairly high. no fender rib dig ...
There is a stigma to the pencil necked Sound Gear Basses --I used to own one. The ATK's do look pretty good but I have to tell you the Ibanez Roadstar II guitar I have from 1985 made at the Gen Gakki factory is freaking amazing. Many instruments made at this factory rock.
I just assumed nu-metal players loved the Ibanez nowadays. The Ibanez basses I've played that have come out over the last ten years do have a cheap feel but those thin necks are fun to play. There is something enticing about a cheap bass trying to be luxurious. lol
I just assumed nu-metal players loved the Ibanez nowadays. The Ibanez basses I've played that have come out over the last ten years do have a cheap feel but those thin necks are fun to play. There is something enticing about a cheap bass trying to be luxurious. lol
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
That's the dimension that I was referring to, as opposed to width at the nut. My hand just cramps up when there isn't enough wood there.
I never consider what other may say about Ibanez... and I was a GC employee for 2 weeks! The only stigma it has is that the necks on a fair amount of their basses are like pencils and other say for the amount of wood, the weight, and the size of the neck and bodies it has it needs a good pre-amp to get a good tone, which I find might have merit for tonal reasons. I have had many and sold them all and swore never to buy again only to put down for a old used Roadstar II which I found for $200 at a GC w/ original case.
With that said, I have always felt that they are easy players when it comes to the SR series and the classic line of the early 80's. Dead thin neck and superb neck construction. Weather it was the 2 ATKs (an older 5 and a new 4), the 2 SRXs (SRX500 and and SRX4EX1...amazing little bass), an old 2x2 headstock Roadstar P bass, and the used Roadstar II with big fat pickups I put a down on, I have always had more than normal use for them and they never disappointed me. They just resell well so I could afford a Spector or Fender when I needed one. I think I just like to change basses out of boredom. GAS is in affect.
With that said, I have always felt that they are easy players when it comes to the SR series and the classic line of the early 80's. Dead thin neck and superb neck construction. Weather it was the 2 ATKs (an older 5 and a new 4), the 2 SRXs (SRX500 and and SRX4EX1...amazing little bass), an old 2x2 headstock Roadstar P bass, and the used Roadstar II with big fat pickups I put a down on, I have always had more than normal use for them and they never disappointed me. They just resell well so I could afford a Spector or Fender when I needed one. I think I just like to change basses out of boredom. GAS is in affect.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
The best B string I ever had was an Ibanez 305DX ... But I did't like the rest of the bass.
The sr 405 and 505 are good basses.
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The sr 405 and 505 are good basses.
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Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
Oh, I agree & my aversion to smaller necks doesn't stop with the SRs. It's one of the reasons I don't play my Reverend much anymore or care to pick up Jazz basses when I go to the shop... Switching from my Yamaha BB or my T40 to a smaller neck feels weird. The ATKs and JTKs have chunky necks though.
I think Ibanez, above and beyond all the other big guitar manufacturers, have had a consistent history of innovation with more variation (in terms of body shape and design) than any other company.
I really wish the people complaining about the basses being 'too easy to play, too lightweight and too slim' would give it a rest as they usually want big heavy Fender basses and are deeply suspicious of anything that deviates from that template.
If I had to criticize Ibanez I would say that their electronics are unremarkable and a little stale and perhaps that has let them down over the years.
I really wish the people complaining about the basses being 'too easy to play, too lightweight and too slim' would give it a rest as they usually want big heavy Fender basses and are deeply suspicious of anything that deviates from that template.
If I had to criticize Ibanez I would say that their electronics are unremarkable and a little stale and perhaps that has let them down over the years.
I have mixed feelings about Ibanez. I tried one at a music shop and later bought one like it at a better price on ebay. I hate it. It will not give me a sound I like, which is somewhat upsetting because it feels so good to play. I later got another one with dual split coils. I was looking for a body withthat pickup configuration to use in "building" a bass. It sounded so great without anything but minor tweaking that it has become my favorite bass.
The one reason that I sold my Ibanez basses was because I could get the tone I wanted at the time, at least from the SR800. I liked the tone better on the EDC700, but again it wasnt what I was looking for. When I was in a metal band, they fit well, but when I started playing more straight ahead rock they didnt have the tone I wanted. I later found that tone in a Fender Jazz.
I can understand the misgivings though when someone whos played a Fender for years, or a bass with Fender neck dimensions, tries an Ibanez. Ive been playing Jazz basses consistently since 2001, and recently set up a friends Soundgear bass only to find that the slim neck that I once loved was totally uncomfortable.
I dont think people are deeply suspicious of anything other then a Fender or Fender style basses, its just a matter of preference. I prefer the Fender now, though I used Ibanez basses for about a decade.
After owning a GWB-35 (fretless) for a couple of years and gigging with it:
pros:
The tone, fingerboard, neck and body are comfy and all cozy - like.
cons:
The weak pickup output and the narrow guitar-like string spacing are annoying and almost enough to overshadow the 'pros' stated above.
bottom line:
My band members and audience thought it sounded great in my hands so "stigma" or no stigma, it works for me..... & is a nice contrast to the fretted Pedulla sitting on the stand next to it
pros:
The tone, fingerboard, neck and body are comfy and all cozy - like.
cons:
The weak pickup output and the narrow guitar-like string spacing are annoying and almost enough to overshadow the 'pros' stated above.
bottom line:
My band members and audience thought it sounded great in my hands so "stigma" or no stigma, it works for me..... & is a nice contrast to the fretted Pedulla sitting on the stand next to it
For me, it's entirely a cosmetic thing... I just don't like the look of em.
I liked the look of the new ATK's (never played an original) but found the sound wasn't doing it for me. Also, the neck was too thick.
The Jet Kings look cool, but don't do it for me soundwise.
I dunno... I'd love to like Ibanez because they're priced well for what you're getting in many cases... but it just isn't to be.
I liked the look of the new ATK's (never played an original) but found the sound wasn't doing it for me. Also, the neck was too thick.
The Jet Kings look cool, but don't do it for me soundwise.
I dunno... I'd love to like Ibanez because they're priced well for what you're getting in many cases... but it just isn't to be.
I have tremendous respect for Ibanez as a company, but I haven't liked the two I've owned, so Ibanez never crosses my mind when I think about getting a new bass. As good as they are for their intended purposes, they just aren't for me.
My first instrument was an Ibanez: a mahogany, set-neck, dual humbucker Studio guitar I got new in 1981. As soon as I played other guitars, especially Strats, I developed a fairly strong dislike for this axe, and yet I kept it until 2007! But this was a taste issue, not quality; it was built like a tank, with construction and finish much better than the typical early 2000's MIA Fender. And it stayed in tune, so other guitarists in a couple of my bands used it on stage instead of their cheapies.
Next was the first bass I bought after returning to playing in 2002: an SRX500. It played beautifully, but I soon learned the modern "low boom/high click" tone simply did not work for me. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I've gravitated more toward old-school, passive basses, so other than the wonderful Artcores, I would never consider any current Ibanez.
My first instrument was an Ibanez: a mahogany, set-neck, dual humbucker Studio guitar I got new in 1981. As soon as I played other guitars, especially Strats, I developed a fairly strong dislike for this axe, and yet I kept it until 2007! But this was a taste issue, not quality; it was built like a tank, with construction and finish much better than the typical early 2000's MIA Fender. And it stayed in tune, so other guitarists in a couple of my bands used it on stage instead of their cheapies.
Next was the first bass I bought after returning to playing in 2002: an SRX500. It played beautifully, but I soon learned the modern "low boom/high click" tone simply did not work for me. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I've gravitated more toward old-school, passive basses, so other than the wonderful Artcores, I would never consider any current Ibanez.
