• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

ibanez VS Sterling

A

acoustic58

Guest
Mar 18, 2015
82
8
#1
I have been playing electric and acoustic guitar for about 35 years. I am about to jump in on the bass world that would primarily be used for recording. I am basically looking at three inexpensive bass guitars that I feel would work. Like I said, I am not a bass player so I am looking for some input.

The 3 guitars I am looking at are the Sterling Sub4, The Ibanez GSR 200 and the Yamaha TRBX304. All names I have known about forever but my experience with those names connected to a bass guitar is very limited. If anyone has any advice that they would be willing to share, it would be much appreciated.
 
#2
I think those 3 basses are probably all going to be very different from each other in terms of feel (neck size, string spacing, etc), and sound (pickup type, placement, onboard preamps, etc), based on what I know of those brands.

Best thing you could do if you're just getting started is go out and play as many different basses as you can get your hands on and see what feels right.

I know it's a very tired and over-used piece of advice, but you won't actually find a bass that feels comfortable in your hands and that you like playing by reading specs.
 
#5
It all comes down to the tone you want and the feel of the neck. Being a guitarist, I would think the narrow spacing of the Ibanez SR's would probably be the most comfortable. As for Tone, the sterling is going to have a very particular sound, while the Ibanez and Yamaha will have a little more variety. Also, the Yamaha will have a bit more modern tone with the Ibanez being a bit more "aggressive". If you like the stingray tone, then go for the Sterling. Otherwise, decide what you want in a neck width and profile and determine if you want a more modern smooth tone or need something a bit more aggressive and make a choice out of the Ibby or Yamaha.
 
#7
I've had or have all three basses on your list - all decent instruments but not ones I would recommend for recording usage. I would recommend looking at used basses if budget is of a concern. For example, I would look for a good used Soundgear instead of a Gio Soundgear for the Ibanez.
I personally didn't like the sound of the Yamaha TRBX304- there isn't enough bass to it- the Sterling Sub Ray is great but like mentioned, not really the bass I would use for subtle kind of bass playing.
I would look at Jazz or P basses as they usually record very well, you could opt for a Squier CV or VM Jazz or P and it would do very well for most situations. Again, look at used basses and get the most out of your money.
 
#12
For those Ibenez fans, I was hoping that you can offer your advice. If I went with an Ibanez it would be the GSR200, SR 250 or the SR300. I have not played the 250 or 300 yet but I will this weekend. There is a difference of a 150 bucks between the GSR200 and the 300. They basically look the same so is it worth the difference musically or am I just paying for the name?

Thank you
Bob
 
#14
acoustic58 said:
For those Ibenez fans, I was hoping that you can offer your advice. If I went with an Ibanez it would be the GSR200, SR 250 or the SR300. I have not played the 250 or 300 yet but I will this weekend. There is a difference of a 150 bucks between the GSR200 and the 300. They basically look the same so is it worth the difference musically or am I just paying for the name?

Thank you
Bob
Click to expand...
Pretty big difference as the GSR200 is a P/J bass (P bass and Jazz bass pickups) so it will differ considerably with the other two in terms of sound output.
There are substancial differences between basses with soapbar, P, Jazz, P/J pickups, I won't get into it as it would take several pages and you'll also hear many different opinions on them. It would be best to say, try them out and see which sound you're looking for. It's a matter of preference.

There is also generally a difference in quality and build between the Gio basses (the GSR) and the regular line of Ibanez Soundgear basses (SR)-
The differences between the SR250 and the SR300 are a little bit more subtle- the SR300 has better pickups and EQ system. Also, the SR300 has a sleeker slim rounded body.
The SR250 has CAP EXF-N2 pickups, the SR300 has EXF-4 pickups- an upgrade
The SR300 has 3-band Style Sweeper EQ, the SR-250 EQB-IIID 3-band eq.

Hope this helps. For the same price of a new SR300 though, you can pretty much pick up a good used SR500 with Bartolini pickups and EQ. Big difference in sound quality.
 
#15
Thank you so much for your thoughts on the Ibanez. One other guitar I am looking at is the Sterling Sub4. It's about $350. Every on line review was positive and everyone seems to comment of the quality that is in this guitar at this price range. One comment that a GC sales guy said to me today and I have read the same comment a number of times on line regarding this guitar, and that is the Sterling guitars have a unique sound and you either will like it or hate it. The feeling from the GC guy was that I would be limited with this guitar because there is not much to offer when it comes to tone control. Has anyone had any experience with this guitar? I am also going to look at used guitars as well because i completely understand the idea that I can get a much higher quality guitar at a good price. Thanks again.
 
#16
So I have spent endless hours reading reviews and trying out guitars. Every single review I have read talks about how Ibanez is the best transition bass for a guitar player because of the thinner faster neck. I don't have the perfect spider type of fingers that can wrap around anything. Shorter fingers mean a thinner neck. I did play a few that felt like I had my hands around a 2x4. Sounded good but way to awkward.

I did go back to GC and played the 200 but I quickly realized that they have an issue with the frets sticking out past the neck and was very uncomfortable to play. I picked up a few 200's and they all were made the same, which is one of the reasons why it's only 200 bucks. So it will come down to three guitars and I was hoping for some input if anyone has played one of these. It will be either the SR 300 ( $349.00 ) 370
( $400.00 ) or the 400 ( $449.00 ) They all have active pickups.

One thing for sure is that when I buy one, it will be from Sweetwater. I have bought gear from them before and they are amazing to work with. The prices are the same as GC but what Sweetwater offers that GC charges you for is the following. No taxes which is a savings right off the top, a two year warranty that is free which is something that Guitar center will charge you $80 for but what really makes them stand out is that they do a 55 point check on the guitar before it is shipped to you which includes a full neck setup. Considering many guitars out of the box needs a setup, that becomes an additional cost and with Sweetwater, its done for you for free. Most of you probably know about how Sweetwater does business but for those that don't, do not pay more for less from somewhere else.

Any opinions on the above three guitars would be very much appreciated.

Thank you
 
#18
If I were a bass player out there making a living on stage or in the studio, I would own a SR 500 or higher. Considering this guitar would primarily be used for recording, I have a hard time justifying dropping $600.00 on this guitar which is what the 500 goes for. I have been looking around for a high end used one but they are just not available near me and I would never buy a used guitar off Ebay without a warranty or a return policy. It's like anything, sometimes you can get a great deal and other times you are buying someone else's problems. Thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.
 
#19
A used SR500 can be bought for around $300-400. I think you'll be much happier with this than let's say the SR300 or 400. There's quite of a jump in quality to the SR500 as they have the Bartolini pickups and EQ. Not to mention the wenge and bubinga neck. Much, much better!
(Ibanez basses as you've noticed get progressively better the higher the model number)

Now, if you buy a used bass from Guitar Center you get a 30 day return policy with it. So you're covered. No risk. Here's the beauty of the GC used site - you can call any Guitar Center store in the country and have any used bass shipped to you for around $20. I've bought over 30 basses, and shipping never exceeded $25.(we're talking coast to coast pretty much)
You can call the store and also get pictures or a verbal assessment of the condition of the bass before you decide to buy. Again, remember you have that 30 day return policy (which means you can return it to any local Guitar Center store instead of having to ship it back - cool!)

That being said, there are a few SR500s I've seen on their used page for around $300.
For example:-

$328 in excellent condition. So with shipping = less than $350 add your local tax if appl.
Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back