Indonesian made Ibanez basses.

[davesultra]

what information are you looking for that you couldn’t find by doing a search? read through the ibanez thread or the soundgear thread or any of the new bass day ibanez threads.

Perhaps my query was with too specific or not specific enough. I don't really have any experience with Ibanez basses since the early '90s when it seems most were Korean (I believe) made, unless you went with the higher end Japanese models. Also was curious to find opinions on tone due to the more non traditional woods used these days.

 

[Spidey2112]

Never had one, other than what I mentioned, so no comparison...

... I do like the tonal pallette mine offers... way different than anything else I possess...

... plus, I get to say 'jatoba' and 'bubinga', when others ask about what the neck is made of.

 

[aproud1]

Perhaps my query was with too specific or not specific enough. I don't really have any experience with Ibanez basses since the early '90s when it seems most were Korean (I believe) made, unless you went with the higher end Japanese models. Also was curious to find opinions on tone due to the more non traditional woods used these days.

I think Ibanez has the formula down for sound regardless of wood combinations. All controls set to neutral will vary but, thanks to the onboard EQ(on the premium models) , a full range of sounds are available. You can usually find one hanging on the wall at Samash or GC to give you an idea.

The build quality of the newest Indonesian made Ibanez basses are on par with modern Fender FWIW. I might give the edge to Ibanez but Fender has the Fender name plus it's made in California with foreign parts and labor.

If a particular model tickles your fancy I say go for it.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I recently bought my first Ibanez, an Indonesian 1405 (2012?). Very well made and I like the narrower string spacing and down-sized body shape. I wouldn't mind having a mid-tier model as a second.

Riis

 

[beaglesandbass]

Generaly speaking, how’s their quality? They sure have some nice looking SR series basses available, and they seem to use a lot of non-traditional tone woods. I looked a few pages back, and did a search, but didn’t see a ton of info. Anyone with experience with these care to enlighten me?

I have the SR2605 and it is a top notch instrument. Craftsmanship is beautiful. I’d put it above MIA Fenders and others. More versatile too.

 

[Alex Masters]

My SRMS805 is a beautiful looking instrument and seems very well finished and assembled. The only slight flaw is some dust in the lacquer around the barrel jack cutout. The pickup balancer got a bit noisy, so I replaced that myself

It plays wonderfully, and the neck profile and fretwork is the best I've tried. It really is a lovely instrument - beautiful to look at, great sounding and excellent build. All for £750.

Regards,
Alex

 

[nonohmic]

what information are you looking for that you couldn’t find by doing a search? read through the ibanez thread or the soundgear thread or any of the new bass day ibanez threads.

There's always one.

This is a valid thread imo. It's not easy getting insight into the various modes of production for Ibanez, esp as its changes over the years. Hell even their website doesn't make it easy to find out where things are made.

 

[Valsmere]

I know someone mentioned it as well LakLand I also tried one at a Guitar Center and was impressed quality and feel was right up there with the US models

 

[Selios]

Overall, the Indonesian made instruments I have seen are as good, and sometimes better, than US made.

I agree. I have 2 Indonesian Ibanez basses; an ATK300 and a Premium series ATK805e. Both are my main instrument for the 2 different groups that I use them with. I suppose I would say that their build quality is slightly better than my USA Fender Precision (which is REALLY good in itself, but I'd give the Ibanezes a slight edge), and I consider them "great" instruments. One area where I actually think they are much better than my US Fender is their neck stability throughout the drastic Canadian seasonal changes.

 

[edencab]

my Indonesian SUB Series 4 is well built and sounds amazing

 

[Killed_by_Death]

i've never had one fail yet.

I've owned a few (at least three) where the machine-heads slip.
The worm gear in there isn't held in place properly & it slides over in the chassis. When this happens it binds up really tight & will barely turn.
This happened even on a limited edition H.R. Giger SRX.

Maybe using smaller diameter strings helps, because the more tension on the machine-head, the more likely this is to happen.

 

[FerK]

In my opinion, as everyone else said, EXCELLENT. I owned an SR1200 VNF (natural finish) and it was gorgeous.

 

[bassstrangler]

Hard to believe you couldn't find much information about them here. I can remember at least 1,000 threads.

Play one, they have pretty good quality. I ordered on without playing one and I really didn't like it. But, it was well made.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Generaly speaking, how’s their quality? They sure have some nice looking SR series basses available, and they seem to use a lot of non-traditional tone woods. I looked a few pages back, and did a search, but didn’t see a ton of info. Anyone with experience with these care to enlighten me?

Just got a Mikro SS Beautiful build quality.

 

[deste]

I owned an SRX355: nothing to say, well built, everything ok, just average electronics but did his job.

 

[hypercarrots]

Perhaps my query was with too specific or not specific enough. I don't really have any experience with Ibanez basses since the early '90s when it seems most were Korean (I believe) made, unless you went with the higher end Japanese models. Also was curious to find opinions on tone due to the more non traditional woods used these days.

generally speaking, i would say comparing the current indonesian products to the 90s korean
products, you’ll find more consistency in quality with the indonesian made ibanez than korean. but there are some really good 90s-00s korean models.

the 80s-90s japanese ibanez are even more consistent and higher general quality than indonesian or korean. the curent prestige models are very good as well.

currently all prestige models are made in japan. all premium models and most standard are made in indonesia. some gio are made in china.

 

[hypercarrots]

There's always one.

This is a valid thread imo. It's not easy getting insight into the various modes of production for Ibanez, esp as its changes over the years. Hell even their website doesn't make it easy to find out where things are made.

i can answer any ibanez question if it’s specific enough. if not, i will refer someone to the endless threads of existing information available here. the great thing about doing your own search for answers is you’ll not only find the answer to your question, but answers to questions you didn't know you had. this is a concept the younger instant gratification generation (and older lazy people) do not understand.

 

[equill]

I've owned half a dozen basses and guitars made in Indonesia, mostly Ibanez, and the quality's been fine on all of them. I buy the instruments that fit my needs and preferences, and when a question like this prompts me to look at the "made in..." sticker, the next word is almost always "Indonesia."

 

[pie_man_25]

I honestly don't think you can go too wrong with any Ibanez, but that's just me.

 

[Cutter8]

MIJ Ibanez are Prestige. I know it’s confusing.

My bad. The MIJ I had was a Prestige (with the abalone badge inlay and serial number on the front of the headstock), not a Premium. I frequently mix them up, probably just because they both start with a “P”.