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Lakland or Ibanez?

#101
I would go for the Ibanez Srff805, myself. I like the p bass by Lakland. But they are just too heavy for me anymore. Ibanez basses (for the most part) remain light weight. Plus, I don't care for the wide string spacing... but that's personal preference.
 
#108
wintremute said:
I know, right? These guys are SHREDDING on these basses, putting numetal back on the map!


Why did you leave out the 4 guys that Ibanez looks at so highly they were put before them? That Fieldy signature bass looks so sweet.


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#109
GregC,
They did, and the brand new Talman 600 that has a Nordy PJ set. Don't forget the SR65x and SR75X are PJs as well. PJ Nordstrands with a preamp and a passive tone control. That is a little outside the box for most bass manufacturers.

Love my 650! And I also loved my Lakland DJ5. Wish I still had it.

Bob
 
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#110
bordinco90 said:
Its going to be a tough choice! I like the looks of the SR1805 better, but the Lakland looks great as well. I will have to say I do prefer a more traditional bass sound (all the basses that I have owned and I have just a P-bass). There is something about the Lakland though, I can't put my finger on it, but it just looks like a more professional bass compared to the Ibby.
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I get that, and actually used to feel the same way, then I realized that (at least for me) the "more professional" look is because it's bulkier and more "classic" looking; the Ibanezs are smaller, with narrower string spacing, and that can make them look more like "toy" basses (it also means they are generally lighter weight). Also, I think people are used to associating their design language with low-cost instruments. All that being said, from the way you described the tone you like, I would go Lakland.
 
#111
bordinco90 said:
Its going to be a tough choice! I like the looks of the SR1805 better, but the Lakland looks great as well. I will have to say I do prefer a more traditional bass sound (all the basses that I have owned and I have just a P-bass). There is something about the Lakland though, I can't put my finger on it, but it just looks like a more professional bass compared to the Ibby.
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You may just not like "coffee-table" basses. The Lakland doesn't really sound traditional either. I mean, they are both very versatile (probably the Lakland more so) and can get some thump and warmth, but both sound quite modern. The Ibanez actually arguably is more traditional since it uses single coils, albeit huge ones. The B on both will probably be fine, my Lakland 55-60 had a pretty weak B, my 34' scale G&L has a very, very powerful one, almost as good as a Peavey Cirrus. If you are concerned about the string-spacing and scale length on the Ibanez, a BTB1605 has 35 scale, neck-thru, wider string spacing, but the same pickups/electronics.

The Ibanez will always have to cope with single-coil hum though, unless you replace the pups.
 
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#112
Lakland, all day, every day.

The 55-02 can cop tones from modern to vintage, the neck is comfortable and Plek'd to perfection, they are totally reliable and if it doesn't work out they have proven resale value. The Ibby is a fine bass but it's more of a niche instrument. Like many people, I hate a too-skinny neck. Nordstrand makes good pickups but that's about the only thing in the Ibanez' favor. The chorus of people here shouting 'Lakland!' should tell you something.
 
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#114
matt holt said:
I get that, and actually used to feel the same way, then I realized that (at least for me) the "more professional" look is because it's bulkier and more "classic" looking; the Ibanezs are smaller, with narrower string spacing, and that can make them look more like "toy" basses (it also means they are generally lighter weight). Also, I think people are used to associating their design language with low-cost instruments. All that being said, from the way you described the tone you like, I would go Lakland.
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I agree with the "toy" bass statement, yeah i'm just going to have to do some thinking about it and see. My heart says "go with the ibby", but the Lakland just looks like a more solid bass.
 
#116
Oldschool94 said:
You may just not like "coffee-table" basses. The Lakland doesn't really sound traditional either. I mean, they are both very versatile (probably the Lakland more so) and can get some thump and warmth, but both sound quite modern. The Ibanez actually arguably is more traditional since it uses single coils, albeit huge ones. The B on both will probably be fine, my Lakland 55-60 had a pretty weak B, my 34' scale G&L has a very, very powerful one, almost as good as a Peavey Cirrus. If you are concerned about the string-spacing and scale length on the Ibanez, a BTB1605 has 35 scale, neck-thru, wider string spacing, but the same pickups/electronics.

The Ibanez will always have to cope with single-coil hum though, unless you replace the pups.
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I thought about the BTB1605, but I had a BTB675 and did not like it.
 
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#118
I'm just a dumb ol' musician, but I can say this: After 43 years of non-stop music-playing, much of it with electric basses, I own and have owned some pretty decent instruments (check my profile). I'm kind of a gear-snob in many ways, but I don't recall ever paying more than $1,500 for an electric bass when I acquired it, but I sold a few for considerably more by the time I cut them loose. I've kept just what I really like.

All that said, a couple-years-old Ibanez SR1806e is my current main player, EB wise, for a variety of reasons: I like the feel, the tone, the versatility of tone, the durability, (and the replaceability, honestly speaking)... The folks I play with like what I'm getting out of it too, and that's a big part of the equation.

"Looks" don't go far with me when picking instrument preferences. Nobody cares what they look like, IME.

I just like what I like. OP should try them out, and follow his heart, IMHO.

FWIW
 
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#119
My first fiver was an Ibanez SRT805DX. Build quality was up there with anything. It had kind of a Spector thing going on, neck thru and curved body. Was a really good bass. Ultimately I got rid of it because I really did not like the narrow string spacing. 16.5 was just too tight for me. Wasn't wild about the electronics either, varimid 3and Emg 35dc's if I remember correctly. Just really unremarkable to me tonewise.

I now have a Lakland 55-02D that I love. Again, the build quality is high on it. I prefer the wider string spacing at 19mm and the 35" scale neck. I also really like the pups and preamp too.

I think that you need to decide if you have a preference in the string spacing and scale length.
And the other thing is that, historically, the Lakland 55-02's hold their money better than the
ibanez offerings.

My .02.
 
#120
I would say to try both, and go with what you like. That said, I can't imagine picking the Ibby over the Lakland. Also, my completely unscientific hunch is that a Lakland will retain a higher resale value.
 

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