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NBD Ibanez AGB 205

R

RED J

Lol
Jan 23, 2000
3,831
4,173
#1
Want to share my findings on this unusual beast in case anyone was intrigued by it.
Hollow body, 30.3" scale, 5 string, I stumbled across it while looking for a decent affordable hollow body. It was everything I was looking for in one instrument.
The official video on YouTube looked and sounded promising.
I found a thread on TB where someone got it and sent it right back. There was an issue of evenness across the strings just like they described. I was let down. I have learned, though to give basses I am not thrilled with a chance and get to know them on their own terms. I'm glad I did.
It took me a while to twiddle around with EQ to find the basic sound I was looking for, thick and fat but with good definition. I did after a lot of experimentation. I found it is really sensitive to pick up height adjustment. Lower seems to be better.
Yes, the B string...it is a short scale so it is not going to be what a long or extra long scale is, but it is pretty decent, and surprisingly good when I discovered : Best results come on the middle pickup setting, and raising the bridge pickup quite high on the B side really brings out the punch and clarity, and, technique and plucking position is key. It's really pretty natural when it becomes second nature.
I don't want to give the impression it is all work. It is a breeze to play, excellent tone, and when you get to know it, you learn how to bring out it's best. It challenges your skills as a player. It rewards your efforts. If you have thought about a short scale fiver and like hollow bodies, give it a shot.Very affordable well thought out and constructed offering from Ibanez. :D
 
#3
ibby5_zps07c99213.jpg


Stock photo, It's beautiful. It came with D'addario nickel wounds, that's it so far. B is huge, .145. I knew because it is such a well made and thought out design it just needed some tweeking and and time to get to know it.
 
#4
RED J said:
Want to share my findings on this unusual beast in case anyone was intrigued by it.
Hollow body, 30.3" scale, 5 string, I stumbled across it while looking for a decent affordable hollow body. It was everything I was looking for in one instrument.
The official video on YouTube looked and sounded promising.
I found a thread on TB where someone got it and sent it right back. There was an issue of evenness across the strings just like they described. I was let down. I have learned, though to give basses I am not thrilled with a chance and get to know them on their own terms. I'm glad I did.
It took me a while to twiddle around with EQ to find the basic sound I was looking for, thick and fat but with good definition. I did after a lot of experimentation. I found it is really sensitive to pick up height adjustment. Lower seems to be better.
Yes, the B string...it is a short scale so it is not going to be what a long or extra long scale is, but it is pretty decent, and surprisingly good when I discovered : Best results come on the middle pickup setting, and raising the bridge pickup quite high on the B side really brings out the punch and clarity, and, technique and plucking position is key. It's really pretty natural when it becomes second nature.
I don't want to give the impression it is all work. It is a breeze to play, excellent tone, and when you get to know it, you learn how to bring out it's best. It challenges your skills as a player. It rewards your efforts. If you have thought about a short scale fiver and like hollow bodies, give it a shot.Very affordable well thought out and constructed offering from Ibanez. :D
Click to expand...

LOL, I just read and posted on the same thread you're talking about and I was also let down by it, but as I said on my post, the bass was already ordered and here in Mexico it's a pain in the ass to try to return things when u buy online.

Anyhoo, now that I read your post, I feel more confident about my purchase since there's also a positive opinion about the bass.

I'm planning on string it E-C btw, to use it for chords and soloing mainly. U think this is doable whiteout a visit to the luthier? Also, u think it'd be easier to find and install replacement pickups if needed? Bartolinis or EMGs?

Cheers!
 
#6
There is a Bart that would fit with minor routing. I forget the model, but the dimensions are +- 1 1/2 x 4 and would require basically squaring out the slot where the pickup adjustment bracket and screw go. I will in time go with them.
Having had the bass a while now, The pickups really are the weak point. The bass is so outstanding otherwise, and perfect for me ergonomically, I made the call to keep it. The pickups are a unique size, basically the same size as a P-90 guitar pickup. There is no drop in replacement to be found. A 4 string blade Jazz neck pickup will fit in because of the narrow width and the cuts in the rout for the adjusters on the originals. 250 K pots helped too.
Surrounds can be made from a J bass pickguard to fit the original outside dimension and screw holes to be reversible. but would have a "slabby" look like a Rick neck pickup surround, could be worse.
You can install it and adjust it without blemishing the bass because the screws are down in the pickup rout. When I did this it made a world of difference in the evenness balance and punch of the tone. The B string stays even in any pickup setting. I am going to go with the Barts when I save up some coin for them.
This may seem like a lot of work but for me, the bass is just so well made and such a good fit otherwise I decided to experiment, and the J pickup experiment was totally reversible. I just showed me what I had hoped, that the pickups, not the instrument were lacking.
I have read of pickup issues on other Ibanez hollow bodies. It's a shame they can't bring the electronics up to par or at least use a standard sized pickup so they can be easily changed.
 
#7
RED J said:
There is a Bart that would fit with minor routing. I forget the model, but the dimensions are +- 1 1/2 x 4 and would require basically squaring out the slot where the pickup adjustment bracket and screw go. I will in time go with them.
Having had the bass a while now, The pickups really are the weak point. The bass is so outstanding otherwise, and perfect for me ergonomically, I made the call to keep it. The pickups are a unique size, basically the same size as a P-90 guitar pickup. There is no drop in replacement to be found. A 4 string blade Jazz neck pickup will fit in because of the narrow width and the cuts in the rout for the adjusters on the originals. 250 K pots helped too.
Surrounds can be made from a J bass pickguard to fit the original outside dimension and screw holes to be reversible. but would have a "slabby" look like a Rick neck pickup surround, could be worse.
You can install it and adjust it without blemishing the bass because the screws are down in the pickup rout. When I did this it made a world of difference in the evenness balance and punch of the tone. The B string stays even in any pickup setting. I am going to go with the Barts when I save up some coin for them.
This may seem like a lot of work but for me, the bass is just so well made and such a good fit otherwise I decided to experiment, and the J pickup experiment was totally reversible. I just showed me what I had hoped, that the pickups, not the instrument were lacking.
I have read of pickup issues on other Ibanez hollow bodies. It's a shame they can't bring the electronics up to par or at least use a standard sized pickup so they can be easily changed.
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, I'm sure there might be a good reason for that. Maybe marketing, who knows. Anyway, thanks for the heads up man, I'm gonna give the original ones a try for some gigs and I'll go from there, but I'm going to start saving for the Barts ur talking about. So, where's the control plate/cavity on this thing? How you do the soldering to change the pickups?
 
#8
RED J said:
There is a Bart that would fit with minor routing. I forget the model, but the dimensions are +- 1 1/2 x 4 and would require basically squaring out the slot where the pickup adjustment bracket and screw go. I will in time go with them.
Click to expand...

That's basically an EMG 40 shape, so you can install several different types of EMG's with that housing or four different types of barts. I'm talking to my local technician right now! :bassist:
 
#9
Invalid Link Removed

Go over to their site and look around under bass soapbars. There are actually quite a few options you might go with depending on what width you want. I so far lean toward the M4 because it will look the cleanest and fill up the original route space, just having to chisel out the corners with a really sharp chisel.
They do have double and single coil width, The 1 1/2 width is pretty critical in my view because that's the width of the long side of the route if I went with a wide version. I wont rule out a single coil width with a surround, but I have always liked the sound of the wide aperture soapbars.
I was able to fish out the pots through the F hole, and put protective covering over the bass and re-soldered new quality 250 k's to replace the dime size 500's. I'm pretty sure I'm going to replace the toggle with a blend pot. I don't really care for toggles on a bass.
I have a good bit of background in wiring and set up, so none of this intimidates me. YMMV as they say. It's really a try as you go approach. My experience with hollow bodies is that the tone is very influenced by the body itself. You will see improvements, but they tend to have a very middy "barky" character.
 
#10
[QUOTE="mexibass, post: 15699246, member: 213941"

I'm planning on string it E-C btw, to use it for chords and soloing mainly. U think this is doable whiteout a visit to the luthier? Also, u think it'd be easier to find and install replacement pickups if needed? Bartolinis or EMGs?Cheers![/QUOTE]

did you do this? I want to try the same thing
 
#11
Nice. There's a similar model with a wooden archtop jazz bridge I was GASing for - I wonder if they make one like that in a fretless 5 (corresponding to this). Hmmmm...
Edit: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Nope, it'd be an AFB-205 if there was one, but there ain't. Just as well, I suppose. If there was, I'd probably be ordering one and trying to rework an archtop jazz piezo bridge to fit the base. Hmmm, getting devious, maybe I could start with the AGB-205 and replace the bridge. Devious. :)
 
Last edited:
#12
johnp352 said:
[QUOTE="mexibass, post: 15699246, member: 213941"

I'm planning on string it E-C btw, to use it for chords and soloing mainly. U think this is doable whiteout a visit to the luthier? Also, u think it'd be easier to find and install replacement pickups if needed? Bartolinis or EMGs?Cheers!
Click to expand...

did you do this? I want to try the same thing[/QUOTE]

I did, it sounded right, the action wasn't affected if that's what you're worrying about, but I decided to sold it since I never goT used to the short scale thing and the string space. Also, I felt it was really uncomfortable to play with it standing up, which is a total drag in my book!
 
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#13
mexibass said:
did you do this? I want to try the same thing
Click to expand...

I did, it sounded right, the action wasn't affected if that's what you're worrying about, but I decided to sold it since I never goT used to the short scale thing and the string space. Also, I felt it was really uncomfortable to play with it standing up, which is a total drag in my book![/QUOTE]
mexibass said:
did you do this? I want to try the same thing
Click to expand...

I did, it sounded right, the action wasn't affected if that's what you're worrying about, but I decided to sold it since I never goT used to the short scale thing and the string space. Also, I felt it was really uncomfortable to play with it standing up, which is a total drag in my book![/QUOTE]

Interesting about the tight string spacing..I am going to have to play this one first..I have a rick turner 30" 5 with a high C..(it used to be a tenor tuned a/d/g/c/f)..and really like it for chords and walking bass etc..but I need a spare, one to take out on the road/airplanes..this is about the only thing that's available that is anywhere near what I have..unless I rob a bank and get a veillette minotaur. Did you find that after you changed the tuning:

1) the string slots in the bridge were to big? I was thinking you could just move everything down, that is the saddle for the E would now be on the bottom..then maybe get a new saddle for the high C.

2) No new nut?

3) Did you sense the smaller string diameters gave you more room, spacing wise?

thanks for any clues.
 
#14
Interesting about the tight string spacing..I am going to have to play this one first..I have a rick turner 30" 5 with a high C..(it used to be a tenor tuned a/d/g/c/f)..and really like it for chords and walking bass etc..but I need a spare, one to take out on the road/airplanes..this is about the only thing that's available that is anywhere near what I have..unless I rob a bank and get a veillette minotaur. Did you find that after you changed the tuning:

1) the string slots in the bridge were to big? I was thinking you could just move everything down, that is the saddle for the E would now be on the bottom..then maybe get a new saddle for the high C.

2) No new nut?

3) Did you sense the smaller string diameters gave you more room, spacing wise?

thanks for any clues.[/QUOTE]

Hi John!

This is the second bass I string E-C without doing any modifications at all, a Pedulla Rapture and this Ibanez Artcore, with optimal results! The string slots in the bridge of the Ibanez weren't too big for the new string set. And even though the slots in the nut were a little wide, it didn't affect the intonation nor caused any buzz while playing. Everything sounded fine! Now, I do so because there's no skilled luthiers nearby (I live on an island, literally), so my advice to you would be: if u have a good luthier/technician around, give him the bass once you have it and ask him if u need to do anything to the bass to get better results.

What really bothered me was basically the shape of the body and the scale (this was my first short scale), but I think could have lived with those. The string spacing on the other hand... I mean, c'mon! 15 mm is way too tight for my taste. I wish I could've tried it before buying but then again, I live on an island, LOL.

Anyway, it sounds really good. It's kinda heavy for a semi-hollow, but the re-stringing process for me was a success. Hope this helps bro!
 
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#15
mexibass said:
Interesting about the tight string spacing..I am going to have to play this one first..I have a rick turner 30" 5 with a high C..(it used to be a tenor tuned a/d/g/c/f)..and really like it for chords and walking bass etc..but I need a spare, one to take out on the road/airplanes..this is about the only thing that's available that is anywhere near what I have..unless I rob a bank and get a veillette minotaur. Did you find that after you changed the tuning:

1) the string slots in the bridge were to big? I was thinking you could just move everything down, that is the saddle for the E would now be on the bottom..then maybe get a new saddle for the high C.

2) No new nut?

3) Did you sense the smaller string diameters gave you more room, spacing wise?

thanks for any clues.
Click to expand...

Hi John!

This is the second bass I string E-C without doing any modifications at all, a Pedulla Rapture and this Ibanez Artcore, with optimal results! The string slots in the bridge of the Ibanez weren't too big for the new string set. And even though the slots in the nut were a little wide, it didn't affect the intonation nor caused any buzz while playing. Everything sounded fine! Now, I do so because there's no skilled luthiers nearby (I live on an island, literally), so my advice to you would be: if u have a good luthier/technician around, give him the bass once you have it and ask him if u need to do anything to the bass to get better results.

What really bothered me was basically the shape of the body and the scale (this was my first short scale), but I think could have lived with those. The string spacing on the other hand... I mean, c'mon! 15 mm is way too tight for my taste. I wish I could've tried it before buying but then again, I live on an island, LOL.

Anyway, it sounds really good. It's kinda heavy for a semi-hollow, but the re-stringing process for me was a success. Hope this helps bro![/QUOTE]

I think 15MM is too tight as well. Ibanez makes some interesting basses, but they always seem to cram the strings together.

I have a good luthier here in Chicago..and a great one in Santa Cruz ;)

I will have to find one of these basses..even though you live on an island (and I have been there, Cozumel is beautiful.. and as Winter closes in on Chicago, I wish I WAS there) when looking to actually play something like this here, it's not so easy to find. either. this is one odd thing about TB..lots of talk up about cool new things, but if you want to do old school and actually PLAY the bass before buying it..not so good.

Anyway, thanks for the great info.
 
#16
johnp352 said:
Hi John!

This is the second bass I string E-C without doing any modifications at all, a Pedulla Rapture and this Ibanez Artcore, with optimal results! The string slots in the bridge of the Ibanez weren't too big for the new string set. And even though the slots in the nut were a little wide, it didn't affect the intonation nor caused any buzz while playing. Everything sounded fine! Now, I do so because there's no skilled luthiers nearby (I live on an island, literally), so my advice to you would be: if u have a good luthier/technician around, give him the bass once you have it and ask him if u need to do anything to the bass to get better results.

What really bothered me was basically the shape of the body and the scale (this was my first short scale), but I think could have lived with those. The string spacing on the other hand... I mean, c'mon! 15 mm is way too tight for my taste. I wish I could've tried it before buying but then again, I live on an island, LOL.

Anyway, it sounds really good. It's kinda heavy for a semi-hollow, but the re-stringing process for me was a success. Hope this helps bro!
Click to expand...

I think 15MM is too tight as well. Ibanez makes some interesting basses, but they always seem to cram the strings together.

I have a good luthier here in Chicago..and a great one in Santa Cruz ;)

I will have to find one of these basses..even though you live on an island (and I have been there, Cozumel is beautiful.. and as Winter closes in on Chicago, I wish I WAS there) when looking to actually play something like this here, it's not so easy to find. either. this is one odd thing about TB..lots of talk up about cool new things, but if you want to do old school and actually PLAY the bass before buying it..not so good.

Anyway, thanks for the great info.[/QUOTE]

My pleasure. If you ever come back to Cozumel drop me a text if you'd like to come and jam with my band! :)
 
#18
mexibass said:
I think 15MM is too tight as well. Ibanez makes some interesting basses, but they always seem to cram the strings together.

I have a good luthier here in Chicago..and a great one in Santa Cruz ;)

I will have to find one of these basses..even though you live on an island (and I have been there, Cozumel is beautiful.. and as Winter closes in on Chicago, I wish I WAS there) when looking to actually play something like this here, it's not so easy to find. either. this is one odd thing about TB..lots of talk up about cool new things, but if you want to do old school and actually PLAY the bass before buying it..not so good.

Anyway, thanks for the great info.
Click to expand...

My pleasure. If you ever come back to Cozumel drop me a text if you'd like to come and jam with my band! :)[/QUOTE]
 

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