NBD - Ibanez Talman TMB100 - honest, impartial first impressions :)

[Maxdusty]

ArrrrghhhhH!!!!! And no lefties!

I hate my handedness sometimes. I've tried, or how I've tried to be like the majority. It won't work. My brain tells my fingers, "I'm sorry nerkoids, I'm afraid I can't do that"

Open the POD BAY DOORS, HAL!!!

Sigh. I wonder if the folks at Ibanez would take pity on us and at least give us a black model?

Incidentally, are these Indonesian made?

Actually I'm a leftie, but play right handed because when I first started many years ago, I couldn't get my hands on a left handed bass and just sort of stuck with it - so I can understand. However, I imagine a left handed version will come out in time- they're having problems keeping up with demand right now as they're not even hitting the shelves in a number of stores. Ibanez isn't that cruel to lefties. (or are they?) lol
To answer your question, yes- Indonesian made.

 

[xrockstrongox]

@Maxdusty What does your serial number start with? I know this line is new but mine has an I14 (not sure if they do it like Fender) Anyway the reason I ask is after looking at ALL the QC issues people have been having, I went over mine LOOKING for flaws. Neck pocket is tight, tuners don't rattle, action is great, neck straight...just seeing if I got maybe an early batch? Who knows, bottom line is: yay for us!

 

[nerkoids]

So Cort makes these. Good. Same DNA than my Squier VM Jazz.

 

[Maxdusty]

@Maxdusty What does your serial number start with? I know this line is new but mine has an I14 (not sure if they do it like Fender) Anyway the reason I ask is after looking at ALL the QC issues people have been having, I went over mine LOOKING for flaws. Neck pocket is tight, tuners don't rattle, action is great, neck straight...just seeing if I got maybe an early batch? Who knows, bottom line is: yay for us!

Yes, mine starts with I14 - Ibanez serial numbers are [factory identifier] followed by the year -
in this case = Indonesia + 2014
In fact, I can give you the exact day it was manufactured and QC'd - Dec 9 2014 -I still have the inspection tag with the production and set up date on it. Looks like Beni did the Spec. and Final put together. T10 did the set up and S-3 did the Electronics. Can't quite read the QC Inspection signature, looks like "Jim"?

I know there's a lot of good ones out amongst the lemons as they're sold out of a few color options everywhere online and the brick and mortar stores that do get them, sell them pretty quickly.
I don't have any problems with mine other than that one tuner that had a little rattle- I've fixed that and the lack of adequate setup in terms of optimal string height and a little truss rod tweak. The fret ends were adequately filed, all screws tightened in place, nothing loose, and the neck pocket a perfect fit. Also tested the truss rod, room for adjustment, not stripped. Went through the bass with a finetooth comb as perhaps I had some paranoia based on the feedback of quality issues and I have it under warranty for 45 days. I haven't found anything else at all so all seems good.

Perhaps the lemons came when they were rushing production to meet the quota just before the March release date, so the later ones made in Feb were probably even more rushed through production. I don't know if the new Ibanez SR650 and SR750 with the Nordstrands are made in Korea or Indonesia, but I imagine the Ibanez factories were all running at a hectic pace in preparation for the announcement and release of the new models at NAMM.
They also seem to send the shipments every month to the States- before the 15th of each month is when stores receive them. Musicians Friend is supposed to receive more stock of the Mint Green color on May 15th, and the new colors - Soda Blue, White around June 15.

Edit: looks like Mint Green has been pushed to 7/8/15 and the other new color options removed from the selection at MF- just updated today.

 

[Maxdusty]

Here's a pic of the various current colors for the TMB100 - as the stock photos used in the ads don't really give you an idea of the colors in real light-especially the Ivory and mint green. (the ivory in the ads look flesh color!). Trying to compile one for the TMB300 - the green and the soda blue look very different. Much better in real life with metallic flecks.

 

[ERIC31]

Great reviews and feedback guys. Im very interested in getting one of these. Ive got a Gotoh 201 bass bridge in my bass box just waiting to replace that stock bridge. I like the vintage, surf band look of this bass as well.

Visually speaking, i would like some other options with the pickguard but i can always order one from pickgaurdian in whatever finish i want...

 

[nerkoids]

Okay, the black one in lefty... I would be happy if it were the only one. Or the Ivory. Actually, all of them except the red one is giving me GAS pains...

 

[nerkoids]

Just a theory, but I think Ibanez built these babies so that they can be a viable modding platform. Would be great if they offer replacement pickguards too...

One could replace the tuners with Wilkinsons. I think they have the same footprint.

 

[Maxdusty]

Just a theory, but I think Ibanez built these babies so that they can be a viable modding platform. Would be great if they offer replacement pickguards too...

One could replace the tuners with Wilkinsons. I think they have the same footprint.

Exactly....I've already got something like this in mind being that the TMB100 was slighted in terms of the block inlays available only on the TMB300. Would probably compliment the Ivory color of the bass nicely.
Also, yes, the black TMB100 actually looks pretty good!

 

[Maxdusty]

Okay, the black one in lefty... I would be happy if it were the only one. Or the Ivory. Actually, all of them except the red one is giving me GAS pains...

lol!!!!
Nerkoids, just for you I just sent an email to customer support to see if a Leftie is in the cards for these models. If I hear back from them and have some confirmation, I'll let you know. Worth a shot asking.

 

[xrockstrongox]

Yes, mine starts with I14 - Ibanez serial numbers are [factory identifier] followed by the year -
in this case = Indonesia + 2014
In fact, I can give you the exact day it was manufactured and QC'd - Dec 9 2014 -I still have the inspection tag with the production and set up date on it. Looks like Beni did the Spec. and Final put together. T10 did the set up and S-3 did the Electronics. Can't quite read the QC Inspection signature, looks like "Jim"?

Edit: looks like Mint Green has been pushed to 7/8/15 and the other new color options removed from the selection at MF- just updated today.

Mine has a date of Dec 24 2014. So they were clearly made before any sort of deadline crunch. Interesting. Although mine has no signature for the QC Inspection
FWIW S-3 Spec, T-10 Setup, Rifan Final

GC still has all the colors available.

 

[nerkoids]

lol!!!!
Nerkoids, just for you I just sent an email to customer support to see if a Leftie is in the cards for these models. If I hear back from them and have some confirmation, I'll let you know. Worth a shot asking.

You're the best

 

[ERIC31]

I wonder how long until there is a TMB Club here on TalkBass....lol

 

[Maxdusty]

GC still has all the colors available.

These are the new colors for the TMB100 (what? already more color options?):
Soda Blue, White and Candy Apple (there's also a trans.red option already in current production). There doesn't seem to be additional TMB300 colors added.
According to GC, these are currently available, but I think when you purchase it, only then do they give info on the date to expect it. Could be wrong, if I am...cool! MF gives you the bad news from the beginning if something's backordered.

 

[Dradder]

the ivory in the ads look flesh color!

More like "flesh color" Band-Aids.

 

[Dradder]

Perhaps the lemons came when they were rushing production to meet the quota just before the March release date, so the later ones made in Feb were probably even more rushed through production.

I very much suspect you're correct about that, but boy, companies don't do themselves any favors when they pull something like this. As the old saying goes, "You only have one chance to make a first impression." It would've been smarter for Ibanez to bite the bullet and delay shipment rather than have to overcome a new launch getting a rep for being a shoddy product.

 

[Maxdusty]

I very much suspect you're correct about that, but boy, companies don't do themselves any favors when they pull something like this. As the old saying goes, "You only have one chance to make a first impression." It would've been smarter for Ibanez to bite the bullet and delay shipment rather than have to overcome a new launch getting a rep for being a shoddy product.

I fully agree. First impressions of a new product line are so important in the business, Ibanez has a pretty good reputation in the music business but seeing that picture on one of the customer reviews with the control panel unfastened like that was just shocking. Seems like it was rather hastily slapped together, the box closed, sealed and sent off- neglecting the fact that the control panel wasn't yet secured! These factory workers aren't new to the business, Ibanez has been making instruments in Indonesia for quite a while now, but it certainly smells of an accelerated production schedule that compromised quality.
It might be prudent to wait for the newer batches to hit the market or if you should take the risk on one of the existing stock currently in stores, just make sure there's an easy return policy. Again, I believe the majority are good, but the few that shouldn't have left the manufacturing floor have soured the reputation somewhat.
Would I buy another one now if I had the need to (or available funds) given my experience with one and the negative experience some have had? Absolutely, but again, I would do so only from a reputable store with a return policy.

 

[Dradder]

The fact that some of the color variations seem to be pushed back from their original release dates might indicate that Ibanez is belatedly aware of the issue and is trying to clean up its hand. I agree that most of these new Talman basses probably don't have QC issues, but it's also an axiom in the business world that unhappy customers are way more vocal than satisfied ones. Not in the market yet for another bass, but I'm certainly keeping these on the list, thanks largely to the info you've provided about them, Maxdusty.

 

[nerkoids]

These are the new colors for the TMB100 (what? already more color options?):
Soda Blue, White and Candy Apple (there's also a trans.red option already in current production). There doesn't seem to be additional TMB300 colors added.
According to GC, these are currently available, but I think when you purchase it, only then do they give info on the date to expect it. Could be wrong, if I am...cool! MF gives you the bad news from the beginning if something's backordered.
View attachment 598670

Okay, that soda blue works for me.

And TORTIE TORTIE TORTIE!!!!

 

[Maxdusty]

The fact that some of the color variations seem to be pushed back from their original release dates might indicate that Ibanez is belatedly aware of the issue and is trying to clean up its hand. I agree that most of these new Talman basses probably don't have QC issues, but it's also an axiom in the business world that unhappy customers are way more vocal than satisfied ones. Not in the market yet for another bass, but I'm certainly keeping these on the list, thanks largely to the info you've provided about them, Maxdusty.

Very well said Dradder. You nailed it. Having worked in the office of an industrial manufacturing company (my city/state of residence provides a more specific hint as to what industry), I can very much attest to how fatigue factors in when given an unrealistic production schedule. You hit a certain tipping point when you far exceed the resources and capabilities available and quality starts it's downward spiral. I would also imagine that much of the qc focus was given to the more expensive line of new basses so resources were spread thin, I don't know. Given the reputation of Ibanez, I'm sure they're well aware of the complaints and are addressing them , the sealed boxes are open, the basses in the hands of the customers, now you assess the feedback. Those unhappy customers are the ones you listen to and take seriously- the expectation of a good product goes without saying, kudos are great and all but it's those bad experiences that good manufacturers pay attention to and improve upon.
They do have a great product here that has great potential to tap into quite a large and varied market of bass players. I'm actually considering the TMB300 as a possible near future purchase, but also want to give Sire basses a shot.