New Ibanez Mode series

[pwilson]

I have an MDM1600 incoming. I got a good deal on a new one at geartree.com (to whom I otherwise have no connection) - you just have to ask them. It arrives next week.

...and I'm returning it.

Out of the box a couple of the knobs and switches were loose, the neck wood was so roasted (to a dark brown) that it felt (to me) a little odd, and the finish on the body was uneven. This bass really didn't really move me. It played and sounded fine but nothing exceptional. I haven't bought a new bass in many years, and I think I'll stick to buying used in the future.

 

[Gopherbassist]

...and I'm returning it.

Out of the box a couple of the knobs and switches were loose, the neck wood was so roasted (to a dark brown) that it felt (to me) a little odd, and the finish on the body was uneven. This bass really didn't really move me. It played and sounded fine but nothing exceptional. I haven't bought a new bass in many years, and I think I'll stick to buying used in the future.

Unfortunate you didn't like it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Any chance you took any pictures?

 

[pwilson]

Unfortunate you didn't like it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Any chance you took any pictures?

I did not take pictures, sorry

 

[Jon Draffan]

...and I'm returning it.

Out of the box a couple of the knobs and switches were loose, the neck wood was so roasted (to a dark brown) that it felt (to me) a little odd, and the finish on the body was uneven. This bass really didn't really move me. It played and sounded fine but nothing exceptional. I haven't bought a new bass in many years, and I think I'll stick to buying used in the future.

This one of the reasons I was so glad to get a used one from Empire Music. I talked on the phone to the guy who brought it in the store, and that was something sold on their Reverb Page. It seems like that shop is (right now at least) how Sweetwater was when they first started…?

Anyway, sorry you had a bad experience with your new 1600

 

[LoungeLizard]

I ended up returning mine. It was still very comfortable, and I loved the sound, but there were a few hardware issues that kept popping up seemingly randomly the more I played it. I would not have been comfortable gigging with it without a backup.
Shortly after I posted my thoughts in this thread, the pick ups started sounding like there was chorus effect. No height adjustments made a difference. They deemed it defective, and exchanged it for another. That one was fine until the low B produced this metal-like grinding sound, and the truss rod was completely frozen. Brought it back, and they said it needed a new neck. That was pretty much it for me.

 

[scubaduba]

The necks with dead spots and truss rod issues is a real problem.

 

[BassicJazzy]

The necks with dead spots and truss rod issues is a real problem.

Peter Principle says we all ascend to our point of incompetence. I hope this isn't happening to Ibanez. They have put out a lot of really great basses and excellent variety, and always been innovating. Gotta have some lemons to make lemonade?

 

[tekhna]

Too bad there’s no multi scale option. I’d buy the hell out of one.

 

[Bassplayer1586]

Just remember this: Anything that is mass produced WILL have some flaws/lemons……just look at the 6.2 L87 engine from GM

 

[BassicJazzy]

Just remember this: Anything that is mass produced WILL have some flaws/lemons……just look at the 6.2 L87 engine from GM

Yes, look no further than the Ford Pinto? Too late, it just exploded.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Low blows boys.

 

[FatOwlBass]

Mode bass Mod! I believe the Mode bass is great. Preamp and pickups are some of the best from Ibanez and the quality is great. But....I have been wanting to try these new EMG E6W pickups.
Routed the J pickup holes into soapbar shape, installed EMG E6W set, added a Taurus TM2 full set. The Taurus Is volume, blend, treble, mid, bass, presence and punch switches.
Holy crap! It sounds even better.
I took a chance and it paid. This bass is a frickn monster!
Here are some pics:

 

[Gopherbassist]

Mode bass Mod! I believe the Mode bass is great. Preamp and pickups are some of the best from Ibanez and the quality is great. But....I have been wanting to try these new EMG E6W pickups.
Routed the J pickup holes into soapbar shape, installed EMG E6W set, added a Taurus TM2 full set. The Taurus Is volume, blend, treble, mid, bass, presence and punch switches.
Holy crap! It sounds even better.
I took a chance and it paid. This bass is a frickn monster!
Here are some pics:
View attachment 7499515View attachment 7499516View attachment 7499517View attachment 7499518View attachment 7499519

With the returns we've seen recently, I'm curioua how you're liking it. And build or fit/finish issues?

 

[FatOwlBass]

With the returns we've seen recently, I'm curioua how you're liking it. And build or fit/finish issues?

No issues. Low action. No dead spots. Stays in tune very well. Fret work is great. The truss rod was tight but works. I got a good one.
I would not have done the mods unless I was confident in the quality. I am sure there will be a few bad ones out there but this one is a keeper.

 

[FatOwlBass]

I remember when the Ibanez EHB headless basses came out. They had a few bad batches. But they have proven to be mostly good basses.

 

[Jon Draffan]

With the returns we've seen recently, I'm curioua how you're liking it. And build or fit/finish issues?

I received a MDM1605 yesterday and spent time doing all the 'personal setup' well into the night. Felt great, adjustments were easy (though the truss rod needed some force... it's no Sire Truss). When I got up this morning plugged it into my Rumble 40.... sounded like garbage. All of the crazy EQ setting only equaled different versions of squawk. Tried it in passive... absolutely no knob adjustments could would sound good. I tried everything, different strings, battery etc... My only guess is that the rumble is too weak, and speaker too small, to support the what is coming out of that bass.

Between shipping and restocking fees, this little trial is costing a couple hundred bucks, booo !

 

[trout fishing]

Anyone ended up liking theirs? There’s one locally I plan to try, but you know… crappy setup into a crappy amp next to some crappy kid attempting to play the intro to Enter Sandman into a cranked Marshall.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I received a MDM1605 yesterday and spent time doing all the 'personal setup' well into the night. Felt great, adjustments were easy (though the truss rod needed some force... it's no Sire Truss). When I got up this morning plugged it into my Rumble 40.... sounded like garbage. All of the crazy EQ setting only equaled different versions of squawk. Tried it in passive... absolutely no knob adjustments could would sound good. I tried everything, different strings, battery etc... My only guess is that the rumble is too weak, and speaker too small, to support the what is coming out of that bass.

Between shipping and restocking fees, this little trial is costing a couple hundred bucks, booo !

Very disappointing. I can't get anything usable out of my preamp on my Premium SR1350B, I just play it in passive (sounds good like that), have only heard good things about the pre's on the Prestige series, was hopeful that they had put a good pre on the Modes.

I hope it's just your amp, but the Rumble40 should be capable of making a decent sound, at moderate volume.

 

[emjazz]

Mode bass Mod! I believe the Mode bass is great. Preamp and pickups are some of the best from Ibanez and the quality is great. But....I have been wanting to try these new EMG E6W pickups.
Routed the J pickup holes into soapbar shape, installed EMG E6W set, added a Taurus TM2 full set. The Taurus Is volume, blend, treble, mid, bass, presence and punch switches.
Holy crap! It sounds even better.
I took a chance and it paid. This bass is a frickn monster!
Here are some pics:
View attachment 7499515View attachment 7499516View attachment 7499517View attachment 7499518View attachment 7499519

Great pickup mod…I wish these basses came with soapbars. I see you’re selling this. Didn’t like it in the end?

 

[Metal Sombreros]

I always support a pointy company taking a stab at a classic design