It's not for sale. I was gonna sell it due to a financial emergency. I closed the ad. The bass is better than many basses 2x the price. I am keeping it. I love it.
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New Ibanez Mode series
- Thread starter Naviiin
- Start date
I've been there. So glad you got it settled and can continue to enjoy the bass!!
I returned mine but it was a good instrument. Well built except for the D tuner that came crooked, I managed to straighten it but it did bother me. Other than that it sounded great and played great too.
Ibanez has always had a variety of body shapes...
Hi,I have a quick question regarding the MDM 1305 model. I recently bought one and noticed that it’s quite light — around 3.7 kg. In several reviews, including Basstheworld, the 4‑string version is listed at about 4.5 kg. I understand that ash can vary from piece to piece, but I didn’t expect such a large difference.
I’m also wondering whether this weight variation affects the tone or overall sound quality. Some people say that “more wood means better tone,” but I’m not sure how true that is. Would a 4.5 kg MDM 1305 sound noticeably different from the same model that’s almost 1 kg lighter? Or should I simply be happy that mine is on the lighter side?
I’m also wondering whether this weight variation affects the tone or overall sound quality. Some people say that “more wood means better tone,” but I’m not sure how true that is. Would a 4.5 kg MDM 1305 sound noticeably different from the same model that’s almost 1 kg lighter? Or should I simply be happy that mine is on the lighter side?
Having played heavy basses for years (Fenders and Musicman/EBs), I switched to way lighter Ibanez basses with no loss of tone. Weight does not equal tone. (I wish I hadn't bought into that old weight=tone mentality as a teen, my back wouldn't be so messed up after 40 years of playing.) IME, what makes a bigger difference, in no particular order, are strings, electronics, and the relationship between the body and neck woods. Ibanez seems to do a better job matching parts to make sure the instrument sounds good.
At the end of the day, play the bass and decide if it sounds good to you. Nothing else matters.
Be happy that you got a lighter one. Just means yours came from a different part of the tree. Doesn't affect tone, though being super light can slightly increase resonance. Not going to matter though between two basses that are same model, same woods.
Quoting myself/update…
Returned the 1606…wasn’t thrilled with the blotchy inconsistent (gloss, semi, and matte) finish on the top wood on mine. Trussrod was pretty tight, but did turn…though I needed to use my Sadowsky tool, which worked far better.
Thought I’d try again with a 1006, and more than pleased with this Pearl White finish! I was expecting a true “matte” PW finish (like Dingwall SP1’s) but surprisingly it’s a more durable gloss-type finish…just gorgeous! (DW SP1’s matte PW has recently been upgraded to what I’d guess looks more like my 1006 finish…)
Again, the truss rod was tight, but turns with my Sadowsky tool. Lowered the action, and raised the pickups to make the bass more lively—no concerns now; entire fb is even, zero dead spots or fret buzz…really plays great!
I can’t emphasize enough:… bass seemed very “eh” anemic out of the box. Raising b-o-t-h pickup’s far more than usual (like, abandoned my typical pickup<>string clearances), really elevated the liveliness, without any adverse effect; imo, it’s now a really nice jazz bass (and great value in this price range!)
Bass arrived flawless from SW. Fb edges are consistently smooth, but not rolled softly like many boutique models. The neck feels nice, but a little thicker than some 6’s I’ve owned. One more thing…I do find the Luminlay side dots slightly harder to see under normal lighting, as the neck roasting is very dark on mine.
Will definitely prioritize playing it, and hope we “bond”… : )
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Just ordered a 1006. Hoping to get a good example. All these comments about too many knobs is hard for me to relate to. I usually end up playing my basses passive 98% of the time anyway and more important to me is the passive tone control option that many basses with a preamp seem to disregard.
What made me pull the trigger was that I think the 6 string has a nicer, more balanced look than the 4-5 string versions that gives it more of a classical jazz bass look and the fact that it rather wide string spacing.
I’ll se how it ends up. If I don’t like it the first couple of days due to fretwork/trussrod issues or pickups I’ll just return it. Fingers crossed.
What made me pull the trigger was that I think the 6 string has a nicer, more balanced look than the 4-5 string versions that gives it more of a classical jazz bass look and the fact that it rather wide string spacing.
I’ll se how it ends up. If I don’t like it the first couple of days due to fretwork/trussrod issues or pickups I’ll just return it. Fingers crossed.
I noticed that as well when I auditioned a 1605 at a Guitar Center near me about 4 months ago. As I've experienced some difficulty on dim stages, I was excited about the Luminlay dots until I saw how dark they appeared in a normal lighting situation. I ended up not purchasing that instrument.
I am still enjoying my mdm1606. The Mods are the tone enhancement I prefer but, it was always a solid bass in every way. I actually bought a second 6 string that cost 2x as much and returned it because the feel and tone wasn't as good as my Ibby.
The frets on mine are top notch and the quality is solid all around. The tight truss rod is the common issue but not really a big deal. It sounds great passive. Ibanez did a great job with those hum cancelling J pickups.
Do you have an idea of how different the version with the fancier burly top (1606) sounds? It seems to me they should sound very similar since everything except the top is the same… and I like the clean white look
I didn't compare. I ordered mine online. I imagine the tone is basically the same. A top could change the tone a bit because of the wood and glue up. These have the bridge sunk into the top so the bridge is anchored to the Alder on both. I had the bridge off on mine when I routed the pickup cavities and saw the bridge routing goes into the alder.Do you have an idea of how different the version with the fancier burly top (1606) sounds? It seems to me they should sound very similar since everything except the top is the same… and I like the clean white look
Final Modification on my Ibanez MDM1606.
I added a pickguard from an mdm1006. Perfect fit! Routed the soapbar shape and it is installed. I have always loved the look of a clear guard on a natural finished top.
I added a pickguard from an mdm1006. Perfect fit! Routed the soapbar shape and it is installed. I have always loved the look of a clear guard on a natural finished top.
Simple question. Do the Mode series drain battery as soon as input jack is used or only when preamp is engaged?
Also I got my MDM 1005 today. Very good impression right out of the box. Will see in a couple of days where it lands but it feels and looks to be a quality product in many ways.
And I got a black ramp with mine even though I thought this was only on the 1605/1606 models with the fancier top. Nice option though.
Also I got my MDM 1005 today. Very good impression right out of the box. Will see in a couple of days where it lands but it feels and looks to be a quality product in many ways.
And I got a black ramp with mine even though I thought this was only on the 1605/1606 models with the fancier top. Nice option though.
Inserting a plug into the jack shorts the battery negative to ground and turns on the preamp. Putting it in passive mode does not turn off the preamp. The bass will work in passive mode without a battery.
Ok, thanks.
I usually play in passive mode 95% of the time and will probably do so on the MDM too. That means I'll have to remember to unplug it everytime I take a break.
I usually play in passive mode 95% of the time and will probably do so on the MDM too. That means I'll have to remember to unplug it everytime I take a break.
