New Ibanez Mode series

[Ricky Rioli]

I like the tidy pricing structure — add a string, add $100, go a step up with the wood, add $100

1000 — $1200
1005 — $1300
1006 — $1400

1300 — $1300
1305 — $1400

1600 — $1400
1605 — $1500
1606 — $1600

(Not having a 1306, less tidy)

 

[Yahboy]

Didn't have Ibanez doing their take on a Jazz Bass on my list for 2026, but here we are. Some specs seem nice, like the stainless steel frets, use of duralumin in the tuners for weight relief and the option to go 6 string. I even like the pickguard on the cheaper models too.

I think they're supposed to come out tomorrow, only AMS has them up for now.

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This natural burst 4 string Sadow-nez or iba-sky look quite nice.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Looks cool. A little pricey.

 

[Arjank]

Interesting new basses. I only think Ibanez always makes some strange choices when it comes to finishes.

Also think the many knobs make it overly complicated and make it look over the top for a jazz bass.
But curious how the Mode models will sound and if they are single coil hum free.

From what I've read, these single coils are hum canceling.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

From what I've read, these single coils are hum canceling.

When they write "aggressive yet balanced single-coil tone .... while eliminating noise, thanks to their hum-canceling design" they aren't claiming that these are single-coil pickups, but rather that they replicate the tone of single-coil pickups.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

I wonder how much the MIJ one will be.

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What and where is this one?

 

[Symphony2040]

From the demos that I’ve heard, these sound really great! I like that they all have 24 frets as well, and aren’t attempting to be overly traditional.

The 6 string one is super interesting, but I wasn’t really sold on the white. Now, the MDM1606? Definitely has my attention. I think it’s also really cool that these have a detachable ramp, not something that you see from other brands in this price range.

 

[LordHar]

 

[Yahboy]

Is it the Delta pickup has adjustable pole pieces like Dimarzio Model J ?

 

[Hennob12]

You always need a new jazz bass. Just this time its from the best bass makers

 

[Les Fret]

I think it’s also really cool that these have a detachable ramp, not something that you see from other brands in this price range.


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I agree the ramp is a nice bonus. Would be really nice if the ramp was radiused, which makes ramps much more effective. But you can't have it all.

Really curious about the demos. I have seen a few but they didn't sound particullary like a jazz bass to me, but the demos that I saw were not really great and didn't show all pickups. If you want the tradional jazz bass sound you can better look for a Fender in my opinion. But this one has nice features like 24 frets, so that's the appeal of this model. For me it has too many knobs. You don't really need all those options for mid frequencies and a master tone control, especially not on a jazz bass. But everyone's own.

 

[WarmToneWank]

After the lawsuit era Ibanez apparently decided to entirely change things up and haven't made a Jazz or Precision-shaped bass since the late '70s. Even the Talmans are more "in the spirit of" rather than resembling any specific Fender design.

Nobody's going to mistake these for Fender product but it's still worth remarking that it took them 45 years to make something this recognizable.

Japanese brand not making a jazz bass is pretty radical

 

[Arjank]

When they write "aggressive yet balanced single-coil tone .... while eliminating noise, thanks to their hum-canceling design" they aren't claiming that these are single-coil pickups, but rather that they replicate the tone of single-coil pickups.

These are probably stacked coils, that's why they cancel hum but retain the clarity of regular single coils.

 

[pingvuiini]

No lefties. Bastids!!

 

[antfarm]

 

[scottycameron]

Here's Nate demo'ing.

I find his demos useless, he makes everything sounds great.

 

[makanudo]

I see these and immediately think about the Cort modern 5 and Cort made Elrick NJS5 basses having a baby.

I'd bet money they are made in the same line or at least the same building as those two.

 

[Arjank]

Here's Nate demo'ing.

I find his demos useless, he makes everything sounds great.

That's kinda true about Nate's demos, he makes every bass sounds great.
That said, the 5-string sounds excellent in his hands. The thumb 'n pop tone is damn solid!

 

[primussucks9126]

All these demos are glorified ads, but I'm really liking what I'm hearing.

I'll probably wait for sweetwater to get em so I can pick one with good weight/grain.

The 1305 is calling me. It reminds me of the Electra Phoenix basses.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

I vote for Cort being the maker factory.