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New Ibanez Talman Basses!

#205
Maxdusty said:
Are you planning on keeping both? Just wondering if the TMB30 other than being a short scale and passive sounds different enough to warrant buying one ? I have a TMB100, but the 30 seems to be calling my name.
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Yeah, I might keep both. Not sure I can do a full scale full time, tho. It was so pretty and I like my TMB30 so much and they are so inexpensive, I had to try them out.

I ordered a TMB300 and a TMB100 just to see how they each stacked up to the TMB30. The 100 I got must have been a floor model or a return. It was JACKED. The knob on the plate has a huge chunk missing, there are black marks on the neck, and the battery was almost dead. Also the battery lid thingy won't screw down on one side. I pulled it out and then almost immediately wrapped it all back up for return. The mint color is a nice creamy Surf Green. So if anyone was wondering if it was too bright based on pictures, don't worry. Its a beautiful classic creamy Surf Green.

I did play the 100 for a few minutes and the neck feels just like the 30 only longer. But the 30 and 100 are essentially the same bass, just 4 inches divide them. I'm assuming the preamps are the same on the 100 and 300. If so, then the 30 will be a pleasant surprise for you. The 30 sounds big and full and not as modern as the 300 with the preamp. The 300 has a lot more tones, but the tones that the 30 has are really, really good.

So back to your question, I could totally see having both. The TMB300 has really different tones from the TMB30. I'd say if you have the 100 and 300 they would be sort of redundant with the preamp. But the passive short scale TMB30 with the matte neck feels and sounds pretty different from the regular scale TMB300 with a preamp and bucker and glossy neck.

One last thing, the TMB30 is the same overall quality as the 100 and 300. Meaning, there is not a huge step up from one to the other like you might see in a Squier v. Fender or whatever. The TMB30 has the same fit and finish as the TMB300, which is really good, even great considering how inexpensive these units are.

Hope that helps.
 
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#206
Herbie Chesnutt said:
Yeah, I might keep both. Not sure I can do a full scale full time, tho. It was so pretty and I like my TMB30 so much and they are so inexpensive, I had to try them out.

I ordered a TMB300 and a TMB100 just to see how they each stacked up to the TMB30. The 100 I got must have been a floor model or a return. It was JACKED. The knob on the plate has a huge chunk missing, there are black marks on the neck, and the battery was almost dead. Also the battery lid thingy won't screw down on one side. I pulled it out and then almost immediately wrapped it all back up for return. The mint color is a nice creamy Surf Green. So if anyone was wondering if it was too bright based on pictures, don't worry. Its a beautiful classic creamy Surf Green.

I did play the 100 for a few minutes and the neck feels just like the 30 only longer. But the 30 and 100 are essentially the same bass, just 4 inches divide them. I'm assuming the preamps are the same on the 100 and 300. If so, then the 30 will be a pleasant surprise for you. The 30 sounds big and full and not as modern as the 300 with the preamp. The 300 has a lot more tones, but the tones that the 30 has are really, really good.

So back to your question, I could totally see having both. The TMB300 has really different tones from the TMB30. I'd say if you have the 100 and 300 they would be sort of redundant with the preamp. But the passive short scale TMB30 with the matte neck feels and sounds pretty different from the regular scale TMB300 with a preamp and bucker and glossy neck.

One last thing, the TMB30 is the same overall quality as the 100 and 300. Meaning, there is not a huge step up from one to the other like you might see in a Squier v. Fender or whatever. The TMB30 has the same fit and finish as the TMB300, which is really good, even great considering how inexpensive these units are.

Hope that helps.
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That's a great help. Thank you! My TMB100 was a scratch and dent special I bought last year, it had a gouge just above the J pickup. For $80 less, I wasn't going to complain (but I did put a sticker over it lol). You've answered my main question being if you had already have a 100, or a 300 in your case, if the 30 without a preamp would be somewhat of a redundancy in terms of tonal abilities but it sounds like there are enough differences to make it a good addition. Other than the fact that it's passive and a shortscale of course. Glad to know the quality is a constant.
I will keep the TMB30 on the very top of my list of basses to get next, now I just have to convince the wife. Thanks for your feedback, it's very helpful.
 
#211
Dradder said:
I kinda wish the whole Talman line came with the black pickguard rather than the tort. The black pickguard on the TMB30 sells it for me. That and I like the black knobs better than the chrome.
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Spraying the pickguard is always an option. There's some specialty spray paints that are quite durable and will bond to most anything.
 
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