New Ibanez Talman Basses!

[Herbie Chesnutt]

Somewhat off topic but let me ask you please. I have a MIM Jazz Standard. I assume either mine has the same bridge you're talking about replacing, or not as good a bridge.

I assume the bridge you're referring to is the pure vintage 70's here Bridges & Tailpieces for Bass | Musician's Friend which is more or less the same bridge on our MIM Jazzes? So two part question; what bridge would you upgrade on the MIM and would buying the $50 aftermarket be better than taking the discarded MIM bridge to put on the Talman? Would that be an upgrade from your usage of each?

My opinion is that the stock bridge on any MiM Fender is more than perfectly fine and does not need to be replaced unless it malfunctions at some point. I personally like the Gotoh 201 and usually put those on after a while. I notice increased sustain, but not enough to say that the stock bridge is crap. Its more like I like the way the Gotoh looks, it has slightly better performance and I have the money. I'm not a pro, I'm just a dude that farts around with buddies and plays a party here and there. But look at how many (most) pros use the stock bridge. That should tell you that the stock bridge is perfectly fine on MiM and above.

Now, that is my opinion. I also have a butthole. Soon another butthole will be here to refute every word of my opinion with their opinion. That is fine. In the end, you gotta find what works for you. But if I had one word advice, don't get into the habit of modifying your bass. Instead, spend all that time and energy playing with other people. You'll sound so much better on a stock bass with more practice than on a top of the line bass with no chops.

 

[ThePresident777]

Its weird. I can buy a $600 bass and immediately want to put an aftermarket bridge on it every time. But on these sub $200 basses it feels weird to plunk down $50 on a bridge which is silly since these are the basses that could really use a new bridge and not the MiM Jazz Deluxe.

My feeling is that these bridges are serviceable but that is just a personal thing. My Talman 30 doesn't rattle and it adjusts just fine and doesn't float. But yeah, you'd think that on the more expensive models they'd step up to better hardware all around. I suspect the Nordy's ate up most of their budget.

I'd give up my right Nordy for a real bridge.

 

[ThePresident777]

My understanding is that for a lot of TBers, the attraction of good, inexpensive basses is their usefulness as modding platforms. Buy one for a song, upgrade it with what you want on it, and you still come out ahead -- or at least as long as you don't get completely carried away.

I'd have an easier time seeing it that way if I knew for certain that I can just screw a Babicz onto an Ibanez bass. Babicz bridges are designed as direct replacements for Fender AM STD bridges. I don't know it they'll fit an Ibanez without having to drill new holes.

 

[Dradder]

I'd have an easier time seeing it that way if I knew for certain that I can just screw a Babicz onto an Ibanez bass.

Completely agree. World would be a happier place if all upgrade parts were drop-in replacements. Pretty sure that's never going to happen, though.

 

[Dradder]

But if I had one word advice, don't get into the habit of modifying your bass. Instead, spend all that time and energy playing with other people. You'll sound so much better on a stock bass with more practice than on a top of the line bass with no chops.

I'm sure you're right about that. But I'd gotten the impression that people don't necessarily put upgrade parts on their basses in order to sound better, but sometimes just to show their baby how much they love her -- you know, like buying jewelry for your wife. Which is probably not a bad thing.

 

[cheechi]

Thanks for your opinions about bridges I do appreciate the info.

I have been looking at the Hipshot off and on for the Jazz but never pulled the trigger. You hear a lot of 'you don't know what your missing' comments on the MIM's about the bridge. I never understood why the Jazz and not the P, but maybe that's a different discussion?

Anyway basically from your comparison, the Gotoh is the same style as the standard J bass, so it's just a better execution of that style?

 

[Herbie Chesnutt]

Thanks for your opinions about bridges I do appreciate the info.

I have been looking at the Hipshot off and on for the Jazz but never pulled the trigger. You hear a lot of 'you don't know what your missing' comments on the MIM's about the bridge. I never understood why the Jazz and not the P, but maybe that's a different discussion?

Anyway basically from your comparison, the Gotoh is the same style as the standard J bass, so it's just a better execution of that style?

Yeah, beefier. High mass. The saddles are bigger. Well machined. Just a lot more metal in place and a real smooth piece to dial in. Has grooves on base so saddles won't float. I just really like that bridge and they can be found cheap here on TB if you are patient. I had a Hipshot B style bridge, brass, on my Warmoth build. I thought it was a fine bridge. I especially liked the quick release for changing strings. And it looks dead cool. The saddles sit inside the base like G&L bridges thus locking the saddles in place. Brilliant design, IMO. Never used the A style, though that's the one that gets all the love here. I'm sure its great. I see them in the classifieds here all the time. Pricey, even used.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I'm sure you're right about that. But I'd gotten the impression that people don't necessarily put upgrade parts on their basses in order to sound better, but sometimes just to show their baby how much they love her -- you know, like buying jewelry for your wife. Which is probably not a bad thing.

I absolutely love this analogy. It's perfectly apt and entirely captures the feeling.

 

[cheechi]

Thank you Herbie that helps a lot.

 

[Herbie Chesnutt]

So, just wondering if the TMB30 body is the same size as the TMB100. I'm eyeballing that mint green body pretty hard. I wonder if the short scale neck could bolt onto it.....

Also, I was seriously thinking about returning the TMB30, but I really dig the tone so I'm keeping it. I put a DiMarzio in the bridge of my SS Jag and added chromes. The Talman stock still has better tone. I especially like it with both pups full on. However, I'm having issues getting the action right. It wants to have high action. I can usually do my own setups pretty well, but this one may need to go to a pro.

So my initial assessment was pretty off now that I've had some quality time with it. There is something to be said about these cheap SS basses, they are fun to play. Thinking I'll keep the Talman stock to have as my main player while I get my pain issues worked out. And completely pimp the jag just for fun.

 

[Maxdusty]

Haven't been on here for a long time and to be honest with you, haven't really been to a music store in a while. Content with the basses I have. Now all of sudden, I see all these new Talman basses! I bought a Talman 100 when it first came out last year and just wanted to chime in that the bass is sturdy and solid despite heavy usage. I haven't had to adjust the neck since I bought it (usually with the more inexpensive Ibanez basses, the necks require a tweak every now and then). I've kept it stock and it has been a great workhorse/beater bass. Other than the rattling peg problem I had on purchase (it was one of the early ones rushed into the market I think-) and have since fixed, no problems. So so far so good, they don't fall apart and yes, they're inexpensive but you're getting a better bass way more for your money's worth imo.
It was set up okay out of the box, but I tweaked it to my preference in terms of string height- to the post above, yes, it takes a bit of time to get it just right but it is possible.
Now the TMB30 and TMB600 are catching my eye.....

 

[skeeler]

I wonder if the short scale neck could bolt onto it.....

The bridge looks like it's in a different location.

 

[Eilif]

The bridge looks like it's in a different location.

Yep.
If you don't mind moving the bridge it might be possible, but you almost never have short scale and long scale versions of an instrument that are directly compatible. And that's even before considering the possibility that the neck pockets might be different.

 

[Herbie Chesnutt]

Yep.
If you don't mind moving the bridge it might be possible, but you almost never have short scale and long scale versions of an instrument that are directly compatible. And that's even before considering the possibility that the neck pockets might be different.

Understood. I might have to get a can of ReRanch surf green.... Nah.

 

[primussucks9126]

I'd have an easier time seeing it that way if I knew for certain that I can just screw a Babicz onto an Ibanez bass. Babicz bridges are designed as direct replacements for Fender AM STD bridges. I don't know it they'll fit an Ibanez without having to drill new holes.

I did exactly that with my TMB100. It didn't make any difference in terms.of tone or playability, but I had a Babicz bridge laying around, so I dropped it in. No drilling necessary.

 

[ThePresident777]

I did exactly that with my TMB100. It didn't make any difference in terms.of tone or playability, but I had a Babicz bridge laying around, so I dropped it in. No drilling necessary.

Good to know. Thank you.

 

[redstrand]

Put a green one on layaway. I'm going to cover the pickguard with white contact paper. This should be the best beater bass I've had

 

[pudge]

2 week report,no issues have shown up..The chromes have settled in and are much better (for me) than the rounds.Has'nt needed any kind of adjustment or correction.I fooled with the p.u . height and intonation but that's about it.Great SS bass for not much coin.Hav'nt found anything about it that annoys me or looks like it could be trouble down the road.

 

[Herbie Chesnutt]

Just wanted to piggy back off Pudge's post. Basically, the TMB30 kills. I prefer it in every way over my Squier SS Jag. I put Boomers on it and its a perfect mix with the pups. My only nit so far is that I can't get the action low enough to my liking. I'm going to bring it in so a tech can give it a proper setup and do whatever they need to do to the neck to get the action lowered without buzzing. Still, its a great little short scale that sounds and plays great completely stock. I have a Wilkinson bridge in a drawer I think I'll throw on it cuz I think the brass saddles will look killer, but the stock bridge works just fine.

While the Talman is out to get sorted by the tech, I'm going to trick out my Jag simply because its there and I can. But don't be surprised if it pops up in the classifies in a few weeks.

 

[Maxdusty]

Just wanted to piggy back off Pudge's post. Basically, the TMB30 kills. I prefer it in every way over my Squier SS Jag. I put Boomers on it and its a perfect mix with the pups. My only nit so far is that I can't get the action low enough to my liking. I'm going to bring it in so a tech can give it a proper setup and do whatever they need to do to the neck to get the action lowered without buzzing. Still, its a great little short scale that sounds and plays great completely stock. I have a Wilkinson bridge in a drawer I think I'll throw on it cuz I think the brass saddles will look killer, but the stock bridge works just fine.

While the Talman is out to get sorted by the tech, I'm going to trick out my Jag simply because its there and I can. But don't be surprised if it pops up in the classifies in a few weeks.

Wondering if there's a fret that's a tad high causing the buzzing. Really want to try to get my hands on a TMB30 and give it a try, I have the TMB100 but a short scale passive for that price sounds really good right about now.