New Ibanez Talman

[Danomo]

l think Ibanez put these basses out there to compete with the Jaguar. Very similar prices $199 for Special, and $299 for the VM Jaguar with the stacked knobs.

I think it looks more Reverend than Fender.

 

[bholder]

I think it looks more Reverend than Fender.

Doesn't have to look like to compete with. It doesn't look much of anything like my Reverend Rumblefish XLs, but then again, I guess the current Reverends do not, either. In any case, I think the claim is function / quality at a price point, not an appearance contest.

 

[Danomo]

 

[bholder]

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Interesting comparison, thanks.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm so unbelievably on the fence with getting one of these. Read the Musiciansfriend reviews, and a couple from outside of Talkbass. Not too good. Someone please help push me in one direction or the other. Should I do this or shouldn't I, and why. Please keep in mind I have a crapload of really nice basses, yet I will use a budget bass it's really got something to offer. Love my Dano, and paid less for that than these.

Should I, or shouldn't I, and why!?!?!

 

[.BumeStik.]

I have played the Squier Jags, and IMO, the Talman (at least the TMB100) is Sonically a BEAST, in comparison. I think the Talman offers More Bass at that price range. I also think the QC problems people were having with the Talman basses have been sorted out, at this point.

 

[Danomo]

Well the pickups are the same on both models (except with the extra J and split switch on the 300), the preamp is the same, and the neck is the same shape. The extra $ for the 300 gets you the other J pup, the split switch, the block inlays, and the neck binding. I've seen a 100 since I bought the 300, and the fret ends melt into the binding on it compared to the 100 I saw (not sharp, but fully exposed).

I've changed strings (D'A half wounds), and lowered the pickups thus far, that really evened out the higher end which was just a tad bright out of the box. It also reduced amplified pick and slap noise significantly (I may lower them some more).

My only hesitation of it as a gigging bass is the battery cover... which has screws. Nice that it's routed to be flush with the body, but I'd rather have a flip out cover with a clip (and a slight lip) in a pinch.

 

[bassie12]

Just picked up a TMB 300 in Forest Green. It was the only 300 at my local shop. They had a variety of 100s, none of which felt as "finished" as the 300, particularly in the fret department. The cherry red 100 was very attractive, though...

I got the bass home, did slight setup changes to my taste and tweaked intonation. Just lovely! I'll gig it over the next few weeks, but I already feel like it may be a keeper. If so, probably won't be able to stop myself from upgrading the bridge and maybe the tuners with Hipshots and a D-tuner. Pickups and electronics(hot) seem fine.

 

[aproud1]

Just picked up a TMB 300 in Forest Green.

Just lovely! I'll gig it over the next few weeks, but I already feel like it may be a keeper. If so, probably won't be able to stop myself from upgrading the bridge and maybe the tuners with Hipshots and a D-tuner. Pickups and electronics(hot) seem fine.

Awesome! Let us know how it works out for you and no pics, no bass.

 

[Maxdusty]

I'm so unbelievably on the fence with getting one of these. Read the Musiciansfriend reviews, and a couple from outside of Talkbass. Not too good. Someone please help push me in one direction or the other. Should I do this or shouldn't I, and why. Please keep in mind I have a crapload of really nice basses, yet I will use a budget bass it's really got something to offer. Love my Dano, and paid less for that than these.

Should I, or shouldn't I, and why!?!?!

I would recommend trying one then making a decision based off that. I too had concerns regarding the quality etc. especially based on what reviews were available for it on MF etc. What we're coming to realize is that the early batches seemed and were likely rushed to market so qc was bad on some of them. My bass is one of the early ones, and thought I'd take a risk because of the return policy. Bass was excellent! Had a slightly loose tuning peg, but I fixed that. The astonishing thing about the basses is the sound. I almost guarantee you'll be surprised when you play it. I was expecting something similar to the Squier Jag I had...so much better, incredibly powerful and defined tones- it's a keeper for me. If you buy one without trying it, make sure you buy it from an online store with a good return policy.

 

[bassie12]

I just played a set of rock tunes at a local club using the TMB 300. Felt and sounded just great. The tone through my pedalboard(various stages of overdive simulting my favorite "breaking amp" sounds) was a bit more controlled in the mids than my usual '65 P-bass, not quite as raucous, but just fine. Before the gig, I replaced the stock bridge with a Fender USA Vintage type, oiled the board, strung it up withh some R. Cocco Nickels, set up and intonated. I will definitely be upgrading the tuners. All told, I'm very happy with this bass!

 

[bassie12]

 

[Joe Nerve]

Would love to see one of them greenies with a black or white pickguard on it. And I still haven't heard any recordings of that bridge pickup, nor opinions on whether or not it sounds musicmanish, or even ATKish. Wussup yo!?!?! I'm asking now in 2 or 3 threads.

fwiw, I know me and I'm getting one. Would just like to know before hand to either build or lessen my expectations. It will be getting ordered around the week of the 21st. I have my reasons for this . Still on the fence about whether it'll be a 300 or a 100, but leaning towards the 3.

 

[bassie12]

Not MMish, though I didn't push the EQ curve to try for that. It was great for a nice FAT J bridge sound with no noise. I'll goof around a bit and see what it can do.

I would love a mint guard like my sherwood forest green Jazz has, but I'm to lazy to tear it apart and wait for one to be made...

 

[Danomo]

Would love to see one of them greenies with a black or white pickguard on it. And I still haven't heard any recordings of that bridge pickup, nor opinions on whether or not it sounds musicmanish, or even ATKish. Wussup yo!?!?! I'm asking now in 2 or 3 threads.

fwiw, I know me and I'm getting one. Would just like to know before hand to either build or lessen my expectations. It will be getting ordered around the week of the 21st. I have my reasons for this . Still on the fence about whether it'll be a 300 or a 100, but leaning towards the 3.

Joe, I posted a sound sample in this thread of the J pup a month ago in response to your request (albeit I did not quote your post).

Okies, I have a J pup sound sample. it's only the two J pups together, as the pup split has a pretty standard (slightly weak) J sound.

One sample, multiple settings: Fender rumble set at unity (everything except gain at midpoint), gain set at zero. each of four samples has three riffs, the first is plucked, the second is picked, the third is slapped. They are short, but give you the flavor.

Bass control settings for volume on all samples at 50%, and pickup fade fully to J pup.
First sample, bass and treble at 50%, second sample, bass full, treble at 50%, third sample, treble full, bass at 50%, last sample both bass and treble at full.

Maxing the volume on the bass is very boomy, and via a sound sample doesn't do it justice, using the cut side of the controls, puts the bass in more standard Fender sounding territory. While I am testing it at home, I can say, the tone is not as distinct as my Fender JP 90's J pup (which is a wilkerson replacement).

 

[Maxdusty]

Would love to see one of them greenies with a black or white pickguard on it. And I still haven't heard any recordings of that bridge pickup, nor opinions on whether or not it sounds musicmanish, or even ATKish. Wussup yo!?!?! I'm asking now in 2 or 3 threads.

fwiw, I know me and I'm getting one. Would just like to know before hand to either build or lessen my expectations. It will be getting ordered around the week of the 21st. I have my reasons for this . Still on the fence about whether it'll be a 300 or a 100, but leaning towards the 3.

I would probably get the 300. For some reason, I think this will be phased out eventually and Ibanez will stick with the 100. Too much competition in the $300 price range with the Sub Ray, the various Squier models and even a used MIM generally goes for that price.
Also the 300 is the better bass overall, more features and got to love the fret markers on them- I still love the 100 mind you, but hope to get a 300 down the road.

 

[bassie12]

I think the 300 sets a very high standard in the $300 price range. I don't judge instruments on price. The feel, sound, fit and finish matter to me. If it was sub par in any way, I wouldn't have bought it. I've tried many Squires, various MM lower price lines, and even all the TMB 100s in my local shop. The 300 is the only one that prompted me to buy. The mods I'm making will put it right up there with any of my favorite, and mostly much more expensive instruments. It's great when something happens the right way without costing a mint.

I keep wanting to go to the shop and grab another... Yeesh.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Joe, I posted a sound sample in this thread of the J pup a month ago in response to your request (albeit I did not quote your post).

Thanks. Yes, I somehow missed that the first time around. To my ears a sort of MMish sound may be able to be coaxed out of that. I think you've made my decision for me .

Now to imagine what the different colors would look like with different pickguards.

Where are all the photoshop people?

Anyone have it in them to post these basses with white and/or black picguards on them? Would be nice to see what a white pearloid one would look like on the red, and sunburst one, too. If I knew where to find a fingers crossed smiley, I'd post it right here.

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[ERIC31]

Tony at Pickguardian.com can make you whatever you want. He made a black pickguard for my TMB-100 that fits perfectly.

 

[Maxdusty]

I'm a photoshop flunkie...but if you have a good imagination, this should help a bit. I think a white pearl pickguard would look cool.