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New Ibanez TMB500...yes 500!
- Thread starter twc1313
- Start date
Just the lower end TMB30 is 30 inch, this one's regular 34 inch.
Thomann has the 505! There is some hope left! [This invalid link has been removed]
Hey y'all! New to the forum, just started poking around a couple weeks ago but have been playing a little over 8 years.
Just received my TMB500 the other day from Sweetwater and DANG! I've been playing on an SR505 (2011 model I believe?) and absolutely love it but was looking for a 4-string and potentially a different pickup setup. THIS GAL DELIVERS! The onboard pre-amp is beefy and the EQ switch allows you to tune in to different sounds super easily (a feature I like in the SR505 as well). The pickup blend allows super aggressive picking from the neck and mellows it out a little bit when swept to the bridge. If you play with a pick be ready for some serious growl!
I will say with the roasted maple neck this thing always has a bit of a snap to it and I like that especially when comparing it to the SR505 tone. We'll see how she gets when the strings wear in a bit. The neck itself is also fatter than that of the SR505 but still oh so playable. Nice fat body and headstock lend to gorgeous sustain. This thing definitely has some weight to it but is fairly comparable to the SR505. The fat tuning pegs made me chuckle
I had played a few TMB100s around town and was extremely impressed by the cost to playability ratio. Highly recommend those if you're on a budget but if you have a few extra bucks to spare you won't be disappointed in your purchase. I also happen to love the "metallic forest" colorway so this was an easy decision over a "mustard" TMB100
Now the hard-hitting questions:
Fuzzy purple or Hi-Vis orange for the strap?
Just received my TMB500 the other day from Sweetwater and DANG! I've been playing on an SR505 (2011 model I believe?) and absolutely love it but was looking for a 4-string and potentially a different pickup setup. THIS GAL DELIVERS! The onboard pre-amp is beefy and the EQ switch allows you to tune in to different sounds super easily (a feature I like in the SR505 as well). The pickup blend allows super aggressive picking from the neck and mellows it out a little bit when swept to the bridge. If you play with a pick be ready for some serious growl!
I will say with the roasted maple neck this thing always has a bit of a snap to it and I like that especially when comparing it to the SR505 tone. We'll see how she gets when the strings wear in a bit. The neck itself is also fatter than that of the SR505 but still oh so playable. Nice fat body and headstock lend to gorgeous sustain. This thing definitely has some weight to it but is fairly comparable to the SR505. The fat tuning pegs made me chuckle
I had played a few TMB100s around town and was extremely impressed by the cost to playability ratio. Highly recommend those if you're on a budget but if you have a few extra bucks to spare you won't be disappointed in your purchase. I also happen to love the "metallic forest" colorway so this was an easy decision over a "mustard" TMB100
Now the hard-hitting questions:
Fuzzy purple or Hi-Vis orange for the strap?
Just pulled the trigger on the TMB500 from ProAudioStar with a $90 coupon, so it was $430 with tax and shipping. Curiosity got the better of me.
Nice! There are barely any reviews and demo's of this bass, so do let us know what you think about it.
I will.
I am already imagining a few minor mods, like maybe tuners, bridge, and pickguard.
@LowEndLobster did a really nice job with the video. It’s exactly the kind of video I like—the guy clearly has a good sense of humor but doesn’t try harder than necessary to be funny. The audio quality was very good, too.
Based on what I saw, it seems like a very appealing and affordable bass. I’m looking forward to the arrival of mine. I dig the green finish but will most likely prefer a different pickguard—black pearloid, perhaps? Or maybe even black paisley or gold anodized?
Based on what I saw, it seems like a very appealing and affordable bass. I’m looking forward to the arrival of mine. I dig the green finish but will most likely prefer a different pickguard—black pearloid, perhaps? Or maybe even black paisley or gold anodized?
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I just purchased the Ibanez TMB500 last Thursday from Sweetwater and its quickly becoming my new favorite bass
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Same here. Love my SR505 for quick jazz or electronic lines but when I want to rock I pick up the TMB!
