newbie seeking advice - ibanez sr600 vs ESP LTD b-4b

[beanydc]

Hey,

Im pretty new to basses (being a drummer) and finally got a cheap bass off ebay a couple months ago. Been saving and been eyeing up these 2 basses but being a bit green to knowing all the specs etc was just wondering if i could get a bit of advice.

I take it the similar pricing means there pretty similar in spec?

any of you guys played both and can shed some light onto it?

also been reading that the Cort artisan B4's are basically the same as the ibanez just different neck but seem a little cheaper. is it worth spending that bit more to get a better bass?

Thanks in advance


- Dave

 

[Solarmist]

I have an 10' SR600, and have had 2 LTD B series basses. Fist off - the SR600 was discontinued recently, and replaced by the newer SR650 with the P/J setup so if you're after an SR600 - it will have to be used. The SR600 has the same Bart pickups, EQ, and a mid freq switch (which the LTD doesn't have) as the SR500/700/800, and is a tad lighter than the LTD due to the nice body contouring. The Ibby neck is thinner from front to back, and both have the same nut width. Both have active 3-band EQs, and sound similar. The Ibanez has better QC (based on personal experience). I much prefer the Ibby over the LTD, and have since sold both.

You can try out an Ibby SR at just about any GC, but I don't think they sell LTD (Sweetwater does) ... Good Luck.

 

[anavar]

i would go, in order

Cort B4 Artisan - the wenge and rosewood necks are just insane, so smooth to play. i have only seen wenge necks on basses that cost big $$$. The hipshot tuners are much better than the stock Ibanez/LTD ones.

Ibanez - Jatoba and Bubinga necks are very smooth, great feeling and pretty looking too. the Bart mk1's actually sound pretty good too, way better than the stock LTD pickups. My only gripe is that ibanez bridges sometimes warp and string come popping out. not good.

LTD - Neck through is a nice touch, but everything is pretty bland. Stock hardware, stock pickup, tacky high gloss finish. No doubt about it, the necks on LTD basses are very thin and super comfy. My partner owns a LTD b 2005 and its very good. However the lower line Ltd are pretty crummy.

I know the Cort isnt popular, but try it out, they're a real gem that are often over looked.

 

[walldaja]

Definitely the Ibby

 

[Tommy33]

The 650 is a nice bass cool pickups . but in that price range I would go with sterling by musician stingray if u like the then neck get the .ca every time I play Ibanez in a band mix its too thin sounding no matter what I do . sr700

 

[beanydc]

I was torn to be fair with the cort and the ibby mainly for the money saving.

I can get a cort for around £380 and ibby around £470. Quite a big saving as there basically the same bass, Internals and pick ups are the same if im not mistaken?


Anyone here own one of these?

 

[anavar]

i haven't owned a cort but a friend of mine has one and i get to use it often, i love it. not big on the natural ash color but its easily one of the best basses for the money i have every played.

i have owned a ibanez sr485/505/600 and i have sold them all, i would probably never purchase an ibanez unless it was a 5006 prestige.

 

[beanydc]

so I finally picked up my new bass, went for an ibanez sr500 as got an absolute bargain!

such a beaut of a bass!!! lovely sound a great to play. thanks to everyone who commented

 

[Aberdumbie]

I bought an Ibanez Roadstar bass in the early 1980's. Spent ten hard years on the road with absolutely zero troubles. Went in the attic in 1992 and stayed until two years ago. New set of strings and she played as beautifully as she did in 1982.... I can't speak on the SR600. But I can say that the quality of Ibanez instruments is superb.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Great choice, best bass in the price range by far IMO. They had some trouble with thin finish on the mahogany models, don't know if that's still true. I love the balance, light weight and electronics.