OPINION

[Bill Whitehurst]

If you can swing it, maybe buy both and sell off the one that does not make you happy.
Of course you do run the risk of having them both make you grin, just in different ways.
Then you double your budget, but smile more.

 

[jamro217]

I personally wouldn't buy either one because they are active and don't suit my needs, but both are fine instruments with loads of features for a minimum price. You can't go wrong with either one and it is solely a matter of personal preference regarding these two choices. As with any potential purchase it is a good idea to try at least one of each model to get a feel for them. That's not easy to do with rare vintage instruments, but common models like these should be plentiful enough to demo beforehand. Don't sweat over this decision as it isn't risking a huge loss. Some ultra expensive vintage instruments are disappointments, especially if you pay too much. A few hundred bucks for a nice bass isn't a risk at all. It's a win-win. Pick the one you like best. Hope this helps.

 

[motoman]

Ibanez is my pick

 

[MattZilla]

Ibanez if in a 1998-2006 rock covers band

Sire for anything else.


But in reality, neither. IMO, the only place for a preamp is in the amplifier.

For that money I’d be looking at Squiers.

 

[BurnOut]

Ibby, lots of flexibility to dial in different sounds, and those E pickups are supposed to be pretty killer

 

[Ric5]

PRO'S/CON'S....WHICH ONE WOULD YOU ?View attachment 4345949

those are both nice basses ... but I don't play 4 string basses

 

[GreyBeard]

Ibanez

 

[Sam Dingle]

Personally I’d do sire

 

[A9X]

The Ibanez. Others have already said why, but I'd like it even more if it had another string or 2. I currently have an SR370e and it's excellent, I just don't play 4s much any more.

 

[Bassiclees]

I have both and they are both great and totally different.
The rolled edges and variety of tones from the Sire is superb, the neck and fundamental sound of the Ibanez is excellent.
Really depends on what you want. Sire is considerably heavier.
Try to get your hands on them and make the call, but seriously, they are both really good.

 

[RandalPinkFloyd]

In this case, even though I'm not a fan of Ibanez necks ( I think they make nice basses, just don't like the necks), I would go with the Ibanez because I absolutely hate tobacco and natural wood finishes. Instant deal breaker for me. However, if the finishes were both say red, black, blue, etc, then I'd probably go Sire.

 

[A9X]

^^ I'm with you in that I hate bursts (though my 370e is sort of OK) but I hate solid colours especially if it's the same few that certain companies have been regurgitating for decades.

 

[REV]

The multi-laminate neck on the Ibanez would do it for me.

 

[logdrum]

As a horse owner and knowing folks who have stud farms, Sire has a different connotation for me. Ibanez - 24 frets is my deciding factor.

 

[droo46]

Ibanez, something about the Sire headstock.

You mean you don't like the headstock shaped like a moose head?

 

[mcnach]

PRO'S/CON'S....WHICH ONE WOULD YOU ?View attachment 4345949

If you are after the classic Jazz sound, then the Sire. Otherwise the Ibanez. Sires are good, but so are Ibanez, but I find the Jazz shape a bit too large and as a result they can be heavier than they need to be and Sire tend to be heavy. The Ibanez will feel much more comfortable I suspect.

 

[Frunobulax]

Ibanez for me. Their only downfall is their cylindrical input jacks (Notorious for breaking) and stacked pots...
Given this bass has 5 preamp dials, you shouldn't have an issue with this bass.

 

[lbbc]

I have owned both Sire and Ibanez basses....I don't any longer but if I had to choose, I'd go for the Ibanez

 

[Astronaut]

None

 

[Ggaa]

Only thing I didn't like about my SR was the Strat type plug.