My primary Ibanez bass is an SRA555. I like the thicker body and there is more neck. I have an SR400QM and the neck feels like a pencil, though it doesn't affect it's playability. Another two that I would consider next are the ATK305 / 805 and an Artcore. Unfortunately, SRA series basses have been discontinued for 2013.
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Question for the Ibanez lovers, your favorite model, why?
- Thread starter armybass
- Start date
Definetely the SR Prestiges, the 5-strings with black hardware - because I dont like golden hardware on basses.
Why the SR?
Ergonomic design, not futuristic, best parts, and reminds me on my all time Pbanez favourite, the Musician.
Greetz
Why the SR?
Ergonomic design, not futuristic, best parts, and reminds me on my all time Pbanez favourite, the Musician.
Greetz
Yup. Love my SR1200. Especially after upgrading the preamp to Flexcore. But then again my sr370f(with upgraded Barts and Bart preamp) and emg based srt900dx are not bad either. SRT's neck is chunkier than SR. That and being neckthrough makes it sound quite different from the other 2.
My favorites have been the ATK 300, which I still own, and the RB 850, which I used to have three of. The SR 800's play like a dream, but didn't quite sound right for me, but if they had made a lefty SR 1000, it would have been a favorite for me, too. The SR 505 I played in the store was another winner, but it sold before I could snag it.
I like the SRT neck A LOT. Its thicker and has a lot of "shoulder"---less taper at the edges. very comfortable for my thumb. The fretwork is usually tops, as well.
They need different bridges, though. The tolerances aren't very good on them so they are hit and miss. I just bought a Fender bridge with threaded saddles to put on it. I got it because the same/similar bridge on my Fender Jaguar is one of the few bridges I've used with individual height adjustable saddles, that didn't vibrate/buzz when the saddles were set pretty low. I will have to drill new holes, but it will be worth it.
I'm also not an EMG fan. I sold them and put SGD pickups in my SRT.
They need different bridges, though. The tolerances aren't very good on them so they are hit and miss. I just bought a Fender bridge with threaded saddles to put on it. I got it because the same/similar bridge on my Fender Jaguar is one of the few bridges I've used with individual height adjustable saddles, that didn't vibrate/buzz when the saddles were set pretty low. I will have to drill new holes, but it will be worth it.
I'm also not an EMG fan. I sold them and put SGD pickups in my SRT.
Ever since I first picked up an Ibby SR back in the late 80's - I just fell in love with them. The neck was so easy to play - 24 fret with almost zero neck dive, the bodies were smaller and lighter, they had a nice range in sound, and they just looked cool. This was a dream come true for people like me with smaller hands.
What an absolute difference from the L2000 I was playing ... no dis meant.
I really like the EQB-IIIS 3-band eq w/mid frequency switch they added new for 2010. I won't buy a bass unless it has a 3band active EQ.
What an absolute difference from the L2000 I was playing ... no dis meant.
I really like the EQB-IIIS 3-band eq w/mid frequency switch they added new for 2010. I won't buy a bass unless it has a 3band active EQ.
This is something I can always count on with Ibanez. I love it. Its such a bummer to finally get hands on a super cool, coveted bass, and find that I have to grip the neck with my left hand.
I'm sure some of Ibanez older/vintage designs had balance issues. But none of their recent stuff!
I posted some initial impressions in the SDG Luthier thread. But I can follow it up. Its not going to be a ton different, but it will be more focused. I may also be able to proved some decent qualityh clips in the next couple of days.
I WISH I had 3 band EQ! My Ibbys are older and I got them used. Plain black paint two band SR206 and SR506. Both were just a tad over $200 each. I've played a lot of BTBs and other high end Ibbys and I'm not impressed. Yes, I love the three band, but I've got high-end basses out the wazzoo so it doesn't mean much to me. And I hate that dull finish they are puting on everything now.
And believe it or not my FAVORITE bass is the Ibby 206. yes, it's cheap, it's two band, it's black paint,it's pickups don't quite give even output over the strings, and it doesn't have 24 frets. But... THAT NECK! THAT TONE! THAT ABILITY TO ROCK THE HOUSE? You just EQ the pickups a bit to compensate for that uneven response and rock! I LOVE that bass!
Now my SR506 is nicer. Pickups respond evenly to strings. Has 24 frets. still two band, and neck and weight every bit as nice as you expect in SR basses, but that preamp somehow is just lacking....something. I don't know what. One of these days a new three bander has to go in there.
But my main axes are still my three L2500s. They are NOTHING like Ibbys and I love them. But my Ibbys can't do what they do and my L2500s can't do what the Ibby's do. Which is why I own both.
Rule: you can never own too many basses.
That's my Ibby story.
Any of the lawsuit era copies... I own a jazz, precision, fretless precision, ripper, thunderbird, and r4001 and my favorites is the jazz bass. They are all killer and nail the original instruments in every way.
I bought my first Ibanez several months ago an sr 1205e with Nordy big singles ,,,,,bass plays beautifully,feels great but not impressed with the sound ,,,body is to small to add enough natural resonance , sound is to dependant upon the electronics alone .............its for sale if anyones interested
I exchanged my lovely old Japan-made SR800 for a new SR 1200 VNF. Same great, thin, fast neck, excellent sound thanks to the Nordstrand Big Singles, beautiful exotic woods, round fret ends, and an unbelievable value-for-money. I paid 1K for it, and it came with a soft case (not a gig bag, a case).
I really like the 1980s Musician basses like the MC 924.
Also the short-lived RKB900. It was a passive PJ, Japanese bass made around 2004.
I like the RB850 from the mid 80s. It looked something like a Spector with two passive soapbar pickups.
I also liked the P and PJ basses from the 80s.
The 1983 RB924CS was a very nice bass - Ibby should reissue it.
They should reissue all of the above instruments imo!
Also the short-lived RKB900. It was a passive PJ, Japanese bass made around 2004.
I like the RB850 from the mid 80s. It looked something like a Spector with two passive soapbar pickups.
I also liked the P and PJ basses from the 80s.
The 1983 RB924CS was a very nice bass - Ibby should reissue it.
They should reissue all of the above instruments imo!
Doug Wimbish DW3. EMG DC's, Ibanez pre, Hipshot tuners, neck-thru build, bubinga board. Would love to have the fiver.
RD900. Basslines HS w/coil tap, Ibanez pre, mahogany body w/thick slab flamed maple top, German Schaller tuners. Would love a fiver.
RD900. Basslines HS w/coil tap, Ibanez pre, mahogany body w/thick slab flamed maple top, German Schaller tuners. Would love a fiver.
