[SOLVED] Ibanez Ergodyne EDB400 vs Schecter Stiletto Extreme-4

[Derek Roberts]

Hi! I've been a lightweight guitar player and occasional karaoke drunk for 20+ years and am just starting to play bass with a 50's-70's band (CCR, Rolling Stones). Being a bass rookie that's a lot more familiar with 90's-00's rock (Pearl Jam, STP, Alter Bridge) means being out of my element, but it's still a lot of fun.

Using an acoustic bass has been okay, but I'd like something easier to play that's appropriate for a variety of rock-to-metal, classic-to-modern. Would you recommend either of the basses below?

Ibanez Ergodyne EDB400 - $325 Canadian (I'm a big fan of Ibanez guitars and their slim necks)
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Schecter Stiletto Extreme-4 - $300 Canadian
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https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/schecter-guitar-research-stiletto-extreme-4-bass

 

[garp]

Welcome to TalkBass.

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either instrument, provided that they pass muster upon inspection. I own a couple of Ibanez basses – including an earlier version from the Ergodyne series – so I suppose I'm a tad biased. The original Ergodynes had bodies made of a dense synthetic material called Luthite and tended to be on the heavy side. They later switched to basswood bodies. The EDB400 in your link is one of the basswood models.

Just be aware that both of these basses have an active EQ circuit and no active/passive switch, so be sure to keep a spare, fresh 9V battery inside the case/gig bag at all times, and don't leave the bass plugged in when you're not using it – as the plug activates the powered circuit.

Best of luck.

 

[deff]

Both will probably play very nice. I own two Stilettos, (different versions), and I might go with the Ibanez. I've never seen one of those Ergos. I'm reticent to buy anything made from basswood though.

 

[Derek Roberts]

@garp @DiscoRiceJ Thanks for the advice! I blew the plan up completely by grabbing a cheap Ibanez SR300 (maple/rosewood neck, agathis body, PJ-style pickups) and Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups. Hopefully it'll make for a nice semi-starter bass! (BTW passive pickups, but 9v EQ, so the swap should work fine)

 

[garp]

Nice! Congrats. The Soundgears are solid instruments and have many fans here.