Some advice for my son

[Orpheus55]

My son, all 17 years of him, is gassing for a natural ash finish bass for his new band; he wants an Ibanez SR600 (a nice bass, I'm sure); I suggested a natural-gloss Spector Legend at the same price point. "Who has ever heard of Spector?" he replied. Well, as a high school teacher, I am familair mwith ignorance, but I'm sure they're both nice;which of these two would be the preferred bass among my fellow TB vets?

 

[tangentmusic]

Let him A/B each, then let him decide which one he likes best.
At the same price point, you've got it made.
Now I'M gassing for a natural ash finish. Peer pressure, I guess!

 

[RickeyC]

I got a buddy who plays a Spector Legend 5 String (I've played it numerous times as well) and I (and he) likes it a lot.. Sounds good, and looks nice.. Just my .02..

 

[KeithAlanK]

The Ibanez, for the simple reason that he has made his preference known and will never love anything else, especially if he feels it was forced on him.
I know that at that age I would have resented not getting my way, even if I ended up with a better bass--and there's no proof that the Spector will be any better.

 

[dannoman]

Personally, I say let him get the one he wants. If its the Ibby, then so be it. If he's able to play both and see which one is better then you can try that, but if he's buying online then let him choose the one that's he's gassing for. A substitute item for gas will not cure it...

Ibby's are good basses. Ive had one for over 10yrs now.

 

[LaklandBass]

Not sure about your sons hand but I am FAR more comfortable on an Ibby neck than a Spector

 

[big evil robot]

I'd A/B them, the Spector neck is a great shape, but it's definitely not for everyone.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Not sure about your sons hand but I am FAR more comfortable on an Ibby neck than a Spector

+1! Ibby necks are more comfortable. I really like the combination of the woods and the fact that it has a 3-band pre rather than the Spector 2-band pre.

 

[scottbass]

Best solution is obviously to have him play both and then decide.

But don't lose any sleep over it. Both are good basses and equally worth their price. At the $150 or $1,500 price point some basses are better values than others, but in the $400 - $600 range they all tend to be of similar quality.

 

[Roy Vogt]

Play him some Coheed and Cambria and that may clinch the deal, since most 17 year olds are all about the music that's played on the bass more than the bass itself. I certainly bought some instruments sure that all of those "magic notes" were on there somewhere.....
Either one is a cool choice, however. Great that he has a cool Bassist Dad!

 

[stepswork4me]

Take him to a pawn shop, tell him he's got $50 to spend, and laugh as his teenage cockyness melts away for a bit.

 

[Thor]

Not to hijack your thread, but you should appreciate the fact
that you and your son did not go through this scenario.
I think the pics are gone, the bass was a MIJ Jazz 87 I got in
GC used for around $250. Black with white pickguard and rosewood neck. The thing was schweet.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/my-jazz-bass-evaporating-now-what-114032/?highlight=

Post 1 and 24 pretty much say it all.

 

[mdogs]

Let him A/B them, don't force anything. My 10 year old had his heart set on a natural finish P and when he played them at the store he did not like the neck. I put a BUNCH of other basses in his hands before I put an Ibanez in his hands, he fell in love with the Ibanez immediately. He is 10 so his hands are still pretty small and the slim neck is sweet. He had been playing one of my J's a lot so he was used to a slim neck. The Ibanez sounds great and plays great and for me, they provide a lot of value for the money!

 

[pacojas]

buy him BOTH!!!

 

[Bassmickeyd]

Same price points and Ibanez is a good name, sounds like a no brainer. ...... Unless that is if you're the type of parent that who knows better and wants the final word then you may be entering into a word of trouble if he resents your choice and never touches the bass again. .......
Just friendly advice from one dad to another.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I'd recommend a Carvin over either of those. But, my first was an Ibanez. High end Spectors are great, but the Ibanez may appeal to him aesthetically.

 

[pie_man_25]

Ibanez is good stuff, I wouldn't sweat it. I've personally preferred the spectors I've played - the necks just have a little more meat to them, and they generally feel like I can dig into them more. However, this isn't my bass, it's his, just like it's not your bass either. Of course, this is assuming he's paying for it, I've had to pay for my fender, as well as my parts bass, and I'm just assuming that one.

 

[darkstorm]

Spectors are ok but a bit more pop rock oriented voice wise to me. Id go with the Ibanez myself as well.

 

[EagleMoon]

I've owned both the natural SR600 and a natural Spector Legend, and of the two, the Spector wins hands down. The Ibanez felt like a toy, and had dead spots all over the neck.

 

[Hollywars]

Coming from a 16 year old, tell him to stop being a b****, who cares what brand it is, if anything the Spector looks better and is more unique. I'd definitely try out the Spector first.