How does Spector compare to a bigger and more reputable company such as Ibanez? To be more specific, I'm looking at the Performer 4 Classic vs the EDB400. Both are 4-string passive and fits in the same price range. Which would you go for (or have a greater GAS for) and why?
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Spector vs Ibanez
- Thread starter Fretful
- Start date
Why would you say that Ibanez is a more reputable company than Spector? They've both been around for years (Ibanez a little longer) and Spector doesn't have the lawsuit stigma that plagues Ibanez.
Play them both, they will likely feel very different.
Play them both, they will likely feel very different.
Spector are by no means disreputable!
And even though I don't believe Ibanez guitars can be beat, their basses can. I used to have a BTB but it was nowhere near as good as my Spector is. My Spector easily matches and even outclasses my old Kubicki and my old Status Stealth bass.
Never played an Ibanez as good as it, or I'd be playing Ibanez full time!
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And even though I don't believe Ibanez guitars can be beat, their basses can. I used to have a BTB but it was nowhere near as good as my Spector is. My Spector easily matches and even outclasses my old Kubicki and my old Status Stealth bass.
Never played an Ibanez as good as it, or I'd be playing Ibanez full time!
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Spectors quality is in no way inferior to Ibanez. I am not bashing Ibanez, but even the cheapest Spectors will stand up to quality wise to any competitor.
I am not saying that! I'm just comparing them to another well-known manufacturer (one that I think is worthy of a comparison
).you just have to post that in every spector threat and make me want a spector even more yeah?
wait, you sold your kubicki :|?!
that thing was a gem
Of course, it has to keep popping up! It's so pretty! And I can't get over how good the tone is. It is easily the nicest sounding bass I've ever owned and it has such a great voice. Whether you're just playing roots and grooving, it's thick and articulate, but it is so growly and piano-like, so melodies just sing from it. Count me as a happy bunny!
And I traded my Kubicki off for the Status Stealth 6 string. Which was also a brilliant bass!
Ok, I believe that Fretful means "well known" rather than "reputable."
Yes, Ibanez is better known than Spector, but only because Ibanez floods the market with inexpensive models and buys endorsers left and right. They know how to market their instruments, and it has payed off.
Spector, on the other hand, is probably better respected than Ibanez. They are known for making VERY nice high-end models, and very good budget instruments. They make mainly basses (they do make guitars, but those aren't very popular) so their name isn't as out there as much as Ibanez, but they have been around since at least the early 80's and have their share of professional users.
As far as which of those two basses is better, the fact is that they are probably built in the same factory. Spector uses EMG electronics and pickups, whereas Ibanez makes most of their own in-house, except for low-end Barts on some of their models. It's really a matter of which one you like better, because quality-wise, they will be essentially identical.
Yes, Ibanez is better known than Spector, but only because Ibanez floods the market with inexpensive models and buys endorsers left and right. They know how to market their instruments, and it has payed off.
Spector, on the other hand, is probably better respected than Ibanez. They are known for making VERY nice high-end models, and very good budget instruments. They make mainly basses (they do make guitars, but those aren't very popular) so their name isn't as out there as much as Ibanez, but they have been around since at least the early 80's and have their share of professional users.
As far as which of those two basses is better, the fact is that they are probably built in the same factory. Spector uses EMG electronics and pickups, whereas Ibanez makes most of their own in-house, except for low-end Barts on some of their models. It's really a matter of which one you like better, because quality-wise, they will be essentially identical.
Yeah, I guess Ibanez are more well-known than Spector. I don't love the Legend models, but certainly with the Euro models, you'll get a brilliant bass for a great price. It's not that I don't like Ibanez, but they don't do it for me like Spector do.
YMMV.
YMMV.
BklynGigCenter
Commercial User
Spector is targeted more at the professional musician, and their focus is more clearly defined.
Just so you know, the Spector Performers are being discontinued. The Legend series is now entry-level.
Just so you know, the Spector Performers are being discontinued. The Legend series is now entry-level.
I dunno about that.
Ibanez do cater for beginners but with guys like Satch and Vai on their players list, they are a million miles away from cookie cutter. At least terms of the visibility/profile of their endorsees, Ibanez trounce Spector.
As for Ibanez, I do have a lot of love for them. My brother has two!
btw, the 8 string might look a tad grainy, it's actually black with a silver glitter mixed into the paint! The K7 is firespark blue, that is blue with glitter in it.
Not meant to be an argumentative question, but can you give any references citing any litigation and what they're about? I just have not heard of any.
Thanks,
Lloyd Howard
It was back in the late 70's and early 80's, if I remember right. Ibanez (among others) made tons of high-quality Gibson, Fender and Ric knockoffs, and those companies felt threatened and sued.
BklynGigCenter
Commercial User
As a newbie here, and not being an argumentive guy by nature, I do want to point out that a lot of people drive Fords, but those who want something out of the ordinary and not quite as mass-produced drive Maseratis.
I'm just saying that Spector might be a better play for someone who wants higher end product that goes against the marketing machine that we see with the larger manufacturers.
At the same time though, wasn't there some business with Kramer and Spector, and Stuart losing the right to call his basses Spector basses? Hence the Stuart Spector Design name, logo and body shapes?
What he said. The quality of the lawsuit Ibanez stuff has been, to put it politely, heatedly discussed. I have never played one, so I have no opinion. Certainly not a reason for me to avoid the brand.
I heard the Ibanez lawsuit stuff was, by all accounts, cracking gear.
But that was a long, long time ago. Even by the end of the 70's they were establishing themselves as a primary designer brand. By the 80's, they had fully fleshed out catalogues with multiple lines.
They are, and have been for a long time, their own, unique brand.
But that was a long, long time ago. Even by the end of the 70's they were establishing themselves as a primary designer brand. By the 80's, they had fully fleshed out catalogues with multiple lines.
They are, and have been for a long time, their own, unique brand.
I'm certain it is cracking gear. I'm just mentioning that discussion of it tends to draw a lot of fire especially, as Bassman1185 pointed out, from the Ric fans.
My favorite guitar is an Ibanez Artcore, my bass is a Spector. They are nice instruments that were great values.
