Tell Me About Ibanez

[TeeSee]

Do you know, I absolutely hate it when people come on here demanding 'tell me about strings' or this and that. I find it entitled and arrogant. But here's me now becoming the poacher tuned gamekeeper. I really can't think of anything so blunt and crass in an opening question as this title above but I really could do with learning a lot more about Ibanez.
It's been a long time since the 80's and my basses were Westones and Vox's all Japanese made, our guitarist back then had the sweetest Tokai tele, and he also had an Ibanez strat. He loved them so much we used to joke he'd end up marrying one of them, back in those days 7ender and Gibson would be unattainable at the price. I've always rated Ibanez as a maker yet never owned one. I know they are well made wherever they originate but personally I know nothing about them.
There are so many models and descriptions that when ever I look I just give up as I just get word blind to all the codes and variants of those codes, then just [ut everything in the 'too difficult box'.
What I'd really like is someone to recommend a short/medium scale Ibanez, I've been looking at the Talman TMB30 but have heard mixed reviews about it, I also hear the GIO isn't all bad but I think it's 34" scale, I have full scales but am drifting away from them.
I'm not particulary fussed if it's made in Japan now or not as a lot of Chinese and Indonesian stuff seems just as good, I'm thinking of the cheaper Yamahas made in Indonesia but carrying the parent companys dedication to quality.
I've a budget of £500 at a push what are people's thoughts on the talmans or any other shorties/medium scales that Ibanez offer?

 

[pingvuiini]

I think the Mikro is one of the absolute bestest values on the market. The scale length is slightly short than short scale at 28.6". The Mikro completely altered my perceptions of instruments built in Indonesia. I just wish Ibanez offered more variants and colors in lefty across all their model lines.

 

[ghostdog93]

I'm a huge fan of Ibanez basses in general, so my opinion is definitely biased. That being said...

I've tried to love the Talman series. Really, I have. I really dig the offset 2+2 headstock, but otherwise the bass just looks ugly to me. I blame the horrible knob arrangement and that awful Strat style jack. Comfort wise, the short scale - which I've played a number of times - is fine. It's a solid player. It makes the right sounds. It balances OK on the right strap. The neck is pure Ibanez, relatively thin and comfortable. If I wasn't so hung up on the looks of the darn thing, I'd probably own the TMB-30. I mean, 30" P/J, what's not to love, right? But I'm superficial that way.

As to other short scales, there's obviously the Mikro. Great bass for very little cash. For me, the 28.6" scale is a wee bit too short, but peeps all over TB love them.

The AGB200 (30.3") is a lovely bass, if you're into semi-hollow shorties. Well put together and sounds wonderful. The natural finish, if you can find it, is a winner in my book.

Of course, if you journey into the used market, there are other non-34" Ibby models to consider. I have a medium scale GAXB-150 that I really like, but that's another story altogether.

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Get a 32" scale Mezzo - thank me later.

 

[Nuisance]

I've had a few Ibanez basses (and guitars) over the years.

The thing with Ibanez is they have many different lines to appeal to all different price points AND you get what you pay for. The higher end lines just feel better and (imho) play nicer than the lower end stuff. The finishes go from seriously cheap to high end, as does the hardware....and they tend to be on the lighter side of things (if weight matters to you).

 

[crazycloud]

I own a heap of SR, BTB and even an old RB bass and they're great (and owned many others but have 9 right now). Solid consistent, reliable and sound good. If you want a really specific tone signature from one, say really early P bass, you're not likely to get it stock as they don't really have a baked in tone like many basses do. I've used mine for all sorts of gigs and genres.

I have 1 GIO, a 206 and it's a great bass, except for the brown oil finish on mine. There are other colour options now and my preference for mine would be black, and it will be later when I sand it down, stain it and clear coat it.

When the CNC finally has some down time I'm going to make my perfect basses and they'll be a combination of aspects of the SRs, with a BTB NT section and EHB headlessness.

The one SS I have is my SRC6.

 

[Swerve]

Ibanez designs do not appeal to me except for some stuff they had in the 70's & 80's. Like the Black Eagle, Blazer, or Musician.

 

[DanAdams]

I'm a huge fan of the late 70s to mid 80s Ibanez.
Post lawsuit, when they stopped copies, and started making more original designs.
Many including myself seem to believe that this is their golden era. I own many.
I think almost every instrument Ibanez made from this era is pretty great.

Here are some catalog links to browse if you are looking for specific models or info.

Ibanez CATALOGS | SUPPORT | Ibanez guitars

Ibanez guitars(Catalog Download). Ibanez offers electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, effect and pedals, amps, plus guitar accessories like tuners, straps and picks.

www.ibanez.com

Vintage Ibanez Guitar Catalogs - 1971 through 2007

Vintage Ibanez Guitar Catalogs - 1971 through 2007

s93105080.onlinehome.us

Ibanez Rules Catalog Index

 

[Quentin MCB]

I love SDGRs. They're lightweight, reliable, the neck is fast, they have 24 frets (non negotiable for me), the ratio price/quality is incredible, I like their look. They are sober and get the job done, which is something I value

 

[H13]

I just recently bounced off an Ibanez Soundgear.

While it was the easiest playing bass I've ever used, IMHO it was a bass guitar for guitarists.

As in...it sounded more like a guitar dropped 1 octave and less like a bass.

Mind you: Personal context is required. The next bass I bought was a P-Bass and I went: "OH THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BASS" So...

 

[SC Bassboy]

I bought my wife a GSRM20 Mikro a few years ago and am impressed with it's build quality and playability. It's not a tone monster, but the pickups sound surprisingly good. If I took the time to shield the cavities and swap the pickups it would be a mean bastard.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

If you're interested in a semi-hollow body, these are both short scale and both look like quite nice instruments.

The SR Mezzo's (medium scale solid body electric) were very nice while they lasted. You'd have to shop the used market for one of these.

Talman TMB30 is another short scale option, although I don't think they're made as well as the AGB or AFB models in my limited experience.

If you have any interest in an acoustic/electric bass, these are both 32" scale and very nice. My local music store has one of each in stock and I play them every time I go in there! Major bonus points to Ibanez for coming out with a fretless model. If I had the cash kicking around, I'd buy one of each.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

It's good stuff, but they have no identity. Nothing comes to mind as for what they sound like/look like. I don't even think they make their own stuff. Almost everything they make is hyper modern, and reliably forgotten about the next season. All the component parts are there for an excellent instrument, but it has no Vibe, so they just haven't captured an important position. Whatever horrid headless deathmetal bass with a green burled top they make is immediately destined for facebook marketplace. Notable exceptions- the musicmaster from the 80's, Thunderkat, and Gary Willis.

 

[urkel3000]

You either like ibanez necks or you hate them... The complete opposite of fenders, feel wise. It took me a couple of months to get used to the neck on my ATK. It's a four string, but the flat/shallow profile feels like a 5 string to me. Idk how to accurately describe it but it just felt like I was playing someone else's bass... For like 15 shows

 

[oldcatfish]

You either like ibanez necks or you hate them... The complete opposite of fenders, feel wise. It took me a couple of months to get used to the neck on my ATK. It's a four string, but the flat/shallow profile feels like a 5 string to me. Idk how to accurately describe it but it just felt like I was playing someone else's bass... For like 15 shows

Ibanez instruments vary a little in neck shape. Just like a Fender Jazz bass and Fender p bass have different necks than each other. Same with Ibanez instruments. Different models have slightly different profiles.

They make quality instruments that aren't just a copy of Fender designs. Whether they are for you or not, you really have to play them to find out. I have multiple instruments including Ibanez. I usually gig with one of my p-basses though…not because the Ibanez isn't decent. I PERSONALLY just prefer FSO instruments. Just personal preference.

 

[songwriter21]

Love Ibanez, except that the new Prestige line doesn't have the exclusive custom Bart pickups anymore. Hard to justify the money, when they use the same pickups as cheaper Indonesian models. That, and the exotic woods are gone.

 

[BassicJazzy]

You might want to check out that new Cort short scale, just posted on a thread earlier today, or yesterday on TB. You get roasted maple neck, same quality as Ibanez (made in same factory), and it's less than $500.

If you want an Ibanez, the Mikro is supposed to be very good too.

I have two Ibanez SRs, one is a Premium level, very light, the other is budget level fretless, also light but not as light, still excellent. Both of those are long scales. Quality is outstanding on both basses.

 

[Mastiff_5]

No.
No, sir. I will not tell you about Ibanez.

 

[primussucks9126]

I'm pretty much only gigging variations of Soundgear basses, so I'm biased, but I love Ibanez. I really feel like theres no 1 way to think about them as a brand. All of their lines target different things.

You said short scales, and I think the only options in the current lineup are the Mikro and the TMB30.

The mikro is honestly great. I played a 5 string that was in a shop recently, and I was shocked. Even the B string was decent. I wouldn't buy one now, but If I found myself with some kind of mobility restrictionsI'd d get one in a heartbeat and not feel that I'm missing much.

Talmans feel and sound basically like Fenders. Nut is a hair more narrow than a P. Medium chunk to the C shaped neck. Rounder radius than most of their models. The neck is very similar to a standard profile warmoth neck, but a bit thinner.

I bought a TMB-100 when they first came out and I absolutely loved it. I found it incredibly comfortable. Did some touring with it. It was one of the most comfortable basses I've owned.

I played a TMB105 recently, and despite my preference for narrow 5s, it felt great in my hand.

No direct experience with the short scale, but they're basically the same as the 4s, so im sure the quality is similar.

I have not played the SR Mezzos, but we have some at the school I work at. My buddy that unboxed them for the band class was really impressed with them.

If you can track down one of the old MIJ 32" Blazer models, they're fantastic (if you're ok with a vintage radius). I had one for a while and sold it and still kick myself.

 

[micguy]

Ibanez "makes" a lot of decent models (in other folks' factories), most of which have very skinny necks. If that's your thing, they're a good company to consider. For those of us with big hands (skinny necks are actually "slow" as they cram our fingers together), there are other companies that make stuff for us.

They're not ideal for everyone, but i can appreciate what they do well.