The best sold Ibanez bass model....

soundgear. period (imho). not saying it's best, saying it has the hugest range of prices and models and has been around the longest (probably) so therefore most likely the #1 seller in history for ibanez bass dept. and they're really good for the money.

which soundgear though I can't say. probably 300 series, maybe 400 or 500 series but that might be pushing it.

lots of 200 series on craigslist if that is any indication.

BTB, while I love it, is definitely not as popular.

ATK - great but no more common than BTB, maybe less so.

fender knock offs and so on exist of course plentifully too.

 

I'd say the top seller must be the Soundgear. It's been around for a very long time. When people ask, I usually suggest them to buy at least at the SR50x level. Anything lower is pretty much the introductory model.

Besides, a person can easily pickup a used SR506 for a low cost. A quick look in the Guitar Center used site shows 2 SR506's beginning from $249.99. Ibanez are excellent products for their value, but they do not hold their resale value well. Excellent news for a buyer interested in a used Ibanez. Bad news for someone who bought, expecting the price to rise.

I recall a TB'er posted awhile ago some very cool research including pictures, which documented the path from the Ibanez Musician to the Soundgear. I wish I could find that thread now.

 

Oh I'd love to read that! Played a Japanese musician almost exclusively from 87 to 93... I've wondered often what happened to that r&d. I feel my btbs are closer to the past than the sr series though.

 

Found it but some of the picture links are no longer working.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/sl...ibanez-musician-into-ibanez-soundgear-676900/

 

... Is this a troll parody on the similar Fender thread?

 

I don't think so. The OP had a valid question.

 

I'd say the GSR200. They're all over Craigslist, at every music store I've been to, and have the most reviews out of all their basses that I've seen. Its also the cheapest and surprisingly good for the price. They also come in starter kits which makes them convenient to buy.
I could be wrong but everything I can think of points to that.

 

yep that's my thought too, the gsr200

 

Agreed that by volume, the Soundgear line likely prevails, and I’d put my money on the 400 series.

 

Specifically I'd have to vote for the sr490. P/J setup. 5 knobs. Wedge/bubinga neck. Light weight and versatile.