what is the best quality 5 string bass from Ibanez?

[FvdW72]

hello bass lovers,

I mainly play old Fender basses, but since I bought an Ibanez 5 string fretless GWB-1 I now want to buy the same quality 5 string fretted same weight and neck feel as the GWB-1.. who can advise me?

thanks in advance..

greetings Fred

 

[J Wilson]

Not currently on offer, and maybe an Ibanez and/or Gary Willis fan can supply some year models, but Ibanez did offer a fretted GWB for several years, literally the same axe with frets. That would get you a long way in the 'same' targets you're after.

 

[FvdW72]

good advice thank you
the GWB-2 hard to find in good condition..

 

[BassmanM]

hello bass lovers,

I mainly play old Fender basses, but since I bought an Ibanez 5 string fretless GWB-1 I now want to buy the same quality 5 string fretted same weight and neck feel as the GWB-1.. who can advise me?

thanks in advance..

greetings Fred

There is no such thing as "the best". The answer to your question depends on personal preferences regarding e.g. sound, comfort and playability, weight,, scale length and of course your budget. Since you like the GWB, the Soundgear series should be a good starting point.

 

[FvdW72]

thank you i understand & personally, but the Soundgear has many quality differences and seek the same quality build, weight, neck, & pickup as the GWB-1

 

[who]

I would look for an SR895 from the early 90s. Made in Japan, and has the same 3-piece maple neck and ash body as the GWB-1. I actually got to play both of these basses recently, so I can attest that the quality, feel, and weight were similar. The electronics are obviously different between the two, and I'm pretty sure the SR895 I tried had a faulty bridge pickup, so I can't really comment on that aspect.

 

[Les Fret]

I guess the Elite is the top line.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Ibanez Prestige basses.

 

[Les Fret]

Ibanez Prestige basses.

Yes I meant that, not the Elite.

 

[FvdW72]

I would look for an SR895 from the early 90s. Made in Japan, and has the same 3-piece maple neck and ash body as the GWB-1. I actually got to play both of these basses recently, so I can attest that the quality, feel, and weight were similar. The electronics are obviously different between the two, and I'm pretty sure the SR895 I tried had a faulty bridge pickup, so I can't really comment on that aspect.

 

[FvdW72]

thank you all

 

[Zooberwerx]

What's your budget? Ibanez builds some nice stuff along different price points....but you already knew that. The top of the line is the Prestige but can't attest that it's a huge leap from the Premium series.

Riis

 

[FvdW72]

between €1500-1900,- (euro's) is enough..

 

[Zooberwerx]

between €1500-1900,- (euro's) is enough..

Problem is I don't know what 1500 clams will buy you on that side of the pond. Done any price comparisons? I'm of the impression that "the best" / MIJ Prestige may drive things beyond your budget...not to worry. My first foray into the Soundgear world was an older used Premium 1405 (Indonesian) which adequately scratched the itch. May not be your thing but we all have different interpretations of diminishing-return.

Riis

 

[themickster]

hello bass lovers,

I mainly play old Fender basses, but since I bought an Ibanez 5 string fretless GWB-1 I now want to buy the same quality 5 string fretted same weight and neck feel as the GWB-1.. who can advise me?

thanks in advance..

greetings Fred

My Ibanez SR300EB is as good quality as my SR600E. A friend's SR605E is as good as his SR2600E. The differences are mostly in the woods, colours and cost.

 

[chris_b]

The only Ibanez I'd be interested in is the EHB1005 series.

 

[Five or Six]

This is my broken record. Go play some and make up your mind.

 

[Zooberwerx]

This is my broken record. Go play some and make up your mind.

Good point but that brings up another question: how much of the higher-tier stuff is actually in stock at the local retailers?

Riis

 

[Five or Six]

Good point but that brings up another question: how much of the higher-tier stuff is actually in stock at the local retailers?

Riis

Oh, I fully understand and a good point. I was in GC a couple of weeks ago for strings. ( Needed a set now so couldn't do it on line) Anyways, I wandered back to the bass wall. Most were under $500 with maybe 3 or 4 under $1,000. So even GC is in the low range hopper. Guitar's, now that was just the opposite.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

One that says "Made in Japan" on the back of the headstock (=Prestige series).

If these are out of your budget there are still significant difference between the Standard series and the Premium series (both Indonesia).

The tone you get from the pickups used in the Standard series and the Nordstrands or Bartolinis in the Premium series is VERY different. I'm not saying one is necessarily better than the others but they're different enough that you will most likely prefer one type of pickup over the others.

I much prefer the preamp/controls on the Premium series. Much more flexible mid eq than the Standard series. The Standards have the coil tap of course but more control of the mids is far more important to me. If I want a single coil I'll buy a bass with a single coil rather than a humbucker with a coil tap.

The Premium series also have far more stable necks than the Standard series in my experience.

As for visual appearance I much prefer the more basic Standard series. The Premium series are a bit gaudy for my taste. I still own one though, the SR2605. It's ALMOST a superb bass. It would have been amazing if Ibanez had installed the mono rail saddles in the correct position. Unfortunately they're installed slightly too far from the neck which means the bass can't be intonated properly with most strings. It's REALLY close, only a matter of 1-2 mm but these mono rails are recessed into the body so moving them involves a LOT of work (routing), plus it will leave a visible gap. I've seen the same thing on several other Ibanez Premium series with mono rail saddles so this might be something to be aware of. Apart from this rather significant flaw it's an amazing bass, great tone, superb playability. But ultimately a total failure (and ugly as sin ).