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What's with Ibby?

#21
I had the opportunity to purchase my high school band's electric bass in college. Not sure how I got that honor or what happened to the school's previous bass, but the band director took me and our jazz band's guitarist to a local mom and pop shop to try out both guitars and basses. I tried quite a few basses in the $400-$700 range and ended up choosing an Ibanez SR505. I remember the director being a little miffed at the bass being at the upper end of the budget, but it was by far the best bass in the price range and competed handsomely against basses costing twice as much. I played that bass a lot but never purchased my own.

For a while, I was interested in picking up one of the single-cut models Ibanez was putting out, but it doesn't look like those are available for purchase anymore. I had the chance to play a few in-person several years ago. Once again, it was a great player, sonically very flexible, and also quite a looker. I think I passed at the time because I really didn't need it or the extra hole in my pocket.

Long story short, Ibanez basses are very nice. I just wish they'd update their logo to something... nicer.
 
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#22
DC7 said:
- This is a kinda generic topic (no trolls plz) - but
I am a beginner/intermediate player (4 years of bass studies, long time ago) and I have begun playing the bass again during quarantine.

I've just exchanged a very good lookin and sounding fender jazz mex (2008) with an Ibanez sr1300.

I don't want to disappoint all the Fender adherents here but these are instruments at different levels.
Even though the Jazz sounds great, it is just that, and that's it. Ok, long life to simplicity but once I came across this Ibanez (fine wooded, NS pickupped, multidimensionally equalised, agile and good looking). I thougth: 'how it is possible that people do not even take into consideration this bass, if not for live performance, at least for studio recs or experimentation?'.

'Ibanez sounds poopie' is the most common thing I hear from people in general who probably are not used to different and more articulated sounds. - Have u ever played a high-end ibanez?

I can partly say the same thing for Yamaha,
Is it because they r Japanese and not American?
Has it something to do with tradition and visual customs? Powerful branding and marketing?
Is it because most of bass playing and sounding has been very standard since the beginning of rock-blues and the bass is still forced within these limits?

Ok, these questions are provocative but what are your thoughts about Ibanez' ostracising?
Click to expand...
What country are you from?
Over here, Ibanez gets more love than nearly every other bass, except maybe the Sire.
Just take a look at this board, it's inundated with Ibanez talk. If it's not the Talman it's the Micro, the GSR, SR, BT, etc.

Other than that, it has absolutely nothing to do with Japanese vs American, because even when it comes to Fender, the Japanese ones are put on pedestals.
 
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#25
HearNoStevil said:
Yeah yeah yeah. I'm not arguing that. She still played on a crapload of classic timeless songs; she's easily in the top 5 of all recorded identifiable bassists in the world. And she's not afraid to use an Ibanez.
Click to expand...

Honestly its not about the bass :smug:; its about the techniques. No one can actually listen to a song they've never heard before and point out the bass used in the recordings. She is indeed a great player.

 
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#26
LeFunk Machine said:
No one can actually listen to a song they've never heard before and point out the bass used in the recordings.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I don't know about that. I could play someone three Rush songs from Exit Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure, and Power Windows respectively that they have never heard before and I am 99% sure most bassists here would be able to point out which was the Rickenbacker, which was the Wal, and which was the Steinberger.

The same goes for a similar sample of Yes songs. Some basses are very easily identifiable.
 
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#28
HearNoStevil said:
Hmmm, I don't know about that. I could play someone three Rush songs from Exit Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure, and Power Windows respectively that they have never heard before and I am 99% sure most bassists here would be able to point out which was the Rickenbacker, which was the Wal, and which was the Steinberger.

The same goes for a similar sample of Yes songs. Some basses are very easily identifiable.
Click to expand...
How about live music where the bass player is hidden, will most be able to identify the bass?
 
#29
RabidMusic said:
Ibanez has come a long ways since the 80's junk they put out, but some people still remember that history.
Click to expand...
That must refer to late 80s or to lesser models because the 1980s Ibanez Musician and Roadstar lines were exemplary throughout. [I know nothing about their, or anyone else’s, electric guitars.] I’ve had my Musician bass for 36 years and the worst problem with it has been some buzz in single coil mode. Gosh, no other brand has that, right? It works well through every amp I’ve used and with a variety of strings, too.

The badmouthing that is thrown at Ibanez is most often in the form of a Ford vs. Chevy feud. It usually has no basis more substantial than the commenter’s preference.
 
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#30
And I said:
Ibanez has not been ostracized.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I have a sneaking suspicion that's an Ibanez this ostrich is playing.

1285265_cartoon_happy_ostrich_playing_an_electric_guitar.jpg
 
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#32
DC7 said:
- This is a kinda generic topic (no trolls plz) - but
I am a beginner/intermediate player (4 years of bass studies, long time ago) and I have begun playing the bass again during quarantine.

I've just exchanged a very good lookin and sounding fender jazz mex (2008) with an Ibanez sr1300.

I don't want to disappoint all the Fender adherents here but these are instruments at different levels.
Even though the Jazz sounds great, it is just that, and that's it. Ok, long life to simplicity but once I came across this Ibanez (fine wooded, NS pickupped, multidimensionally equalised, agile and good looking). I thougth: 'how it is possible that people do not even take into consideration this bass, if not for live performance, at least for studio recs or experimentation?'.

'Ibanez sounds poopie' is the most common thing I hear from people in general who probably are not used to different and more articulated sounds. - Have u ever played a high-end ibanez?

I can partly say the same thing for Yamaha,
Is it because they r Japanese and not American?
Has it something to do with tradition and visual customs? Powerful branding and marketing?
Is it because most of bass playing and sounding has been very standard since the beginning of rock-blues and the bass is still forced within these limits?

Ok, these questions are provocative but what are your thoughts about Ibanez' ostracising?
Click to expand...
I own basses made by the following manufacturers:
  • Dean
  • Ibanez
  • Gibson
  • Gretsch
  • Epiphone
  • Fender
  • Dillion
  • Jay Turser
  • Takamine
  • Michael Kelly
  • Schecter
  • Warwick
  • Tune
  • Rickenbacker
  • Eastwood
  • Peavey
  • Samick
  • Kona
  • Stagg
  • Pairadice
  • Glarry
  • Exqusite
  • Chowny
  • Prestige
  • Ovation
Ibanez basses tend to have a 'modern' sound. Some people just like to talk trash about basses other than Fender. Some people like to talk trash about basses they never owned. Don't worry about it. Try 'em all and don't look at the headstock. If you like it then buy it and play the crap out of it. If you don't like it put it back up on the wall and try the next one. Form your own opinion because after all you're the one who will be playing the bass, not the person that gave you their opinion or an opinion that you read. This goes for all brands, not just Ibanez. Some are better than others of that there is no doubt. Some are good entry level basses or great modding platforms for experimentation. Some are incredible deals for the price point. Some are tried and true. Some have cult followings. Some are obscure. It doesn't matter. If you like it and it inspires YOU to play it and love it then ignore the bashing.

Have fun and play whatever you darn well feel like playing. :bassist:
 
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#38
A friend of mine just got this. He is enamored.

Scott-s-Ibanez.jpg


I'm not much a fan of fan-fret multiscale, headless basses, ramps, or many active preamps.

However, I have to admit that this bass is absolutely flawless, and the build quality is on par with any bass at any price range I've ever played in 50 years. That's saying alot. I've played $20k Alembics at Beaver Felton's place that had some minor flaws; same goes for a Fodera and a couple US Spectors he let me try out. In contrast, amazingly (but not surprisingly), this Ibanez has not one discernible flaw. Anywhere.

That's saying something. Quite a lot, actually.
 
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#40
Volker Kirstein said:
I'm watching Korn in concert on 3sat, and see he's rocking an Ibby 5er. Which reminded me of this thread.
Side note: Pfeffernuss finds the bassists hairdo cute, and now wants to braid my hair into 4 or 5 tails. I'll be sure to post if it happens.
Click to expand...

Oh no, we had a good thing going on here, then you mentioned Korn. Now I see why people hate Ibanez.

:)
 
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