Which bass?

[HGS9669]

I want a 5-string bass and can't decide between these two. Which would you recommend?

Bass #1
Squier Affinity 5-String Jazz Bass V

Bass #2
Ibanez Gio GSR105EX

 

[Lowtonejoe]

I want a 5-string bass and can't decide between these two. Which would you recommend?

Bass #1
Squier Affinity 5-String Jazz Bass V

Bass #2
Ibanez Gio GSR105EX

The best thing for you to do is to try them both out in person and get the one you like. Other than that...

Since the two basses are in the same ballpark...definitely bass #2...and purely because of the tonal options (2 pickups).



Joe.

 

[JimiLL]

eh... neither, really.

Is this just whats available to you for how much you want to spend?? Are you looking to buy new or used??

Ive made it quite the habit to buy my music gear used whenever I can.... you can get every bit of the use and value out of something thats been slightly used, and save upto $50 of the cost

 

[Munjibunga]

Since the two basses are in the same ballpark...definitely bass #2...and purely because of the tonal options (2 pickups).



Joe.

By my estimation, Bass #2 has only one pickup. That's why I'd go with Bass #1.

 

[Lowtonejoe]

By my estimation, Bass #2 has only one pickup. That's why I'd go with Bass #1.

What??

Ha! Hey, it's late, I haven't eaten since breakfast and the beer is good.

I meant bass #1.



Joe.

 

[mokeanL]

i like ibanez necks, never played this j bass before but i own a gsr 200 and its been real good to me over the years. maybe go for a gsr 205? cant be much more expensive that that one.

 

[5string5fingers]

Depends on what you're wanting to play. The Ibanez is going to be much more agressive sounding,and cut through the mix really well,good for heavy rock,grunge,metal,etc. Not to say the squier wont either,but the ibanez will be more prominent. Personally I'd take the ibanez, but I'm biased.

 

[NortyFiner]

I just (finally) got through shopping around for a fiver myself, and in the process of that, I compared two basses somewhat similar to these. The criteria basically come down to the sound you want, and your personal comfort with handling the instrument.

Bass #1 will give you more tonal options. The single coil sound will be brighter, and can be tweaked to suit just about any style of music. It has wider string spacing, which you may find helpful for slapping. It also has the "Fender aesthetic" if that matters to you.

Bass #2 will be notably lighter, and have a smaller body and slimmer neck, which you may find more comfortable to play. The humbucker tone will most likely be darker and more punchy than Bass #1, and a bit more limited in tone and style since there is only one pickup.

My own five-string search ended with me choosing an Ibanez (specifically a SR505) built more like Bass #2, based in fair part on the smaller size being more comfortable for me. But I really wouldn't recommend buying either one til you actually try them out in a store, because they will sound and feel very different, and your mileage may vary...

 

[ksandvik]

I would save money and go up one step in quality, or look for a good/used 5-string model. Those are nice but entry level bass guitars.

 

[Solarmist]

I favor Ibanez, but not that one. If you want a good inexpensive Ibby get an SR305; slim-narrow neck, 3-band active EQ, good quality.

 

[cassanova]

I've owned both Fender and Ibanez five strings. Both have two comepletely different tones. IMO the Fenders have a deeper, warmer, tone, where as the Ibanez's are very bright and don't have the "umph" that the Fenders do..

You have to play them both and see which you like best.

All that being said, I would personally save up for something a little better than either one of those. SR405 and Fender MIM Deluxe active jazz at a minimum. IMO/IME these both sound better than any Squires and Gio's do. They can also be purchased used at very very good prices.

 

[mmbongo]

Bleh on both. You can do better.

 

[Bassman203]

There should be an 'other' choice. If it has to be one of these two, the squier. But really, I would look into a different bass.

 

[BioDriver]

You'll definitely want to try them out at the store before making your decision. As has been said here very often, no 2 Fenders/Squiers play the same, so the first one you pick up may play worse than the Ibanez but the second could blow it out of the water.

But IMO you'll want to save up for a better 5er than those.

 

[addylewis]

Squire J...or if you can afford a MIM J even better (but there again I dunno what yer budget is - try them both out, and if a Mexican is REALLY worth that much more in tone/feel then save up a bit then get the Mex if you can!)

 

[StrangeObjectiv]

SX anyone?

Link Removed

 

[Demonator]

Id say go fender

 

[bassophil]

try 'em both and go for the tighter B-string.

 

[fivestringgecko]

By my estimation, Bass #2 has only one pickup. That's why I'd go with Bass #1.

+1 lol

5sg.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I have the Squier. Great bass for the money! Has that Jazz Bass sound, look, and feel that a lot of players like. The Ibanez looks cheap IMO, and not the good kind. Go for the Squier.