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Why do people bash ibanez basses?

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#61
Maybe it doesn't 'pale' in comparison. I have played both but I own a Warwick Masterman. One thing that makes me like the Warwick better is the unique electronics.
Also, the first BTB that I tried out had a bad volume pot; all crackles and such. They sounded good, but the bad pot on a new bass left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Same reason I'd never buy a Korean made Hamer, tried out TWO of the 12 string Korean made ones and BOTH had bad output jacks. One just didn't work at all (even tried new battery) and the other just popped and crackled.

Never had a problem with my Warwick.

Regardless, I think Ibanez are on the right track with the BTB.
 
#62
Originally posted by Ad Nauseam
I do have to say that those BTB's are the best basses that Ibanez have made thus far. What is their price range? Around a grand aren't they? They might compare to the lower priced Warwicks but I really think that top end Ibanez's should offer more bang for the buck. Side by side with a mid priced Warwick Fortress Masterman I know that even the mighty BTB pales in comparison.

That goes on construction, sound and versatility.

As for the lowest of the Warwicks I would have to say that the BTB's probably blow them away. I hate the cheapo block o' wood warwicks and yes, they are very lacking. But Ibanez should try even more for a top of the line studio quality bass that doesn't have someone else's signature on it.

After all, look at the Peavey Cirrus! Kudos to Peavey for making a great bass like that.

I guess you can look at it this way: Most high end Luthiers start at the top end first and then work at making more affordable basses that don't sacrafice so much quality.
Ibanez started at the very bottom and have tried to produce a more expensive instrument throughout their history. Peavey started the same way, but I don't think Ibanez have quite made it as far as them yet. The BTB is very close though.
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The BTB's start at $500-$650 for the BTB 400, 405 & 406. The only basses in this price range that are better IMHO is the MTD Kingston series. The BTB 510 and 515 are made of a little better woods and go for around $750 - $850.

The Prestige BTB 1000, 1005 aqnd 1006 are made from flame maple and mahogany and have better pickups, they go for $1100 - $1400. But for those prices, you can get a Cirrus.

The Prestige models(BTB 1005 & 1006) are made of nicer woods, they list
 
#63
Exactly, and the Kingstons also come in left handed. The best Ibanez you can currently get in southpaw version is the SR300. That's pretty discouraging since most of their basses are made out of molded plastic, um, Luthite.
It would be so easy for then to make lefty molds for those basses!
 
#64
If I had the money, and I wanted a wood-necked (silly, i know!), wide-spaced 5 string, the BTB1005 would be IT. Put a new preamp and pickups in it, and it would be killer. Would an ebony fretboard on it, and it would be PERFECTION. I could live on it forever.
 
#65
Every time I hear "traditional basses" on the radio or something they sound like muffled inaudible crap! and that amazing fender 1 band EQ is as useful yer gramma in a boxing ring...finally i said it. I dont care what people say about the SR series, they've the fastest neck, smallest non-heavey body, and cheapest, I dont really care that some $1000 exotic wood has a slightly lower tone than $50 basswood. I've played $2000 Sodosky's and they're 1000 lbs and like tackling a moose when played for a long time. So you can have yer out-dated moose-basses.:o
 
#66
I own a sr 800 and have regularily played an sr 400 too. I was using the sr400 for almost 2 years through a peavey tnt combo. Then I had my sr 800 with me and I plugged into the peavey and it sounded much better. However this was kinda scary, cause' I thought the sr 400 didn't sound that bad (and it was through a Peavey :D -see everyone will bash something.) But it was only until I heard the sr 800 I noticed the sr 400 sounded kinda bad. Do you see where I am going here? I now thought the sr 800 was really awesome -only to realize it wasn't all that hot when I heard numerous other low/high end basses. Even a cheap fender bass sounded better (and I dont like fender a whole lot either :D) So I began to really pay attention to what I liked and didn't like about my sr 800 and other basses. The preamp is really weak (and I figured that out before I came on here so no one swayed me to think that) And ioverall the bass doesn't sound all that great -but not terriable either. On the other hand I like how light my sr 800 is, it has an ok feel but I seem to like it less and less everyday. And to think I wanted it so bad when I bought it.


Also I still haven't found my dream bass but I am considering checking some expensive ones out once I can actually afford one.
 
#68
Every time I hear "traditional basses" on the radio or something they sound like muffled inaudible crap! and that amazing fender 1 band EQ is as useful yer gramma in a boxing ring...finally i said it. I dont care what people say about the SR series, they've the fastest neck, smallest non-heavey body, and cheapest, I dont really care that some $1000 exotic wood has a slightly lower tone than $50 basswood. I've played $2000 Sodosky's and they're 1000 lbs and like tackling a moose when played for a long time. So you can have yer out-dated moose-basses.
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That is f-in' hilarious!!!! I don't like "Sodosky's" either. You da man!!!!
 
#69
I like some of the higher end Soudgears but I agree with most of the people that have posted here that the lower end ones just are'nt very good in playability or tone. I love the old Ibanez Musician and I also like the BTB and ATK line. Ibanez seems to have found its niche in the low end market and the reputation of whatever other kind of high end quality gear they make will be hurt with experienced players that are particular about their sound.
 
#71
Originally posted by embellisher


[snip]

[*]Tight string spacing. A lot of players like wide spacing at the bridge, me included. Makes slap easier, and double thumb technique as well.

[snip]
?
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Hi all,

This probably belongs in "Technique", but since Embellisher mentioned it here, I figured I'd ask. I'm curious to know what you mean by double thumb technique? One of our primary bassists at church appears to sound notes with his thumb more than anything else, and is really great at it. He's not slappin', and occassionally uses the traditional two-finger method, but for the most part, he's all thumbs (no pun intended). Is this what you're talking about? If so, how often do you play this way, or is it entirely dependant on the piece you're playing, or ...???

Anyway, thanks for the info. :)

P.S. For what it's worth, I happen to love the Ibanez BTB series.
 
#72
Originally posted by lobster_boy
Every time I hear "traditional basses" on the radio or something they sound like muffled inaudible crap! and that amazing fender 1 band EQ is as useful yer gramma in a boxing ring...finally i said it. I dont care what people say about the SR series, they've the fastest neck, smallest non-heavey body, and cheapest, I dont really care that some $1000 exotic wood has a slightly lower tone than $50 basswood. I've played $2000 Sodosky's and they're 1000 lbs and like tackling a moose when played for a long time. So you can have yer out-dated moose-basses.:o
Click to expand...


It's not often I find one post this intriguing.

I'm wondering how someone would know what bass they're hearing on the radio (hint: radio is audio-only).

The amazing Fender 1 band EQ sounds pretty interesting. Which band? Most people just call it a tone control.

I thought only Peaveys were heavey.

Was the $1000 exotic wood used in a bass you saw on the radio?

I have no experience with Sodosky's, maybe they are that heavy. Where did you play one for a long time? Just curious.

If I'm ever in the market for the fastest neck, the smallest non-heavey body and cheapest bass I now know where to look. TIA
 
#76
Originally posted by mjw


Hi all,

This probably belongs in "Technique", but since Embellisher mentioned it here, I figured I'd ask. I'm curious to know what you mean by double thumb technique? One of our primary bassists at church appears to sound notes with his thumb more than anything else, and is really great at it. He's not slappin', and occassionally uses the traditional two-finger method, but for the most part, he's all thumbs (no pun intended). Is this what you're talking about? If so, how often do you play this way, or is it entirely dependant on the piece you're playing, or ...???

Anyway, thanks for the info. :)

P.S. For what it's worth, I happen to love the Ibanez BTB series.
Click to expand...

Double thumb is the technique of using your thumb to slap downstrokes and upstrokes, to maximize efficiency and to help you with those fast slap parts. I'm still in the early stages of teaching it to myself. Guys like Victor Wooten, Mark King and Bill Dickens have elevated double-thumbing to an art form. They can slap so darned fast that it isn't even musical.
 
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