Why Not Ibanez Bass

[darthplagis]

I have a couple of dozen basses, of a variety of brands, and have owned a lot, maybe 120 or more others, and come back to my Ibanezes. There are 3, 2 SRs and a BTB that are my main players, so much so that I think the rest can go. Nah, I'll keep the SR806 for Church.

That's funny. I never see any innovation in Fender beyond a new colour or a ... well nothing. Anytime that they try something new the FSO fanbois reject it and it's culled quickly. In terms of construction, nothing at FMIC has changed in decades, and I get why, they sell. Ibanez at least took a punt with the EHBs, and though not made in large quantities are hard to get a hold of, same with the similar guitars.

Oh don't get me wrong... The two fenders I own are innovators pmsl (a pink paisley 51 RI and 1st ed jaguar bass both CIJ). The 51 was the original electric bass and the jaguar was released as a non bass vi version almost 50 years too late

I mentioned the colour options though rather than instrument innovation which tbf fender hasn't done anything great since Leo left and started music man. That's why I'm not a fender man, I'd much rather go for sandberg if I want a FSO (which I did).

That's the thing, I do applaud ibanez for pushing the boundaries, I love the BTBs I've played and the ATK was top of my GAS list back in the early 2ks but never found one I wanted to buy.
The headless ones they have now both the more budget line and the top range ones are really intersting, if I didn't have WAAY too many instruments I'd be after one

I just really don't like the sound gear line, like I said above its a personal thing and if anyone enjoys them more power to them.
However because so many people gush over them they are sadly the main focus of ibanez' bass range. So the likes of the talman and ATK get only budget versions of limited release (I'm aware there was a run of the talman with a roasted neck and nice pickup options, it's not on the site now however).

 

[VillageIdiott]

I have a couple of dozen basses, of a variety of brands, and have owned a lot, maybe 120 or more others, and come back to my Ibanezes. There are 3, 2 SRs and a BTB that are my main players, so much so that I think the rest can go. Nah, I'll keep the SR806 for Church.

That's funny. I never see any innovation in Fender beyond a new colour or a ... well nothing.

I have to say... this is not entirely true. My experience with Fender Japan is that they are VERY innovative. Fender Jazz Bass Special basses from the 80s, Fender Aerodyne Jazz, Fender Extrad and Custom Edition basses, and every imaginable iteration of Jazz bass (colours, pickguard or lack thereof, PJ configuration). Fender Japan was even making hollow body PBasses for a while.

Amazing. All collectables. I have owned most of the above and still own most.

The US Fenders are very boring in my opinion.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I have a couple of dozen basses, of a variety of brands, and have owned a lot, maybe 120 or more others, and come back to my Ibanezes. There are 3, 2 SRs and a BTB that are my main players, so much so that I think the rest can go. Nah, I'll keep the SR806 for Church.

That's funny. I never see any innovation in Fender beyond a new colour or a ... well nothing. Anytime that they try something new the FSO fanbois reject it and it's culled quickly. In terms of construction, nothing at FMIC has changed in decades, and I get why, they sell. Ibanez at least took a punt with the EHBs, and though not made in large quantities are hard to get a hold of, same with the similar guitars.

I agree, that Ibanez has in the past, and still to this day comes up with innovative ideas, which sometimes flop.

But their successes far outweigh their few failures.

They are a very forward-thinking company.

Ibanez.

Good cracker!
Good cracker!

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

My EDA905F

Strange body, but very comfortable.

I think these were available for 2 years.

 

[Michael Jewels]

My frog on EDA photo.

Previously on display at The Louvre.

 

[VillageIdiott]

My EDA905F

Strange body, but very comfortable.

I think these were available for 2 years.
View attachment 4739865

Is this a reissue? I know they made them a while back and then released them again. I could be wrong. There are at least two of these on Yahoo Auction in Japan currently. Both have starting prices around 2k Can$.

I'll see if I can link here.

Gorgeous bass. I have always wanted to try one.

 

[VillageIdiott]

I think I may be mistaking the wooden Affirma basses with yours. That looks composite.... Is that right?

 

[Michael Jewels]

I think I may be mistaking the wooden Affirma basses with yours. That looks composite.... Is that right?

Yes, the body is luthite, which smells of gasoline when the guitar is in the case for more than a week, but the smell quickly disipates when out of the case.

The fingerboard is ebonol, which, if I remember correctly is a plastic very similar to the material on the handles of pots and pans.

The only part of the bass that’s wood, is the neck.

The body shape is weird, and will not lay flat, but this is what makes it wrap around your belly. Very comfortable.

I bought it, because I wanted an unlined fretless for less than $1,000.

I bought one of the last ones Musician’s Friend had, in 2002.

The electronics are humming now, so I have to get it looked at.

Mike

 

[B-Mac]

why is an Ibanez bass guitar not a very popular bass.....I have 5 out of 30 bass guitars.....I love the sounds......But when I read up on bass players out of the masses only a few play Ibanez......I was just wondering why that is???????They look and sound great to me.......

They are popular. Cor-Tek makes most of the solid body basses under contract with Ibanez. They’ve been doing it for years. Hollow/ Semi-hollow are made in China. Most ABG Ibanez’ are also made in China. Their Made in Japan basses are amazing.

They're only not popular with most Fender Fan Boi’s, I guess because they have a modern sound (whatever that is).

I own 2 SR models, 1 Mikro and 4 Artcore basses. They’re wonderful basses though I haven’t ventured into the SR500 and below range (not counting the Mikro).

They’re quite popular here too. The Ibanez Club (Part 6)

I’m getting a feeling of deja vu. If I wrote this before my apologies.

 

[Dincrest]

In terms of Ibanez and popularity...

In my peak years of gigging, touring, and attending shows, Soundgears were just as ubiquitous in the wild as Fenders.

So, yeah, Ibanez is popular.

And even then, what's popular in our TalkBass clubhouse doesn't always translate to what's trending out in the "real" world. The Schecter Stiletto Studio basses get a pretty lukewarm reception around here, but I've seen a LOT of gigging/touring bassists using those. Or at least enough using them that it made an impression on my brain.

And while Ibanez is looked at fairly positively here at TalkBass these days, I remember in the 2000s when they got bagged on mercilessly as "I-been-hadz." Maybe it's because that was the nu-metal era and several nu-metal band used Ibanez, so people didn't want to be associated with "them." Warwicks had the same stigma back then too.