Ibanez as a brand doesn't inspire the type of happy-happy joy-joy feelings that Fender, Gibson, Music Man and Rickenbacker do. They are just quality tools, not 'icons' or 'classic'.
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Why
- Thread starter woody357
- Start date
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
It's not just Ibanez. Even "boutique" basses such as Alembic do not hold their value. Their lowest priced models< Epic and Excel start at $7,000 but you can find them used for $1,500 to $3,000.
Musical instruments make about as good a financial investment as automobiles.
I bought a really nice Ibanez bass in 1985: a black RB760. The headstock had a silver-sparkle decal that said Ibanez. That worked for me - simple and bold.
Thirty years later, I became interested in buying an Ibanez SR1300 bass. The headstock has a logo that says SDGR in two very different fonts, then by Ibanez in a third font very small.
SDGR is meaningless to me and by Ibanez in teeny lettering suggests to me that SDGR is some kind of lesser brand, like Squier by Fender. In other words, SDGR seems to be the mark of inferiority on a bass that Ibanez refers to as premium. Confusing turn-off.
I didn't buy one. Not into rosewood fingerboards (no maple option) anyway.
For Ibanez to sell more basses at MSRP, and for those basses to fare better on the used market, the company ought to completely rethink how product marketing and brand management really work outside of Japanese culture.
Thirty years later, I became interested in buying an Ibanez SR1300 bass. The headstock has a logo that says SDGR in two very different fonts, then by Ibanez in a third font very small.
SDGR is meaningless to me and by Ibanez in teeny lettering suggests to me that SDGR is some kind of lesser brand, like Squier by Fender. In other words, SDGR seems to be the mark of inferiority on a bass that Ibanez refers to as premium. Confusing turn-off.
I didn't buy one. Not into rosewood fingerboards (no maple option) anyway.
For Ibanez to sell more basses at MSRP, and for those basses to fare better on the used market, the company ought to completely rethink how product marketing and brand management really work outside of Japanese culture.
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yes..I have to agree with what you say..and..for me to own an instrument..it has to sound good..feel good in my hands and look good to me visually..I have had fender jazz basses for 45 years..just really like them..but my favorite is still my 1981 gibson victory artist bass..never getting rid of the gibson..
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Kubicki Factors were like that before Phil Kubicki passed away - now they are selling for close to what they sold for new.
Wondering the same thing about used Pedulla’s as well
Hey -- I'll be happy to give you a fair market value on your used Pedulla.
