Help me choose an Ibanez bass

[saarangnarayan]

So I currently have a bass-shaped hole in my guitar rack, and I'm pretty set on putting an Ibanez bass in it. I've had an older version (from 2008) of what is now the Yamaha TRBX304, and I had an Ibanez SR500E for a couple of years which I had to sell when I was moving countries. The Ibanez SR felt and played MUCH better than any other bass I've ever tried, and so it's a no-brainer for me to go with that again. But I was wondering if it's worth upgrading to either their headless ones or one of the other SRs that they offer. I'm quite keen on having a multiscale bass which would allow me a tad more tension on the lower strings. My caveman self likes to tune the bass like my guitars to Drop C, so I was also wondering if getting a 5-string would be a good way to go or not?

The SRMS720 with the Fishman Fluences seems pretty tempting right now, and that blue chameleon finish is something I'm really into. Though it might be cool to have the headless option, considering they supposedly can be transported in a regular guitar gig bag.

Would love to hear y'alls' thoughts and experiences on the matter!

P.S.– I'm not a bassist proper, but I do like to lay down bass tracks for a lot of different kinds of stuff, so the tonal diversity of an Ibanez is right up my alley, but I'm open to other brands, too. It'll need a bit of arm-twisting tho!

 

[paisleywookiee]

That SRMS720 is awesome, definitely recommend. Just have it set up for C. The headless basses are VERY different feeling. Flatter radius and shape. I do like them though.

 

[RGB]

I've been looking at some of the Ibanez short scale basses as I need one for my music room too. Don't want anything fancy, just something to do tracks at home.

Maybe I'll get some ideas here as well.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I've been looking at some of the Ibanez short scale basses as I need one for my music room too. Don't want anything fancy, just something to do tracks at home.

Maybe I'll get some ideas here as well.

The SRMD200? It’s a fun bass, but it’s cheap. I wish it were made better.

 

[RGB]

I was looking at the TMB30 and the other low dollar short scale offerings. Haven't looked at other brands though. Just getting started.

 

[Frankencat]

As someone who has worked on many of these I want to say that these are very decent basses as far as playability and sound but the hardware is absolutely junk. Update the bridge and tuners and they are great.

 

[paisleywookiee]

As someone who has worked on many of these I want to say that these are very decent basses as far as playability and sound but the hardware is absolutely junk. Update the bridge and tuners and they are great.

Yeah agreed. Talmans are cool, but I’ve seen the tuners literally fall apart. Plan to replace.

 

[saarangnarayan]

Iceman? JK.

I wish! That EHB upper horn does remind me of that, tho.

 

[saarangnarayan]

As someone who has worked on many of these I want to say that these are very decent basses as far as playability and sound but the hardware is absolutely junk. Update the bridge and tuners and they are great.

Which ones specifically? SRs or EHBs? I had a very good run with my SR500E and the hardware on it felt quite solid.

 

[saarangnarayan]

The headless basses are VERY different feeling. Flatter radius and shape.

I don't mind that since I'm not too wedded to any particular spec like that. I have read online tho that the headless ones seem to have a bit more QC problems than other models. The other trouble is that the SRMS720 isn't readily available with any music stores (online or otherwise) near me.

 

[metropolis_4]

If you’re going for a 5 string I would recommend trying a 5 string SR first and make sure you’re OK with the string spacing. Most 5 string SR’s have super narrow string spacing.

If you find you don’t like it there are some SRs with wider string spacing, you just have to dig a little more

 

[Will Onyx]

I haven’t looked at the current Ibanez lineup but if it’s similar to years past, I’d start with the SR500 series and look upwards from there. That always seemed to be the cut off where they offered better hardware and electronics/pickups.

 

[Mike Yaffe]

I've played bass for 50 years, and I've played them all. Ibanez was my least favorite, I never liked the thin necks, and they never felt good to me. Give me a Fender, Gibson, Rick, Alembic, even a Squier, I've owned them all and never craved an Ibanez. All the well-known brands are much more favorable to me, in my experience. If you have little hands, Ibanez would work. I just feel like I could take one across my knee and... SNAP, like a twig. Now, that said, I'd own a lawsuit model (late 70's, very solid) and on loan once, I had a Flying V Ibanez bass that was fairly Gibson-like. I had a Dean V that wasn't nearly as nice.

 

[gearJunkie]

Pipedream Chopped 6

Thread 'Tim Pierce … just cost me $$$ (PipeDream Fretworks)'

Jan 3, 2023

• fretworn
• Replies: 128
• Forum: Guitar

• 
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[paisleywookiee]

I've played bass for 50 years, and I've played them all. Ibanez was my least favorite, I never liked the thin necks, and they never felt good to me. Give me a Fender, Gibson, Rick, Alembic, even a Squier, I've owned them all and never craved an Ibanez. All the well-known brands are much more favorable to me, in my experience. If you have little hands, Ibanez would work. I just feel like I could take one across my knee and... SNAP, like a twig. Now, that said, I'd own a lawsuit model (late 70's, very solid) and on loan once, I had a Flying V Ibanez bass that was fairly Gibson-like. I had a Dean V that wasn't nearly as nice.

You know Ibanez has different necks, right?

 

[Mike Yaffe]

The lawsuit V bass I mentioned had a set neck, I realize the point you make. I'm just a bit traditional in my approach.

 

[DrewJD82]

Man, I see the BTB basses going for pretty damn cheap prices these days and those are some pretty nice basses.

I know this thread is a few months old so I dunno if you settled on something, but my next bass will also be a multiscale and it's mostly likely going to be a-

But that's specifically because I'm going lower than drop C and need something I can go down to A with and not hate the way it sounds. I've yet to play a bass I'm content with the sound with when tuning down to A with a 34" scale.

FWIW, my main tuning is drop C and I was having a bitch of a time figuring out the string gauge for the low C. I got a cheaper Warwick 5-string with the intent of tuning the low B to C and I would just get this ridiculous sub frequency if the string were too thick or the thing wouldn't hold tuning if it were too thin. Eventually I ordered a .115 from Stringjoy (they don't offer them anymore) and it solved the problem immediately. I've had it in different tunings since they stopped making them.

Regardless, that's as low as I'll go on a 34" and everything else lower gets done using the Virtual Capo in the AxeFX until I get a multi-scale 5-string.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I’m probably going to do the EHB headless. They play great, have a slightly thicker neck, and have reinforcement rods.

 

[metropolis_4]

Man, I see the BTB basses going for pretty damn cheap prices these days and those are some pretty nice basses.

I know this thread is a few months old so I dunno if you settled on something, but my next bass will also be a multiscale and it's mostly likely going to be a-

But that's specifically because I'm going lower than drop C and need something I can go down to A with and not hate the way it sounds. I've yet to play a bass I'm content with the sound with when tuning down to A with a 34" scale.

FWIW, my main tuning is drop C and I was having a bitch of a time figuring out the string gauge for the low C. I got a cheaper Warwick 5-string with the intent of tuning the low B to C and I would just get this ridiculous sub frequency if the string were too thick or the thing wouldn't hold tuning if it were too thin. Eventually I ordered a .115 from Stringjoy (they don't offer them anymore) and it solved the problem immediately. I've had it in different tunings since they stopped making them.

Regardless, that's as low as I'll go on a 34" and everything else lower gets done using the Virtual Capo in the AxeFX until I get a multi-scale 5-string.

Do you mean you tune the low string on a 5 string up a half step to C, or down to the C below that?

I’m with you on scale length, I don’t even like the low B on most 34” 5 strings. The BTB are great basses!

 

[saarangnarayan]

I know this thread is a few months old so I dunno if you settled on something, but my next bass will also be a multiscale

Haven't made a purchase so far because, well, life got in the way and I'm putting off any major gear purchase until next year or so. But yeah, completely with you re. mulsticale basses. There really is a lot of benefit in having that extra tension on the lowest string. But a 5 string might be a bit much for me, though I haven't played one in my life. The SRMS720 does have my interest piqued because it seems to be virtually the only 4-string multiscale bass that I can find. But the compactness of the EHB stuff is enticing, too. Good thing is I don't have to make a decision immediately!