Ibanez bass

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JeffI

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I was looking at getting my first bass, and was looking for suggestions. The one I have my eye on is an Ibanez GSR200, this fits well in my price range (and since i have little clue how to play, and will likely just be sampling my own playing) should last me a while. Suggestions on possibly a better choice in the same range?

Thanks
Jeff
 
Thge Ibanez is ok, but personally I like the feel and sound of the Yamahas. The cheap yamaha basses are actually very nice.....go for it
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Is that the one with the "P type" p'up at the neck and "J type" at the bridge? If so, should be a good "all around" sounding bass. I remember looking at those, but bought a used Ibanez Ergodyne EDB400 instead. Plastic Fantastic!

Queue
 
The RBX260 is great foir a beginner. I been playing for awhile and Im still a fan. I know ppl that've been playing for years that love the feel of this bass...It's light and easy to play. The Fender Squire for a beginners bass is a little to heavy for my liking. I also prefer the sound of the yamaha to the Ibanez and the Fender
 
I too am a beginner...here's my piddly reply

I 'test drove' quite a few basses before purchasing a DeArmond Pilot Pro for very lil' $$$$.

Because I am not a veteran bass player I wasn't sure exactly what the hell I should or should not be hearing or feeling while trying it on for size.

1) It sounded BETTER (to me)(as in a warmer bassier tone) than the other ones in it's price range (they had this wierd, semi-undescribable twang thing goin' on) I also had the kick butt bass players who hang out at there play them while I listened...that helped a WHOLE BUNCH!!! (I thought oh....maybe it's the amp, so I test drove different basses on different amps and got the same thing)

2) It FELT good. It wasn't 'as heavy' as other ones, but it wasn't light either, substantial, but not bulky

3) It CAME with smooth(er) strings...which was a major PLUS so I wouldn't hash my fingers all to hell (as badly) until they toughened up. (OK, that might be a stupid girl thing)

4) It LOOKED good. It's natural light colored wood (have no idea what kind) with a clear lacquer and a black neck...the knobs and gizmos are brushed crome looking. It looks like the interior of a modern loft kitchen...now if that's not a girlie thing...who knows...but I didn't really feel as good about playing when I was picking up the 80s Metal Band looking Bass. This really shouldn't matter, but to me it did.

Good Luck, and please let us know what you end purchasing. :)
 
My first bass was a Yamaha RBX and I found it quite useful. But now, I don't like the neck anymore. It's even worse with these Ibanez Soundgear things. They're so small! Don't get me wrong: this might be a plus for a beginner and/or person with small hands. Anyway, it's just taste.

I know, that didn't help anyone. But what the hell...

David
 
Pilot Bass

Back in the early 90's, Guild developed the Pilot Bass so if this is based on the same design concepts that it should probably be pretty good. The original Pilots were very nice, but most folks couldn't get over the fact that they weren't a "normal" brand like Fender, Yamaha etc.

As for the Yamaha basses, I have played them for years and I find them to be an excellent value. I think the necks are great for a beginner and even a "pro". I have to fess up that I own two Yamahas and also a Fender Jazz Bass. The Fender is my pride and joy but is most certainly out of the beginner price range.

I have found Ibanez guitars (not basses mind you) under the 300 mark to be pretty shoddy in terms of quality, and I do think the basses have an artificial sound to them. Not natural. But if you are a metal guy, then maybe Ibanez is what you are looking for sound wise.

Try to go to a store that has as many different brands as possible,
find a good amp to play them through:SWR, Fender Ampeg, (no crate) and set the controls on the amp FLAT>! bass, mid, treble all right up the middle. Don't effect them at all (reverb, compression nothing), and see which one sounds best to you. If it sounds good to you clean and at a "flat"EQ then you are in business. Keep in mind that most basses at the sub $300 level will all be passive pickups and will hum when you amplify them. That's life, so compare how loud the noise is as well...

AND DON"T LET A SALESMAN TALK YOU INTO SOMETHING YOU DON"T WANT! :)

happy hunting!

nP
 
I got a Yamaha bass too. Since I'm a guitar player, I walked into my local guitar shop and told the salesman to show me the cheapest bass he had. I actually ended up buying the 2nd cheapest, which was a yamaha with a humbucker, P-bass style. The cheapest, about 20 bucks cheaper, was a J-bass single-coil style, but I thought the humbucker sounded a lot phatter. The only thing I had to do to get this bass sounding great was to take off the old light strings and replace them with some fairly heavy ones. Sounds phat and warm, cost me less than 300$, I'm happy.
 
Looks like the Yamaha is in the lead over the Ibanez then. I'll have to goto a music shop and test drive them for myself. At least I have a better idea now.
Thanks to all the replies

Cheers,

Jeff
 
I am in the same boat. Is the Yamaha really the way to go? Is it more versatile to have a P & a J pickup like the Ibanez?
 
and if I said it once, I said it a thousand times.....$$$ for $$$, Yamaha makes a better guitar (or bass) than Fender, Ibanez, and most others.....
 
In your shoes I'd go with the Yammie.I have an RBX260F (fretless) and for the $199 it cost me,I've had a lot of fun with it.The neck is really comfortable and the sound doesn't suck either.The new 270 with the extra pickup is cool as well,but I've seen a couple in stores that would need a serious setup to get where my 260F was the day I picked it up.
 
aaahhh.....Queue?......

lots of us here love our guitars and basses...its ok to love your guitar......its not ok to LOVE your guitar.....thats just not natural.....
 
My son is a beginner and is looking at the Yamaha RBX260 or RBX270. If he gets the cheaper RBX260, will he regret it later for not getting the extra pickup in the RBX270? Also, what's the difference between the RBX260 and RBX264?
 
MF has the Yamaha RBX264 for $149. That seems like a good price. Has anyone seen the RBX270 for less than $249? I think I am leaning twards the 270. Is it worth the extra $100.
 
That's what I was wondering as well. I read that the tone knob on the RBX260 didn't really do anything but increase string squeak and wondered if it works any better on the RBX270. I was also going to get a Fender Bassman 25 amp, good sound, RCA input jacks and headphone jack. My son plays travel hockey and is on the road a lot. There is another boy on the team who has started playing electric guitar. They would like to take their guitars with them and practice at the hotels between games. Can both a bass and an electric guitar be used at the same time with the Fender? Is there another choice like the 1 input Rockman Headphone Amp that has 2 inputs that would be a little more portable than the 33lb Fender? Thanks
 
The Yamaha is ok, but personally I like the feel and sound of the Ibanez. The cheap Ibanez basses, such as the GSR200, are actually very nice, I have one and it's fine....go for it /DA
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QUOTE: mshea: -"[a DeArmond Pilot Pro]... It CAME with smooth(er) strings..."

DA>> They're called "flatwound" strings, where the windings are smooth and flat. Flatwound bass strings give a 'smoother', less 'twangy' sound than "roundwound" bass strings.

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QUOTE: mshea: -[a DeArmond Pilot Pro]... It sounded BETTER (to me)(as in a warmer bassier tone) than the other ones in it's price range (they had this wierd, semi-undescribable twang thing goin' on)..."

DA>> The 'twangy' ones all probably had "roundwound" strings.

-------

DA>> The Ibanez GSR200 bass is a fine bass. I got one for $199, several months ago. The Ibanez GSR200 has a "P & J" pickup arrangement, roundwound strings, is pretty light, looks great, and plays great. Colors are blue, red and black. The action is low and playable. It has a rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. [I think the DeArmond is a short-scale bass]. The low priced Ibanez guitars and basses are fine, go for it.

I also have another Ibanez bass, an '85 Ibanez Roadstar II RB850. The RB850 is another super-fine bass. It has dual humbucking pickups and active electronics, and the basic look & feel of the current Ibanez GSR series basses.

I also have several Ibanez guitars, and an Ibanez acoustic/electric bass, plus some non-Ibanez guitars.

I recommend Ibanez guitars and basses. My other recommendation for moderately priced guitars and basses is Danelectro.

- IMO, the Ibanez GSR200 is a fine bass, for the price, around ~$200. I don't think you'd be unhappy if you bought one. I know, choosing an instrument is a very personal decision. Good luck.
 
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