alembic1989 Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 As soon as I'd heard on here that Ibanez was going to re-release the Affirma range, I was onto it straightaway. Sent an email, looking for inf on the spec ( whether or not it was identical to the original, in terms of hardware, woods etc, if fretless version were going to be available....a rough release date, and finally a price)...waited for about a week no response. So I sent another, AND also rang their sales dept, who confirmed the 2nd email...but knew NOTHING AT ALL about Affirma Basses....but did say they'd get back to me. Like f**k ..still nowt. I think this is really poor indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Shame as they were fantastic when I contacted them after buying a bass from PMT (who were useless). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 It’s crap they didn’t give you a straight response one way or another after the first email, but seeing as it doesn’t appear on either the U.K. or Japanese Ibanez website yet, I’m not surprised they didn’t give you any information on the spec and price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 39 minutes ago, NJE said: It’s crap they didn’t give you a straight response one way or another after the first email, but seeing as it doesn’t appear on either the U.K. or Japanese Ibanez website yet, I’m not surprised they didn’t give you any information on the spec and price. Fair point. But the guy in sales didn't even know what I was talking about.....that can't be right..I expected that at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 15 minutes ago, alembic1989 said: Fair point. But the guy in sales didn't even know what I was talking about.....that can't be right..I expected that at least. If it's not on the Ibanez websites, then the info you have is probably leaked before Ibanez has officially released, meaning that the distributor can't say anything until they get the go ahead. Give them a break Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Ibanez anniversary Check the link for some specs on the bass. It looks lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 1 hour ago, 2elliot said: Ibanez anniversary Check the link for some specs on the bass. It looks lovely. That's the 1991 original, hand-built, impossibly hi-spec, and virtually unobtainable. I missed one on Ebay about 10 years ago for stupidly little money. @alembic1989 is referring to the forthcoming reissue, described as "affordable". http://geargods.net/namm-2018/ibanez-to-reissue-affirma-bass-in-2018-namm-2018/ Looking forward to seeing some specs/pics. Might be persuaded to part with my orange plastic EDA900 & upgrade... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 The sadness of the points raised in the OP are much the same as any industry. We bought a Honda CRV a few years back and knew there was a new facelift model coming (it was all over the internet); the salesman claimed otherwise, pretty much telling us we didn't know what we were talking about. There's just this indifference from sales/support staff; if it's just about a salary, they won't be motivated to make themselves aware of new product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 9 hours ago, Sibob said: If it's not on the Ibanez websites, then the info you have is probably leaked before Ibanez has officially released, meaning that the distributor can't say anything until they get the go ahead. Give them a break Si But they were on display recently at NAMM n the Ibanez stand...doesn't sound like a leak...sounds like a launch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naxos10 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Ibanez UK are not the only ones to have this problem. I work for a multi-national company and we regularly have customers asking for product we know nothing about. A lot of is because certain items are only released in certain countries (typically due to differing standards) and they get really annoyed because you did not know about it. It has got worse due to the wide use of the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) 46 minutes ago, alembic1989 said: But they were on display recently at NAMM n the Ibanez stand...doesn't sound like a leak...sounds like a launch. I'm not sure I'd refer to some guitars at a trade show (in a different territory), but not on the official websites, as a launch. At best that's an 'official leak/preview', at worst, a fairly substantial marketing failure on Ibanez' behalf. It's also worth separating the appointed U.K. Distributor from Ibanez, referring to Headstock Distro as 'Ibanez UK' is a little misleading, they will be at the mercy of any information that Ibanez feeds them. Whilst it's arguable that they should chase info for a new product, if there's no info on Ibanez' website yet, what is there to 'officially' chase?! (You see the cyclical problem here). Have you contacted Ibanez directly? Probably more pertinent a question to ask them when the UK will receive shipment. Si Edited March 6, 2018 by Sibob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 7 hours ago, Sibob said: I'm not sure I'd refer to some guitars at a trade show (in a different territory), but not on the official websites, as a launch. At best that's an 'official leak/preview', at worst, a fairly substantial marketing failure on Ibanez' behalf. It's also worth separating the appointed U.K. Distributor from Ibanez, referring to Headstock Distro as 'Ibanez UK' is a little misleading, they will be at the mercy of any information that Ibanez feeds them. Whilst it's arguable that they should chase info for a new product, if there's no info on Ibanez' website yet, what is there to 'officially' chase?! (You see the cyclical problem here). Have you contacted Ibanez directly? Probably more pertinent a question to ask them when the UK will receive shipment. Si Hi Si, no I didn't think of contacting Ibanez directly...tbh, I guess I'll just wait and see if & when they come..I've taken all the steps I'm prepared to take ( I would've even considered paying a deposit if the price & spec was right)... perhaps they've missed a trick here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 8 hours ago, Sibob said: Have you contacted Ibanez directly? Probably more pertinent a question to ask them when the UK will receive shipment. Sadly the more pertinent question might be whether the UK will receive shipment. Not all new models get released internationally and the UK is likely seen as a minor and somewhat conservative market. Unfortunately it wouldn't surprise me if they don't come here, just like all the gorgeous variations on Aria SB basses don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Bassassin said: Sadly the more pertinent question might be whether the UK will receive shipment. Not all new models get released internationally and the UK is likely seen as a minor and somewhat conservative market. Unfortunately it wouldn't surprise me if they don't come here, just like all the gorgeous variations on Aria SB basses don't. Nooooooooooo!!! don't say that!! I've been after a fretless Affirma for years!! Edited March 6, 2018 by alembic1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 They may be more likely to import them if a header calling them 'Rubbish' from a prominent bass site is modified....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 3 minutes ago, yorks5stringer said: They may be more likely to import them if a header calling them 'Rubbish' from a prominent bass site is modified....! Or..perhaps the opposite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) 23 hours ago, Sibob said: I'm not sure I'd refer to some guitars at a trade show (in a different territory), but not on the official websites, as a launch. At best that's an 'official leak/preview', at worst, a fairly substantial marketing failure on Ibanez' behalf. It's also worth separating the appointed U.K. Distributor from Ibanez, referring to Headstock Distro as 'Ibanez UK' is a little misleading, they will be at the mercy of any information that Ibanez feeds them. Whilst it's arguable that they should chase info for a new product, if there's no info on Ibanez' website yet, what is there to 'officially' chase?! (You see the cyclical problem here). Have you contacted Ibanez directly? Probably more pertinent a question to ask them when the UK will receive shipment. Si It’s also probably worth mentioning that because Ibanez is distributed in the UK by Headstock Distribution, they don’t have access to all Ibanez models. So what Ibanez present at NAMM might be the range that will be distributed in the US territory but Headstock might not be able to distribute the same models here in the UK. Edited March 7, 2018 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 (edited) Scroll down to basses, links to big pics: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/news/detail/20181217190604.html But "affordable"? https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-premium-afr-4-affirma-flamed-maple-top-natural-flat?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw-u0_srM3wIV7bztCh0Y0QmWEAYYASABEgJs-fD_BwE Also @alembic1989 sadly looks like there's no fretless version. Edited January 1, 2019 by Bassassin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 (edited) Could be the amp but the tone sounds a little thin is this vid... Edited January 1, 2019 by visog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 A while back my old band were supporting a three piece punk band and their bass player was using an Affirma (or whatever it was called back then). No qualms about how it sounded, but it was the most ridiculous looking bass I'd seen in a while, especially in a punk band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 the lower horn looks like a wang I doubt that you'd have been able to pay a deposit to a national/regional distributor - I would think that you'd have to wait until the distributor finds out if they are getting them or not, then contacts all of the UK dealers with the info if they are and choose your dealer to pay the deposit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 This new AFR-range has few, but tiny visible details, that separate the old from the new: truss rod adjustment is in the other end, one more tone knob (piezo), wood under the bridge is dark in every model. Backside has different plates. Serial number is no more in the abalone plate between the bridge and the bartolini. Bridge is very different and the four-stringer lacks the de-tuner (in the bridge). Would be nice to do some side-by-side testing between the old and new. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Guess I'll be hanging on to my stoopid bright orange plastic EDA900 after all. And I'm absolutely fine with that! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 6 minutes ago, Bassassin said: Guess I'll be hanging on to my stoopid bright orange plastic EDA900 after all. And I'm absolutely fine with that! Nothing wrong with bright orange basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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