Witters Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Anyone got one, tried one? http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail18.php?year=2018&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=161&color=CL01 Having tried @Rich unique Yam fretless for a few days I am now considering the above, or maybe an ESP version at half the price(ish). https://www.espguitars.com/products/9854-b-205sm-fl-ns?category_id=1963318-b-series Any experience with either maker’s fretless basses? What do you think? I’m leaning towards the Ibanez but that’s only coz I have one leg shorter than the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Not tried the five string but had a the four string version for a while. Very nicely made - typical Ibanez quality etc. Pickups are the standard Bart Mk1s - you either love em or you don't. I find them a bit "meh" personally - adequate but nothing to write home about. (Don't know whether a set of Nordy Big Singles would fit - they'd make for a massive improvement...). Where the SRF700 shone was the piezo in the bridge - so smooth and gives an extra dimension you'll be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Double bass type thump and pretty mellow - no harshness that I've had with other piezo equipped basses. You can mix the piezo and the ordinary pups which makes for some nice combinations overall. Overall: Pros - build quality, bridge piezo. Cons (well, more like OKs) - Bart Mk1s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Bart mark ones are fine! Ignore the naysayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 (edited) I've got two Ibanez six strings, both have the Bart Mk 1s and they sound great. Edited October 31, 2018 by FinnDave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 1 hour ago, songofthewind said: Bart mark ones are fine! Ignore the naysayers! Just my opinion - have had four basses with Mk1s and they've all been a little bit disappointing *for me* - which makes me wonder why I kept buying 'em So I'm just offering a point the OP may want to consider in what is/are otherwise very nice basses. Glad your experience has been better than mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambrook Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 I have this bass- it's just awesome. Does everything you could want. Buy it! Think there's one for sale on here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witters Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Thanks folks! sounds as though the Ibanez will be the way to go! cant find the one on here, but that’s ok. thanks again folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambrook Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Not sure if it's still available, but... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestPoetry Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I've owned both the Ibby and LTD. Don't bother with the LTD. It looks pretty, but felt cheap and the electronics were hugely underwhelming. As someone on here said before it was like they took a bass and stuck a guitar pre-amp in it. Having to turn the bass EQ knob all the way up to make it actually sound like a bass should be a deal breaker for anyone. Also the "rawwwk" headstock is cringe, and I say this as an avid extreme metal fan of going on two decades. The Portamento? Beautiful instrument. I sold it as I fell out of love with the tone (tend to prefer the simplicity of passive these days and the Barts are great but I did go off them), but it played like an absolutely dream. Very good B string and the piezo is very convincing and organic sounding. I used it (just piezo) on a track on my old band's album and they were all wowed by the sound. I then re-recorded every other fretless part on the record originally done with a Hohner Jazz because I loved the Ibanez so much. I quite miss it actually! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 If you want to look at something else with a pickup/ piezo combination, consider the Spector Spectorcore 5 string. Mine has an EMG and the Fishman piezo bridge, but I believe newer ones now have a Bartolini. Ebony board, great finish and reasonable price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witters Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 8 hours ago, Sambrook said: Not sure if it's still available, but... Thanks. I’ve asked, we shall have to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Yep, have one, I don't use it much because I don't do much fretless but it is a nice bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted November 2, 2018 Share Posted November 2, 2018 I'm gassing for the 4 string version but am determined to hang fire for now - not quite ready to make the leap to fretless yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witters Posted November 2, 2018 Author Share Posted November 2, 2018 34 minutes ago, burno70 said: I'm gassing for the 4 string version but am determined to hang fire for now - not quite ready to make the leap to fretless yet. Go for it! G’wan. I wasn’t sure about fretless when I first tried, took a while to get used to it but I really like it. I’m waiting for the next payday and confirmation from @Rich for our Boys Bass Day Trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 The Portamento and the Spectorcore are the only basses I GAS for... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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