ibanez musician or aria sb

[dmccombe7]

My Aria SB1000 i think cost me £360 around 1980. Can't remember what the Ibanez cost me a couple of years later. I guess that says something about how important each bass was to me. 

Dave

[Shaggy]

Bought my Ibanez MC900 new in Hesseys of Liverpool, Oct 1979 - £200 with a non-Ibanez hard case.

[tubbybloke68]

I got my mc924 in 1985 from a little shop called tiger music , Sydney st Brighton.I fell in love with it after playing it in there but was genuinely 50 quid short of the asking price £450. I was absolutely gutted and I think the bloke took pity on me as I left the shop with a hang dog expression with my mate and trudged off down the street.we’d gone about 50 yds down the street and he came out the door and shouted at me that i could have it. Never run so fast in my life back there and kept thanking him so much, guess my face must’ve said it all !Still have her to this day,very well used with various scars but oh what a bloody gorgeous thing, beautiful shallow neck and like someone else said, on the back pup with a bit of top rolled off THAT sound, very Wal ish, thick, punchy smooth. 
wonderful basses.I have actually tried various Arias from the same era, but I know where my money would go. 
Good luck in your quest anyway.

Best regards, jeff 

[dmccombe7]

3 hours ago, tubbybloke68 said:

I got my mc924 in 1985 from a little shop called tiger music , Sydney st Brighton.I fell in love with it after playing it in there but was genuinely 50 quid short of the asking price £450. I was absolutely gutted and I think the bloke took pity on me as I left the shop with a hang dog expression with my mate and trudged off down the street.we’d gone about 50 yds down the street and he came out the door and shouted at me that i could have it. Never run so fast in my life back there and kept thanking him so much, guess my face must’ve said it all !Still have her to this day,very well used with various scars but oh what a bloody gorgeous thing, beautiful shallow neck and like someone else said, on the back pup with a bit of top rolled off THAT sound, very Wal ish, thick, punchy smooth. 
wonderful basses.I have actually tried various Arias from the same era, but I know where my money would go. 
Good luck in your quest anyway.

Best regards, jeff 

Post a wee pic of it. Would be nice to see. I def like the look of the one from the OP.

Mine was white but i much prefer the wood finish these days.

Dave

[police squad]

15 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Post a wee pic of it. Would be nice to see. I def like the look of the one from the OP.

Mine was white but i much prefer the wood finish these days.

Dave

Here's a couple of pictures of mine

[Quin]

Update:

 

I just went and bought the Ibanez, tested it out there for a while and really like it so far, ill send some pics when im back home

 

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, Quin said:

Update:

 

I just went and bought the Ibanez, tested it out there for a while and really like it so far, ill send some pics when im back home

 

Well done, dont think you'll be disappointed with either. Both great basses.

Look forward to seeing some pics.

Dave

Edited May 6, 2022 by dmccombe7

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, police squad said:

Here's a couple of pictures of mine

Yep that is very nice. 

Dave

[tubbybloke68]

[tubbybloke68]

Oops, sorry think I’m getting the hang of this picture lark now 🤣x 

[White Cloud]

6 hours ago, police squad said:

Here's a couple of pictures of mine

I had an identical one, unmarked fretless... Superb bass.

[White Cloud]

2 hours ago, tubbybloke68 said:

Congratulations, lovely purchase!

[Misdee]

3 hours ago, tubbybloke68 said:

That was a brand new version of the Musician Bass in 1985. I remember my guitarist friend showing me it in the new Ibanez catalogue at the time. The last incarnation of the Musician basses after this one had a scaled- down body, I seem to remember. 

 

Lovely bass, by the way 

[Bassassin]

4 hours ago, Misdee said:

That was a brand new version of the Musician Bass in 1985. I remember my guitarist friend showing me it in the new Ibanez catalogue at the time. The last incarnation of the Musician basses after this one had a scaled- down body, I seem to remember. 

 

Lovely bass, by the way 

 

The final generation of Musician (1986) had the body shape of the SoundGears which launched the following year. Still going strong!

 

[jonno1981]

In an ideal world, I’d have the Ibanez headstock, electronics and neck profile, with the aria body shape, finish and materials! 
The headstock on the aria really puts me off for some reason. 

[Sparky Mark]

Back in the 80s I bought an Ibby Roadster (tobacco sunburst, maple bolt on neck with cream PJ pups) from Rockbottom in Croydon. I think I chopped in my Shergold Marathon (never liked that one) and thought because it had PJ it had everything I'd ever need! How naive was I? 

Edited May 7, 2022 by Sparky Mark

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, Sparky Mark said:

Back in the 80s I bought an Ibby Roadster (tobacco sunburst, maple bolt on neck with cream PJ pups) from Rockbottom in Croydon. I think I chopped in my Shergold Marathon (never liked that one) and thought because it had PJ it had everything I'd ever need! How naive was I? 

Remember trying one of those and the neck was very wide compared to my own basses. I just couldn't take to it at all.

Dave

[White Cloud]

I've got to say I don't think Ibanez have ever been as on the money since the end of this era. 

 

I've always thought the SR's and BTB's were bang average and not in the same league.

[Woodinblack]

On 05/05/2022 at 11:53, dmccombe7 said:

My Aria SB1000 i think cost me £360 around 1980. Can't remember what the Ibanez cost me a couple of years later. I guess that says something about how important each bass was to me. 

 

Sounds more like an indication of how much £360 was to you in 1980.

I almost bought a gibson 'The Paul' in 1980 for £320, but I couldn't afford it or persuade my dad to lend me the money. But turned out alright, the guitarist in my band sold me a 78 'the paul' a couple of years ago for £400, so inflation not too bad. Didnt even have to ask my dad this time.

[Sparky Mark]

8 hours ago, White Cloud said:

I've got to say I don't think Ibanez have ever been as on the money since the end of this era. 

 

I've always thought the SR's and BTB's were bang average and not in the same league.

I'm have to disagree there. For me, the SR1200E premium is a fantastic bass. I love the ergonomics, light weight, EQ electronics and Nordstrand big single pups. It's as good as any bass I've owned and far more flexible than most. I'd take it over any 1980s Japanese bass.

Edited May 7, 2022 by Sparky Mark

[tubbybloke68]

2 hours ago, White Cloud said:

I've got to say I don't think Ibanez have ever been as on the money since the end of this era. 

 

I've always thought the SR's and BTB's were bang average and not in the same league.

Absolutely correct in my opinion too. Think the last musician basses were nicknamed the ‘bean bass’ regarding the body shape .The latter ones, as mine have much more slimmer/shallow necks I believe? Wonderful instruments indeed. Enjoy! 

[White Cloud]

19 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

I'm have to disagree there. For me, the SR1200E premium is a fantastic bass. I love the ergonomics, light weight, EQ electronics and Nordstrand big single pups. It's as good as any bass I've owned and far more flexible than most. I'd take it over any other 1980s Japanese bass.

I gigged an SR1205 for 5 years and in fairness it really was a fantastic bass. I've never been keen on the headstock though.

 

There were a few anomalies in the fit and finish that detracted slightly, and overall  think the Japanese built Ibanez's were flawless.

 

The Indonesian built instruments are still very good though.

[dmccombe7]

49 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

I'm have to disagree there. For me, the SR1200E premium is a fantastic bass. I love the ergonomics, light weight, EQ electronics and Nordstrand big single pups. It's as good as any bass I've owned and far more flexible than most. I'd take it over any other 1980s Japanese bass.

I do like the look of those. Similarities to one of the Alembic basses but cant remember the name of. 

They do get high praise in reviews.

Dave

[Sparky Mark]

25 minutes ago, White Cloud said:

I gigged an SR1205 for 5 years and in fairness it really was a fantastic bass. I've never been keen on the headstock though.

 

There were a few anomalies in the fit and finish that detracted slightly, and overall  think the Japanese built Ibanez's were flawless.

 

The Indonesian built instruments are still very good though.

Agreed. I think it was the "bang average" bit that was a little harsh.

[Sparky Mark]

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I do like the look of those. Similarities to one of the Alembic basses but cant remember the name of. 

They do get high praise in reviews.

Dave

I think it could be the Essence.