Ander87

Hmm interesting. Can you pass me Ibanez’s details in case I contact them in the future? I only found a ‘Headstock’ distributor but I know your issue is not the first time I see it. Funny enough my tuner came with the silliest tiniest chip in the tuner. I’ve repainted this and it won’t show now, but Bax was useless in making amends for this and offered £25 voucher in compensation. it doesn’t bother me much really especially considering the low stock for these (GAK told me next order arriving in April) but I guess it’s fair that I’d get a replacement too?

Oh got it apologies! And odd yes, I didn’t really struggle with mine. Easier with 5ers I guess eh, leave the 3rd string where it is, the 1 and 5 spread max and the 2 & 4th strings a bit to the sides. Still shocked at the one Bax sent you mate, but glad you got a good unit though!

Yep I am confident on my range calculations above. The 5er is 17.25 to 18.75, the 6er is 16.4 to 17.6mm

Hmm! So on the 6er it’s 3mm (+/- 1.5mm) divided by 5 spaces it’s 0.6mm so a range of 16.4 to 17.6mm (17mm base spacing) ain’t it? for the 5er, same 3mm divided by 4 spaces so range of 17.25 to 18.75 where 18mm is the default. I’d love to try 20mm spacing in a 5er though!

Interesting - I’d say in general (not looking to confront) Ibanez spoils for narrow string spacing. I only got my 1505ms since I learnt I could stretch it to almost 19...! Admittedly the only reason I don’t venture over to 6s is cause I can’t find one I can stretch over 18mm.

OH MY GOD THAT IS DISGRACEFUL!!!! I have to admit I got lucky with mine, more concerned over Bax than Ibanez's QC - happy to report mine does NOT have that issue... concerning that they're trying to peddle that to customers!

Also adding on the above... I wouldn't say it's the most polished finish/QC I've seen but it is definitely very correct, frets well sanded down and no glue nor bits out of place. Not defending them, but I've seen similar issues in other pricier basses and, regrettably, a certain 'boutique luthier' that had way worse QC and wiring issues. Maybe Ibanez took note of the comments here and there, my bass passed inspection the 30th September 2020. I love the neck, thin and wide - something I prefer despite my average, not-big hands; the texture of the woods used is lovely and I love the chambering - this bass is definitely by far the most resonant bass that ever landed on my lap. The neck feels super solid. Wide neck and very comfortable string spacing - I'm a fan of 19mm but with the gauge/setup used I think I'm happy to leave it as is, now that I intend to use pick for one band and fingers for the other...

I have to admit the expectations for this bass were huge - we're renovating the house and I decided that I can downsize to do both my bands with this bass alone and cash some money in for the reno. I've had MM SR5 special, Spector Legends, Sadowsky, Sandberg, Lakland... and most recently a Dingwall D-Roc. I wasn't expecting much from Ibanez (don't know why but I just don't love the brand) but my bass came in good condition, tuned perfectly (shocker with this temperatures in the UK, coming from Netherlands). Compared to all those I've had before I'd say it's in my top 3 basses, especially factoring how I can't tolerate basses over 4kg. My quickest review is that this is a Hi-Fi, brighter version of my D-Roc that maintains the lows I need for my bands. The glow-in-the-dark dots seem to be quite a disappointment though but nobody in their right mind would keep that in their top 5 features to get a bass - it doesn't bother me. The knobs are objectively a disappointment, I'm swapping them for East ones, the preamp is pretty decent and quiet I think, fairly transparent I'd say - in no rush to replace it! The gigbag is indeed very 'meh' and will replace it with something decent, thinking of the Mono Sleeve for guitar. It came very well adjusted and I spread the strings as much as I can - despite the poles on the B string not aligning perfectly due to the spread I can swear I've not noticed a loss in sound. Very versatile, and personally a more comfortable scale vs the 36.25/37 of the Dingwall. Very nice grain on the top which, considering is poplar burl, it really is a lottery - I've seen some ugly examples like the below that I chose not to go for despite £100 cheaper.

Lol I hope not, what happened with yours?

Well! I got one recently off Bax Music Shop (I know, a miracle) - they're out of stock in most places, only seen one in stock in a shop in Spain via Reverb. I got mine to substitute both my 4 and 5 as I'm downsizing (new home renovation, will you please look at that horrible pub carpet) and wanted something light ergonomic and able to do both nice cleans for my neosoul project and metal tones alike... Mine is coming at 3.1kg / 6lbs 13oz- Nice eh?

They do disappoint more often than they exceed my expectations honestly - I feel at times they just don't try enough....! Asked for a wait time on a Dingwall.... Thomann 3 months, Bassdirect 'a few weeks', Andertons.... 12 months - did you really check mate? Also, congrats on the new bass and pictures or it doesn't exist!