Ibanez bass for a guitarist

[probonopublico]

Good morning. I have a friend who is a guitarist, quite accomplished. He is looking to buy a bass and asked me for advice. He's into metal although can apply himself to many styles. Principally he plays lead. 

 

His guitar collection has veered away from fender, he has a PRS, Les Paul and he likes his Ibanez (although he has a Tele with humbuckers - one of them weird ones).

 

I suspect he would like an ibanez but I know little about them.  His budget is around £300-£350.  Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

 I will try to sneak in a Squire CV jazz when we try out. He also mentioned Yamaha. 

 

It's just for home recording and playing. Not live - he would be all over the fretboard.

[TimR]

SR300 is a very good bass if you're buying new. 

 

[Len_derby]

My suggestion is to take him somewhere where he try as many as possible.

In my experience you don’t know what feels and plays ‘right’ until you try it.

As a teenager I loved the look of Rickenbackers but when I finally got to try one I didn’t like playing it. A lot of money saved!

[Geek99]

Sire v7 would be my recommendation 

 

well done for helping him get away from The Dark Side

[Franticsmurf]

Having recently acquired and SR300, I would agree with @TimR that it is a very good bass for the money (mine was a shade under £300. But being a 'new' bassist, I think the right way forward is, as @Len_derby has said, to try a selection of different basses. Being an ex-guitarist (I came to bass via the same route many years ago) it's about string spacing, neck profile etc - in other words the feel of the bass - as there are a number options that affect playability. One bass to consider is the Bass VI in all its forms. It's a six string, short scale bass that has very narrow string spacing (closer to a guitar than bass). Coming over from guitar, this might result in less of a learning curve. There are version from several manufacturers - I have a Harley Benton (Thomann own brand) one which is very nice and was cheap but there are Fender and Fender Squire versions as well as other brands that I'm sure others here will be able to talk about. I think there's a dedicated thread to the Bass VI in the 'Bass Guitars' Forum (click on the forum and do a search). 

[Japhet]

Ibanez Talman is a cracking little short scale bass for not much money. I have expensive basses but I gig with my Talman more often than not.

[probonopublico]

41 minutes ago, Japhet said:

Ibanez Talman is a cracking little short scale bass for not much money. I have expensive basses but I gig with my Talman more often than not.

I might have to get one of them myself

 

[PaulThePlug]

Ibby SR300... I have a few...

Don't odds it and go for a GSR200... I have 2.

Or if ya in to ya traditional a Squier P.

 

Faceache £160 - £200

One of mine... Iron Pewter looks the nuts!

Edited Saturday at 21:25 by PaulThePlug

[probonopublico]

Many thanks to everyone for your comments and advice.  All of it duly noted and I'm meeting my friend at Birmingham Guitar Guitar next month.  I'll keep you posted on what he decides on this thread. Also if I give in and end up with a Talman. Evidence may be provided.

Edited Sunday at 10:22 by probonopublico

[tauzero]

9 hours ago, probonopublico said:

Many thanks to everyone for your comments and advice.  All of it duly noted and I'm meeting my friend at Birmingham Guitar Guitar next month.  I'll keep you posted on what he decides on this thread. Also if I give in and end up with a Talman. Evidence may be provided.

 

While in Birmingham, drop in on Fair Deal Music too - it's only a couple of miles from Guitar Guitar and they have a fair few basses in.