22 new electric bass models were introduced at Ibanez booth at this year`s NAMM show. Two of them are signatures, 16 solid and five hollow-bodied.
Signature Artist
Signature Arties line of electric bass guitars has just got richer for two brand new models. One is introduced in Sharlee D`Angelo`s signature series and one in Mike D`Antonio`s. Sharlee`s new sig follows in the footsteps of it`s predecessors and offers bone crushing strength with supreme quality and commanding presence. SDB3 is made for the bravest and boldest bass players out there. Mike D`Antonio plays bass in one of the heaviest bands of today, Killswitch Engage and his third signature named MDB3 takes on the black-clad Explorer contour. This dark and potent bass has four strings and one split pickup. In Mike`s hands that`s enough to create a tsunami wave.
Ibanez SDB3 is the third installment in Sharlee D`Angelo`s signature series and it was introduced at this year`s NAMM show. It features the characteristic white single-cut body made of mahogany. It`s flat on top and paired with a five-piece bolt-on maple/bubinga neck. Pickups are super strong PFR humbuckers. Fingerboard is made of bound rosewood and it`s equipped with a set of 22 medium-sized frets. For more info on this great white check SDB3 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez MDB3 is made for Mike D`Antonio of Killswitch Engage. It`s black, Explorer-shaped equivalent of a bulldozer. It comes with a solid, flat body made of mahogany. It`s paired with a three-piece maple neck through a bolt-on joint. Seymour Duncan SPB-3 pickup is the only one on this model. It does not mean less power, it just puts more focus on Killswitch Engage type of tone. Maple neck is topped with a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with special 12th fret inlay. For more info on this model check MDB3 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
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BTB
BTB Series is Ibanez response to exclusive boutique brands and crazy expensive models they make. This series is a proof that serious instrument does not have to give you a heart attack when you look at the price tag. Luxurious, supremely built and affordable are the words to best describe BTB series. For 2013 it was updated with three new models. BTB1405E, BTB1406E and BTB775PB are their names. First two belong to the Premium section of the series, while the third one is placed within the regular BTB lines.
Ibanez BTB1405E is a five-stringed electric bass that`s made it`s debut at NAMM 2013. It brings a solid, double-cut body made of flame maple top and mahogany wings. Center part of the body, as well as the neck are made of seven laminates of maple, bubinga and walnut. Rosewood on the 24-fret fingerboard completes the vast list of tonewoods used for this model. Nordstrand Big Single pickups are featured in both the bridge and neck positions and sport a big controls unit. Bridge behind the pickups is a five-saddle monorail with gold plating. For more info check BTB1405E detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez BTB1406E is the same exact model as BTB1405E, with only difference being the string count. 1405 goes to five, while the 1406 counts to six. Other sections of the specs lists feature the same materials and appointments. Body is solid, double-cut and made of mahogany wings with flamed maple top. Center of the body and neck are one and are made of seven pieces of maple, bubinga and walnut. 24-fret fingerboard is made of rosewood and features offset dot inlays. Nordstrand Big Single pickups are installed in front of the gold-plated mono rail bridge. For more info check BTB1406E detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez BTB775PB is the third and final update of the BTB series unveiled at 2013 NAMM show. It belongs to the regular BTB line and it features a solid, double-cut body made in BTB fashion. Mahogany wings are topped with poplar burl caps, while the center of the body belongs to the neck. Five-piece maple/bubinga neck runs through the body and has super comfortable BTB contour in the back. Bartolini BH1 pickups are installed on this model. 24-fret rosewood fingerboard closes the specs list. For more info check BTTB775PB detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Artcore
Artcore series offers vintage-styled electric basses with fully hollow bodies and gorgeous sunburst color schemes. Artcore basses are aiming at bass players who like the tone of a hollow bass, or want to switch to one. Vintage styling, affordable price policy and great tone are this series` best traits. For 2013 Artcore receives following updates: AFB200, AGB200, AGB205 and ASB180. Only the fourth model has a double-cut body, while all have mesmerizing sunburst color schemes and control units similar to their six-string siblings.
Ibanez AFB200 opens the line of four novelties with a fully hollow and single-cut body made completely of maple. Neck is made of mahogany and it`s set in. Electronics department includes a pair of Ibanez ACHB pickups with master volume, master tone and a three-way toggle pickup switch. This archtop four-stringer is equipped with a three-piece maple/mahogany neck with Artcore contour in the back and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard on top. For more info check AFB200 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez AGB200 is a model from the same class and series as AFB200. It comes with a fully hollow and single-cut body with vintage styling and set in neck joint. Body is made of maple, while the neck is made of three pieces of maple and mahogany. It`s equipped with Artcore contour in the back and a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard on top. Electronics on this model are entirely made by Ibanez. ACHB pickups have master volume, master volume and a three-way toggle pickup switch. For more info check AGB200 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez AGB205 is the five-string variant of the AGB200 model and these two are almost identical. Body of this model is fully hollow and made of maple. Top is arched, bound in creme binding and carved with a pair of "f" holes. Artcore Custom bridge is fronted with a pair of ACHB pickups. Neck is made of three pieces of maple and mahogany and is set in. On it`s top Ibanez installs a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. For more info check AGB205 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez ASB180 is the fourth and final short-scale update of the Artcore series. All four novelties, including this one have 30-1/3" scales and are aimed at solid bass players who would like to switch to a hollow bass. With them in mind Ibanez has designed the Artcore neck profile, to make the switch seamless. Double-cut body features arched top and is made completely of maple. Maple/mahogany neck is a three-piece topped with a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. Ibanez pickups complete the specs list. For more info check ASB180 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
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Soundgear
Soundgear, or commonly known as SR, is the single most important and most enduring bass series in Ibanez catalog. For quarter of a century it has helped shape the face of contemporary music. All levels of players, from bassists in garage bands to prominent world-renowned masters have played it`s models. Over the time the series diversified into several branches, with Prestige leading the pack. Five models are being introduced into SR series for 2013, one is situated within the Prestige series and four in the regular SR. SR4006E is the new Prestige model. SR800, SR805, SR300 and SR305 are joining the regular SR line.
Ibanez SR4006E is the most luxurious SR model introduced this January. It comes with a solid, double-cut body made of mahogany. It`s paired with a five-piece neck made of wenge and bubinga. Neck sports the famous Atlas contour in the back and a 24-fret wenge fingerboard on top. Bartolini makes pickups for this model. Both the bridge and neck pickup feature custom pickups. Bridge is a mono rail with six independent saddles. For more info check SR4006E detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez SR800 is the new leader of the pack in the SR series and it brings a specs list worthy of basses from SR Premium and Prestige lines. Solid, double-cut body sports the standard contour and it`s made of mahogany back with poplar burl top. Bartolini pickups make sure this four-stringer never runs out of power. Behind them Ibanez installs their own Accu-cast B300 bridge with four saddles. Neck is bolted and made of five pieces of bubinga and jatoba. On it`s top, there`s a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. For more info check SR800 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
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Ibanez SR805 is the five-string variant of the aforementioned SR800. These two are the same in all respects, except the string count. Same double-cut body with carved top is made of mahogany base with poplar burl top. It`s paired with a five-piece neck made of jatoba and bubinga. 24 medium frets with oval inlays sit on the rosewood fingerboard installed on top of the neck. Bartolini pickups, B305 bridge and gold-plated hardware complete the specs list. For more info check SR805 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez SR300 inherits the positions previous SR300 had and is counted up on for a major battle in the section of affordable bass guitars. This basic model with four strings comes with a solid, double-cut body made of agathis. There are no top wood covers on SR300. Neck is made of five pieces of maple and rosewood and it is bolted to the body. Standard 24-fret fingerboard is made of rosewood and it features white dot markers. Ibanez CAP EXF pickups are strong, sturdy and have amazing sustain. For more info check SR300 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez SR305 comes with the same exact specs list as it`s four-string sibling, the SR300. SR305 comes with one string more and that`s where the differences end. Body of SR305 is solid, double-cut and made of agathis. Agathis is Ibanez choice for budget-friendly body wood. Combined with maple/rosewood neck and Ibanez CAP pickups, it gives a full, rounded and distinctly Ibanez tone. Five-piece neck is topped with a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and 45mm nut. For more info check SR305 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Grooveline
Grooveline is all about elegance, luxury and supreme balance and playability. These words might make people think Grooveline models come with five-figure price tags, but it couldn`t be further from the truth. Grooveline is made for all players who want to experience true meaning of the word quality. 2013 brings completely new lineup of models, ranging from basic four to supreme six strings. Models introduced into this series are: G104, G105 and G106.
Ibanez G104 continues the Grooveline tradition and is one of the most balanced instruments in the existence. It`s solid and carved body features modern double-cut contour and sandwich construction. Back and top are made of ash, while the middle layer is made of alder. This gives a rich and complex tone with distinct voice. Neck is made of five pieces of wenge and bubinga, which adds cream to the tonal cake. CAP Sonic Arch pickups, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard and chrome hardware complete the specs list. For more info check G104 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez G105 is the five-string variant of G104 and it brings the same set of materials and hardware. Body on this one is carved, double-cut and equipped with a six-bolt neck joint. Ash is found on the back and top side of the body and one layer of alder is in between. Natural and Brown Burst are offered as color options and both feature gloss finish. Five-piece wenge/bubinga neck is topped with a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. For more info check G105 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez G106 is the king of the hill with six strings and tone massive enough to move a mountain. Classic Grooveline features on this model include ash/alder/ash body made with double cutaway and six-bolt neck joint. CAP Sonic Arch pickups are installed on this model and are backed up by a standard controls unit. Neck is made of five pieces of wenge and bubinga. On it`s top Ibanez installs a 22-fret fingerboard made of rosewood. For more info check G106 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
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ATK
ATK series brings a mixture of traditional and modern, vintage and trendy in four and five-string bass packs. Models of this line are solid-bodied and made for ultimate tonal versatility. Players who play in several different bands and cross genre borders all the time should consider ATKs, as they can handle everything player throws at them, be it Pantera`s gut-wrenching riffs, Maiden gallops, jazzy lines and solos, punk, funk, name it. Two models have been introduced into the series. ATK1205 debuts in the Prestige section and ATK205 in the basic ATK line.
Ibanez ATK1205 uses slightly vintage looks in combination with advanced electronics to reach the hands and hearts of numerous players across the world. Double-cut body is flat on top and made of ash. It`s paired with a three-piece maple neck through a bolt-on joint. 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays is installed on top. CAP double humbucker is the star of the ATK show, as it contains two humbuckers under one cover. There`s a special pickup switch just for it. Besides it, there`s a single coil Sonic Arch pickup in neck position. For more info check ATK1205 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez ATK205 is a budget-friendly variant of the ATK1205. These two seem almost identical at first sight, but the closer inspection reveals that ATK205 lacks the single coil neck pickup and has only the double humbucker in bridge position. Ash body is solid, flat on top and double-cut. It`s paired with a three-piece maple neck through a bolt-on joint. Neck is topped with a 22-fret maple fingerboard. For more info check ATK205 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
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GSR
GIO segment of the catalog is dedicated to budget-friendly variants of regular series models. This goes for both the electric guitars and basses. GIO lines are in constant expansion and are enjoying more and more popularity. Primarily young players decide to buy a GIO series guitar, as it is one of the best ways to start the journey. Electric guitars section was updated with GRG150 and electric bass section has received three new models: GSR200FM, GSR205FM and GSR200.
Ibanez GSR200FM is a four-stringed bass guitar and the new series standard. It is supposed to take the biggest piece of burden and bring the biggest number of new young players to the family. It comes with SR-shaped body made of agathis back and flamed maple top. Lavender and Amber are the only color options available. Neck is bolted to the body and made of maple. 22-fret fingerboard is made of rosewood. PSND pickups in J/P configuration, die-cast tuners and full 34" scale complete the specs list. For more info check GSR200FM detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez GSR205FM adds the fifth string to GSR200FM equation, giving it a whole new voice. Body, however is still made with SR contour, it`s solid, double-cut and made of agathis back with flamed maple top. B15 bridge and PSND pickups are featured on top of the body. Neck is made of maple and it sports the GSR5 contour in the back. 22-fret fingerboard on it`s top is made of rosewood. For more info check GSR205FM detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
Ibanez GSR200 is the most affordable variant of three models reviewed in this article. It comes with a plain, flat, double-cut SR body made of agathis. It is paired with a standard GSR-shaped neck made of maple. 22-fret fingerboard on the top is made of rosewood. GSR200 also features J/P combination of Ibanez PSND pickups and B10 bridge. It is available in black, jewel blue, transparent red, pearl white and metallic gray. For more info check GSR200 detail page on our site, or on Ibanez official web page.
