expirediconian | Staff posted Nov 27, 2023 10:12 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expirediconian | Staff posted Nov 27, 2023 10:12 PM
Ibanez GIO Series GSR200 Electric Bass Guitar (Transparent Red)
+ Free Shipping$149
$230
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These are great - they feel every bit as a SR should, play well, and are even active - amazing at this price. I'm not in love with the red/chrome, but it's also available in walnut/black for a few more bucks.
I bought these as loaners, and have been really impressed with their playability. I think Ibanez's use of joined necks has really allowed them to push the envelope in their lower price stuff.
For those interested in the construction: inexpensive Ibanez models (guitar, bass, & acoustic) use a scarf joint in the neck, just below the nut: so the main neck is one piece of wood and the headstock is glued on. This makes it much easier to build, and set the truss rod pocket. Thereafter, the complete neck is bolted to the body as usual.
Traditionally splitting a bass neck in this way was sacrilege (with some notable exceptions) but Ibanez has done it really well, and arguably with more consistent necks as a result.
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These are great - they feel every bit as a SR should, play well, and are even active - amazing at this price. I'm not in love with the red/chrome, but it's also available in walnut/black for a few more bucks.
I bought these as loaners, and have been really impressed with their playability. I think Ibanez's use of joined necks has really allowed them to push the envelope in their lower price stuff.
For those interested in the construction: inexpensive Ibanez models (guitar, bass, & acoustic) use a scarf joint in the neck, just below the nut: so the main neck is one piece of wood and the headstock is glued on. This makes it much easier to build, and set the truss rod pocket. Thereafter, the complete neck is bolted to the body as usual.
Traditionally splitting a bass neck in this way was sacrilege (with some notable exceptions) but Ibanez has done it really well, and arguably with more consistent necks as a result.
These are great - they feel every bit as a SR should, play well, and are even active - amazing at this price. I'm not in love with the red/chrome, but it's also available in walnut/black for a few more bucks.
I bought these as loaners, and have been really impressed with their playability. I think Ibanez's use of joined necks has really allowed them to push the envelope in their lower price stuff.
For those interested in the construction: inexpensive Ibanez models (guitar, bass, & acoustic) use a scarf joint in the neck, just below the nut: so the main neck is one piece of wood and the headstock is glued on. This makes it much easier to build, and set the truss rod pocket. Thereafter, the complete neck is bolted to the body as usual.
Traditionally splitting a bass neck in this way was sacrilege (with some notable exceptions) but Ibanez has done it really well, and arguably with more consistent necks as a result.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/363408771093
I would pray for fret sprout; that can easily be buffed, at these low enough prices. However it's a myth these need a lot of work or requires luck, on average. Find real buyer reviews. Have a strong return policy. That said; extreme priced guitars can always use some fine adjustment too. Ironically more than the low end; if a pro set up is not specified.
And if you want a pro setup specified then look at the Monoprice DLX models; because they sometime go on sale for $110 to $125 with expensive upgrade parts and pro setup both.
But you are still better served watch GOOD videos on simple setup balances for you guitar and DIY. And you need no expensive tools to do it. And it you are tool averse then you may a have a handy friend. But trade something good, for the effort, at least.
Traditionally splitting a bass neck in this way was sacrilege (with some notable exceptions) but Ibanez has done it really well, and arguably with more consistent necks as a result.
Nearly every instrument that isn't a Fender, Gibson, or clone of them, uses scarf joints and has for decades.
Fender doesn't use them because they don't use angled headstocks. They leave the headstock flat, so the neck can be one piece, and use string trees to get a better break angle over the nut.
Gibson doesn't use them because they made a marketing thing out of carving the neck out of one piece of mahogany, back in the 50s. This is why you can snap the headstock off a Les Paul or SG with a forceful sneeze. It's a really bad and weak way to build a neck, but their market isn't interested in any changes to the original designs, even if they would be a massive improvement and undetectable to anyone not looking at the back of the neck with a magnifying glass.
"I'm hesitant to buy one again. I bought one last year for a similar price but it was almost unplayable due to fret sprout. Almost cut my fingers on it. No problem with the return. I really liked it otherwise, but it would have cost more than the bass was worth to fix it."
Five minutes with a flat file will fix this. If you live in a low-humidity area most instruments will have some fret sprout, because the dryness makes the wood shrink a little.
"What are good practice amps to use?"
Every small practice amp will sound like trash and not be loud enough to play with a band. Get a modeler like a Zoom B1 Four that you can run through headphones or your home audio system, and you'll have access to dozens of fun bass tones. Then, once you get good enough to play with a band, you can shop for something loud enough to keep up.
Dressing fret ends is a lot easier than you might expect, but it's expensive to have done professionally because masking off the fretboard and neck is a long and tedious job that you really shouldn't skip or rush.
If you DIY, I recommend one layer of blue 3M masking tape, and then if you're cautious or a klutz, add a top layer of Gorilla brand shipping tape on top of that to mask off the neck and fretboard. The Gorilla shipping tape is exceptionally strong stuff that'll protect from all but the worst abuse and error.
Fully mask off the pickups, too. Metal filings will be attracted to the pickup magnets. I like to use the sticky side of some additional tape to clean off the pickup masking before removing it.
After doing the job, clean up any traces of residual adhesive a rag wetted with naptha (lighter fluid). It won't harm the guitar's finish, and will evaporate very quickly. It won't harm bare wood either, unless you really soak the wood in it. It may harm some plastics, so don't use it on that. Goo Gone also works, and some like it on dark wood fretboards because it has citrus oils in it, but use it very sparingly.
Also, I just found one of these barely used on market for $80, offered $50 cash. Practically new. I have the bigger rumble 150 and it's light and loud.
As always, different strokes for different folks,
These Gios are extremely comfortable and the pickups sound surprisingly good. I have an Active pickup Marcus Miller Sire for comparison.
It's Christmas ignore "the one" and splurge a few more bucks. I seriously doubt you will regret it on this one.
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Price drop! I'm not saying the posted guitar is bad in this case; but here is a better deal.
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