I’ll also be talking in general terms when it comes to specific instruments. It also means they are a strong competitor for brands like Fender, who has a more storied history behind them. Again, alder and maple are prominent, and because both the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass have passive pickups these tonewoods play a big part in the sound. As for Alvarez, well, I've never played one. Give a listen and see what you think. All rights reserved. Even on the GIO line, their cheapest models, the joint is rounded so you can actually get your hands around the neck at the higher frets. I am currently writing a college paper on differences between Fender and Ibanez, and your post was very helpful, thank you! If you're willing to put in some more cash, then Squiers become far better in quality (example: Vintage Modified series). One niche where these guitar giants really shine is intermediate-level guitars and basses. Please refresh the page and try again. I mean can play faster n easier bending. Remember that this article is intended to help beginner and intermediate guitar players understand the basic differences between how Fender and Ibanez guitars are put together, and what to expect from each. The Ibanez Sr500 has a neck radius of 12 inches which is a bit wider than the Fender Jazz Bass which has a 9.5-inch radius. Squier Fender Bronco Bass, the pricier option, tends to get more favorable reviews than Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro [4.7 vs 4.6 ]. Different models may vary and you should always check the specs of any specific instrument you are interested in. The finish is beautiful and the sound is great. Why mod a Stratocaster when you can get everything you need in an Ibanez RG? Guitar Gopher (author) on March 03, 2015: First off, the pickups make a much larger difference in tone than the wood ever will. I expect someone out there is going to be thinking they have a Strat that blows away any Ibanez as a shred machine, or that they play blues on their Ibanez S Series just fine. Will it make as much of a difference as the pickups? You can find more of Darrell's videos on his YouTube channel. How do they stack up against Fender guitars? Ibanez bass guitars like the Soundgear Series feature active electronics which let you sculpt our sound with EQ controls mounted right on the bass. Heartfield by Fender Talon - Similar in many ways to the Ibanez RG. I had a small question for you, and I couldn't find the right thread on UG forum, so I'm putting it here. Both of these brands have proven they have what it takes to span many different genres, so don’t feel compelled to play a certain guitar just because other players in your genre have historically done so. best guitar brands for metal and hard rock. This not only means you can control your tone on-the-fly but that you have a wider array of sounds available than you would with a passive bass. Frankly, the affinity series is worst, and a complete waste of your money. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Some of their “copies” went on to become legendary on their own, such as the Ibanez Destroyer which was originally based on the Gibson Explorer. i found my ibanez JEM has easier playability than my Fender tele. But Ibanez has an interesting history as well, and as a company, they’ve actually been around a lot longer. Finally, again because I am talking so generally here, it’s important for beginners to realize that just because a guitar has a certain reputation or vibe it doesn’t mean you can’t do something else with it. These guitars featured warmer, more resonant tonewoods, hotter pickups, faster necks, and cutting-edge tremolos and hardware. In fact, we can speculate that Fender is, in some ways, responsible for Ibanez's huge success. Hey guys. Other brands may cop this sound and style, but none do it better than Fender. Maple neck, white, SSS and original stock parts. Something Fender doesn't do because people are willing to buy their guitars even if the designs are inferior. Which guitar sounds better and which is more versatile? Like their guitars, Fender bass guitars also rely on wood for their tone. a lot of the difference is going to be in the feel, I will say that I am a devout ibanez user, and I now have a tele. Darrell has created numerous videos where he compares guitars and tonewoods. But in the end, all that really matters is that you feel good playing it.