Ibanez TMB100 vs Squier Affinity J-Bass

M

MHowling

Aug 7, 2017
8
10
4,531
#1
I'm looking to buy my first bass and I have been looking particularly at the Ibanez TMB100 and the Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. I played on and off for two years at school and I now have a serious interest in playing bass. Does anyone have any experience with these and have any information as to which I should get. I normally play a Squier j bass so I know they are comfortable and I enjoy playing them but what is the Talman like?


Thanks,
M.
 
#2
I owned a TMB300, and thought it was without a doubt the most bang I ever got for my bass buck. The ONLY thing I wasn't crazy about was the weight, as I've gotten into liking lighter basses. I have no idea how much an Affinity weighs though, so they might be in the same ballpark anyhow.

If for no other reason, I'd go with the TMB just for the uniqueness of it and to not have Squier printed on my headstock. While I know it doesn't mean a thing, and while I've owned some Squiers that KILLED-- sad truth is that some people do have a very real prejudice against them. You may one day want to audition for a band where you'll be judged by your instrument, and as much as that sucks and is unfair, it's a reality. Nobody knows what a Talman is, still :). Just a cool looking bass IMO. It will get wows in a positive way, as opposed to the wows in a negative that a Squier might possibly get.

My opinion, and my $.02 :). If the name doesn't mean anything to you then check them out if you can, flip a coin, whatever....

Good luck!
 
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#4
Get a TMB300 with the humbucker in the bridge:

ibanez-tmb300-1029719.jpg
 
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#6
MHowling said:
I'm looking to buy my first bass and I have been looking particularly at the Ibanez TMB100 and the Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. I played on and off for two years at school and I now have a serious interest in playing bass. Does anyone have any experience with these and have any information as to which I should get. I normally play a Squier j bass so I know they are comfortable and I enjoy playing them but what is the Talman like?


Thanks,
M.
Click to expand...

I would put the Talman at a higher value than the Affinity. I would also get the Talman because it is a PJ, and not a straight Jazz.

My experience with playing them is that the neck is closer to the Squier Jazz than it is to the Ibanez SR series. For me, that was a deal breaker, as I prefer thinner necks. However, I did like the way it sounded, and I felt like it was a very good value for the money. I almost bought it just because it was such a good value.

At which color Talman are you looking?


Also...Welcome to TalkBass! What is shopping for a bass like in Malaysia?
 
#11
Even how i love my both Squier CV p bass, I still suggest you shot the ibby talman 100 over the Affy Pbass.

Talman 100 price is little cheaper compare to Affy p in Malaysia, but the build quality is stunning !!!!

I only recommend go to try at Bentley music, even price is little higher than online store, but you can try until the piece you satisfied.

Hopehelp

Edit.
Oh, my bad. It is Talman PJ Vs Affy Jazz. sorry.
 
Last edited:
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#12
I am fond of PJ configuration basses and also fond of these TMB basses. Personally I would go with it as it's more my style and I think a better bass at the price point, but I have an Affinity jazz here and it's really not a bad bass at all, even though it's currently in pieces. If you like the sound of a jazz bass and that fits with your playing style, you may prefer the Squier.
 
#13
Yahboy said:
Even how i love my both Squier CV p bass, I still suggest you shot the ibby talman 100 over the Affy Pbass.

Talman 100 price is little cheaper compare to Affy p in Malaysia, but the build quality is stunning !!!!

I only recommend go to try at Bentley music, even price is little higher than online store, but you can try until the piece you satisfied.

Hopehelp

Edit.
Oh, my bad. It is Talman PJ Vs Affy Jazz. sorry.
Click to expand...
I'm going to Bentley tomorrow to try the talman but they don't have the affy in damansara for me to compare. I'm leaning towards the tmb anyway.
 
#14
MHowling said:
I'm going to Bentley tomorrow to try the talman but they don't have the affy in damansara for me to compare. I'm leaning towards the tmb anyway.
Click to expand...

Dont worry, just forget about the Affy bass, Bentley still have Sunburst and Red Squier VM PJ on the wall, you could side by side compare with TMB100. Find Jeff Yang, this guy is nice and helpful .

About the colour, MINT GREEN is cool and sexy.
 
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#15
Yahboy said:
Dont worry, just forget about the Affy bass, Bentley still have Sunburst and Red Squier VM PJ on the wall, you could side by side compare with TMB100. Find Jeff Yang, this guy is nice and helpful .
Click to expand...

Familiar with the store and droppin' names - this guy is bringing the good TB sauce.
 
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#16
wintremute said:
I would put the Talman at a higher value than the Affinity. I would also get the Talman because it is a PJ, and not a straight Jazz.

My experience with playing them is that the neck is closer to the Squier Jazz than it is to the Ibanez SR series. For me, that was a deal breaker, as I prefer thinner necks. However, I did like the way it sounded, and I felt like it was a very good value for the money. I almost bought it just because it was such a good value.

At which color Talman are you looking?

I'm looking at both the mint and black. I want a bright looking bass but I can't tell the true colour of the green through photos. I like the soda blue but you can't find it here.

Also...Welcome to TalkBass! What is shopping for a bass like in Malaysia?

Pretty terrible TBH. Not
Click to expand...
wintremute said:
Familiar with the store and droppin' names - this guy is bringing the good TB sauce.
Click to expand...


just left Bentley 20 mins ago. Played the talman amongst others and it just felt right so I bought it on the spot. Thanks for the help guys!
 
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#19
MHowling said:
Mint green. I much preferred it to the black and I wanted something a bit different.
Click to expand...
Cool!

After the fact, but I think you made the right choice. I've played quite a few Squire affinitys and TMB100's and the 100 wins everytime. I personally think the TMB100 is the best vintage style bass currently on the market at the $200 price point. It's well made, looks good, has a range of tones, and the active circut is actually quite usefull and not at all what you'd expect with an instrument this affordable.

It won't appeal to players of Ibanez Soundgear instruments but I find the TMB series to be quite comfortable with the necks being a nice in-between traditional Jazz and Precision size.
 
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