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thank you for sharing your experience. Do you have experience with M3 too?? how does it different from M7?
I can't say anything about the M3. They have a different pickup, and don't come in 5 string. If they ever make a 5er I would give them a look.
The Ibanez SR series covers a very wide range of instruments. I believe the higher-end Ibanez SR models would certainly match, and exceed the M7. I suggest adding a dollar range to make it a straighter comparison.
All the best,
Bob
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
Have you actually PLAYED the M series? I have and, also played a few of the higher end series SR. I believe that the OP is asking more about the M3 for it's lower cost.
My max budge is around $800. I can defnitely afford M7 if it's worth it but I play 4 string bass and a lot of people who got M7 plays 5 string. So I thought only reason to go M7 is just to get the 5 string. So I was wondering If I should go with M3 if I only play 4string..
I'm sure either brand will meet Woony90's needs.
On the Ibanez side, I'd strongly recommend the SR650, a reverse P/J configuration with (0ffshore) Nordstrand pickups and three-band preamp with passive tone control, and a cost of $699.99 street. I have both an SR650, and SR756 (same configuration with different body woods) and am very happy.
Electric Basses SR - SR650 | Ibanez guitars
On the Sire side, the M3 is mahogany, the M7 alder/ash and the pickups are different. It's not mentioned on the site, but the M7 also appears to have coil taps.
All the best whatever your decision!
Bob
On the Ibanez side, I'd strongly recommend the SR650, a reverse P/J configuration with (0ffshore) Nordstrand pickups and three-band preamp with passive tone control, and a cost of $699.99 street. I have both an SR650, and SR756 (same configuration with different body woods) and am very happy.
Electric Basses SR - SR650 | Ibanez guitars
On the Sire side, the M3 is mahogany, the M7 alder/ash and the pickups are different. It's not mentioned on the site, but the M7 also appears to have coil taps.
All the best whatever your decision!
Bob
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Yes, the M7 has coil taps, for single coil / parallel / series per humbucker pickup. It's mentioned in the controls pdf (which isn't easy to find, granted):
switches 9 and 10 are the additional coil tap controls that the other models don't have.
Thank you so much! but tbh Im now thinking about getting Sire Vintage V7 LOL.... I know.. Im like a sailor lost in the sea of basses. But I really appreciate your suggestion. SR650 indeed looks good!
No worries at all!
Whatever instrument you decide on, I hope you're very happy!
All the best,
Bob
Whatever instrument you decide on, I hope you're very happy!
All the best,
Bob
3 very solid choices. All of which are well-built and fairly versatile. One thing you should consider also is whether weight and ergonomics are important to you.
For sheer aesthetics I like vintage looks so I'd always gravitate toward Sire V7 basses. However they do have a bit of a reputation for not being lightweight. Not a bad thing necessarily, but mostly a function of being a full-sized J-style body. Go to your local GC and find a mid-weight fender Jazz (will probably be similar in weight to a Sire) put it on a strap and stand up. Then do the same with an Ibanez SR and you'll see what I mean regarding weight.
I don't know about the M3 shape spcifically, it might be more lighter.
I'm not a fan of the SR series look, but they are light weight, extremely ergonomic and in the price range of a new Sire you can get a used SR that will knock your socks off feature-wise.
As for yamaha TBRX, I've not found them to be quite as light as the SR's and I'm equally uninspired by their aesthetic, but Yamaha is another company that makes fantastic instruments that are priced far less than their quality would suggest. Also not that common here in the states oddly.
EDIT:
One other thing, It's been several years since I played one, but I seem to recall that the TBR series that I did play was an extremely modern and lively sounding instrument. I think it might have been a bit difficult to get a warmer vintage tone out of it. Definitely try one out if can though as it was quite a few years back and I recall the build quailty being top notch.
For sheer aesthetics I like vintage looks so I'd always gravitate toward Sire V7 basses. However they do have a bit of a reputation for not being lightweight. Not a bad thing necessarily, but mostly a function of being a full-sized J-style body. Go to your local GC and find a mid-weight fender Jazz (will probably be similar in weight to a Sire) put it on a strap and stand up. Then do the same with an Ibanez SR and you'll see what I mean regarding weight.
I don't know about the M3 shape spcifically, it might be more lighter.
I'm not a fan of the SR series look, but they are light weight, extremely ergonomic and in the price range of a new Sire you can get a used SR that will knock your socks off feature-wise.
As for yamaha TBRX, I've not found them to be quite as light as the SR's and I'm equally uninspired by their aesthetic, but Yamaha is another company that makes fantastic instruments that are priced far less than their quality would suggest. Also not that common here in the states oddly.
EDIT:
One other thing, It's been several years since I played one, but I seem to recall that the TBR series that I did play was an extremely modern and lively sounding instrument. I think it might have been a bit difficult to get a warmer vintage tone out of it. Definitely try one out if can though as it was quite a few years back and I recall the build quailty being top notch.
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wow thanks so much for the detailed write. it's funny because this is exactly how I feel too... for the looks, I like the V7 the most but I am not a jazz player. I am bassist at a small church who wants to explore all sorts of music genres so.. I thought M7 would suit me better but I really really hate how M7 looks.. so Im willing to give little bit of versatility for better look of V7. Personally I find humbucker sound of TRBX series to be pleasing to my ears but I feel like I am getting more of craftmanship per money with V7... haha so hard to decide, but Im now leaning towards the Vintage V7
Happy to help. Seems like you have a good grasp of the overall situation. Can't go wrong with the V7, but before you do, maybe hit your local GC and see if they have some higher-end SR's to try. A nice wood top and pups (some SR's even have Nordstrands!) can work wonders for the somewhat bland basic SR look.
As for craftsmanship, I might put a bit of doubt on whether yamaha has less craftsmanship than Sire. Yamaha designs sometimes are a bit simpler (though there's some lookers at the top end) but the core level of quality is probably the same and maybe even better. Yamaha benefits from a HUGE wealth of design and production experience since they make everything from motorcycles to pianos and virtually everything they make is -if not industry leading- at least well regarded.
Lastly, there's too much choice out there to ever buy an instrument that you hate the look of. Your bass should make you want to pick it up whenever you look at it across the room.
As for craftsmanship, I might put a bit of doubt on whether yamaha has less craftsmanship than Sire. Yamaha designs sometimes are a bit simpler (though there's some lookers at the top end) but the core level of quality is probably the same and maybe even better. Yamaha benefits from a HUGE wealth of design and production experience since they make everything from motorcycles to pianos and virtually everything they make is -if not industry leading- at least well regarded.
Lastly, there's too much choice out there to ever buy an instrument that you hate the look of. Your bass should make you want to pick it up whenever you look at it across the room.
You are amazing! It helps me a lot. Thanks for the great suggestions. Ive had looked at SR lines before and some of the mid grade(~$800) models that made me interested were not available or was not in stock at the time.
The M3s are quite light, mine is 8.4. The M7 uses the same body style but different woods, my M7 5 fretless comes in at 8.6, also fairly sleek.
How about a Yamaha TRB 1005?
I grabbed this one for roughly half your max budget and I like it better than any Sire or SR I've played. The neck is similar to the TRBX except this one is 35" scale, 24 fret. Feels GREAT.
I grabbed this one for roughly half your max budget and I like it better than any Sire or SR I've played. The neck is similar to the TRBX except this one is 35" scale, 24 fret. Feels GREAT.
How about a Yamaha TRB 1005?
I grabbed this one for roughly half your max budget and I like it better than any Sire or SR I've played. The neck is similar to the TRBX except this one is 35" scale, 24 fret. Feels GREAT.
Nice bass! how does it sound compared to TRBX series? I like their sound