Ibanez EX Series Bass Guitar Review
Review by David Peck
- Product:
- Ibanez EX Bass Guitar Review (company site)
- What's Good:
- Extremely rugged. Lightweight which is great for live playing.
- What's Bad:
- Getting parts if something breaks.
So many years ago (14 to be exact) I walked into my local music store and decided I wanted to play the bass guitar. There were only a few basses there so I went with the coolest looking one which was the Ibanez EX Series. This is my only bass. I've gone shopping for basses numerous times but this one is fantastic because of the thin neck and the fact that the pickups don't get in the way when you play like I've experienced with the Soundgear line. Plus it's lighter than the Fender P/J combo.
Features: 9
Not sure on the year this particular bass was produced. If the serial number is any indication, by the first two digits, the bass was manufactured in 1990. The headstock indicates the bass was made in Korea. This particular instrument is a 4-string 22 fret bass. Bolt on neckwith rosewood fretboard. The pickups are arranged in a P/J style and are not stock. There are three nobs: two pickup volume nobs and a tone nob. Standard stock chrome bridge and black grover tuning pegs. Probably my favorite part is the neck is really thin. However with the thin neck you have to use light or extra light gauge strings.
Sound: 10
The style of music I prefer is rock and metal and this bass performs exceptionally well in this genre. The thin neck and quick action beg to thrash. The tone on this bass, while not the best ever is very nice, but does not take away from the low-end capabilities of the bass. It has a good articulate sound and is great for live performing due to the great tuning heads virtually no hum for pick ups.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
This bass is very well put together and has survived to make my playing experience pleasurable. The action was high from the factory. I lowered it as far as I could avoiding fret buzz. I wish they supplied longer screws for the P pickup. I can't get it as close as I'd like to the strings. The tuning pegs are still like new. The nut is good and the bridge has held up very well in that it hasn't rusted or pitted.
Reliability/Durability: 9
This bass is extremely durable. In my possession its had a few tumbles and bounced back unscathed. The finish is very nice still after countless hours of playing and only requires a little attention every now and again to shine as if new. It is very dependable and I would definitely use it solely as my bass in a live gig. I have never had to adjust the truss rod. The really big drawback in design is that the pointy horn at the top of the body doesn't have enough meat on it to brace the strap screw. It comes loose often. But otherwise this is a great durable instrument. It maintains tuning extremely well.
Customer Support: N/A
It is extremely difficult to find information about this bass guitar. I managed to break the key on the headstock and went to everything music stores east of Canada with no replacement part. I had to put on another key which wasn't an Ibanez one.
Overall Rating: 9
I tested countless other basses and found this bass to best capture the sound I wanted to create. I would definitely buy this bass again and hope to find a few more so I can keep them in different tunings. The only other change I would mind making to the bass is the addition of a strap-lock system. If you get an opportunity get it, it is really good for the price and it is really fun to play!
Comments
cb - June 2, 2004 6:25 pm
Good review, very informative.
Mario Aguilar - July 3, 2004 12:04 am
I have one of this basses , and it was excellent , but I´m trying to find out the machinery , ´cause 2 keys are broken. I dont know why Ibanez doesnt supply them ...
But it is an Excellent Bass ...
Memo Juez - October 16, 2004 11:04 pm
All Korean manufactured Ibanez Guitars were actually made by Samick.
I have an EX series (1991) Guitar and I can not get any replacement parts either.
Jezkah Flores - January 30, 2005 1:10 am
I have this bass (4 string) in near mint condition. I have scratched it up a bit but overall... well nothing is broken. Now that I know I can't get any parts I will treat it like the gold I always thought it was.
I'm a girl, well nearing 29, and I've had this since I was 14. It's great for me because I have thinner hands and play punk rock, with a need to play fast. Also I have no desire to develop back pain from a heavy bass, so Fenders are out.
I tried to get Ibanez to ID this bass about a year ago. The web site said it could be 3-4 weeks. They still havn't said anything. I think they don't know that they made it. Perhaps they are in shock that they could make something THIS great (or put their name on it?)
Let the others have fenders, rickenbachers and hoffners- they'll have to pry this one from my arthritic fingers.
Robert E. Scott - February 1, 2005 3:35 pm
Does anyone know how to date these guitars by serial number?
ventura - February 25, 2005 2:10 pm
I think the first two digits are the year
Joey Racz - July 13, 2005 1:01 pm
I've been playing one since about 91'. It is the most road-worthy bass I own.
It has literally played Hundreds of gigs and I never took this baby out of my car except for gigs and practices. It would take the extreme heat of the summer and the extreme cold of the winter ! Neck and paint job are still mint. Compared to my fenders, gibsons and Barrington it holds up as my most respected and loved bass.
OhioBassLine - July 13, 2005 3:16 pm
http://www.ibanezregister.com/history/history-dating.htm
I have a near mint 1985 Ibanez Destroyer BD800
RICHARD .COOPER - August 27, 2005 8:28 pm
IHAVE IBANES EXSERIES MADE IN KOREA 9 09843IT HAS THREE NOBS TONES VOLUME CAN YOU LOCATE ME SOME OF THESE LET ME KNOW
joel - November 30, 2005 11:20 pm
well ... hey .. i need some help from anyone who knows about basses IBANEZ EX SERIES... ok amm the problem is that ..here in my fucking city... THERE IS NOT ibanez ex series T__T ... and i really want it... they say .- i'm sorry dude ..that's an old model ...is impossible to get it... pleeeaaasee tell me ..if someone got that bass T_T... five string..i'll pay for it...
Ante - December 17, 2005 8:12 am
I have a electric guitar EX (1060001) series made in Korea, I'm from Croatia. I don't have a damn clue where could I get some info about my guitar. Please answer. I'm desperate. Thx in advance
Michael - December 28, 2005 4:59 pm
I just found an Ibanez EX series 5 string at this pawn shop a couple weeks ago..awesome condition its black with EMG select pick ups..I don't really want to sell it but..it sounds like its a hot commodity (or however that word is spelt).
Richard - January 23, 2006 4:09 am
I broke several tuning keys off of my Ibanez EX Series Bass (1990). I found replacement keys from www.Stewart-Macdonald.com ; they are not Ibanez keys (Gotoh, I think) but they work just as well! I was also able to acquire these in gold. Now if I could only install the bride I want...
Blade - February 13, 2006 2:52 am
I have a 5 string EX that (unfortunately) I haven't used in years. I've thought about selling it, but want it to go to a good home. This bass is amazing. Lightweight, solid tone, fast neck. If someone is interested in it, make me an offer. Being in nashville, I'm forced to play my p bass all the time. Comes with hardshell ibanez case. I have always strung it with a high C string instead of a low B, but that was just personal preference---works great either way. Drop me a line for more details.
st - February 24, 2006 3:59 pm
Ibanez serial number explanation above
blackwell - May 7, 2006 10:52 pm
hey..i just bought an ibanez ex series from '91...didn't know if it was the real deal, since you can't find any information on it...'till today.i'm a lefty, so it becomes harder to find.i had 2 choices today...the ibanez or the washburn...there you go the ibanez won.the sound is just great, but like everybody said, i must change the keys...they allready changed it, and i'm a little fussy, i don't like them...they must go.for the rest it's just perfect!
Kat - July 3, 2006 12:56 pm
Hey I am thinking of getting an ibanez EX series (5 string) used, but i wasnt sure, they said it sounded to jazzy for them thats why they are selling it, and yet everyone else says its great for metal
kat - July 3, 2006 1:07 pm
Oh Yah! and one other question,Is It Possible to put EMG bass pickups on the Ibanez EX series?
anga - August 16, 2006 7:48 am
i own an ex 4 string, the serial code starts with a p and on the site it dosent know where the factory was in korea
Jack - September 15, 2006 8:45 am
i recently baught an ex series (i think) for 100 bucks of a pawn shop, made in japan, it seems like the tuning keys keep stuffing up...mine are perfect! serial no. starts with a f, has active pick ups and plays excellent for slapping, and i still play punk and metal with it, it is a really nice buy
Ken Mendicino - December 7, 2006 3:09 pm
I have a 1992 Black 5 string EX Bass that I bought new. I have used it on countless gigs and sessions and it has never failed me. It always plays, holds tuning, the neck is straight and strong, and the finish still looks great. As for the keys, mine are fine and the strap button on the horn has never been a problem. A great bass. But alas, time marches on and I am putting my beloved bass up for sale. I will make sure it goes to a great home. Dr. Ken.
angel mosqueda - December 18, 2006 4:25 pm
ihve this black EX series 5 string madein korea dont kno the year but the serial #sjo3107555 with the word Epiphone above it if any body is interested hit me back asap
Jason - January 30, 2007 6:13 pm
I have an EX Series 5 String. I bought it new in 91. It is in great shape, hardly ever used, never played out. I put Active EMG pickups in it, but still have the origional EMG Selects. I always loved this Bass but I never play it anymore so I wouldn't mind letting it go. Email me if interested.
cheers
-Jason
An7on1o - February 21, 2007 12:51 pm
Hi, I'm looking for a tuning machine for this bass but I don't know the diameter. Could you please anyone tell me the diameter and/or where to find a specs manual for this bass?
Thanks a lot.
Peter - March 4, 2007 7:06 pm
Jason: Is your bass still for sale? What are you asking?
Josh - July 16, 2007 9:31 pm
I just traded my Epiphone Goth SG For a custom painted Ibanez EX Series. I've been trying to find ANY information about this guitar for the last month...DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THESE GUITARS?!?!?!? If so email me so i can learn a little about it.....Thanks
ozzman226 - November 29, 2007 6:27 pm
yea i just picked up an ex series 5 string from a pawn shop in philly. havent had much of a chance to play it yet but im really excited to of found it.
James - December 3, 2007 3:52 pm
WILLING TO SELL***I have a red EX 4-string bass with hard case in IMMACULATE condition with the jazz and p-bass pickups (1 of each). Plays and sounds awesome but it's deep on my depth chart as far as what I play. Make an offer, thanks!!
jimiw5@yahoo.com
Ryan - March 23, 2008 5:17 am
i had a black 5-string that was amazing. i'm not sure if anyone covered it in here cuz i got lazy and didn't read all the posts but i know this is a dis-continued model since about 93-94, hence the lack of parts, knowledge, and units. but i loved this bass more than any other i've picked up, including the multi-thousand dollar models. awesome neck, action controll, and thundering sound. i broke mine in a retarded move on my part but managed to fix it. i was heart-broken the day i had to pawn it and my black satin coffin case for a mere 75 bucks. but the world requires money and i can make more music. i definitately give this bass an a++ and recommend it for noobs - pros.
Tony - October 2, 2008 5:46 pm
I picked up one of these from a guy for $40. It needed lots of work, but showed promise. I replaced the jack, rewired most of the electronics, and squirted a bit of deoxit fader lube into the pots, and it came to life. The action was set too high, so I dropped the strings down, and was amazed that there was no buzzing. The neck is in great shape.
I thought it would be a good kick around bass for the kids to play with, but the more I play it, the more I think I'll put it in my normal rotation. I am very impressed with this bass.