Ibanez RGB300 - Does this vintage rocker have a place in 2020? Let's find out!- LowEndLobster Review
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- čas přidán 31. 10. 2020
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Hey everyone! Today we're reviewing the Ibanez RGB300. Ibanez barely made a peep when they announced this bass earlier in 2020 before quietly launching it in September. The RGB300 is styled after the EX series basses of the late 80's and early 90's. Does this vintage rocker have a place in the bass world of 2020? Let's find out!
The strings used on this bass and most of my other basses with roundwounds are MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105 (or 130 for 5 strings). Find out more at www.mjcironworks.com
Big thanks to Dom @ ThirdFloorGuitars for setting up my instruments. You can find him at www.thirdfloorguitars.com
Discord: discord.gg/dzrFMzD
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Twitter: @LowEndLobster
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I waited long for a review of this one. I love the looks so much, that it is a candidate for 2021.
Thank you!
Glad to see this design back. I remember them well. They just need to beef it up like they were in the day. Anything to dump that soundgear design! Its been played out.
Thanks Brooks! Yeah I like that they're stepping out of the box here. Waiting on one last EMG part before the swap is complete (it's mostly done). Follow up vid will be coming :)
Thanks for reviewing this, i saw this on
thomann about 2 months ago, ill be back in the discord later had to take a break, see ya there.
Thank you for watching :)
I owned an RGB back in the mid 90's when I was playing with a band that did Mr Bungle cover, Frank Zappa covers and some originals. I had the 5 string version. Was my first 5 string. I started incorporating that low B into the cover tunes. Would always get compliments after shows and had great conversations with people about music. I want to buy this new reissue
That bass is so simple and beautiful at the same time
Thanks Ruben!
I waited for a review of this bass ever since I saw the first listing on Reverb. Amazing review, thank you very much! To be honest I expectedthe imperfections on the electronics etc, my 2014 SR300 had pretty much the same issues plus poor bridge quality with the saddles unscrewing by themselves etc. I see this bass more like a modding platform since it's looks are 80's AF, so a new bridge, keys, pickups and pre and you're good to go. Although I'd like to see higher end models on this line and (if anyone by Ibanez happens to see this) PLEASE BRING BACK THE IBANEZ SB900 AND SB1200 BASSES. Thank you!
Thank you! I hope that the EMGs will make this sound the part
Nice review. Looking forward to mods and other Harley Bentons.
Thanks Matthew!
Another great review. Happy Halloween Lobster
Thanks Luke!
Haha haha....another great and comical review!!! I used to own 2 of these in the late 80s early 90s....for the price I liked mine...VERY LIGHTWEIGHT!!!!
Thank you my friend :)
Bought mine today, it kicks ass for Metal
It will be interesting to see if they come out with a more expensive model with better electronics. I’ve been looking to get back to a 4-string (I currently have two 5-strings) and while this one looks badass, the price definitely reflects the quality.
I have a RD 828 LE from 1989 it has the Sharktooth inlays. It has EMG X pickups it is one of my favorite basses to play! Disappointed in the “entry level” status of this bass. Still considering picking one up and putting in some EMGs or Bartolini’s. I am enjoying your reviews. I just found you. Go Lobster!
Thanks Bassist LV! Welcome :)
I had one of the EX series basses. It was an impeccably built beast of an instrument. Ibanez would do well to take your advice and make it passive like the originals. They’d also be better served by going back to a basswood body because poplar is trash.
I think this is a pretty cool looking bass. Even though it resembles that of an Ibanez ex bass, it does remind me of a peavey millennium bass. I would agree that the electronics could of been better. The neck pickup sounds awesome. I would like to see a 5-string version of this bass. And I am looking forward to seeing your updated video on this bass with emg pickups. Pretty cool review.
Thanks Alex! I was on the fence about the 5'er but it only came in black (and I don't think there's a 5 string geezer set). I swapped in the Geezers yesterday, waiting for one more bit before doing my full follow up :)
@@LowEndLobster I've actually saw the 5-string version and I think it looks pretty cool. I don't mind the black finish, but would like to see it in electric blue. and no there isn't a 5-string version of emg geezers, but there are plenty of 5-string pj pickups like from bartolini and nordstrand. anywho, I think it's a pretty cool looking bass and if the 5-string version is ever released, I might get one. otherwise my 2nd choice would definitely be the Ibanez sr305e.
Well, I like the aggressive tone of the pickups of this bass :D
Thanks Jorge :), I dig it too. I just swapped out the guts for EMG Geezers, waiting on one final component before I do a follow up vid :)
I have a beat up triangle inlay EX bass I'm glad they brought it back
Thanks Aus! Indeed, and they're coming to other global markets too. I bought this from Thomann, but US retailers are going to be stocking it in 2021
Long live Lobstah ROCK!!!!
XD
I knew nothing about playing bass guitar but me & my cousins would rock the house. I just tried to play a rhythm and match his frets. For not knowing anything about instruments we've made some pretty good music with me just improvising. I wish I would have got a copy of some of our cassette tapes we made. Especially the one that I could replicate perfectly every time we played it. I used an Ibanez.
Thanks for the really good review. I'm hesitating between this one and a sire V3 to play in a very heavy shoegaze band. I've got a spectradrive so I would probably be able to dial back a bit of low end I think.
Thank you! The V3 is a much more "well rounded" instrument in terms of tonal versatility. HOWEVER, I just swapped the guts in the RGB out for a Geezer Butler EMG setup w/ a 2 band EMG EQ (and passive tone control!).... You'll see in the upcoming vid, but that setup is how these should have come from the factory!
It's actually a repro of the RD 727.
A buddy of mine had one in silver back in the day...
Thank you! I was having trouble finding the model number and info, but found the EX. I'll update the info on the next vid post pickup swap.
At @3:33 the cat was seriously bringin' the bass to fall down to the ground ahahahah!
Hands down for you my friend, you've made a review of one of the most interesting (but surprisingly not very advertised by Ibanez) bass models of the 2020 line-up.
Until two days ago, I've had a Talman TMB30-BK by Ibanez, same pickups but shorts scale and completely passive.
The model of your review seems like it hasn't the same issue of the TMB: the J pickup was sounding at a veeeery low volume compared to the P pickup. The Dynamyx P sounds hot, way too hot....but the main reason why I decided to make an exchange through i it was its tone in a mix. I used it in three songs, and in all songs I was forced to completely re-equalize the whole thing to let the bass fit naturally into a song.
So my answer was...NO.
These pickups are...a trick! They sound good alone, but in a mix they completely SUCK....they're a metal-like sounding kind of pickups, but of the worst category!
:-(
I've sent it back to the shop where it was purchased to change it for a Squier Sffinity P-J and...man, I'm speechless!
Very nice finishes for its cheap price (that's a really surprising thing :O), really nice and clear sound, good quality tuners and bridge. ....that's a chinese Affinity man....and it sounds and plays very good!
I've re-recorded the bass lines on these famous three songs, and now the bass fits naturally into a song with just...the bass itself, no specific EQs needed!
A Squier Affinity man....seriously, I can't believe that: it was purchased as a modding platform but now I wanna keep it stock as it is. Or, at least, I wanna just improve only the things that really matter on it.
Joe
Thanks for the excellent comment! I should give the Affinity series a look soon :) I didn't realize that the Dynamix pickups were in the Talmans too... I can't believe that the electronics are similar to that of a talman that's nearly half the price. Jeez Ibanez hahaha
@@LowEndLobster and thanks to you for your excellent channel, as first thing.
Seriously man, same pickups.
In fact, I felt very disappointed when I noticed that they were equipped also on this "new" (old) series of bass.
About the Squier...I don't know, maybe my case has been just luck, I don't know honestly but, if you can, give it a try.
At least just to confirm or deny this option ahahahah! :P
Joe
I own an Ibanez EXB404, the Budget Korean produced line of EX basses from the early 90's. Snapped it for like 160 bucks and is my favorite bass out of my Squire J, Yamaha TRBX305, Jackson CBX IV, and Takamine Acoustic Bass. Its nice to see they've remade these basses in an updated fashion with inlays and an outline around the headstock!
I'm disappointed that this has a pre-amp, because the instrument as a passive bass really shines with a solid balanced tone between Funky and Metallic. The tone sounds similar to 90's Cannibal Corpses bass, which honestly fucking rocks especially with a pick in the mix. The slap tone is also easily my fave
Funnily enough... The Jazz pick up is also plenty noisey in my EXB404, but only when the bass is angled and not parallel with the ground..? Must be an internal hardware issue though, otherwise get one if you are ever presented with the chance.
Thanks R S! Great comment! Yeah it's kind of a shame that they weren't more true to the originals electronics wise. I'm happy how the mod came out with the Geezers and the BTC preamp from EMG though!
It definitely has a bright future
Swap is already done, waiting for final component :)
What would the Relentless P/J pick-ups do in this bass?
I was the first to pinch the like button. does this mean I am the one who actually turned your hand back to normal?
The hero we need
im patiently waiting to be #69, and if i miss that mark ill go for 420
@@ricardobass4831 lol
@@ricardobass4831 blazeit
I wonder how this bass compares side by side with an EX or RD series bass.
Also what would be a good alternative to this bass? Something similar in looks and sound, and with a similar price, but is overall better?
Great question Doomguy. The stock pickup config can be had in the TMB100 which is around $200 brand new but looks different. I'm not sure if you're going to find anything with similar looks in this price range.
If you want to go passive what do you think about installing a Bill Lawrence bass filter next to a normal passive tone control with a switching option between the two?
I'll look into that! Thank you!
It sounds pretty good imo looks nice. I am a passive pu player though.
Thanks! Yep, this thing should have been passive IMO. It will be with my upcoming mods :)
would you recommend this for a beginner with smaller hands? if not what?
Not really into basses like this usually but I dig it in this finish
Thanks! Yeah the blue is the finish to go for here. Matte black would make it look a little generic.
I think I need one of these basses. I love the aesthetic of it so much! I think that my Boss gt1b can probably tame the preamp on this bass. I can’t find it anywhere but Thomann. I’m hoping that it will come to Sweetwater or Zzounds soon. I know that it’s nowhere near the sound quality of my Fender Tony Franklin fretless but, this would be a very good bass to mod. I’m thinking maybe an Aguilar pj set and possibly a Darkglass preamp
Thank you! Now there's an idea :)
@@LowEndLobster this bass is definitely not beyond hope in my opinion. I’m thinking for the amount of money that this costs, it can be easily modded to punch way above its pay grade. I really love that it has the shark-tooth inlays and harkens back to the EX series of the early 90’s. I think that maybe if they make a model with a maple fretboard and abalone oval inlays with a flame maple veneer on the top it would be even better looking
I wish they made a lefty lol. I passed on a 90's Ibanez TRB 100 a year or so ago and regretted it. My dream bass is a lefty jackson, but those are super rare as well.
Thanks Mickey! Sorry for your lefty woes :(
Your cat clearly approves, and I’ve been looking for a PJ bass. Maybe one of these will be in my future.
Although, I hope it feels better than it sounds. I was kinda disappointed by the TMB review too. The sounds just don’t do it for me like I was expecting
I'm waiting on one last bit, then going to do a revisit on this bass with new guts :) (EMG Geezer Butler). Stay tuned my friend!
The new guts are in and a video is coming very soon. You will like the result. It's so much better now.
Two weeks ago I bought a 1990 EX Series Korea on ebay for $125 the electronics were shot said the listing but I bought it because it I noticed from the pictures that has some old DiMarzio pickups on it. I installed 300k Gibson's pots volume, volume and tone with an orange drop cap. Now I'm waiting for a Gotoh MIJ high mass bridge that I got for $25 on ebay. It sounds so good that I haven't played any of my other basses since I fix it.
Awesome Rafa! I love to hear stories like this. Glad you were able to breathe new life into that bass :)
@@LowEndLobster Thanks Man! I had rescued and restore a few guitars and basses thru the years. After I saw your demo I bought that same bass and I got it delivered today and like you said the preamp is ok but not great but I was able to find a tone that I like after messing with it for a little while. Great demo THANKS!
i really like the electronics of the tmb100, is hot but with a compressor and a sansamp is a horsework... and i dig that oldstyle body and neck, but pay 100 more just for the design... i agree with you
Thanks MA Ibanez :)
Headstock is perfect for when a band mate becomes annoying 😊 That preamp hiss/ noise could be a major problem with stage lights etc If the neck and overall feel is good I might be tempted to rip out the electronics and go passive
Thanks Martin! I agree, hopefully the passive setup I'm going to toss in here will do the trick :)
Hey Low End Lobster I'll interested to see how the EMG set sound with that bass. I've got a EX series 5 string in dark metallic red . its neck is normally got to flat of a fingerboard radius for me , but is comfortable to play and I haven't had to adjust the neck in 30 yrs. I was thinking for a new 5 string J bass set for it as the stock pickups seem a little weak .
Hey Michael! I just shot that video yesterday, should be up later this week.... EMGs are a HUGE improvement. The config I went with is slightly different than what I said I was doing here... you'll see... but the result is AWESOME.
Cool I'll be waiting to see the difference
Big "The Time Police" from Superjail vibes during that intro lmao
hahaha I love superjail :)
I picked a relic today. ‘89 made in Japan. $125 cash with original case. 🤘🏽
Oh NICE! The MIJ stuff is stellar quality, built to last 1000 years
I have a 1989 Ibanez RD 727 with Sharktooth inlays & binding on the neck & headstock. I replaced the bridge with a newer AccuCast and put EMG-X pj pu’s in.
Maybe a preamp replacement is in order... Seymour Duncan makes a 2-band for $60. Or perhaps you could change the wiring for a dual volume/dual tone. Either one could make for an excellent revisit video! I've been looking for a bass like this recently and this video may have convinced me either way.
Thank you Bernard :). Going to be going passive VTVT with a set of Geezer Butler EMGs!
Check inside for an internal trimpot..maybe you can lower the preamp gain.i had an ATK 300 where lowered the gain for the preamp and it was much better after.
Hey Julian! Just opened her up, no trim pot like with the ATK preamp :(.
I'd want better inlays,more color options, better pickups,a nice high mass bridge. I do like the headstock. The Ibanez website doesn't say if it's got graphite rods or not. I thinking that my SR300EB out plays it although the preamp goes into crispy bacon mode with the treble turned especially if using DI
It’s a remake of an Ibanez rd727 and rd828 they also make a rd707 but that didn’t have the shark tooth inlays.
Thanks for the info, James!
I have the original version, of this model its the ibanez rd727 year 1989,in a gun metal silver..this is still a nice looking, sounding bass for 320 dollars..its sounds similar to that 6 string 2,300 dollar kisel bass,you did a review on..
Thanks Derick! I agree, definitely a knock on the Keisel. I think both basses sounded better with the new electronics :)
@@LowEndLobster love your content, especially your 1000 percent honesty about the products you review
The weak point of P-J configuration; noise of the rear pickup. Other than that, it is a good bass in general.
Thank you :)
I kept reading RBG. I thought it was a memorial bass. Sign of the times. lol.
RBG would rock a Jetglo Ric ;P
I miss my old 5 string ibanez. It was made in Japan from the late 90's. I can't remember what model it was. It just felt right in my hands. Still pissed 20+ years later that I had to get rid of it a few months after I bought it 😂😭🤣
Thanks Peter! I hate when that happens haha, the one that got away
P sounds decent and useful. The J spoils it but that price range is a bit forgiving. Squier and Sterling are a bit more on point in this range, don’t you think?
I agree. This could have been much more of a winner with reworked guts.
lobster do you have any Warwick basses? Ive never played one and everyone seems to freakin adore them
Hi Ricardo! I used to have a Warwick Thumb NT a while ago, but I haven't not played any German Warwicks recently. Hoping to look into some warwicks in the future :)
@@LowEndLobster i love u bro happy monday
@@ricardobass4831 Happy monday my friend :)
Hi lobster! I was wondering if you could review the schecter stilleto vintage 4 I've ordered it (well my mum did) for Christmas it was on sale and there's no reviews yet on it.
Heyo! I may be checking out some of the other Stiletto series soon, but that one appears to be out of production. If I can snag one for a deal, I may have a look :) Thank you for the suggestion!
@@LowEndLobster I got on andertons last in stock went from £459 to £269
@@lorcanfitzpatrick6019 Nice deal!
I liked the vid even before the opening credits. Could of been the Willie Nelson........Could of been the wig 😂😂😂😂😂😂and those shades 👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎😎 but most of all.......Bebe😻. Great vid.
Thank you my friend!
You Tragically Hipster! ;-)
LOL, hilarious! Also, the cat clearly loves you a bunch.
The bass really isn’t my style aesthetically or sonically, but if it has a place in your stable that’s what matters.
Thanks Sam! :D
There's that 60 cycle hum again, gotta be your amp, cable, or lights in the review room!
It's the Geezer J, the P is silent but the J is still picking something up. Have another instrument here with Geezers and it does the same thing. Interestingly enough, someone had commented to flip a wire on the tone pot or P pickup or something to fix that... I haven't tried yet.
Hey which Harley Benton's are you going to review?
I have the MB-4 SB and the MP-5MN Enhanced. Reviews coming in the next week or two :)
@@LowEndLobster That MP-5MN is supposed to be a nice bass but for me with 19mm string spacing I'll never know...
Time to add rgb light strips to it
RGB all the things
If i were to get this bass id immediately rip out the preamp, do a single volume knob and 3 way selector and maybe replace the J pickup with an X2NB humbucker for some really high output tones
Reminds me of my old RD707 tangerine - except that bass had dot inlays and 3 knobs.
IDK why they gotta put cheap active on these budget basses. Keep it passive and spend the difference on better pups. Same with the TMB100
Bingo! Thank you Travatron!
I'm very stoked for the Harley Benton basses and I guess the enhanced model will outrun the Ibanez!
Thanks Philipp, those vids are coming soon :)
Beards? Cats? Bass? 1000% subscribing
No more beards but we still got the other two ;P. I hope that doesn't mean it's only a 666.66666667% subscription now
The 80s model I remember was a RD###.
I'm sure everyone knows is to match the RG guitar.
I'm not even a bass player and I'm gunna get one
Thanks FD :)
I sense another project coming on!!?!?!?!? Swap out that J pickup and the preamp maybe? Add some lighting strips??
We're going Geezers with a passive control setup, more info soon :)
@@LowEndLobster - Aw!! What about the strip lighting though?
.... I have some vinyl... Hehehe
Firat bass other then a jackson to get my attention. Where is it made?? Edit: Indonesia. I think the tonal controls are good enough but it's priced as an entry level bass because that is what it is. I like the syling and I bet it plays nice but I think if i got it the cheapness would bother me. The Same Styling in a better quality build and I would bite. I don't think its a good buy for anyone who's got better basses in their arsenal.
My Talman has the exact same preamp issue. WHO NEEDS DAT MUCH?! Wish Ibanez would just use better pickups and do away with the affordable preamps
DUDE! I looked up the specs of both... The Talman and this have the EXACT SAME GUTS!.... but this is over $100 more, cause retro styling reasons.
@@LowEndLobster well that makes A LOT of sense! I'm stripping mine out to go passive with some new pickups
Reverse P pickups are the superior breed.
This is the way
Disconnecting the J pickup seems to be a sensible mod.
Not a bad thought, the P is really the star here
beard hair sunglasses and bass guitars!
from the future past!
And a cat!
Pickups aren’t hot. More so the preamp. If you rip the preamp out on those Basses the pickups aren’t bad by themselves. It’s only a matter of finding which onboard preamp will suit the sound of the player
Thanks Dragon! The preamp boosts things up to 16 dB, which is pretty powerful for a preamp, I'd think that the pickups are better suited for a passive application as you said. These pickups are a bit spicy though. I have a follow up on the pickup and preamp swap coming on Sunday and features the EMG Geezer Butler pickups paired with the EMG BTC 2 band preamp... it's awesome.
i have one but the strings squeak
I see why there was no big launch celebration!
Right? haha. They were like "here's... uh... this"
@@LowEndLobster LOL exactly
It really reminds me of a jackson
Thanks Marco! Definitely has that vibe
Unfortunately they do not build a prestige version.
Bummer, that'd be sick to see something like this with some exotic top or neat paintjob.
@@LowEndLobster Right - just add real good pickups and the electronics of the premium soundgear - and of course - an alder or ash body with the playability of a soundgear. That would be awesome. And of course a massive bridge.
Throw a EMG PJ Set in
Both of my modernish 5 string basses have basswood bodies. It seems to be the go to body wood for budget friendly active basses.
For some sweet metal bass lines. Check out protest the hero-no stars over bethlehem. Arif's playing is amazing.
Thanks James!
GZR mod! VTVT! Do It!
Waiting on the second tone knob, but I'm gonna try and do the swap tomorrow with just the V/V/T
Sonido muy similar al Jackson concert !!
Si!
The neck doesn't sound fun. My Ibanez basses are a TMB30, SR400, and SR655 and are built to fly! Nice outfit 🦞! 😎👍
Thanks Boomer! Yeah the neck on this wasn't the most comfortable.
I have the perfect FIX for this here bass....A Tone Monster J bass p/u with a Tone Monster SEB 2 or 3 band preamp!!!!!!....now lets see THAT!!!!....
... not a bad idea
BeBe gonna give it a BOUNCE TEST off that table!!!!!!!
Table/diving board ahaha
Bang Thy Head!
Where's my Winger Tee shirt?
XD
That was my ex back in the day mine was white that had. Inlays that one sounds damn good you suck that you have that why can't I post a picture on here
Thanks Kevin! Yeah it's lame you can't do photo comments. Feel free to send one over on Instagram on Facebook! (youtube held this in limbo so sorry for the late reply!)
FIX THAT TABLE PLZ I'M IN FEAR FOR UR BASSES!
I should just get a new table that has room for two basses.... hrmm ;P