Ibanez Grooveline basses head new field for 2011
(Dave Molter | Posted 2011-01-21)
Just when you thought bass designers had run out of ideas, Ibanez has announced 43 -- yes, 43 -- new bass models for 2011. Although many of the models are variations on already established themes, there are a few head-turners in the new crop.
Chief among them is the high-end (~$3,000+ MSRP) Grooveline basses, which will be available in two four-string and three five-string flavors. Most noticeable about the Grooveline is its extended bottom horn, which looks rather like a downward-extended thumb. We've all heard of the Warwick Thumb Bass: I guess Grooveline is a better name than "Thumbs Down" bass.
The 34"-scale Groovelines feature a very nicely sculpted alder body with ash back and top; a six-bolt neck joint; a 5-piece Wenge/Bubinga neck with double "skunk stripes" on the back; rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium frets; the Ibanez "Tight End" heavy bridge; two CAP "Sonic Arch" humbucking J-style pickups; Vol & Blend controls with 3-band EQ (specifically tailored for either 4- or 5-string models) and EQ bypass switch.
Other specs are:
a: Width at Nut 43mm (1.69")
b: Width Last Fret 74mm (2.91")
c: Thickness 1st Fret 21mm (0.826")
d: Thickness 12th Fret 24mm (0.944")
Radius 305mm (12")
Finish choices for both the 4- and 5-string basses are include Natural (pictured), Deep Espresso and Translucent Orange.
Grooveline prices are $2933.3 (4) and $3066.65 (5) and include a hardshell case. They are expected to hit stores in spring 2011.
SR Premium Basses
Also of note are the beautiful basses in the SR Premium line. Manufactured with an eye toward features and affordability, the SR Premiums will be available in Summer 2011 in two 4-string (SR 1200E and 1400E) and two 5-string (SR1205E SR1405E) models.
The 1200 series basses feature a Mahogany body with Ovangkol top while the 1400 series upgrades to a Mahogany body with a Figured Maple top. All four basses have a 5-piece Wenge/Bubinga neck with Titanium reinforcement rods; 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with oval Abalone fret markers; Gotoh tuners; USA Nordstrand® "Big Single" pickups; the individual Mono-Rail bridge with locking saddles; gold hardware; Vol/balance and 3-band EQ with EQ bypass and mid-frequency selector switches; am output jack sunken into the body top; and a special gigbag. Four-string nut width is 38mm (1.49" -J bass width); five-string nut width is 45mm (1.77"). All basses are available in a natural finish only.
MSRP ranges from $1399 to $1533.
Dave Molter is Managing Editor and Bass Guitars Editor of MusicGearReview.com. He has played bass professionally for 46 years.
