Ibanez SW65 Sound Wave

you already know... what's there works fine

For bass this is nothing more than a practice amp. I use it as a powered stage monitor for the main p.a. and it's just about perfect for that. I love the way it will roll completely upside down if bumped or accidently kicked. Kick-back and roly-poly. For guitar or keys it works great...just plain flat frequency reality.

indestructible with proper respect

na

I keep looking for more of these for monitors for the rest of my band. Great unit!

Like anything else, you have to look at this amp for what it is, not compare it to what you want it to be. This is a 65 watt bass amp with one 12 inch speaker. For it's price, it has some really good features: seprate gain and volume controls, 4 band EQ, internal limiter, 10db gain boost, line out, CD input for practicing, and a headphone jack. It also has a tilt-back cabinet to help project the sound upward.

I really like the sound of this amp a lot. It has a nice, even tone with enough bottom end to sound good. I play a Schecter 5 string, a Yamaha fretless, and a Copley acoustic bass through this amp and all of them sound very good. The only thing I've noticed is that the low B on my 5 string doesn't kick quite enough. However, like I've already mentioned, it's a 65 watt amp with a 12 inch speaker. I don't expect it to sound like an Ampeg SVT through a full stack.

In the year since I bought this amp it has never left my house, so I can't comment on how roadworthy it might be. As a tool for practice and recording though, it powers up and sounds great every time I turn on the switch. You can't ask for more than that.

So far, I haven't had to deal with the company. Ibanez is a large manufacturing company that's been around for a long time, so I'd imagine that their customer support would be pretty good.

When you compare features, power, and sound quality to what this amp costs, I don't think you can find a better deal out there. I paid less than what a Fender Rumble 25 sells for, and this amp is way better. Just remember to looka tihis amp for what it is. I use it for practice, home recording, and intend to use it for small venues. For these purposes, it's very good. If it were lost or stolen, I'd buy it again.

First off this is a solid state amp (no suprise there with the price tag). It uses a 12inch sub in combination with a tweater (will discuss sound later) and has a kickback design. It also has the standard send & receive jack-ins for a effect loop. Aux-in for a cd-player etc.

My first dissapointment came when I realized the amp only has one jack-in (no passive or active jack-in), the fact that a 10db boost switch is included partly makes up for this, but not completely.

It has pretty standard gain, volume and 3-band equilizer knobs. However the built-in compression cannot be switched off or adjusted, it didn't really bother me that much but might be a concern for you.

My second disssapointment was realized when I found there was no DI in it (fair enough for the price tag), but wait there's a line out! Unfortunately there is no volume control on the line out and it can't bypass the equalizer or gain settings (the volume control fortunately doesn't effect the line out).

My biggest problem with this amp (and the reason I'm getting a upgrade) is volume: Sounds solid but add a drummer or turn a guitar up and its just choked out. Now in my limited experience and in comment heard from others, a bass amp needs to have about 4times the wattage to get the same volume as a guitar amp at full volume (50watt guitar amp = 200watt bass amp). Even as a monitor speaker it just makes it power wise.

A DI box would be a definitive plus for this amp since its going to be used for a monitor if anything and will need a boost from another amp/PA/speaker. Also, carries handles on the side would be more than welcome, since it only has one handle at the top, which makes it very awkward to carry.

A amp almost stripped bare: no effects, no distort, no DI.
Quite basic features

This amps has avery punchy sound thanks to a 12-inch sub, tweater and solid construction with a enough built-in room to get a well-rounded bass sound. Which is almost ruined be the lack of earth control and ensuing buss. I finally swopped the 2prong plu for a 3prong and got most of the buzz gone. The boost button unfortunately seems to boost the buzz more than it shud but it was more than acceptable when I used a earthed power cable.

When the volume is turned way up, the compression keeps the distortion in check along with the volume.. So the main issue here is still headroom (volume).

Despite the volume issues the sound was very solid, punchy and satisfying and handled slapping & popping nicely while still having punchy bass. Apart from the slight buzz the sound is excellent on this amp.

My preferred style is grunge, although my band is more alternative rock and Godsmack/Evanescene. This is almost irrelevant because as soon as the drums go up the bass dissapears... The only way I see how this amp could go for a gig is if its light music like soothing Jazz where the drumming stays light. Its capable of both doing very crunchy and very punchy sounds when used with the right strings a very versatile, if weak volumed, amp.

I've had this amp now for roughly a year, playing at least once a 3 times a week with it and it's never broken down. (although the finish got a few nasty cuts). So this amp is pretty reliable, but I won't rely on its volume outside the bedroom. Even in a church band the drummer starts to drown it. The headphone jack was the only thing that was broken..

Well I live in South Africa, so I only received 1 year warranty and I'm not aware of any authorized service centers.

So all in all this amp is a mixed band of tricks affordable yet it leaves you wanting more. I've been playing bass for 5years now, and for the first 4 I've played bass on a guitar amp (VOX ac30 valve - sacrilige I know..) until I bought this amp.

In the bedroom this amp is great & I've spent many happy hours practicing on it. If your looking to start playing bass & learning on your own go for it, but if your serious about bass and want to join a band (or have a band) save yourself and your band suffering and buy at least 150w (100w if you really are strapped) preferably 200w & up.

From experiance I tell you thats its no fun being drowned out and I know very few guitarist and drummers esp. rock fans who are going to turn down their volume to accomadate you.
Choose wisely...

Features are what should be expected from such an amp. Great clean, warm sound but very lacking in distortion. Has a 10db boost button for a little more volume.

Sounds great for the price. I used it with an Austin p-body, an Epiphone Les Paul, and a Fender P-body. All good sounding. I've used it to record when needed, did the job. Definately would suggest getting a good multi effects pedal though. I use it as my home practice amp, wouldn't get rid of it, could never get the money that would replace it's functionality.

Great reliability! Never out of such a cheap amp would I expect this. Gigged with it twice because I had problems with my other amp at the time. Cranked the volume and presence to 10 and had the 10db boost on the whole time. I played metal shows so it was taking a beating. Also, last fall had to use it in band practice for a few months. Twice a week for about 8-9 weeks, I was playing for about 3.5 hrs with volume and presence cranked! It still wasn't loud enough, but i wouldn't expect it to be. Still sounds great even at high volumes after all that abuse!

never had to deal with them

Great practice amp, maybe some recordings if you couldn't use something better. Great warm tone, no distortion. I wouldn't expect someone to find anything better for the money you can find these for.

The features on this amp are very limited. It has a great clean, warm tone to it, but that's all you'll get this amp to do. Has nice gain and presence but is lacking in it's ability to plain any raunchy, heavy stuff. Definately would suggest effects pedals if you get this amp. It's power is good for playin at home or with friends, but doesn't cut it at gigs.

I play ina metal band but play my bass mainly through a tube setting on my pedals. It sounds great for what I use it for. It only feed backs when there are multiple amps really close together. The amp sounds great even cranked up all the way.

Really great practice amp, but I pushed it's limits when I played it at a gig. I almost blew my speaker out at the first gig and the second I had the limiter wokring hard. I would suugest this amp for home play and practice, not at all big enough to gig.

I've played for about a year and really like this amp. It sounds great and never fails me but it isnt good enough play live.

I'm into the Slap, pop, choke, jazz thing, so I find I really love this amp because it's smooth, great tone. I think mostly suited for Studio work it's great. Live demanding performance would probably be too much for it as it may not have enough power for a very large venue. Actually there is one thing...I wish I could have the option to turn off the limiter thing. It'g good, but maybe not always necessary.

Using:
Yamaha BBG5A and Squire California Jazz Bass.
The Jazz is soooooo nice though this amp!!! The Yamaha also sounds good, but the low B not so thunderous. I guess this is what to expect from a 65W amp, right?

I think it would be much to depend on this alone, as many may end up pushing it past it's design limits (read...too much gain!). Better for small venue or studio. Has not yet broken down.

The guy I purchased this from will take it to have the repair done if necessary. Not yet broken!

I've been planing for about 15 years, and have a Musicman Stingray, the Yamaha BBG5A, and the Squire California Jazz. If stolen, I would buy again because it's not expensive.
Love the tone, hate the limiter restriction...
I do compare it with a Fender and Roland Cube 100, and I think I like better the Ibanez because of the tone, with good features.
I wish it had a control for the limiter (variable would be great).

I bought it new last year. This amp is very nice for what it's meant to do (small gigs where drums are electronic or softly played, coffee houses, small clubs, churches, etc) as a practice amp and church amp, it gives me adequate bottom, mids, and hi's and I have no complaints about it at all, other than it's bulkiness. Tilt back is very nice.

The amp sounds awesome. Don't get me wrong here, I'd give it a ten if it had more power. I can understand that 65 watts is 65 watts but I had heard it was loud, so try to imagine my disappointment trying to play in a hard rock band with obnoxiously loud drums. However, I pushed it, and I could hear it nicely when it was just drums and bass, but once the guitar kicked in I was drowned out. The limiter works! NO DISTORTION!! It never distorts! You can mess the EQ as much as you want, and push the amp as hard as you want for as long as you want and it will not (I repeat: will not) distort on you. It's relatively quiet and doesn't take up a lot of space, but it's bulky to carry around.

Extremely reliable. I've gigged with it once, and it never even did so much as get hot. It's a solid performer, and Ibanez in my opinion should really look into putting more power behind it's SW line. If it made a competetive amp such as a 200 watt head, I would gladly buy it as my back up amp to my Ampeg SVT-350.

I've never and probably will never have to deal with customer support. And I believe this is the way it should be.

Very nice amp. Could be easier to carry around, but it's really nice. Buy it if you need something to suit you as an unbelievable practice amp or a church amp. If you need something to go over a drumset, sorry but you're really outta luck. That SW100 with the extension cabnet might make it over the set but it won't have enough power for gigs at 145 watts. I'd check out the Ampeg BA210SP (220 watts) or something along the Ampeg line. Maybe even the Hartke VX3500. But that's more money. Oh well. Bye.

I'm not going to duplicate everything that has been said before. It's got a everything already mentioned. Pretty standard stuff.

I am using it with an Ibanez SRX 300 4 -String and and occasional Fender American Jazz.

It sounds pretty decent. The 12" speaker doesn't rock the house with tremendous low end. The mids and highs are very pronounced.
It get a little bit of "hiss" when the presence knob is turned up.
For an amp that only $220.00 the sound is pretty good.
This is not a gig amp. I have used it for small church gigs and it's ok. It will get drowned by a drum kit in a medium-small venue and taking it outside and playing or practicing with guitars and a drummer is a waste of time.

It doesn't really color the tone at all. Seems pretty clean but no personality.

For a prctice amp it's just fine. You can't expect Ampeg, GK, or GB, sound from something that only cost $220.00.

It's been going for eight months with no problems. Has been run at max a few times and the limiter seems to keep things from getting ugly.

This amp comes with a five year limited warranty. I have not had to use it.

I have been playing bass for about 9 months. I'm not a newbie to music though. I have been a drummer for 22 years and have played guitar for 10 years. I am also a sound tech so I have been around equipment like this for a long time.
I'm not in love with this amp but if it was lost or stolen I might buy another. This is a practice amp that I keep in my bedroom 90% of the time for practice. It's cheap and it get the job done.

I will complain that it is heavy compared to other 60-65W amps. It's a tank to move around and it has a mesh grill cloth cover that looks like it tears very easy. I have not torn mine but i don't like moving it around much. If it had a balanced DI out I would probably use it at church but it doesn't so it satys hom,e most of the time.

Features: 12" speaker, 65 watts of power, limiter, 4-band EQ, tilt-back cabinet design and line out.

I have a New Ibanez SR500 with 9 volt Bartolini MK1-4 Neck PU &
Bartolini MK1-4 Bridge PU. I play Jazz & Blues mostly. To get right down to it this amp is only good for bedroom practicing and even then its still lacking. I opened the box plugged it up and cranked the gain and volume up halfway and I was like "Where is the sound??"
Then I turned it all the way up and got a muffled sound with the low notes but the high was ok. Has absolutly NO BOTTOM

NA

NA never dealt with

Like I said this amp is only good for bedroom practicing and even then its still lacking. It leaves me wondering why Ibanez is even in the business of making bass amps. No wonder the cost is so low. I'm taking it right back to the store and returning it ASAP. I hate to rag on Ibanez but you would be better off paying $220 on a nice used bass amp.

4 band eq
10db boost
effects loop
cd input
headphone out
optical limiter

Very surprised at it's tone. Can be warm and thumpy or slappy and crisp. It has a very effective eq and a gain that will grit it up just a little. It is definitely a practice or rehearsal amp but for a small venue it could work. My upright actually sounded pretty decent through it also.

Solid state, 5 yr warranty. Seems pretty reliable so far. (6 months old)

As far as features sound and price are concerned it is a champ. I have just used it for a gig with a sansamp running into the board and it for stage volume and it worked great. For $200 you can't go wrong