Ibanez ASB140BS Artcore

Hi, I bought the Ibanez AGB140 - I would never have considered an Ibanez - on impulse when my friend was buying an amp. The design just appealed to me - a really nice single cutaway shiny reddy brown with lovely clean binding.
The Instrument is a nice long scale which suits me, but a friend who plays bass but is on the short side found it too much. The balance is a bit off which kinda forces you play Stones style sometimes.

The bass has a deep soft tone which is a really nice contrast to the toppy Ricky. It only has volume and tone controls - so no problems there.

It has a much nicer finish than a lot of more expensive guitars I've seen, the hardware seems durable enough so far.

After seven months gigging the guitar is showing no undue stress or wear and holds its tune pretty well, even under lights.

I have had no need to return it for any warranty work - so no opinion om back up

I have been playing 16 years on a Fender Jazz (77) and a Rickenbacker 4003 (95). I actually wanted a 4005 but the poor availability and crazy price scared me off. As I said I bought it purely on looks and a quick play, but it was a wise move. The quality and price of this bass is unbeatable. This week I bought the Ibanez ASB140 double cutaway version in a kind of tobacco sunburst - and I'm selling the Ricky ( it was relegated to bench anyways )
Thats how impressed I am by this guitar, and I can say that before I saw this guitar I would never have bought an Ibanez. I always considered them to be Fender clones or nasty jagged "rawk" basses.
I was wrong.

The other reviews are spot on here. Its a hollowbody w/ 2 F holes, 1 pickup, 2 knobs (volume, tone), crown-type headstock looks good, sealed tuners, quick change bridge, yada yada.

The sound on this is pretty darn good. It has better sustain than some neck-throughs that I've had, which blew me away. I immediately got rid of the stock roundwounds and threw on some Rotosound jazz 77 flatwounds - yeah, great move! It already had a pretty mellow sound, but w/ flatwounds its so rich and full. It has a subtle presence, not obnoxious & in your face. This is good for me because I play mostly folk-rock and prefert the more mellow earthy sounds. I run it w/ a GK 400rb head and 410 cab w/ a boss geb-7 eq pedal and am able to control the sound how I want it before the sound guy gets a hold of it.

Set up was pretty close from factory. I had to adjust it after putting flatwounds on b/c it was a little sharp on the 12th fret. I like the pickup placement and find my best sound about 1/2 way between the pickup and the neck. The finish is beautiful and eye-catching. Most people comment on its finish and dig its hollowbody shape.

I've only had this a few months and so I'm still kind of babying it (it is after all my new bass). It seems like it will stand up to live play, but only time will tell.

N/A

I've been playing for about 7 years and have played Fender J & P basses, Washburns, and Epiphone Thunderbird. So far I dig this bass the most (mostly b/c of the mellow sounds). I would definately seek to replace it if I lost or broke it

Ibanez semi-hollow bass made as part of the Artcore series. The bass has one volume and one tone control. The finish is nice - stays in tune - a bit neck heavy though.

The sound is very rich and dark. This isn't a Fender bass sound. I use it for sort of a Wilco alt-country bass sound. It will not give the spongey slap sound if that's what you're into. However, I'm in love with the tone.

Action is great. The setup was fine. The only flaw is that the bass is a bit neck heavy so I have to compensate by playing Brian Jones styles with my bass neck sticking straight up. I may audition for a "garage rock" band :)

The Artcore series is the best deal right now. I trust it.

Bought used so I'm no help here.

Excellent piece of gear. I love the tone and the fact that I got it so cheap because it was "used" although in excellent condition. I'm not a bass player really. I bought this more for recording. However, I find myself playing bass more because this bass is so cool.

It has a 3 piece Maple/Mahogany set neck with Maple top & sides, a rosewood fingerboard only slightly wider than a Fender Jazz neck with a full 34 inch scale. The bridge is a Gibralter III bass bridge (quick change for easy string changes) and has a single Hot, longer sustain humbuck ACHB1 pickup. The body is medium in weight and the banding work around the edges and the F holes is beautiful and very smooth. Sealed, smooth machines and a volume and tone knob make the setup simple but effective when played.

I play classic 70's and 80's rock plus salsa and Santana twice a week in a club band and play progressive Christian music for 3 services every week in a church. Lots of professional musicians attend the church because of the hot music program and continually give me compliments on the incredibly deep and pure tones of this bass. The only change from stock I made was the addition of flat wound strings instead of the stock round wounds. I play through an Ampeg BA115HP amp. and occasionally use a flanger or a stereo chorus pedal when necessary? This bass plays great for rock, country, salsa and jazz music as I've found through many sessions and gigs. Even the sound men can't get over her incredibly pure, low tones and awesome sustain.

The intonation needed a couple of hours of my time to get the 12th fret tuning locked in since I changed from the factory round wounds to flat wounds but the neck was fine. The finish is beautiful and reasonably durable although my leather strap and done a little minor scratching on the back side as the leather rubs the finish. I've got to come up with some simple pad or something (that will never show to the public) to minimize more scratches??) The string action was pretty good and needed only minor adjustment to my particular finger style. I noted early on that she actually has TWO distinct "voices" as I found laying my fingers AT the pickup gave a crisp, defined sound where-as parking my thumb (for reference) on the bass of the neck allows my to finger just past the end of the neck for maximum resonance and deep, deep resonant bass tones that drive everyone nuts (in a good way!!!!) I've seldom had such versatility and refined definition of tone quality sensitive to variation in my hand positions before? It's truly the "BIG GUN" in my music arsenal !!

I've only had mine for roughly five months but it's holding up beautifully and stands up well to daily wear and tear. The tuning seems to hold solidly and the finish (although not "miles" deep like an automotive laquer on a show car) seems pretty typical and adequate.

I haven't had any warrenty issues yet but I bought the Ibanez brand name (over a lesser known manufacturer) because I firmly believe they'll take good care of their customers? Time will tell?? Warranty is five years.

I've been playing bass semi-professionally (don't give up the "day job") for 33 years. I also own a Fender Jazz bass from Asia and a new Ampeg 220 watt bass amplifier (BA115HP). I definitely was looking for a semi-hollow body when I picked this guitar and couldn't have found better from all the raves I get every time I pick it up and play?!! I wouldn't change a thing on it, it's perfect.