Ibanez AEB8E

(Originally written by Bloodrain33/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- Where was it made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France...)

Made in China... I don't have anything against Chinese guitar makers but...

More information: -> https://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/country/frame_france.html

- How many frets, what kind of pickups and what is the pickup configuration?

22 frets, piezo pickup, Ibanez SPT preamp

- What about controls (volume, tone, pickup selector...)?

I was surprised to see that the controls are very comprehensive: shape, treble, mid, bass, tuner plus a phase control but I don't know what for!

There's a picture on the following website: https://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/images/features/28.jpg

- What kind of neck?

Standard set neck...

- Is the neck comfortable?

Quite comfortable! It's very fast! (but not as fast because the neck varnish is too thick... :s)

- Is the access to the upper frets easy?

No problems up to the 19th fret! Then it becomes difficult but that's normal, it's an acoustic guitar...

- Is the instrument ergonomic (body shape, weight...)?

Light, playable...

- Does it fit your music style?

Perfect! It's an all-round instrument! I play rock, punk, metal, etc.

I sometimes like to slap and it's also quite good at that! (but don't expect too much, it's a budget Jazz Bass!)

- Which amp(s) or effect(s) do you use with it?

Amps: Behringer Ultrabass, Fender Rumble 15.

Effects: EHX Nano Clone Chorus and Ibanez Phat-Hed PD7.

- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?

Everything possible using the versatile EQ!

[/b]- Which sounds do you prefer / hate?[/b]

The unplugged sound is ok, but it's more interesting when plugged. It has a nice but special character so test it before buying it.

- How long have you been using it?

Since early December 2008 but I tested it before...

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

Pros: Very comprehensive preamp, sound, average finish...

Cons: The varnish chips off too easily ...

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

I tested about ten models, three of which were interesting for me: a Cort, a Fender and this Ibanez (much cheaper)...

- How would you rate its value for money?

Unbeatable! Except for the too thick and chipping varnish, this bass is excellent!



- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?



For sure!

I give it between 16 and 18 because of the varnish. I'm not fan but other people might like it! I like natural finishes!

P.S. I will update this review at some later point because the bass is still very new.

I'll be brief, I looked for a cheap acoustic bass, c is the case. J've tried several and frankly the price difference is not the same all. Yes it is cheap but a faith with resolve and true chord c is playable. My personal luthier m is 20 euro for a nut and a bone bridge since then. C is to make all playable. Connect the sound is ok but it is not what interests me. Acoustic change once the sound is enough to accompany a guitarist to conditions that he not abuse n or n that there have not released the martins. I add that I have seen many with staggering differences. That of a friend of a table 2 times thicker and sounds great evil. These changes greatly dl lower one to the other and manufacture and the sound is uneven. Do not buy by mail. C is not a killer but it can be used for camping ride the fire and it does not transport crain considering the price. Wholesale pot j have mine on, but this is not the case for all

I bought this bass on a trip abroad where I yearned to gratouiller, two years ago. And like buying an acoustic part of my projects ...

Sure, I may be a bit rushed and I have tried to manage other models, but I was looking more like an instrument travel to practice and "compose", I referred primarily an instrument for the price affordable. For me, the connectivity was mostly a plus.


Precisely, if we look at the technical details, in addition to its four strings and 22 frets, this bass has interesting things when connected to an amplifier:
- The connection is made jack or XLR choice. (Personally, I've never plugged in XLR)
- It is equipped with a 3-band EQ (bass, middle, treble), a volume knob, and a setting Shape (round or to sharpen the sound)
- The microphone is in piezo
- Phase button is also present, but I do not find interest ...
- Finally, the tuner is good, even when it is not connected (well, you still have to put batteries - 2xLR6 in a drawer near the connectors)


Question ergonomics, the least we can say is that AEB8E is very far from perfect:
- Imposing fund tends to hurt the right arm strength to play (but after all, this is a low, so the body must be consistent ... I guess)
- Positioning settings (EQ, etc.) is not practical at all since they are under the right arm and, while playing, you tend to accidentally move the buttons slide :-(
- The handle is horrible practice: a thickness and a width impressive, large paws essential.
- Strings are placed at a staggering distance of the keys, which makes it suitable to play really slow at the base, and especially tired quickly left hand.
- Head and neck alone must represent about 75% of the weight of the instrument, which gives a perfect balance predestining its user lumbago certain.


The value of electro-acoustic bass also seemed to play without connecting to accompany a guitar, for example. Thereupon, I am mistaken, but I think this detail is not related to the model and that any risk of acoustic bass disappoint me on this side: the unplugged volume is far too low to be audible if a guitarist with you.

Connected, the sound is not so bad against at all even though, as pointed out by one of my predecessors, tuning vacuum gives little surprises in the accuracy of the game more ...
And the interface is so bad that we did not particularly want to use up. So for a small session on blues stool is okay, but no need to consider a rock concert with it!
In addition, I do not know exactly where it comes from, but some frequencies are particularly prone to feedback, and it is really not practical (you put your bass forgetting to mute your amp, and boom! Gros feedback that kills)


In conclusion, today, I almost do not use more than travel, sitting in the forest or on the beach, history gratouiller few notes inspired by nature, solo course, or to work on exercises endurance, precision left hand. For, indeed, all the disadvantages mentioned above for the handle and the strings become advantages when working sessions: when I look back on my SR505, I appreciate even more playability of the latter.
In short, as said in the title: the AEB8E can not, in my opinion, not be regarded as anything other than a working tool, and certainly not as an instrument of scene.

If I would reiterate purchase today?
Clearly not. I'm not even sure I réinvestirais in acoustics ... unless perhaps a fretless ...

It's a good bass, the bass is on which I learned to play so I can not really do apprciate the quality of the handle which is apparently doubtful, because I learned dbrouiller with me .. That said my little rant will focus on the fact that random image, (apparently depending on the temprature: 0) just added a background noise to the sound of my bass unplugged which is pretty teacher, making my notes almost inaudible ... Fortunately the sound is not captured by the microphones of the bass, I think this default dpend a quality manufacturing some random image (made in china ... requires) the quality This AEB8 vary from another copy. On microphones have to be careful with the high power amplifiers, as the case of low rsonance that makes it subject to feedback quite easily.