Thank you for the thoughtful reply. If I can find a store that has a Mezzo I will take your advice and play it. But I already have a feeling it won't stand up (another pun!), from what you have said about it in your review. You are by far one of the most conscientious guys doing instrument reviews I have seen on the net.
Hey Jonathan, Thanks for the Ibanez Mezzo demo. I was just checking out Music Depot and noticed they make a lot more than just instruments under the Groove brand. Bass Heads, Bass Cabinets, Bass Combos, Mixers, Microphones, Cables, Wireless Gear, etc.
Yeah! They have all sorts of stuff. They have a little 110 cab that looks interesting! Must suffer from lack of marketing as very few people i know have ever heard of them! Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458musicI use a 110 in my practice setup with either a trace elliot elf or a '78 peavey mark iii...if you see one of those fuzzy 4-ohm yamaha 110's with the metal grill, snag it because they're some of the best small cabs ever made and they only made them for a few years
@@jonathanwong458music I'm currently suping up a 2001 squier mb-4, it's like a copy of an ibanez soundgear but with a better looking headstock, I even keep it in a mid-80s ibanez rb850 case and it fits like a glove...pretty ironic, ibanez made such a name for itself building fender copies that within a couple decades fender was building ibanez copies
Yesterday the same bass with the 5 strings configuration arrived to me. Today has gone back to the dealer! 😀😀😀 The bass was overall a nice one, stunning color (the metallic sea foam green as well as the one in Your video), and for 392 euros and 5 strings (in Italy) you can't ask for more. But, to me, it sounded totally anonymous. The bass was actually well built, but the weak side of this instrument as You well stated, for me too, is the electronic: nothing fancy but noisy and with no character. Plus, I'm not a 12" radius fretboard guy: I really couldn't play it, and I've been playing bass for 40 years, so... I'll keep buying a Fender or Squier one (actually short scale since the project is to mount piccolo bass strings), I definitely prefer the Fender measures. Conclusion: I should have payed much more attention to Yor review!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Wonderful review, as always!👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching and writing! If you are a Fender person, going to the skinny Soundgear neck takes some getting used to. Very different playing experience! Hope you find something you like! Appreciate the encouragement!
The mezzo can be a great gateway into bass! Ibanez, in general, makes for easy-to-play instruments that are relatively wallet friendly. I hope you enjoy your bass adventure!
Nice review Jonathan. That’s a cool colour, looks like ice blue metallic. I’ve reconsidered the Bronco, as the price new along with a Lace pup plus tax really adds up. Weird experience you had with the A and D strings. About a dozen years ago I had to return one of the vaunted Classic Vibe P basses because while the A and D sounded volcanic, the E string was noticeably quieter and crappy sounding. I did everything I could at my end including trying 3 different sets of strings etc and no go. It was a heartbreaker for me as it looked fantastic in the fiesta red/tort combo. I considered going for an aftermarket pup but my experience with P pups is that the tone is somewhat baked into them by their design.
Thanks for watching and for the encouragement! The older I get, the more I like fun colours! Wood is weird that way - sometimes dead spots show up for no good reason, or a knot you can't see distorts vibrations in an unpleasant way. I've had instruments that looked perfect but didn't sound 'alive' or resonant. Yet I've had dumpster-bound appearing instruments that blow you mind, sonically. Wood is weird! Mods can definitely get pricey - I think one really needs to have a good idea of what they're sonically striving for and a clear direction of how to get there. Even then, there's no guarantee! It can get frustrating!
I’m a retired pro woodworker who’s also made a couple of basses, including the neck, from scratch and am definitely in the “wood matters” camp. I tell people to stick their ear to the body and pluck some strings. You cannot amplify sounds that are not already there. It’s possible that a different set of strings might solve this particular issue 🤷♂️. You never know with wood though. The neck and body have to resonate well together. The current prevailing opinion is that the neck has the more influence of the two, with the mass and stiffness being a good omen for the tone.
YES! Wood matters! The internet may disagree with us, though. Having said that, I think where the internet forums get animated is the degree to which wood matters. It may be marginal in comparison to the pickups' influence, but it can be the difference between something sounding ok/generic to sounding great! I like to audition instruments with the headstock touching a wall (eg drywall over studs). If an instrument can vibrate a wall well, it'll sound good! May be related to the neck material's influence, as you suggested.
Thanks so much for watching and for your subscription! Much appreciated. Unfortunately, the market doesn't have a lot of love or demand for solid body 32" scale instruments. In the more affordable end, there is a Squier Jaguar with a MM style pickup as well as the classic vibe PJ config. The Jaguar name is confusing as over the years, there have been short scale (30") and full scale offerings with the Jaguar name and shape. From what I've played, the Jaguar necks are chunkier than the Soundgear Mezzo's neck. If you are looking for more upscale, there are a few boutique builders such as Sandberg, Maruszczyk and Offbeat that make cool looking 32" instruments. There are also some Japanese brands such as History that have made 32" medium scale basses. Warmoth also has a medium scale neck option that fits the same short scale body. I am more of a short scale guy myself, but unfortunately, the market just doesn't have very many medium scale offerings. If you're after a slim neck and light weight, the Mezzo is probably your best affordable option.
@@jonathanwong458music I really appreciate you taking the time to give a detailed reply Jonathan. I'm a beginner with small hands. I'm tempted by a short scale but they look like toys and I think a 32" might be a good compromise. Thanks again.
My pleasure! The mini 28.6” scales are pretty tight. But give the 30” a try. I discounted them a while ago, but medical issues really compromised my hands and muscles so I made a big switch to shorties in order to still be able to gig/record/work. Haven’t looked back. Has been a game changer for me!
I liked the sounds you got out of that one. Well played! And for those interested in a fender-style medium scale, there is the classic vibe jaguar from squier. Now that I think about it, the jaguar has 2 stacked potis for volume and tone, considering the layout of that ibanez preamp, one could probably mod the mezzo to get there as well, without stacked potis. And different pickups of course...🤔
Thanks for watching and for sharing your suggestion! I think a good set of pickups and passive V-V-T would make this mezzo sound more open. 'Better' would be a subjective word, but it might take away some of the muddiness and noise from the entry level preamp.
Hey Jonathan do you think this bass is fundamentally 'sound" (pun) enough to warrant modification, ie; new passive pick ups and ditch the active electronics. I love the Fender sound and just traded a Mustang players series because it was too small and had massive headstock dive for a Jazz, and although it sounds better it's too big! There are not a lot of choices for a medium scale bass available except custom one off pricey ones. Or would modding this be like trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear?
Thanks for watching and commenting! You have asked a great question, and one I have thought about myself. Here's my take on it: I have owned several soundgear style basses, almost all of them where I have always struggled with the onboard preamps. I finally just decided that my ears prefer passive basses and I like having a tone pot/control over 2 or 3 band EQs. But that's a personal thing! I have also tried on several occasions to make a soundgear sound more Fender-y and have yet to be truly successful. The electronics are one thing, but the pickup placement is in a slightly difference place compared to a Fender. And pickup location has a dramatic effect on tone. So if you're going after a Fender-y type tone, I don't think a soundgear will nail the tone. Having said that, a Fender will not give you that modern active, scooped and zingy MTD-type sound either, so it really depends on what you're after, sonically. I also think the neck dimension/shape also has an effect on the overall tone and the skinnier soundgear necks simply sound different to me. If you're after a Fender, might want to check out the Squier medium scale Jaguars. I think there are 2 of them, one with a MM pickup and the other with a more traditional PJ config. But be careful with the naming as 'Jaguar' has been used on several different models and 3 different scale lengths! BUT, a good set of pickups +/- a better preamp or wired passively in the Mezzo can certainly result in a very good, useable tone. My best suggestion would be this: Try the mezzo in a store if possible and see whether you like the balance and the neck. I do think the Mezzo balances better than the typical mustang style bass. The upper horn on a mustang is simply too short. If you like the neck and the balance, only then would I consider modding the pickups and electronics. Reason being, if it doesn't feel good or is comfortable to play, it matters less what it sounds like because you'll always dread playing it. Or end up in physical pain. And if you're anything like me, you'd spend more time day-dreaming about what to buy next instead of making music! PS: The best 32" I've ever played was the original Fender Urge Stu Hamm signature. That was a cool bass with both the J and P pickups.
I suppose that making the bass just passive would make it simply sound better, less compressed in some kind of way. I have a Lakland skyline which had issues with the active preamp, and decided to make it passive: it sounds better than before, even when played with the active controls in flat position. I think active preamps should be very good in quality to better the sound and not make the "blanket effect covering". And so aside from the warranty matter, I would certainly ask my tech to make this Mezzo a completely passive bass (also I can't stand to have to think about the batteries!!)
@@DavideDondiMusic me too! I’ve had too many batteries die during gigs and worse, bad connectors inside battery boxes that make grounding-out noises! I’ve made almost all my basses passive with a tone pot and it’s so much more open sounding to my ears.
Great video bro, Does it work like a passive bass too? I mean what if the batteries stopped working? Sorry for my bad English But I hope you get the idea 🎉
Thanks for watching and asking! No. As is, there is not a preamp bypass (on/off) switch or a push/pull pot so there is not a way to turn the preamp off. Unfortunately, if the 9v battery dies, there will be no output and you will need to change the battery. During a gig, you'll need to grab another bass. This is one of a few reasons why i tend to prefer passive basses!
Unfortunately, there is not a quick way to bypass the preamp on the example I had. No battery, no output. If you wanted to run the bass passively, you would have to change out the electronics for a passive setup eg Vol-Vol-Tone-output jack. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching from around the world! Are you looking for roundwounds? There's quite a bit of clearance between the nut and the tuner that you could likely get away with using standard long scale strings. It is not ideal though, as you might have some thicker wraps around the tuning post = Higher risk of string breakage, especially on the low E. I typically order my strings online as my local stores rarely have what I'm looking for, but I can appreciate that postage and availability varies from country to country. Of all the strings I've experimented with on shorter scale basses, I have found that the D'Addario XL nickel roundwounds long/standard scale seem to be flexible enough and resilient enough to reliably work. I have strung and re-strung multiple basses without string breakage. I can't say that for other brands. But ideally, medium scale strings are best.
String tension on these is so low that any amount of 'digging in' and you're smacking the pole pieces on the pickup. And I play over the J-pup. If I keep it I may swap out to the flats I have on my Squier Jaguar.
![SahBabii - Viking [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D37cL92JX0I/mqdefault.jpg)
Your reviews are always solid and informative. I bought one of these for my wife to learn on and it has served us well.
Kudos!
That's so wonderful to hear that your wife likes the mezzo!
Thanks for watching and for your kind words!
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. If I can find a store that has a Mezzo I will take your advice and play it. But I already have a feeling it won't stand up (another pun!), from what you have said about it in your review. You are by far one of the most conscientious guys doing instrument reviews I have seen on the net.
You're so kind, thank you! Best of luck in your hunt!
Hey Jonathan, Thanks for the Ibanez Mezzo demo. I was just checking out Music Depot and noticed they make a lot more than just instruments under the Groove brand. Bass Heads, Bass Cabinets, Bass Combos, Mixers, Microphones, Cables, Wireless Gear, etc.
Yeah! They have all sorts of stuff. They have a little 110 cab that looks interesting! Must suffer from lack of marketing as very few people i know have ever heard of them!
Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458musicI use a 110 in my practice setup with either a trace elliot elf or a '78 peavey mark iii...if you see one of those fuzzy 4-ohm yamaha 110's with the metal grill, snag it because they're some of the best small cabs ever made and they only made them for a few years
Awesome! Big speakers in small rooms don’t sound right to me. Too loud and funny phasing issues. 110s are better that way.
@@jonathanwong458music I'm currently suping up a 2001 squier mb-4, it's like a copy of an ibanez soundgear but with a better looking headstock, I even keep it in a mid-80s ibanez rb850 case and it fits like a glove...pretty ironic, ibanez made such a name for itself building fender copies that within a couple decades fender was building ibanez copies
Sounds like an awesome project!
Yesterday the same bass with the 5 strings configuration arrived to me. Today has gone back to the dealer! 😀😀😀
The bass was overall a nice one, stunning color (the metallic sea foam green as well as the one in Your video), and for 392 euros and 5 strings (in Italy) you can't ask for more.
But, to me, it sounded totally anonymous. The bass was actually well built, but the weak side of this instrument as You well stated, for me too, is the electronic: nothing fancy but noisy and with no character.
Plus, I'm not a 12" radius fretboard guy: I really couldn't play it, and I've been playing bass for 40 years, so... I'll keep buying a Fender or Squier one (actually short scale since the project is to mount piccolo bass strings), I definitely prefer the Fender measures.
Conclusion: I should have payed much more attention to Yor review!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wonderful review, as always!👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching and writing!
If you are a Fender person, going to the skinny Soundgear neck takes some getting used to. Very different playing experience!
Hope you find something you like! Appreciate the encouragement!
There is also the Squier Affinity and Classic Vibe Medium-Scale Jaguar Basses.
Good options in medium scale for those after a more Fender-y tone
That was one of my first bass purchases. Along with a Talman . After about 3 Mo I upgraded to a MIM Mustang and a Sire U5
Great step up instruments! Thanks for watching!
Nice bass......I am only a rookie starting the bass adventure.🇨🇱
The mezzo can be a great gateway into bass! Ibanez, in general, makes for easy-to-play instruments that are relatively wallet friendly. I hope you enjoy your bass adventure!
Nice review Jonathan. That’s a cool colour, looks like ice blue metallic. I’ve reconsidered the Bronco, as the price new along with a Lace pup plus tax really adds up. Weird experience you had with the A and D strings. About a dozen years ago I had to return one of the vaunted Classic Vibe P basses because while the A and D sounded volcanic, the E string was noticeably quieter and crappy sounding. I did everything I could at my end including trying 3 different sets of strings etc and no go. It was a heartbreaker for me as it looked fantastic in the fiesta red/tort combo. I considered going for an aftermarket pup but my experience with P pups is that the tone is somewhat baked into them by their design.
Thanks for watching and for the encouragement! The older I get, the more I like fun colours!
Wood is weird that way - sometimes dead spots show up for no good reason, or a knot you can't see distorts vibrations in an unpleasant way. I've had instruments that looked perfect but didn't sound 'alive' or resonant. Yet I've had dumpster-bound appearing instruments that blow you mind, sonically. Wood is weird! Mods can definitely get pricey - I think one really needs to have a good idea of what they're sonically striving for and a clear direction of how to get there. Even then, there's no guarantee! It can get frustrating!
I’m a retired pro woodworker who’s also made a couple of basses, including the neck, from scratch and am definitely in the “wood matters” camp. I tell people to stick their ear to the body and pluck some strings. You cannot amplify sounds that are not already there. It’s possible that a different set of strings might solve this particular issue 🤷♂️. You never know with wood though. The neck and body have to resonate well together. The current prevailing opinion is that the neck has the more influence of the two, with the mass and stiffness being a good omen for the tone.
YES! Wood matters! The internet may disagree with us, though. Having said that, I think where the internet forums get animated is the degree to which wood matters. It may be marginal in comparison to the pickups' influence, but it can be the difference between something sounding ok/generic to sounding great!
I like to audition instruments with the headstock touching a wall (eg drywall over studs). If an instrument can vibrate a wall well, it'll sound good! May be related to the neck material's influence, as you suggested.
Dig the color. Another great review!
Thanks for watching! I enjoy fun colours too!
Excellent detailed review, thanks Jonathan, I've subscribed. can you recommend another 32" scale bass with slim neck which is lightweight please?
Thanks so much for watching and for your subscription! Much appreciated.
Unfortunately, the market doesn't have a lot of love or demand for solid body 32" scale instruments. In the more affordable end, there is a Squier Jaguar with a MM style pickup as well as the classic vibe PJ config. The Jaguar name is confusing as over the years, there have been short scale (30") and full scale offerings with the Jaguar name and shape. From what I've played, the Jaguar necks are chunkier than the Soundgear Mezzo's neck.
If you are looking for more upscale, there are a few boutique builders such as Sandberg, Maruszczyk and Offbeat that make cool looking 32" instruments. There are also some Japanese brands such as History that have made 32" medium scale basses. Warmoth also has a medium scale neck option that fits the same short scale body.
I am more of a short scale guy myself, but unfortunately, the market just doesn't have very many medium scale offerings. If you're after a slim neck and light weight, the Mezzo is probably your best affordable option.
@@jonathanwong458music I really appreciate you taking the time to give a detailed reply Jonathan. I'm a beginner with small hands. I'm tempted by a short scale but they look like toys and I think a 32" might be a good compromise. Thanks again.
My pleasure! The mini 28.6” scales are pretty tight. But give the 30” a try. I discounted them a while ago, but medical issues really compromised my hands and muscles so I made a big switch to shorties in order to still be able to gig/record/work. Haven’t looked back. Has been a game changer for me!
@@jonathanwong458music Hi again Jonathan, do you recommend the Squier affinity 32"? Have you ever reviewed one? Thanks again.
I believe the "Jaguar bass H" is 1.5" at the nut.
Solid review. Thanks
Thanks so much for the encouragement and for watching!
I've wanting a Good Review on this one. Thank you. ❤
Thanks for watching and for your support!
I liked the sounds you got out of that one. Well played!
And for those interested in a fender-style medium scale, there is the classic vibe jaguar from squier. Now that I think about it, the jaguar has 2 stacked potis for volume and tone, considering the layout of that ibanez preamp, one could probably mod the mezzo to get there as well, without stacked potis. And different pickups of course...🤔
Thanks for watching and for sharing your suggestion! I think a good set of pickups and passive V-V-T would make this mezzo sound more open. 'Better' would be a subjective word, but it might take away some of the muddiness and noise from the entry level preamp.
Hey Jonathan do you think this bass is fundamentally 'sound" (pun) enough to warrant modification, ie; new passive pick ups and ditch the active electronics. I love the Fender sound and just traded a Mustang players series because it was too small and had massive headstock dive for a Jazz, and although it sounds better it's too big! There are not a lot of choices for a medium scale bass available except custom one off pricey ones. Or would modding this be like trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear?
Thanks for watching and commenting! You have asked a great question, and one I have thought about myself. Here's my take on it:
I have owned several soundgear style basses, almost all of them where I have always struggled with the onboard preamps. I finally just decided that my ears prefer passive basses and I like having a tone pot/control over 2 or 3 band EQs. But that's a personal thing! I have also tried on several occasions to make a soundgear sound more Fender-y and have yet to be truly successful. The electronics are one thing, but the pickup placement is in a slightly difference place compared to a Fender. And pickup location has a dramatic effect on tone. So if you're going after a Fender-y type tone, I don't think a soundgear will nail the tone. Having said that, a Fender will not give you that modern active, scooped and zingy MTD-type sound either, so it really depends on what you're after, sonically.
I also think the neck dimension/shape also has an effect on the overall tone and the skinnier soundgear necks simply sound different to me. If you're after a Fender, might want to check out the Squier medium scale Jaguars. I think there are 2 of them, one with a MM pickup and the other with a more traditional PJ config. But be careful with the naming as 'Jaguar' has been used on several different models and 3 different scale lengths!
BUT, a good set of pickups +/- a better preamp or wired passively in the Mezzo can certainly result in a very good, useable tone.
My best suggestion would be this: Try the mezzo in a store if possible and see whether you like the balance and the neck. I do think the Mezzo balances better than the typical mustang style bass. The upper horn on a mustang is simply too short. If you like the neck and the balance, only then would I consider modding the pickups and electronics. Reason being, if it doesn't feel good or is comfortable to play, it matters less what it sounds like because you'll always dread playing it. Or end up in physical pain. And if you're anything like me, you'd spend more time day-dreaming about what to buy next instead of making music!
PS: The best 32" I've ever played was the original Fender Urge Stu Hamm signature. That was a cool bass with both the J and P pickups.
I suppose that making the bass just passive would make it simply sound better, less compressed in some kind of way. I have a Lakland skyline which had issues with the active preamp, and decided to make it passive: it sounds better than before, even when played with the active controls in flat position. I think active preamps should be very good in quality to better the sound and not make the "blanket effect covering". And so aside from the warranty matter, I would certainly ask my tech to make this Mezzo a completely passive bass (also I can't stand to have to think about the batteries!!)
@@DavideDondiMusic me too! I’ve had too many batteries die during gigs and worse, bad connectors inside battery boxes that make grounding-out noises! I’ve made almost all my basses passive with a tone pot and it’s so much more open sounding to my ears.
Great video bro, Does it work like a passive bass too? I mean what if the batteries stopped working? Sorry for my bad English But I hope you get the idea 🎉
Thanks for watching and asking!
No. As is, there is not a preamp bypass (on/off) switch or a push/pull pot so there is not a way to turn the preamp off. Unfortunately, if the 9v battery dies, there will be no output and you will need to change the battery. During a gig, you'll need to grab another bass.
This is one of a few reasons why i tend to prefer passive basses!
Muito bom seu vídeo amigo. Parabéns!
Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words!
Hi, is there a passive mode option ? without batterie no function ?
Kind regards 🌻
Unfortunately, there is not a quick way to bypass the preamp on the example I had. No battery, no output. If you wanted to run the bass passively, you would have to change out the electronics for a passive setup eg Vol-Vol-Tone-output jack.
Thanks for watching!
🕺Thank You !
My pleasure! Good luck in the hunt!
What string can fit this bass? I don't have any store selling medium scale string in my country
Thanks for watching from around the world!
Are you looking for roundwounds? There's quite a bit of clearance between the nut and the tuner that you could likely get away with using standard long scale strings. It is not ideal though, as you might have some thicker wraps around the tuning post = Higher risk of string breakage, especially on the low E.
I typically order my strings online as my local stores rarely have what I'm looking for, but I can appreciate that postage and availability varies from country to country.
Of all the strings I've experimented with on shorter scale basses, I have found that the D'Addario XL nickel roundwounds long/standard scale seem to be flexible enough and resilient enough to reliably work. I have strung and re-strung multiple basses without string breakage. I can't say that for other brands. But ideally, medium scale strings are best.
@jonathanwong458music thanks for the reply man 🍺
Ibanez is always good value 👍🏼
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
String tension on these is so low that any amount of 'digging in' and you're smacking the pole pieces on the pickup. And I play over the J-pup. If I keep it I may swap out to the flats I have on my Squier Jaguar.
If you want some higher tension flats to pluck, the Labella Deep Talkins’ are pretty tight feeling.
Thanks for watching!
guitar hand placement
Thanks for watching!
#49_active🚫🇺🇸
Thanks for watching!