The best new 2025 Ibanez basses: Multi-scale fanned fret, Talman 5-string + more with Tommy Lee Depp
Today, I’m joined by bass master Tommy Lee Depp to take a first look at the Ibanez 2025 bass lineup, including the Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB5MSBSP 5-string fanned fret multi-scale in Midnight Arctic Ocean Matte, the super affordable offset Talman TMB425B 5-string in Black Flat, the stunning BTB945 in Cosmic Blue Low Gloss, and the premium, made-in-Japan SR3505 Prestige in Black!
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Get these basses at Thomann (EU): https://thmn.to/thocf/q3dgqoco20
Or at Sweetwater (USA): https://sweetwater.sjv.io/WyY79A
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The 2025 Ibanez bass range includes a multitude of new models of all different shapes, sizes, colors and styles, so Tommy and I picked out four models that we think really showcase the best of the launch. Naturally, Tommy is coming from his perspective as a pro bassist, and I’m the opposite – a guitar player on the lookout for a bass to add to my collection for recording, playing, and possibly even play live with at some point.
First up is the monstrous Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB5MSBSP. This multi-scale, fanned fret 5-string is as modern as basses get – and pretty alien for someone who’s used to your standard Fender Precision and Jazz basses!
The EHB5MSBSP is a true all-rounder for the contemporary bassist who wants pro quality for stage and studio at a not too painful price point (the launch pricing is $1,999/€1,899). It has a pair of Fishman Fluence pickups with a 3-band Fishman EQ, single coil split mode and a three-way Voice Select switch.
The bass is also surprisingly light, thanks to its basswood body, pale moon ebony top and the 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck (which features graphite reinforcement rods). For ultimate playing comfort, the multi-scale neck takes you from 33” at the 1st string to 35” at the 5th string, and you get 24 medium stainless steel frets. You also get rock solid appointments like Schaller S-Locks strap pins, and it comes with a gig bag too.
Next up we have the more slightly more traditional Talman, although the TMB425B is a 5-string model in satin Flat Black. This is a load of bass for a great price – the launch pricing is $499/€449 – and simply looks built to rock! Here, you get a Dynamix P and J pickup for classic bass sounds in any style, alongside an okoume body and a 34” scale roasted maple neck with an ebanol fretboard.
As well as being a great choice for a beginner player, I feel the Talman may be a top choice for a guitar player looking to take steps into bass territory – and there’s a 4-string version available too!
Next up is the 5-string BTB945, and this is another real all-rounder. Coming in at $1,399/€1,349 at launch, the BTB945 is equipped with a pair of Nordstrand Big Single pickups and it features 24 medium stainless steel frets on its 35” scale neck-thru-body construction. The body is okoume/ash, and the 5-piece neck is maple/walnut with a rosewood board.
Finally, we take in the top of the range Prestige SR3505. This Japan-made 5-string is top of the line and has everything any pro bassist needs for a lifetime of superlative performance. This is reflected in the appointments and the $2,399/€2,299 launch price!
The SR3505 features an ash body and a 5-piece maple/walnut neck with a rosewood fingerboard housing 24 medium frets. Tones come from two Nordstrand Big Single Coils and an Ibanez Sonitech preamp with 3-Band EQ, plus a three-way mid frequency switch with Hexa Mid system.
So, if you’re looking for a new bass in 2025, hopefully this video will give you some food for thought on which is the best value for you and your needs. Let me know which bass was your favorite in the comments!
Here are some links to the various parts of the video:
00:00 Intro and what we’re doing today
00:59 Bass 1: Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB5MSBSP Multi-scale in Midnight Arctic Ocean Matte
04:07 Bass 2: Talman TMB425B in Black Flat
07:53 Rocking out with the Talman!
09:14 Bass 3: BTB945 in Cosmic Blue Low Gloss
13:17 Bass 4: SR3505 Prestige in Black
19:57 Which bass would Tommy choose?
20:50 Which bass would Rich choose?
22:10 Thanks, check out Tommy and goodbye
Make sure you check out Tommy here: https://www.youtube.com/@TommyLeeDepp
Enjoy!
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Backing music from the YouTube Audio Library: Duck In The Alley – TrackTribe.
#Ibanez #IbanezBass #IbanezBTB #Bass #BassGuitar #BassGuitars #BassPlayer #MultiscaleBass #RichWordsMusic #TommyLeeDepp
@TommyLeeDepp
@IbanezOfficial
@IbanezGermany
#Ibanez #basses #Multiscale #fanned #fret #Talman #5string #Tommy #Lee #Depp
Originally posted by UCbNnXraM9oHWWBACNS07DMw at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pxyMrTlX58
Bass timestamps team:
00:00 Intro and what we’re doing today
00:59 Bass 1: Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB5MSBSP Multi-scale in Midnight Arctic Ocean Matte
04:07 Bass 2: Talman TMB425B in Black Flat
07:53 Rocking out with the Talman!
09:14 Bass 3: BTB945 in Cosmic Blue Low Gloss
13:17 Bass 4: SR3505 Prestige in Black
19:57 Which bass would Tommy choose?
20:50 Which bass would Rich choose?
22:10 Thanks, check out Tommy and goodbye
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Go get these basses at Thomann (EU): https://thmn.to/thocf/q3dgqoco20
Or at Sweetwater (USA): https://sweetwater.sjv.io/WyY79A
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That first one, if it were lefthanded, I'd be all over it. Come on Ibanez, provide for the lefties!
Feel free to send me that Talman bass.
The Talman is cool, especially the fiver if you're looking for a wide string spacing.
But, they could have come up with some changes like a MM humbucker and some original colors for the body to get a nice contrast with the hardware (white polar or sparkling silver for example).
Also, keeping that poor 2 band eq is just waste…
Ibanez should make it passive and, considering the ebonol fretboard, propose a fretless version as well.
People working at Ibanez's R&D are sleeping… ????
These EHBs idk… that SR prestige in Black is cool with the wood finish pickups and gold hardware. Harkens back to some older SR basses. Recently all their SR basses have crazy wood grain boutique level finishes. Nice seeing a traditional pulled back finish design
The Talman is probably the best budget bass I have ever seen and played
The EHB1505 is super comfortable to play and I like the look of that blue headless. But the blacked-out Talman wins best of show for me, just simple and classic.
The Talman is my favorite!
Why are their basses every year so much cooler, so much more interesting, so much more innovative than their guitars? 🙁
to my ear, the Talman sounded the best. Tighter and more focused.
Talman 405 is a beast, and the 425 is basically the same bass!
Send them over.. I need to try them! 😀
The EHB5MSBSP and the SR35005.. damn..
The BTB945.. tbh don't like the blue. I have the BTB806MS and the TGF colouring beats this blue-ish.
IMHO the only thing that is missing in this lineup is a Fretless 6, since the Portamento (SRF706) seems to be discontinued.
Hi sir, can u demo the bass with both pickups on? Correct me if I'm worng, i think u demo the basses with front pickup only????????
Dear Ibanez, we NEED guitars made in through neck construction like that BTB945, please do a RGRT421 with a locking trem, and in a clear coat as colour option. Pretty please?
The blue one
Thanks again for inviting me to make this video with you, that was really fun 🙂
Cheers from a bass player! Nice overview! I'm waiting for the day when Ibanez brings back the ATK basses, they were so iconic and cool, and the world is definitely ready for this!