If you’re wondering if Ibanez Talman TMB30 is a good bass guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right part of the Internet! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable instrument. It’s a really popular and cheap short scale bass, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Ibanez Talman TMB30 offers a fantastic value for the money. It certainly looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive bass. Surely, it’s one of the best budget short scale basses available on the market right now.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the TMB30 model so good and so popular among the beginners. We’ll check out the pros and cons of that guitar and we’ll see how it sounds. Hopefully, this guide will help you find out if this guitar is a good fit for you.
Overview – Specs & Pricing
Ibanez Talman TMB30 is an affordable and great sounding short scale bass guitar suitable for the most demanding players out there. In fact, this is one of the most popular basses of this type that are currently made by Ibanez.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a lightweight poplar body, a comfortable maple neck and smooth Jatoba fretboard. This is a short scale bass, which means that it features a 30″ scale length.
What’s important, Ibanez decided to equip this model with Dynamix P- and J-style pickups, which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. These single-coils are absolutely amazing and the exceed all the expectations. They sound really fat and punchy!
It is also worth mentioning that the TMB30 is available in a few different color versions including Mint Green, Black, Ivory and Coral Red. Undoubtedly, anyone will be able to find their favorite version!
When it comes to pricing, this is a really inexpensive bass guitar. It’s not the cheapest bass in the world, but it definitely deserves to be recognized as one of the best budget short scale basses. It won’t be easy to find a better guitar of this type at this price level
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check out how that bass sounds.
Pros And Cons Of TMB30
Although Ibanez Talman TMB30 is generally a fantastic bass guitar, it’s not a high-end instrument. As you can imagine, it has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a few things that you should know about that model!
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Sounds Really Good
- Great For Beginners
- Perfect For Younger Players
- Amazing Value For The Money
Cons
- Original Setup Isn’t Ideal
- Usually Comes Without A Case
- May Be Uncomfortable For Bassists With Large Hands
Overall, the advantages of the TMB30 model outweigh the disadvantages of that model. It’s really difficult to complain about that guitar when you consider how inexpensive it actually is. But bear in mind that this is a short scale bass, which means that it may be uncomfortable for players with large hands and long fingers.
Additionally, this guitar usually comes without the case and sometimes it doesn’t have a perfect setup. This is totally normal though – cheap guitars usually require a bit of adjusting in order to make them more playable.
So as you can see, these cons aren’t that serious. Especially when you acknowledge the fact that this is one of the best and most affordable short scale basses that are available on the market right now!
Who Is It For?
Ibanez Talman TMB30 is suitable for both amateur and more advanced bass players. It doesn’t really matter how skilled you are – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that bass. Whether you want to casually play some bass lines on the couch or you want to perform, this bass is an excellent choice.
It is also worth mentioning that the TMB30 is a really versatile instrument, so it can be used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into blues, rock, jazz or country, you will definitely enjoy playing on that Talman model.
Additionally, bear in mind that this is a really cheap guitar, so it’s a perfect choice for everyone who’s on a tight budget. If you don’t want to spend too much on new gear, choosing the TMB30 is an excellent choice.
Also, this budget short scale bass is an ideal option for younger players. Thanks to the 30″ scale length, this instrument is really comfortable for players with smaller hands. So if you’re a teenager, a girl or a man with short fingers, choosing this model may be extremely beneficial for you.
Overall, the vast majority of bass players will appreciate the high quality of Ibanez TMB30. This is definitely one of the coolest basses of this type that are currently available on the market right now. Surely, it’s worth every cent!
Ibanez TMB30 vs Ibanez TMB100
A lot of bass players wonder whether they should choose the TMB30 or TMB100. Both of these guitars are great, but there’s a few things that differentiate them. It’s really difficult to clearly choose which one of these models is better – it all comes down to your own preferences.
Ibanez TMB30 will be perfect for players with smaller hands and everyone who likes the short-scale instruments. On the other hand, the TMB100 will be ideal for bassists with longer fingers and everyone who’s looking for a regular-sized instrument.
When it comes to sound, both of these guitars sound great! But if you’re still not sure which one of these guitars is a better fit for you, check out the video below.
Alternative Options
If you don’t like the sound of Ibanez TMB30 and you feel like it’s not a good fit for you, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good bass guitars that also deserve a lot of recognition. Of course, it all depends on what you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Epiphone EB-0. This is a really cool and affordable short scale bass suitable for both amateur and more advanced bassists. It’s slightly more expensive than Ibanez TMB30 but it offers a great value for the money. If you like the SG-shaped guitars, this model will be perfect for you!
Additionally, you can also check out Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass. Just like Epiphone EB-0, this is an another excellent option for those who are searching for a high quality short scale bass. Again, it’s not exactly cheaper than TMB30, but it definitely deserves a lot of recognition.
Alternatively, you can also check out Ibanez GSRM20. It’s one of the cheapest basses made by Ibanez and although it’s not perfect, it offers a fantastic value. I’m sure that a lot of bass players will immediately fall in love with that budget guitar!
Still, Ibanez Talman TMB30 already has everything that you need from a short scale bass at this price level. So if you have the budget for it, adding this model to your collection will never be a bad choice.
FAQ
Where is Ibanez TMB30 manufactured?
Ibanez TMB30 is manufactured in China.
Are Ibanez basses good for rock and metal?
Yes, all Ibanez bass guitars are a great choice for playing rock and metal music!
Are Ibanez guitars expensive?
There’s quite a lot of expensive Ibanez guitars out there, but the truth is that this brand makes some of the coolest cheap and mid-level guitars too. That being said, it’s really easy to find inexpensive Ibanez guitars too!
Where can I learn more about Ibanez guitars?
If you want to find out more about Ibanez guitars, make sure to check out their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Ibanez Talman TMB30 is a really cool short scale bass guitar. It’s not surprising that this model is so popular among the beginners – it’s a fantastic instrument that offers a great value for the money.
What do you think of that guitar? Would you get it for yourself or would you choose the TMB100 model? Leave a comment down below and share your thoughts with our readers, we can’t wait to hear from you!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. Make sure to check out our other article to see more gear recommendations and easy songs to play on bass.
Bass Punch
Bass Punch is curated by a group of passionate guitarists and bassists, offering a wealth of informational content. This collective of experts shares their insights, techniques, and knowledge with readers, aiming to educate and inspire enthusiasts across all levels of proficiency. The blog serves as a hub for those seeking to deepen their understanding of bass and guitar, providing valuable resources and guidance from seasoned professionals in the field.