Cons
- The need to worry about battery life, backup, and replacement can be a bother to some
- Not for those who want a traditional-looking bass
Pros
- Offers more tone options with its Active EQ and P/J dual pickups
- Solid build quality that translates to smooth playability
- Standout retro offset body that’s also comfortable to use
- Intuitive and well-thought-out control layout
- Great value for money for those who want a full-scale bass
Here’s the reality, most bass guitars in this price range probably share similar components, but Ibanez went above and beyond the usual with the TMB-100.
For something very affordable the TMB-100 gives you a nice-looking full-size 34″ scale bass with dual P/J configuration pickups and active 2-band EQ. “Active” EQ means that the Treble and Bass EQ knobs are powered by a 9V battery which is inserted via a back compartment.
Passive EQs are limited to just cutting and reducing the signal, while “active” EQ can boost the signal, this can be used to substantially emphasize treble and bass frequencies to taste. Together with its two pickup configurations and blend knob, this allows for a wide range of tones that can fit many different musical styles.
Unfortunately, the battery compartment led some to believe that this bass has active pickups, but it is only the EQ that is active.
Controls are implemented in a brilliant way, by designing each of the two knobs to have two rotary controls wrapped around them. This way you only see two knobs but you actually control 2 parameters per knob, a master volume knob, and balance (a blend of the two pickups), and another for treble and bass active EQ.
All these electronics are mounted on its lightweight and easy-to-distinguish retro offset body, which to my eyes looks like a cross between a StingRay and a Mustang. This body is paired with a 20-fret fingerboard that meets the smooth playability standards of Ibanez.
If you are looking for an affordable bass guitar with a different appeal, then check out the Ibanez TMB100.
Specifications
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple (Bolt-on)
- Neck Profile: TMB4
- Fingerboard: Jatoba
- Scale Length: 34″
- Nut Width: 1.614″
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.45″
- Frets: 20 Medium
- Neck Pickup: Dynamix P Split-coil
- Bridge Pickup: Dynamix J Single-coil
- Controls: 1 x Volume/Balancer, 1 x Active Treble/Bass Boost/Cut
- Bridge: B10
- Weight: 8.6 lbs.
Rating Source Highlight
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Music Radar | Mike Brooks | 90/100 |
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
