Are these the forgotten Ibanez basses? | Bass With Benjamin - Bass Vlog Ep #1

Welcome to the very first episode of the Bass With Benjamin Bass Vlog!
In this episode we'll explore the Ibanez Grooveline basses.
The Ibanez Grooveline basses were very short lived instruments and were produced between 2011-2016. These high end basses never quite took off but are considered to be one of the best line of basses that Ibanez ever produced.
I'm very fortunate enough to own 2 of these incredible instruments that have served me well during my career.
Gear used 🎚️🎛️🎸
Ibanez Grooveline G106
Ibanez Grooveline G105
Trickfish Trilobite Preamp
Aguilar TH500
Accugroove Tri112 cabinet
DR Hi-Beam Strings
Atmos NZ Guitar Straps
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ABOUT BENJAMIN J. SHEPHERD
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Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand Benjamin started playing the bass at age seven. At eighteen he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full time music career and to study with bass legends Charlie Haden, Alphonso Johnson and Darek Oles at the California Institute of Arts (CalArts). He was then fortunate enough to become one of the most versatile and in demand bassists in Los Angeles.
Benjamin's studio and live credits include: Peter Erskine, Billy Childs, John Beasley and MONKestra, David Archuleta, Jeff Lorber, Ellis Hall, Megan Hilty, Niki Harris, Steve Weingart, Dave Weckl, Mike Stern, Jamison Ross, Amanda Seales, Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Kris Bowers, Lee Ritenour, Joe LaBarbara, Gary Novak, Dave Grusin, Patrice Rushen, Marquis Hill, Myele Manzanza, James Brandon Lewis, Sam Barsh, Zara Mcfarlane, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Rachel Eckroth and many more.nr

[@nickjennings3916]

I was lucky to see The Contortionist live, the bass player who uses one of these had the best tone.

[@markfichman3303]

Appreciate the deep dive on these basses. I like how Ibanez is not afraid to take some risks in the design department. Maybe that 6 string gets a reissue as your signature model.

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Agreed! I do love when they do something that is out of the box!!

[@jirikulhanek5813]

I love my G105. ❤ :-) Happy to see I'm not alone. :-)

[@nickpicc]

Lovely playing! Always wanted a grooveline.

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thanks!! Just keep looking on Reverb and Ebay and you might see 1 or 2 pop up from time to time!

[@moed740]

Thanks for the run down of your Axes they Sound Great question is there any videos around of you performing with Lee Ritenour?

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thank you!! Yes there are a few on TH-cam 😎

[@markfretless]

Thanks for this!
Would love hear you play even more in future episodes...

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thank you!! And yes more playing 😎

[@georgewilliams7227]

I love the sound of these basses. The sound of your custom bass is insane!!! Btw!! The only reason I didn't buy one is because I'm left handed and I play a right hand bass upside down. So the cut off didn't leave me any room on the neck. I still want one!!!!! Now I want one even more now!! Thanks for doing this video .

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thanks!! Ah yes I totally understand how it would’ve been difficult to reach the upper register. One day I’d like to create an instrument that is ergonomic for players that play conventionally and players like yourself that flip them upside down.

[@xdKAYf0lcflhDi7mfXRFkw]

G105 is just incredible. The tone is real sweet. It's just as good as basses that cost 5 times more. I regret that I didn't get the G106 too. As to the looks, it look like melted ice cream, but what the heck, I play the G105 more than my Dingwall Prima that costs 5 times more.

[@yanivsh16]

The great Percy Jones from Brand-X used to play a grooveline fretless in his gigs. from what I remember- his was not lined
Great episode, as an Ibanez player myself, I hope to own one of those soon too

[@yanivsh16]

th-cam.com/video/j2REcgoMMsE/w-d-xo.html

[@yanivsh16]

th-cam.com/video/yAXcRbXFX58/w-d-xo.html

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!! I can see he has the Grooveline body and like you said an unlined fingerboard. It also looks like he has a piezo pickup system instead of magnetic pickups!!

[@yanivsh16]

the neck says Ibanez too... I believe Ibanez did a custom for him or he did it himself because he liked the ergonomics of the Grooveline but wanted more features for his style@@BassWithBenjamin

[@zechlakatos8888]

Do you have any word on if the Grooveline will ever come back Ben?

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Highly unlikely but never say never 😊

[@CarlosPerez-bp3ub]

Thanks for the video. Its posible that you share whith us your 6 strings bass ajsutment?

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thank you!! When you mean adjustment are you talking about the string spacing and/or string height measurements?

[@KonikMekr]

Hi! What stings are tou using with G106? I have Ernie Ball Slinky and it has lots of treble sound. Are tou recommending some strings for this bass? Cheers

[@BassWithBenjamin]

@@KonikMekr Hi! I personally use DR Strings and for this bass I use the Hi-Beams!!

[@skimojun77]

I 've always wanted Grooveline basses... I regret my past days of not getting one :(

[@BassWithBenjamin]

There are a few floating around. The 6 string not so much but it’s just one of those instances where you have to keep checking Reverb or Ebay.

[@MrVinB]

Always thought these basses sounded amazing in your hands. Too bad Ibanez does these spot runs of cool basses like the Grooveline or the ATK, but doesn't continue them.

[@BassWithBenjamin]

Thank you 🙏🏽
I’d say you’re way more likely to see the ATK basses more than the Groovelines. Ibanez seem to bring out the ATK every once in a while and they do really well. Unfortunately the Groovelines just lay dead in the water.