Bass Gear: Ibanez Iceman ICB200 Bass

When I opened the box at NZ Musician and saw this guitar I was actually really excited. I thought this review was going to be easy. The Ibanez Iceman is a well-respected name in the industry, it was a good looking rock axe and while it lacked supporting info - that's what the internet is for right? Ummm.

Actually the Ibanez site doesn't provide much more than specifications, which won't mean much if you've never opened up the back of a guitar or if you don't care. I wanted to know what the people thought of this new Iceman compared to the original, how it felt in their hands, how it hung from their shoulder, but there was nothing more than young boys arguing over who would win if the Iceman and the BC Rich Beast were involved in a scrap... I know who I'd put my money on.

In 1975 Ibanez introduced the Iceman electric guitar. The good folk of Ibanez wanted to build a guitar that would be as widely respected as the Strat or the Les Paul but still have the mark and individuality of Japan. After 20 years of ups and downs with popularity and remodeling they finally released the Ibanez Iceman bass model ICB500. Ten years after that they have now released the Iceman ICB200 which is Korean made and has a slightly more modest price.

This re-issue of the Ibanez Iceman is just as eye catching as the original (not that I have ever seen one in real life). It still has rock attitude and 'cool' written all over it, making it worthy of its name and reputation.

The body itself is apparently made of mahogany (does seem a bit lightweight for mahogany but that's what they tell us), shaped from two pieces joined just off-centre lengthwise. It comes in two colour ways - brown sunburst like the review model and very rock black. The beauty of gold hardware, pearloid inlay on the fretboard and '70s styled volume and tone knobs balance the sharp lines and strong angles.

Attached to the flat-faced lump of mahogany via four bolts is a solid maple neck and laying on top of that is a 22 medium fret fingerboard made of the popular long grain rosewood. The over all construction of this guitar is quite impressive for its $999 price tag.

The only downfall I could find was that the frets were not cleaned up well enough and they almost hurt my fingers as I made my way up and down the neck. These would wear down with time making it not too much of a big deal.

The technical aspects of this guitar are very simple. A mid pickup and a bridge pickup, both passive and both the same MHC4 type, and passive EQ. The three knobs on the bass from neck to butt are front pickup volume rear pickup volume and tone.

The bass comes with a little instruction manual and I must say I am quite impressed with it. Like Bass 101 in a pamphlet - it has tuning, re-stringing intonation, action adjustment and a general run down of do's and don'ts - something I wish I had had as a learner to avoid many embarrassing moments.

It was practice time so off the Iceman and I went. Everyone wanted to have a perve at the bass, some even wanted to play it, but not before me. I plugged in the Iceman and turned on the amp - I use a Mesa Boogie 400+ and a Mesa Boogie 4x10.

The first thing I noticed was that with the tone control pumped up towards the lower frequency end you begin to lose definition so I found it best straight up and down with any extra bottom end being compensated by the amp. However when it was set there it had a definite sound making it distinctive - suitable for recording with if you are looking for a certain vibe.

The two pickups are the same but their placement on the guitar gives them a different sound from each other. The back pickup is brighter and accentuates the sound of using a pick for your more rock styles, where as the front pickup is a little calmer and suited finger playing better. Of course the bass sounded best with both pickups cranking, allowing the beauty of the mahogany body and the brightness of the rosewood to shine as a you wrap your hand around the thick chunky neck, raise your pick in the air and strike a pose.

Over all the Ibanez Iceman ICB200 is a great deal at $999. It wasn't that long ago that getting a guitar at this price meant settling for a copy that looked just like everyone else's. The Iceman would be great as a first bass or as part of a budget collection and because of its light weight is also good for players who have numerous sets over a night.

Lani Purkis plays bass for Elemeno P and Foamy Ed.