Ibanez Announces the Return of the Affirma Bass
Ibanez is marking several milestones this year with anniversaries of their flagship models, and now they’re bringing back a part of their past from nearly 30 years ago. The new Affirma series of basses reintroduces the model that started their more unique designs.
“In the early ’90s, Ibanez broke into the high-end boutique bass market with its unique concept of Affirma bass,” the company states. “The compact and lightweight body, designed by Swiss Luthier Rolf Spuler resulted in a bass with an elegant feel enhanced by its beautiful streamline shape. It was created to meet the critical demands of musicians who require a natural sounding, sensitive instrument with wide dynamic range and effortless playability during even the longest performances.”
The series includes two configurations of the bass that each come in four and five-string models. The AFR4FMP and AFR5FMP are each built with a body constructed from maple, walnut, and flamed maple, while the AFR4WAP and AFR5WAP have a solid walnut body. Common features include a three-piece maple neck with graphite reinforcements, an ebony fingerboard with abalone off-set dots at the 12th fret, and 24 frets given a premium fret edge treatment.
Ibanez fits the Affirma series with a Bartolini pickup as well as an AeroSilk piezo system. Its preamp includes a 2-band EQ with an active piezo control. Check out their sound with this demo by Dave Swift:
The Ibanez Affirma Series basses are expected to ship in May with price points of $1,499.99 for the four-string models and $1,599.99 for the five-strings.
Ibanez AFR4FMP Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 4 |
| Construction: | Half-Through-Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Maple |
| Top: | Flamed Maple/Walnut |
| Fretboard: | Ebony |
| Inlay: | Abalone Off-Set Dot at 12th Fret |
| Frets: | 24 Medium with Premium Fret Edge Treatment |
| Pickup: | Bartolini X44JX, AeroSilk Piezo System |
| Electronics: | Ibanez 2-band EQ w/Piezo Active Tone Control |
| Bridge: | AeroSilk MR5 |
Ibanez AFR5FMP Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 5 |
| Construction: | Half-Through-Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Maple |
| Top: | Flamed Maple/Walnut |
| Fretboard: | Ebony |
| Inlay: | Abalone Off-Set Dot at 12th Fret |
| Frets: | 24 Medium with Premium Fret Edge Treatment |
| Pickup: | Bartolini X55JX, AeroSilk Piezo System |
| Electronics: | Ibanez 2-band EQ w/Piezo Active Tone Control |
| Bridge: | AeroSilk MR5 |
Ibanez AFR4WAP Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 4 |
| Construction: | Half-Through-Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Walnut |
| Fretboard: | Ebony |
| Inlay: | Abalone Off-Set Dot at 12th Fret |
| Frets: | 24 Medium with Premium Fret Edge Treatment |
| Pickup: | Bartolini X44JX, AeroSilk Piezo System |
| Electronics: | Ibanez 2-band EQ w/Piezo Active Tone Control |
| Bridge: | AeroSilk MR5 |
Ibanez AFR5WAP Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 5 |
| Construction: | Half-Through-Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Walnut |
| Fretboard: | Ebony |
| Inlay: | Abalone Off-Set Dot at 12th Fret |
| Frets: | 24 Medium with Premium Fret Edge Treatment |
| Pickup: | Bartolini X55JX, AeroSilk Piezo System |
| Electronics: | Ibanez 2-band EQ w/Piezo Active Tone Control |
| Bridge: | AeroSilk MR5 |
why the hell in the 4th or 5th largest metro area S.Florida is there not one major or minor retailer so i try one of these damn Basses . Ive played nothing but ibanez products once i could afford exactly what i wanted . In the early 80s after checking out for months every brand and price range ( remember custom Alembics ) I was coming into my own as a player and wanted an axe that fit like a glove . I dont know the exact model it was stolen in 1991 but it was one piece neck thru the body and was a cool white shade that changed colors and it had all gold hardware . The closest i could get for replacement was a SD SR1000 in 1991 . Main difference was new one had bolt on neck and with a flick of a switch on the stolen one you could bypass a dead 9 volt and keep playing . Try that now . Eventually i got a ergodyne eda 900 which was great because we were playing several nites a week and the ergodyne was considerably easier on my neck and back . Someone some where has to have one of these for sale or if they felt bad for me would let me check thiers before i purchase on online since its pointless to get it from a store that doesnt stock it and has no plans to do so thanx ! Bassed out in Boca .
Hey George?
This is Bill Ski.
Are you still in South Florida?