Specimen 230

Mode MDM1005

A five-string J-style bass from Ibanez's new Mode series, with Delta single-coils and a Hexa Mid preamp.

Watch

Jonny Dibble's clip covers the Ibanez Mode bass, and Ibanez's own video features bassist Ricardo Trujillo with the MDM1005.

Why it matters

Ibanez launched the Mode series at NAMM 2026 as a modernised take on the classic J-style bass, with new Delta pickups and the Hexa Mid preamp. The MDM1005 has an alder body with a poplar burl top, a roasted maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard with 24 stainless steel frets and a 34-inch scale. The preamp is a Sonitech S with three-band EQ, push/pull bypass and a three-way mid frequency switch, and the bridge is an MR5S with 19 mm string spacing. It is listed at $1,299 as of September 2026; street prices across the line run from $1,199.99 to $1,599.99.

Note

Ibanez's all-new Mode series launched at NAMM 2026 as a modernised take on the classic J-style bass, with new Delta pickups and a Hexa Mid preamp. Street prices across the line run from $1,199.99 to $1,599.99.

Specifications

• alder body with poplar burl top
• roasted maple neck
• rosewood fingerboard, 24 stainless steel frets
• 34 in scale
• Ibanez Delta S5J single-coil pickups
• Sonitech S preamp with 3-band EQ
• push/pull EQ bypass
• 3-way mid frequency switch (Hexa Mid)
• MR5S bridge, 19 mm string spacing
• 5-string

Before you buy

• $1,299 as of September 2026, with the line running from $1,199.99 to $1,599.99, so check which model a listing names
• the preamp has a push/pull bypass, so try the passive tone before buying
• 19 mm string spacing is on the narrow side for a five-string

Sources

• sweetwater.com
• notreble.com