Help compare these two Burl-top, mid priced 5ers

[xhawk5]

MTD Kingston KZ5 or Ibanez BTB775PB

Here's the MTD Kingston KZ5: MSRP:$1500
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...ng-bass/513943

And the Ibanez BTB775PB: MSRP:$1200
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...ng-bass-guitar

Both have: 35" scale and Mahogany body with a burl top.

Neck: MTD's all-Maple BOLT-ON neck vs the Ibby's 5-piece NECK-THRU Maple/Bubinga (big difference here?)

MTD electronics vs Bartolini MK2 (I prefer Barts)
MTD quick release bridge vs Mono-Rail II bridge (I prefer the Mono-Rail II)

Some different features I don't care about and are mostly cosmetic. (Pickup covers ect...)

Does MTD's Double acting truss rod and Buzz Feiten Tuning System really make that much difference? Doesn't Ibanez have the Dbl truss rod? And what do they mean by Double ACTING?

I've also considered the Ibanez SR Premium 1205E but some features, like the gold hardware, would have to change immediately, and I don't want to dish out the extra $$ to do it.

BTW... I play mostly Newer Hard Rock and some Old-School Metal. (some Edgy Blues mixed in).
Price isnt' an issue, as I can find both of these used for about the same price.
.Thanks.

[Ian Perge]

I actually prefer the design of the MTD, but unfortunately the difference would indeed be the Neck Joint - I find bolt-on's to be far punchier, especially in a straight Rock Band mix, especially squared for an Old-School Metal. Everything else I think is generally a wash between the two: electronics, woods, string spacing, and the truss rod and BFTS setup, which IMO is best served in a solo bass setting.

However, since you brought it up, the 1205e looks and sound absolutely killer in the examples I've heard of it, especially considering being equipped with Nordstrand Big Singles [i](I dumped the stock pickups & preamp in my Spector Euro Bolt-On Dlxs for Nordy Big Singles & Aguilar OBP-3s, which was one of the best gear decisions I've ever made. I'd say rethink it and don't be concerned with the gold hardware... 100,000 Spector neck-thru players can't be wrong!

[xhawk5]

Thanks Ian!!