2NBD: Apparently Talkbass doesn't give me GAS

[SgtHulka]

Indeed. It was no Guy Fieri who was working in that kitchen!

Was it Willem DaFieri?

 

[BBassBassington]

Was it Willem DaFieri?

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With hair like that... Maybe....

 

[smtp4me]

Oh I am. I just put the poll up for fun.

There's no way I'd ever get another bass like the Ibanez for anything like as good a deal as I got on this one.

Yeah I owned a BTB 780PB for a few months. Beautiful bass, well made, played great. I bought it as a "flip" project and made about $150 profit. Anyway... my only complaint was the electronics - not sure if it was the Bartolini pickups, the preamp, or both, but I couldn't get the tone I wanted out of it. I've owned two other Ibanez basses and have always been a fan. If I ever buy another, it would be a BTB if Ibanez would make a 4 string model (which they stopped doing a few years ago).

 

[BBassBassington]

Yeah I owned a BTB 780PB for a few months. Beautiful bass, well made, played great. I bought it as a "flip" project and made about $150 profit. Anyway... my only complaint was the electronics - not sure if it was the Bartolini pickups, the preamp, or both, but I couldn't get the tone I wanted out of it. I've owned two other Ibanez basses and have always been a fan. If I ever buy another, it would be a BTB if Ibanez would make a 4 string model (which they stopped doing a few years ago).

I've heard a lot more complaints about Bartolini than I've heard compliments. I also found in the limited info out there on my Ibanez that people didn't like the preamp. I have no experience with either though. What I gather is Bartolinis are supposed to be very neutral and in general people don't like that.

I had to come around on Ibanez but it wasn't their fault, I just hadn't been exposed to the good ones yet. Since then I've always really liked a lot of the stuff they do.

It's too bad you're not into the 5 string BTBs as the current ones are some of the nicest looking basses Ibanez has ever made, IMO. You never know though, maybe a used one will come up in your area or Ibanez will put out a 4 string model again. They're certainly not afraid to change things up here and there!

 

[smtp4me]

I've heard a lot more complaints about Bartolini than I've heard compliments. I also found in the limited info out there on my Ibanez that people didn't like the preamp. I have no experience with either though. What I gather is Bartolinis are supposed to be very neutral and in general people don't like that.

I had to come around on Ibanez but it wasn't their fault, I just hadn't been exposed to the good ones yet. Since then I've always really liked a lot of the stuff they do.

It's too bad you're not into the 5 string BTBs as the current ones are some of the nicest looking basses Ibanez has ever made, IMO. You never know though, maybe a used one will come up in your area or Ibanez will put out a 4 string model again. They're certainly not afraid to change things up here and there!

Yeah if I intended to keep it instead of flip, I would have replaced the pickups and/or preamp. I've got nothing against 5 strings, just never had the need or desire to make the adjustment from 4 and I've been able to get by with that.

I agree about the looks of the BTBs. I occasionally check Reverb and Craigslist looking for used 4 string BTBs for sale. Maybe Ibanez will make a 4 string version soon. I remember a few years ago they had a 5 string BTB that was 33 inch scale and the 5th string was a C (above G) instead of low B. That would have been less of an adjustment - just the difference in neck thickness. I had my eyes on something else at the time.

 

[BBassBassington]

Yeah if I intended to keep it instead of flip, I would have replaced the pickups and/or preamp. I've got nothing against 5 strings, just never had the need or desire to make the adjustment from 4 and I've been able to get by with that.

I agree about the looks of the BTBs. I occasionally check Reverb and Craigslist looking for used 4 string BTBs for sale. Maybe Ibanez will make a 4 string version soon. I remember a few years ago they had a 5 string BTB that was 33 inch scale and the 5th string was a C (above G). That would have been less of an adjustment - just the difference in neck thickness. I had my eyes on something else at the time.

That's fair. That's how I feel about the C string, and even the G isn't a requirement in my mind. I figure whenever I restring the Jazz I'll do so BEAD like my PJ.

I'm not a metal player or anything, just love those low notes. I'm slightly tempted to try tuning a bass to AEADG. I don't know if that'd be a nightmare for my brain (I've never really played with "odd" tunings) or if I'd fall in love because I finally have that low A I always wish I had.

I wish you luck in the search for a 4 string BTB! Hopefully with the US vaccinating people at a rate of about 1 British Columbia a day the used market returns to normal and someone decides to finally part with their BTB.

 

[A9X]

I remember a few years ago they had a 5 string BTB that was 33 inch scale and the 5th string was a C (above G) instead of low B. That would have been less of an adjustment - just the difference in neck thickness.

They have the same thing now. It's just called the BTB845v, not the BTB33. I have the 6 version.
FWIW, neck thickness is on par with the SRs. but of course the width is wider than a 4 and a little (just) wider than an SR5.
BTB845V | BTB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

 

[charlie monroe]

Happy NBD
Happy NBD

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Not being on Talkbass sure seems to though!

With Talkbass down and my Province going into a total lockdown, combined with a year of a dried up used market and pent up demand now seemed to be the best time to move some gear. Originally this was to bolster my finances and if it went well enough I'd buy a Fender 75th Anniversary Jazz Bass to soften the blow.

It went well alright. Say hello to a very unique bass experience. The Ibanez BTB 705DX.
View attachment 4234213

I traded my Sterling Ray5, a TC Spectradrive, and an EHX Bass Monosynth for this beast. To say I got a good deal would be an understatement. Just the Aguilar pickups and electronics alone cost more than what I paid for the above gear. This bass' modern cousin the BTB 765 costs nearly 3x what I paid for the above gear, though I know if Ibanez made both basses today there'd be a price gap. Still, woah. Also I'll forever love that Sterling for how much it's changed my bass world!

I've wanted a high end Ibanez since playing an SR1300, or maybe it was a 1600? It had Nordstrands and was amazing. The BTB for those who don't know is no SR. It's not my biggest bass, and it's an even 10lbs but it feels heavier and bigger. That said outside of having to sort of wrestle with it to find a comfortable playing position I'm in love. It's not the Ibanez I necessarily would have chosen but I'm glad I ended up with it. The low end these can pump out is insane. And despite feeling huge the neck is really comfy, the frets are nearly perfect, and so it sets up really well. I actually really like the double truss rod. It made dialing in the action so much quicker because each small movement of the truss rod resulted in a large adjustment.

On the other hand the pickups and electronics weren't installed by a luthier. I'm a little afraid to check the control cavity, I'll leave that for a tech when I get the stupid locking jack replaced. My screws also don't fit perfectly on the neck pickup and I just got it forced into a spot (this is why I figure it's a home job) where it would work well with how I like to balance my pickups.

So it doesn't feel in every way as premium as I'd hoped but it produces the sound of the Gods. And did I mention I love the finish? So pretty! I love how easily it's starting to come away and how it hugs the wood grain.

Anyway, I said it went well, yes. So you're probably expecting a fancy pants Jazz Bass in some sparkly silver finish.
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Well it's not fancy, sparkly, or silver. A Long and McQuade across the Province got this in from a local guitarist. So it carried the used price tag but it's brand new, and came with a gig bag (for me to sell). The strings sound and feel new, there's no scratches or dents. Best of all it got shipped to my door within 24 hours. I ordered it Saturday 2 hours before closing after asking about it, Sunday morning I had a tracking number, Monday Purolator grabbed it, today it arrived.

It needed a setup but it took to it really well. The frets aren't perfectly level but I can live with a tiny bit of buzz on a couple notes beyond the 12th fret for the low action. It's light too. Like I should weigh this because I'm guessing it's below 9 lbs. It feels like my lightest bass, but still feels well made and good quality.

The colour is beautiful too. I'm so glad this one went up. I never, not once thought about buying an orange bass. An Orange amp sure but a bass? Nah. But dang this ones pretty. The pao ferro (a wood I often enjoy) is perfect with this shade of orange. I don't even mind the natural headstock. It just looks right straight out of the box.

The pickups sound really good too. Very smooth in the lows and low mids but if you dig in or use a pick it roars into life in the upper mids and treble. Turns out that I like dual pickup basses with the neck pickup output at maybe 10-20% higher. So I did that here and it just makes a very sweet and tame Jazz Bass that can very easily be coaxed into aggressive territory.

But boy is my wallet glad that I can go back to talking about basses and looking at basses instead of shopping for basses and buying basses.

*cough* I also ordered a new fretless neck for my Donner P Bass. *cough*

I love that funky orange

 

[smtp4me]

They have the same thing now. It's just called the BTB845v, not the BTB33. I have the 6 version.
FWIW, neck thickness is on par with the SRs. but of course the width is wider than a 4 and a little (just) wider than an SR5.
BTB845V | BTB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

Thanks! I should have written neck width instead of thickness.