I guess this is a serial number of a BTB bass -wz40042 I put it into a lookup field on a volunteer site and all it renders is made in Korea, 2004, but which model? exasperating...
Picture? FYI if you were using the guitar dater project, it says on the website they don’t list model numbers. Guitar Info Your guitar was made at the World Plant, Korea on December, 2004 Production Number: 42
The Ibanez tech shop was kind enough to respond but said they didn't really have a way to determine models prior to 2008. [what you said basically] Below is the unit - I assume but could be wrong that if the PUPS don't have the Nordstrand or Bart signature on the cover then it must be the inhouse pups. beyond that I dunno except that it is bolt-on not through-body. While we're on it: do all the BTB's from high end to low have the same neck profile in 5String ? and scale? The one I played that belongs to a bass-buddy seems to be the same model as the one here except for color, and I believe it is a 36" scale. I haven't seen evidence of 35" 5-string in the BTB's
It looks like a BTB405QM. I had one about 14 years ago. Kept it for a few years. It's definitely 35" scale. Check the 2002 catalogue, they appear in there.
many thanks guys. are the PUPS Ibanez? one 'defect' I noticed on the 5 string one I played for an hour or so is the treble string [5th] was faint - not in balance gain-wise with the others. I didn't take time to look at the pickups to see if there was an issue of too much clearance from the string. sure liked the neck profile
Yes, as per typical Ibanez, unless it says otherwise it's in-house electronics. That said, I was always impressed with the tone of my BTB405QM. The dual band mid control meant you could really mix up the sound. Perfect for adding 'oomph' in a live setting without having to touch the bass control.
The pickups should say either ibanez or bartoloni on them. I did have to adjust string height on mine to compensate for the tone (strings still a bit high for my taste) but it has a lot of punch and flexibility.
405QM. I played a gazillion gigs with one. The mid frequency and level stack knob will make that bass kick like a mule. By the way, individually we are all dipsticks. Collectively, we know every dang thing. Next time skip the drama and just ask here first.