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Bass Mods K7 VS Ibanez BTB7-NT

C

canezila

Guest
Jun 9, 2011
12
1
#1
I am in the market for a 7 string electric bass.

If I could play both, I would be able to hear and feel it. But since I cant, it seems risky to buy either instrument.

Ibanez guitars have my favorite neck. I read that the bass guitars feel nice.

I keep going back and forth between both instruments.

Scale is 35" for both.
$675 vs $1300 but is something I will always have and use daily so money is only a short term decision.

To spend that kind of money without knowing the string spacing, neck feel, headstock balance with body and hearing the tone seems crazy.

Does anyone have experience with either instrument? Could you please provide feedback? At least that can be added to my speculation ...
 
#2
If it were me I'd probably go for the Ibanez. I've tried the BTB 6 and I thought that it was great. Not entirely sure but I think that it would probably be better for resale if you decided to sell it in the future for whatever reason. It's neck through as well if that's your thing
 
#7
If you find that you like it then it will probably be best to go with the Conklin. Only thing that I have read against it is that it apparently doesn't have a "unique" sound/generic sounding. I don't know whether this is true or not having never played on myself, but at least with the Conklin you can try it for yourself :)
 
#8
It depends on what you want a 7 for, to my mind.

If you've never played a 7 before, the Bass Mods looks like a good introduction and a good way to figure out what you want from an extended-range bass.

For myself, I'd go with the Ibanez, for a couple of reasons:

1. The BTB6's balance is very good; I'd assume that it'd be the same here. 7's hard enough without needing to expend energy to hold up your bass.

2. The cutaway on the BTB series is appropriate deep. No sense in having more notes if you can't reach them.

3. Neck materials look appropriately stiff. The Bass Mods stuff I've seen looked like they upscaled a 6-string rather than thinking about the increase in tension (the neck looks like it's one-piece maple, which seems inappropriate for an ERB).

4. Neck-through construction on the BTB. I like the slightly compressed attack of a neckthrough versus a bolt-on when chording.

5. The string spacing is appropriately tight. I've read 15.5mm at the bridge, which is about right for easily transitioning into and out of chords without strain. I don't slap, so that doesn't really affect me.

Can't really comment on the GT7 Conklin; however, I have a GTBD-7 (which I've tricked the yet out of, but that's another story) - it basically sounds like a big active jazz, with a slightly muted top end owing to the Bart/Bart pickups and pre. Definitely something to look into if you're looking at an ERB - it's very, very good stock.
 
#9
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Now with TI flats. It is amazing! I am able to get lost on this instrument for hours. Learning to utilize the upper extention is so fun.

One dead spot C string 12th fret. Buzzes. I have the action set low. Icf I adjust it higher for the C string I can get rid of it. Will address that as soon as I figure out my options....

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