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Can you name a bass that has...

moroza

moroza

Dec 15, 2012
15
5
#1
Frets.
5 strings.
19mm/0.75" string spacing at the bridge, or wider.
At least 35" scale.
Ebony fretboard.
...and is something I stand a reasonable chance of finding already made, so not a rare one-off, a $5000 boutique piece, or a custom instrument.

I currently have an Ibanez BTB575 tuned down a fourth (F#BEAD), and it works for me in all respects except that it sounds a little on the dark/muddy side. It has a rosewood fretboard. So does an LTD M307 (7-string guitar) I've owned for 13+ years, about which I've had the same complaint. When I switched it out two years ago for a Schecter - very similar except an ebony fretboard - I was much happier with the tone, so that's my reason for trying to find basically the Ibanez, except with an ebony board.

I'm aware of the Quake Knuckle 5, and it's exactly what I want in other respects too (extra-long scale and easy on the eyes). What else is out there?

Or should I just have my Ibanez' fretboard replaced?
 
#2
You are searching for something that will be hard to find. The 19mm string spacing is "Fender traditional," which means you are looking at maple or rosewood fingerboards. If you believe the fingerboard is the source of your "dark" tone, you might consider maple. Then you can look at Lakland. Or, you can evaluate your choice of strings, pickups, preamp, amp, and cabinets.
 
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#4
moroza said:
Frets.
5 strings.
19mm/0.75" string spacing at the bridge, or wider.
At least 35" scale.
Ebony fretboard.
...and is something I stand a reasonable chance of finding already made, so not a rare one-off, a $5000 boutique piece, or a custom instrument.

I currently have an Ibanez BTB575 tuned down a fourth (F#BEAD), and it works for me in all respects except that it sounds a little on the dark/muddy side. It has a rosewood fretboard. So does an LTD M307 (7-string guitar) I've owned for 13+ years, about which I've had the same complaint. When I switched it out two years ago for a Schecter - very similar except an ebony fretboard - I was much happier with the tone, so that's my reason for trying to find basically the Ibanez, except with an ebony board.

I'm aware of the Quake Knuckle 5, and it's exactly what I want in other respects too (extra-long scale and easy on the eyes). What else is out there?

Or should I just have my Ibanez' fretboard replaced?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what the string spacing is, but most Roscoe basses are 5-string and many have ebony boards. USED Roscoes are (imho) one of the best deals in bassdom. A lot of great basses go for under $2,000. Some under $1,500.
 
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#5
Gatorbait (my son) recently picked up a Sire 5 string. Sounds really good and played great right outta the box. I think it covers all your specs. and if I'm not mistaken he picked it up for around $600. It definitely played like a much more expensive bass. Wish I had a pic to post but the little maggot moved away and took it with him. Natural finish (impeccable), 35" scale but I'm not sure if it was an ebony or rosewood fretboard. I think it had an 18 v (two battery) preamp in it but it will play passive also.
 
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#6
Sounds like you're better off just looking into fixing up that otherwise perfect Ibanez.

I doubt the fingerboard is making much difference. Instead, try some stainless steel roundwounds if that's not what you're using already, and if that doesn't do it, look into pickups/preamp (I think BTB's are known to be a bit dark).

But seriously, strings may very well make all of the difference in the world if you haven't tried that yet.
 
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#7
Other than new strings, I wouldn't put dime one into upgrading a BTB...too much of a crap shoot but maybe that's just me.

The first stock offering that came to mind was an older Carvin 5; can't speak with any authority on the newer models / features. Per their catalogs (...remember those?), their stock-in-trade was the precision-cut ebony boards. I have an older Bunny Brunel which meets two of your criteria: ebony board and 19 mm spacing (I measured) but it's 34" scale. Is that a deal breaker and, if so, why? Mine has the updgraded Carvin pre w/ sweepable mids and the thing positively sings. They're also competitively priced on the secondhand market.

Riis
 
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#9
It's definitely not your fretboard. In my experience the fretboard doesn't have that much effect on the sound and is more for the looks. I own guitars with maple, rosewood and ebony fretboards and haven't noticed any real difference in brightness between them. I'd say pickups, amp and its settings as well as speaker cab will play a much bigger role in that.

I'd suggest you take your Ibanez with you to a store and compare it with other BTB models and see if they have the same issue.
 
#10
moroza said:
Frets.
5 strings.
19mm/0.75" string spacing at the bridge, or wider.
At least 35" scale.
Ebony fretboard.
What else is out there?
Click to expand...

Schecter Hellraiser Extreme-5 meets most of your requirements. 5-string, 35" scale, Ebony fretboard but has 17mm spacing at the bridge. It also has neck through body design with string through as well, 3-band eq, 18 volt preamp, EMG 40TW (humbucker or single coil push/pull design) pickups. I have one and love it.

Worth considering.

TD
 
#19
Carvin used to make exactly what you are after, but no more since they killed off the XB series. You may be able to order one if you call. As long as you don't fall for the 400 different woods painted in 5 conflicting colors, it would be in your budget.

Before all that, have you thought of maybe getting a new preamp and or pickups?? Probably not the fretboard....Out of curiosity, what strings are you using to downtune?
 

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