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Desprately wanting a Ibanez BTB 6-String

C

CheezyPegasus

Dec 18, 2022
9
7
#1
Hello everyone,

I am new to this platform, but I have been playing bass for a little bit over 3 years. I had chilled for 2 years on my Fender Am. Perf. Jazz Bass, loved the tone and feel of it... but I often find myself "limited" by the number of frets and the 4 strings. Recently, I saw one of my main inspirations for learning bass use a 6-string Ibanez BTB. And after some research, I absolutely fell in love with that bass he was using (he's so cool!!!!!) There are a few different options with different woods and finishes, but I love the feel and looks of a rosewood-ish neck and a rosewood board (raw wood feels so smooth.) I also like how a popular top looks on instruments. Therefore, I decided my favorite prototype is the Ibanez btb 1606 in Deep Twilight! The reason for this post is because that model is discontinued and cannot be found anywhere on the market, and I've been DYING to get one of those awesome basses. So if any of you folks have recs or basses for sale, please notify me. However, I am a broke high schooler and am currently living on a budget cut... so wish me luck guys!

Thanks y'all for reading this, and have a marvelous day!




Here are a few links:

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The bass's listing on reverb: Ibanez BTB1606 Deep Twilight Flat [12/1] | Reverb
Bass Listing #2: Ibanez BTB1606 Deep Twilight Flat | Reverb
 
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#3
woah the respond speed is RAPID thanks man!

honestly I am like 6'2 so I don't think adding 1 more inch would matter...
also the headstock would be a bit shorter than the fender so should be fine
IDC I REALLY WANT THE 6 STRING OK (sob) (skull)

I'm totally bamboozled abt scale lengths so pls prove me wrong!
but yeah thanks for the quick comment. Cheers man.
 
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#7
I recently picked up the Ibanez BTB805MS and I'm impressed at how it plays/sounds. I was on the fence between the BTB845-CBL and the multiscale and decided to take the dive on the multiscale, after reading how dark the Bartolini BH2s sound on the regular BTBs and my preference for flatwounds would have made that even darker.

Ever considered a 37" multiscale (i.e. the BTB 806MS)?
 
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#10
Good luck hunting.
The Ibanez BTB was my first foray into 6 strings as well. I had the first single cut version.
The neck feels great, but it's completely different from Fender's idea of a neck. It's super wide and very thin.
A breeze to play on if you got the finger length. I found out it is 35" after buying it and playing it for a couple of days, it did not really make a difference to me.
 
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#11
What Is recall from my BTB was; that is has a huge, flat and broad neck. Even though listed as 35", it felt to me like 37". My suggestion would be: try before you buy. If you like it: go for it. :)
 
#12
CheezyPegasus said:
woah the respond speed is RAPID thanks man!

honestly I am like 6'2 so I don't think adding 1 more inch would matter...
also the headstock would be a bit shorter than the fender so should be fine
IDC I REALLY WANT THE 6 STRING OK (sob) (skull)

I'm totally bamboozled abt scale lengths so pls prove me wrong!
but yeah thanks for the quick comment. Cheers man.
Click to expand...

Cheezy, I'm 6"5 and have always played regular '34 inch scale basses.

Earlier this year I purchased a Yamaha TRB6II with "35 scale. I love the bass, it sounds great, and plays very well, but the "35 scale was almost too much for me in the first instance. I didn't think it would matter, but believe me - that extra inch inch made the world of difference to my level of playing comfort straight up.

Luckily I was able to try it extensively before buying it.

Despite some initial reservations about the additional scale length, I was so impressed with the bass I committed myself on the spot to making it work, so I bought it, and with a few bio-mechanical adjustments to my positioning/technique, and daily practise all over the fingerboard, I've been able to do just that. My playing on the instrument is now at the point I hardly notice the extra inch, and the bass has become a firm favourite.

So to recap:
  1. One additional inch of scale length ( "34 to "35 ) might not sound like much, but it can actually make quite a difference to player comfort, so try before buying if you can. I wouldn't go in cold expecting "35 not to be an issue if you've never played one before.
  2. If you're committed to "35, some adjustments to technique might be required to manage the additional scale length, but as my own experience has proven, it can be done. Also, look at Anthony Jackson. Anthony's what? 5'5 / 5'6 ? and his Fodera Presentation is 37" scale, yet he managed to make it work (and that's the understatement of the year)
 
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#14
If you are currently using 34'', I also recommend you have any experience with 35'' before you buy one. I used Fender 34'' before and, now I am using 35'' Modulus. It is only a 1'' difference, but for me, it was a huge difference. I had a hard time getting used to the bass when I was playing in 1st position and stretching my hand for huge intervals. Also, know 35'' scale might be a restriction when you are choosing a string.

BTB is a great bass. I found many famous bassists also played BTB as their main gear. If you really dig into the sound, go for it! If your hand is big, 34'' or 35'' might be no problem at all.
 
#15
CheezyPegasus said:
I had developed my like for a raw dense neck so lol
Click to expand...
Just an FYI, there'll be some type of clear sealer/finish on the back of any neck, regardless of what wood they use.
Same with the fretboard. And you won't really feel the fretboard because the strings and frets tend to get in the way.
Whatever wood they use will make a great neck and fretboard, so just pick one you think looks killer.
And if you get one and the neck feels a little too grippy from the finish, there's a few little tricks to fix that. But you can cross that bridge when you get to it.
 
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#16
I have one available locally and could assist w/ transport / shipping:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

BTB.jpg
 
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#17
ToddB1963 said:
Cheezy, I'm 6"5 and have always played regular '34 inch scale basses.

Earlier this year I purchased a Yamaha TRB6II with "35 scale. I love the bass, it sounds great, and plays very well, but the "35 scale was almost too much for me in the first instance. I didn't think it would matter, but believe me - that extra inch inch made the world of difference to my level of playing comfort straight up.

Luckily I was able to try it extensively before buying it.

Despite some initial reservations about the additional scale length, I was so impressed with the bass I committed myself on the spot to making it work, so I bought it, and with a few bio-mechanical adjustments to my positioning/technique, and daily practise all over the fingerboard, I've been able to do just that. My playing on the instrument is now at the point I hardly notice the extra inch, and the bass has become a firm favourite.

So to recap:
  1. One additional inch of scale length ( "34 to "35 ) might not sound like much, but it can actually make quite a difference to player comfort, so try before buying if you can. I wouldn't go in cold expecting "35 not to be an issue if you've never played one before.
  2. If you're committed to "35, some adjustments to technique might be required to manage the additional scale length, but as my own experience has proven, it can be done. Also, look at Anthony Jackson. Anthony's what? 5'5 / 5'6 ? and his Fodera Presentation is 37" scale, yet he managed to make it work (and that's the understatement of the year)
Click to expand...


yeah thanks for the clarification! but I am DYING to get that 6string so I'm going to train for that.
 
#18
I think you should be fine with the 35" scale length. I played 35" scale basses, including a 6 string, almost exclusively starting from when I was 15 and I was probably around 5'9" then. Funnily enough, as I've gotten taller, I've gotten more interested in shorter scale basses. I'm now 6'3" and my next bass will probably be a 32" scale.
 
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#20
who said:
I think you should be fine with the 35" scale length. I played 35" scale basses, including a 6 string, almost exclusively starting from when I was 15 and I was probably around 5'9" then. Funnily enough, as I've gotten taller, I've gotten more interested in shorter scale basses. I'm now 6'3" and my next bass will probably be a 32" scale.
Click to expand...

ooo are you looking for a hofner or
 

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