GETTING A NEW ONE!!!

that ibanez is so awesome, I played one the other day. man was it off the chain. its not my style at all, and Id never buy one, but Im not going to take away from anything and say its not a good bass, because its great. its really well built, and that bridge is so cool!

 

I love deans, I got 3 deans in the house. but, if you must choose between the two the ibanez wins hands down.
the bridge (though the dean's bridge is cool)
the neck (though the dean does have a 5 piece)
the string spacing
all go to the ibanez.
looks
I like the dean in that department.
but I like wide spaced strings on a 5, if you like the tighter spaced strings of the dean give it a shot.
play 'em both and see which one feels/sounds right.

I was messin with a rhapsody 8 string at the store the other day. man, is that thing cool! you can even get it with a bubinga over mahagony body, and a 5 piece maple and walnut neck. sweet

O yea, the BTB has a 35" scale, thats another reason I'd choose it.

 

A buddy of mine had a BTB 405. That was a good sounding bass for its price range, however, the low B's output level was far less than the higher 4 strings.

I haven't tried the Rhapsody yet.

Many budget and mid level priced basses have quality issues with their B string even if it has a 35" scale.

My advice, compare them both for overall sound, feel and quality and pay close attention to the B string quality.

Lastly, I would also recommend you try the Yamaha BBG5S and the MTD Kingston 5.

www.mathewsandryan.com

www.yamahaguitars.com

 

I've owned Ibanez guitars and rented a Dean Razor. If you get the Ibanez, you've got to contend with the perception thing (see current thread). Your choice looks good though. The Dean I played was nice as well, but it was a 4. The MTD line is more highly regarded because of the Tobias design, is upgradable, and the 5 is 35" scale. IMO, you should consider them or buy a Carvin.

 

I just got a new one.