• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez 6 string basses: SR or BTB series?

Ibanez 6 string basses - which series?

  • SR

    Votes: 62 47.0%

  • BTB

    Votes: 70 53.0%
  • Total voters
    132
#22
I've had multiple 6'ers. A SR506 and a BTB776pb among those. I still have the BTB...that should say it right there. The BTB is definitely heavier and has much sharper corners (but my Peavey T-40 is way worse on both accounts.) BTB has the better neck, better sustain, better B string, better access to the upper frets, and (for me) I'm a huge fan of the wider string spacing.

So.....I voted BTB
 
#23
IMO, the longer scale on the BTB wins purely on the feel of the low B. Not necessarily the sound of the notes, which isn't crazy different. The feeling of the low B on the SR series feels much better in my hands than almost every other 34" scale bass that I have played, but I still prefer my BTB.

OP, play and compare a BTB676 to the SR 1206 if you can. They are MUCH closer in comparison, in terms of build quality and everything. FWIW, my BTB has a satin neck (I hate gloss finishes).
 
#25
I think I have made it very clear which I prefer, but in your particular situation you might want to go with the SR. If you are playing 2-3 times a week for 4-6 hours the BTB is going to give you back problems. My BTB676 would kill my back during evenings with, so I stopped gigging it on full nights. If you are playing in a cover band that doesn't require the 6 string, do not get one. Using the 6 for 4 string covers stands out like a sore thumb in my experience, although I prefer to do faithful covers (better pay.)

My best advice (since you are so on the fence about this) would be to make your pick at L&M and rent that bass. My L&M rents stuff off the wall, yours should too. It might cost you $30-40 for the month for you to find out you do or do not like the bass in your own personal settings through your own personal gear but that is much cheaper than what you would lose on resale. I bought my BTB676 when they were $1200 basses, they dropped to $900 while I owned it so I lost a lot selling it. It did not help that the frets were going to ****.
 
#29
Bought a used sr506 from gc. Kept it for all of a week. Next 6 banger will be the btb for sure. Sr had mediocre tone, I thought it would sound better though my stack but nope. Then noticed that it made my hand cramp. Thought that was just because of the 6 strings but since returning the Sr I have tried other 6 strings and no cramp. Tried a Sr again and instantly hand cramps. Also noticed that the Sr neck dives some where the btb does not.
 
#30
GDUBS said:
Bought a used sr506 from gc. Kept it for all of a week. Next 6 banger will be the btb for sure. Sr had mediocre tone, I thought it would sound better though my stack but nope. Then noticed that it made my hand cramp. Thought that was just because of the 6 strings but since returning the Sr I have tried other 6 strings and no cramp. Tried a Sr again and instantly hand cramps. Also noticed that the Sr neck dives some where the btb does not.
Click to expand...

Thanks GDUBS. About how long have you played a 6 string BTB for?
 
#31
Just to add, I do think I'll likely get a BTB676. If weight is a big deal, getting Gotoh res-o-lite tuners should help a bit. I can always sand some of the wood off, if I truly need it.

In my local Kijiji (Canadian craigslist) it's actually quite funny to see how many used SR 6 strings there are for sale (mainly Gio's or 506's), but zero BTB sixes... Just that one I saw at Long & McQuade, but the price on it isn't that good.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back