Ibanez BTB 845v Conversion

[Rib 13]

So, I fell in love with a picture of this bass on Reverb and ordered it without any knowledge about them......while it was in transit, I not only learned that it was 33" scale but it is a 5 String designed for High C instead of Low B .... I recieved the bass yesterday with trepidation but decided to convert it to a typical 5 String with a Low B as most of my gigging situations favor a standard 5 String.....The conversion only required filing out the nut slots, saddle adjustments and a slight 1/8 turn counterclockwise on the truss rod.....the end result so far: this bass just may wind up as my #1. The 33 scale super fast Ibanez neck using Ernie Ball roundwounds makes the strings slightly less tense: not only does it deliver decent piano wire Modern Tone but the slight variance in tension benefits tapping technique in a huge way. The B String is ever so slightly looser than my other 5s but not floppy..I know slight variances of B String tension bothers some players but it doesn't bother me as long as that tone is there. I'm not crazy about these Bartolini pickups but they sound good enough to leave for now. Cant wait to gig it tonight and tomorrow night! I will do a full review on my YouTube channel sometime in the coming months after I've run it through its courses but, so far, I feel like I not only dodged a bullet, but I haven't been this excited about a bass in a long time

 

[ineedaclutch]

Yours looks great. I just picked up this 845 to try out a 5 with a 35” scale. I love the feel and the ergonomics, with the exception of the forearm scythe, but your natural top is gorgeous.

I’m thinking of taking down the edge and dialing back the blue.

I’m interested to see what you do with it.

 

[Killing Floor]

Pretty. Dig in.

 

[Snert]

but I haven't been this excited about a bass in a long time

I feel the same about my 846v.

I will do a full review on my YouTube channel sometime in the coming months after I've run it through its courses

I'll look forward to it.

 

[Rib 13]

I feel the same about my 846v

I have you to thank: you mentioned your BTB a couple of times which is what set me down the road ( after kinda getting to know you on the internet over the past year, ive come to the conclusion that we are similar in what we like out of bass tone and tone approach)....when I came across this one, I stupidly didn't read anything and just bought it because I loved the way it looked.......The conversion went perfectly last night - No issues and the bass sounded perfect with one caveat: the preamp is decent but these pickups sound a little "bland". Dont get me wrong, they are fine as is and i can make them work if need be. However, using my Zoom B6 I tried different EQ bumps but to no avail....then I started loading cabinet IRs. One of the 4×10 emulators made this bass sing - and I mean SING, so I stored the patch and, as long as I use my B6, this BTB is the one for the foreseeable future

 

[Snert]

I have you to thank: you mentioned your BTB a couple of times which is what set me down the road ( after kinda getting to know you on the internet over the past year, ive come to the conclusion that we are similar in what we like out of bass tone and tone approach)....when I came across this one, I stupidly didn't read anything and just bought it because I loved the way it looked.

Thank you, and I'm really happy that my comments turned you onto the BTB.
I'm contemplating a couple of sets of SIT strings, a 7 and 4 set to make a 6 string set for the 846v to go E-E and the other 5 strings for one of my 5s.

As well as the underlined, we also look similar. My condolences...