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Ibanez BTB Club, Part 2!

#582
They made 4 strings BTB's indeed :) However, they stopped building them cause the 5 and 6 string versions were more popular.

madurolover said:
I just bought a used 5 string BTB and I love it. Now I wish I can trade my 4 string for one. Did they ever make a 4 string BTB. The pickups are so much brighter, it cut through quite differently and I had to make some adjustments.
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#583
Hey BTB club! New to BTB but not to Ibanez. Anyways I recently got a nice BTB575MFM used but now I have a concern. I noticed that the 'A' string was super thin. After research, I discovered that the MK2's are quad coil design which lead me to think my 'A' string was in that gap between coils. I pull out the pups and behold, they are MK2-6 pickups which make total sense of my problem, since it's a 5 string. Is this maybe just an isolated incident? Do MK2-5 pickups exist that are specific to 5 string BTB's, if so, is it maybe something I can consult with ibanez about? I really appreciate feedback on this as I love the bass, but that weak string is not good.:help:
 
#584
It can be a pickup problem indeed. Try swapping them for something else, like EMG or Nordstrand. BUT!!! Be aware that the stringspacing on the pups is the same like on the bridge. So let's say your BTB has 18 mm string spacing and you buy 16.5 mm pups (or vice versa) then it still doesn't work out.
 
#585
Thomas Kievit said:
It can be a pickup problem indeed. Try swapping them for something else, like EMG or Nordstrand. BUT!!! Be aware that the stringspacing on the pups is the same like on the bridge. So let's say your BTB has 18 mm string spacing and you buy 16.5 mm pups (or vice versa) then it still doesn't work out.
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I've highly modified my SR505 and it was quite a task but I am loving this BTB and don't want to modify it (route) really. I've done more research and it looks like there are 5 string specific MK2 pickups so I suppose my next task is to contact a dealer and get a quote.
 
#587
srvlives4evr said:
I've highly modified my SR505 and it was quite a task but I am loving this BTB and don't want to modify it (route) really. I've done more research and it looks like there are 5 string specific MK2 pickups so I suppose my next task is to contact a dealer and get a quote.
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Just got off the phone with Ibanez customer support...$140 EACH WOW:eek: Bummer:(

The only pickups I found that are the same size are Bartolini 96P56C which is a quad coil 6 string pickup, similar to the MK2-6 UGH! I can possibly do the Bartolini P46CBC but just have a gap on the sides of the pickup:hmm: ...Anyone got a pair MK2-5's that they switched out lol?:p
 
#588
I just picked up a BTB570 in charcoal brown. This is the nicest playing bass I have ever touched. The sound is just as good too! I really want to pick up another 4 string, as I have not made my entry in to 5 string land, and might not at all. Anyone know if they are planning on making them in a 4 string again?
 
#592
They probably will not make 4 stringers anymore of the BTB series. Thing is that they were not popular enough. Most BTB buyers went for the 5 string or 6 string version. That's why the Premuim 140x serie only has an 5 and 6 string version. But like always : Never say never ;) There might be a day that they build some 4 stringers again :)

markbmbass said:
Just bought a BTB570 in charcoal brown Brand New! This thing is so sick! Love everything about it. I just hope that Ibanez decides to put the 4's back in production. Anyone have any news on that?
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#593
I'm in! Number please.
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#594
I've been trying for weeks to try out a 2013 BTB 675 and/or 676 and no one I can find seems to have them. I've finally tracked down a 675 2012 model and trying it tomorrow, but I am very interested in the tone switcher that is on the newer model.

Can anyone tell me the difference between the two and if the tone switch makes that much of a difference? I slap a lot as well as pluck and I was hoping the switch would make it easy to jump between the two. Is it worth it to hold out and get the 2013 or would I be just as happy with the 2012?

It's too bad these basses are so hard to find. I hear the tone on them is amazing, particularly in the midrange which is what makes the switch so appealing. I'm not really interested in waiting 6 months to get exactly the model I want unless it will make a big difference.

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated!
 
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#596
Hammerhil said:
I've been trying for weeks to try out a 2013 BTB 675 and/or 676 and no one I can find seems to have them. I've finally tracked down a 675 2012 model and trying it tomorrow, but I am very interested in the tone switcher that is on the newer model.

Can anyone tell me the difference between the two and if the tone switch makes that much of a difference? I slap a lot as well as pluck and I was hoping the switch would make it easy to jump between the two. Is it worth it to hold out and get the 2013 or would I be just as happy with the 2012?

It's too bad these basses are so hard to find. I hear the tone on them is amazing, particularly in the midrange which is what makes the switch so appealing. I'm not really interested in waiting 6 months to get exactly the model I want unless it will make a big difference.

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated!
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I tried the new model preamp on the 676 with the mid frequency switch, It's a nice touch for shaping the mids. It wasn't something I had to have when looking for one of these. Definitely not a slap switch per se. I like the bright function on the U retro for that crazy slap tone.
 
#598
BTB 575 : Volume, blend, bass, mids, high (Bartolini MK-2)

BTB 1305e : Volume, blend, bass, mids, high (Bartolini MK-2)

The switch is just a toggle switch for the pickups ;) So yes, all the same :)

Gabriel51 said:
Speaking of preamps;
Is there any difference in the preamps of say a 575 and a 1305e? Except for the switch they all look and function the same to me (by looking).
Anyone know?
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#600
Gabriel51 said:
OK, so why would anyone shell out the extra bucks for a prestige? what's different other than the wood?
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Prestige basses are made in Japan, for theoretically better quality. I personally have had mixed QC experiences with lower end Ibanez models, so I'm happy to pay for it. How much it really matters...up to you, really.




I'm reading this thread because I miss my old BTB, and am gassing over the BTB I played a couple weeks ago.
 

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