Just out of curiosity, has anyone made (or had made) a pickguard for their BTB? I'm debating adding a ramp to mine, or maybe a small pickguard if I see something that grabs me.
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This impulse-buy is being delivered today! Was made an offer I just couldn't refuse! Glad to see so much BTB love here, though. This is a BTB 555 MP. I will have no idea of origin or age until I see the serial #.
Here's a couple of questions: This example is fitted with Ibanez pickups, but I know that there are versions with Bartolini pups. However it has been said that the Bart-pup thing is a marketing ploy and they are not true Barts, just 'Bart-designed'. Is there any truth in this? Are the Ibanez pickups OK? Or could I improve matters by replacing the pickups and if so, with what? I thank you!
Here's a couple of questions: This example is fitted with Ibanez pickups, but I know that there are versions with Bartolini pups. However it has been said that the Bart-pup thing is a marketing ploy and they are not true Barts, just 'Bart-designed'. Is there any truth in this? Are the Ibanez pickups OK? Or could I improve matters by replacing the pickups and if so, with what? I thank you!
I have the 405QM, and it has the Ibanez pickups. I see no need to replace them. The bass sounds great.
Oh, and nice bass!!
Oh, and nice bass!!
FWIW, I replaced the Ibby Barts on my 675 with real Barts. The sound difference was small. The Ibby Barts would have been just fine except Ibby installed 6 string pup my 5 string bass and the A string sat on the gap between the coils on the 6 string pups.
I posted pics of the upgrade earlier in this thread. Cost-wise, I would have been better served getting the correct pups fropm Ibanez and doing a simple swap. The Real Barts were a tiny bit larger than the original routs so I had to do a little work and repainting of the cavitties to get the new pups in.
I posted pics of the upgrade earlier in this thread. Cost-wise, I would have been better served getting the correct pups fropm Ibanez and doing a simple swap. The Real Barts were a tiny bit larger than the original routs so I had to do a little work and repainting of the cavitties to get the new pups in.
Thanks for your replies... I think I will leave well alone. It's got to be the cheapest (and easiest) option!
If I ever decide to swap pickups, I'll be going with the Big Singles. Very interested in those pickups, and the Nordstrand stacks, too. I'm not really hung up on single coils, though. I'd prefer my bass to be quiet and noise-free rather than the vintage vibe of the singles. At the moment I don't get any noise issues, so I'll probably leave well enough alone.
If I ever get another BTB, I'll be getting one with the Nordstrands.
If I ever get another BTB, I'll be getting one with the Nordstrands.
Go for the Dual Coils instead. Then you have a split switch on it, so you have 3 possibilities : series / parallel / single coil. They are amazing.
Great plan!! Thanks for the advice. Wasn't sure if they could be wired single. Thanks again.
I got my 405QM in a trade, and was planning to trade it away on another four-string.
That was a couple months ago, and I'm STILL finding new tones from it. I'll never give this bass up now, unless I use it to trade up to a neck-through sixer.
Even though it's the "400" series, it's a fantastic player. My band loves the tone of it, even though it's not my normal P tone. It took about half a practice to get it dialed in with the band. Been playing it as my main bass since, even over my MIA Precision. Debating actually selling the P to find another BTB.
Thanks for the advice on the Nordstrand pickups. I'll be sure to research more before buying. I'd be able to use the Ibby preamp with the Nordstrand pickups, right? I really dig the stock pre.
That was a couple months ago, and I'm STILL finding new tones from it. I'll never give this bass up now, unless I use it to trade up to a neck-through sixer.
Even though it's the "400" series, it's a fantastic player. My band loves the tone of it, even though it's not my normal P tone. It took about half a practice to get it dialed in with the band. Been playing it as my main bass since, even over my MIA Precision. Debating actually selling the P to find another BTB.
Thanks for the advice on the Nordstrand pickups. I'll be sure to research more before buying. I'd be able to use the Ibby preamp with the Nordstrand pickups, right? I really dig the stock pre.
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It should work.
Some people may say a better pre with the same pups will be better than an excellent pair of pups, and the nords are excellent, coupled with a stock pre. All personal tastes and experience.
I was looking at these while I was mulling this over:
Bass Mods Model: BEQ12-35PTAP
Aguilar's OBP-3
Glockenklang 3B
Audere Classic
Try and get into a store that stocks Ibanez and play the SRs and BTBs with Barts and Nords to see if there's anything noticeable.
I don't regret buying the nords or going passive. For me it's an amazing bass and I wish Ibanez still made them with the coloured tops.
Ibanez uploaded some photo's of the Bass Player Live 2014. What do you think of the looks of this BTB 7e?
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s0c9
Supporting Member
s0c9
Supporting Member
Can I get a number? Bought this BTB1405E beauty back in Sept, selling my SR755 to fund part of it.
Will upload my pics as soon as I can get them off my phone...
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Will upload my pics as soon as I can get them off my phone...
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