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Ibanez BTB Club, Part 2!

I pulled the trigger, and 33 inches of BTB is on the way:

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Hi I have a Ibanez BTB776 and the bridge pickup is broken, anyone know of any pickups that will fit the spot, not willing to route and need a drop in replacement. Basically it has the Bartolini's MK2 pickups, but anyone who has replaced any of the BTB 6 string pickups, which did you use? Thanks.
Thanks

Did you check the wiring to make sure that a wire external to the pickup wasn't loose?

AFAIK, there's nothing that fits the Mk 2 rout directly if it's the same size as what's in the 675/676 BTBs which also have Mk 2. I've looked. That said, real Barts are only 2-3mm wider so you can easily widen the rout with a chisel. See post 650 at this link for some pictures:

Ibanez BTB Club, Part 2!

If you're not into modifying the bass this way, you might be in luck. I have a pair of 6 string Bart Mk2's from the BTB 675 you saw in the above mentioned. I'm willing to send the pair to you for $50 plus the price of shipping. If you read the second sentence in this paragraph carefully, you'll note that I said I had a set of 6 string pickups from a 5 string bass - that's what I meant to say. The 5 string Mk 2 and 6 string Mk2 are the same size rout. Ibanez got some of the 5 and 6 stringers mixed up, I ended up with a 5 string bass and 6 string split coil pickups. The A string sat on the gap between the split coils and sounded terrible. Since Ibanez wasn't interested in fixing their goof (and the copy I got was used), I could either order new 5 string pickups from Ibanez or widen the rout 2-3mm to fit some real Barts. I elected to get the real Barts but would have been fine going with the correct factory pickups.

PM me if you want my pickups and we can exchange details (pictures, shipping/payment info etc).
 
I've modded all my Ibanez basses. Mechanically, the lower end models are terrific - the necks and bodies are beautiful and I love the thin Ibby necks/fretboards - but I've had issues with the pickups and electronics. I've saved all the parts I've removed and found a home for some of them. I'm glad to have found a home for these pickups.

I replaced the stock preamp on my EDB605 with the stock preamp from the BTB675 and later sold the preamp to an owner in the UK who had the same bass but somehow smashed one of the pots. Since the pots are non-standard and are soldered to the preamp board, he was grateful to have mine.
 
Speaking of modding Ibanez... I've just modded stock tuners of my BTB685SC to Gotoh Res-O-Lites GB350, still in the same Cosmo Black color.

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Stock Ibanez tuners

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Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB350 tuners

GB350 tuners are so much lighter and feel more solid than the stock tuners.
 
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I know this post is old, but hand me a number, I just got this today. A 2009( if I'm reading the serial number correctly.) BTB 405.

She desperately needs new strings and some cleaning, which includes removing that damned decal in between the pickups. But great bass nonetheless. Ive waited years to get my hands on a BTB.

 
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BTB is love, BTB is life. I bought this 575mfm in 2009 and sold it three years later to fund a Fender American Deluxe j bass, I was ultimately disappointed with that decision, that $1700 piece didn't play as smooth or sound as good as my BTB did.
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Sold the Fender during some hard times a couple of years ago, but ended up finding a killer deal on a 2015 675m last week and I couldn't be happier. Plays like a dream and it's even prettier than my first BTB. I never understood why these aren't more popular, they beat the hell out of everything else near their price range and look better to boot.
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I'm also on the lookout for the green colored 4 string model, I believe the last time I saw them in production was around 2008-2010, anyone know their model name or where I could find one? I'd love to have one in my collection.
 
Has anyone here tried both the BTB67x and BTB57x? The used prices are similar and I'd like to know the differences between them, but I can't seem find a 575 to try out locally. I know that the 575 is mahogany with a maple top and the 675 is ash with a walnut top; those are the only differences as far as tech specs go. Going by that, I'd assume the only differences are in tone and weight, but if anyone has any experience to share I'd be grateful.

I've owned both, a 575mfm and a 675m. In my experience the 675 plays a little better, sounds a little better, and as best I can recall (it's been a couple years since I sold my 575) the 575 weighed more. But really they're on par with each other, both are fantastic instruments. That said, if I were picking between the two, my choice would come down to which finish I liked the best.
 
BTB is love, BTB is life. I bought this 575mfm in 2009 and sold it three years later to fund a Fender American Deluxe j bass, I was ultimately disappointed with that decision, that $1700 piece didn't play as smooth or sound as good as my BTB did.
View attachment 785551

Sold the Fender during some hard times a couple of years ago, but ended up finding a killer deal on a 2015 675m last week and I couldn't be happier. Plays like a dream and it's even prettier than my first BTB. I never understood why these aren't more popular, they beat the hell out of everything else near their price range and look better to boot.
View attachment 785552

I'm also on the lookout for the green colored 4 string model, I believe the last time I saw them in production was around 2008-2010, anyone know their model name or where I could find one? I'd love to have one in my collection.
I envy those who can have BTB with maple fingerboard cause I always like the look of maple fingerboard. I'd exchange my BTB685SC with BTB685MSC if it's available. But local Ibby distributor doesn't stock any (upsetting that it is made in locally to us who live here in Indonesia :().
 
I currently have a Peavey Millenium 5 BXP, and I love it. I love the sound, the feel, and the look. However, I have one problem - the string spacing. I thought that I would get used to it, but I just haven't. I need something that's wider.

I was trying to find something similar and saw the old BTB405s. I've never seen one in person, but I already like Ibanez, so I thought this might fit the bill. They do seem to be on the heavy side, though, coming in at about 10.5 lbs.

Does anyone have any experience with the BTB405 that they could share?

Does anyone have another suggestion for a bass that's similar to the Millenium 5, but with wider (closer to 19mm) string spacing?
 
my BTB405 has 19 mm (3/4") spacing like a 4 string. it is an '02 model. basswood with quilted maple top (likely veneer of some sort). it was my first BTB and started my addiction to them (BTB405, BTB1006, BTB500 and BTB406). my favorite things about the BTB405 are the string spacing and the Vari-mid EQ. i've never been bothered by the weight, but I have always used a wide leather strap.

FYI, the BTB405 street price new was $599, so keep that in mind when looking at used ones.

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my BTB405 has 19 mm (3/4") spacing like a 4 string. it is an '02 model. basswood with quilted maple top (likely veneer of some sort). it was my first BTB and started my addiction to them (BTB405, BTB1006, BTB500 and BTB406). my favorite things about the BTB405 are the string spacing and the Vari-mid EQ. i've never been bothered by the weight, but I have always used a wide leather strap.

FYI, the BTB405 street price new was $599, so keep that in mind when looking at used ones.

That 19mm spacing is what I want. If you have an opportunity, will you weigh your 405? My Millennium is just shy of 9lbs. Do you have a link to the strap that you use?

This is the BTB that I'm thinking about: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The safety with GC is that I have 45 days to decide if I want to keep it.
 
That 19mm spacing is what I want. If you have an opportunity, will you weigh your 405? My Millennium is just shy of 9lbs. Do you have a link to the strap that you use?

This is the BTB that I'm thinking about: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The safety with GC is that I have 45 days to decide if I want to keep it.
Since wider string spacing is what you're after, then you're not going to make mistake getting that BTB405. I bought my BTB685SC for the very same reason, because I had wanted 5 stringer with wide string spacing.

Regarding the weight, mine is 4.4 Kg (9 lbs 11 oz). Do keep in mind that mine is a single cut model, so it is supposed to be heavier than usual double cutaway bass guitar. And it's fine by my standard since I'm used to gig with my 6er weighing 5 Kg.