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Ibanez BTB Club, Part 2!

#1,301
CoarseBass said:
I agree the current double cut style is a lot nicer to the throwback they're showing here.

My hope is those are standard level, lower price point bolt on models, and the higher end stuff retains the current look. We're obviously not seeing the whole line.
Click to expand...

The one in the video are clearly neck-though designs, but they could be relatively entry-level models. All the current BTBs are neck-though, so perhaps Ibanez sees that feature as key to the BTB line. I agree that I hope the Bass Workshop and premium models maintain the deep cutaways.
 
#1,303
skeeler said:
The one in the video are clearly neck-though designs, but they could be relatively entry-level models. All the current BTBs are neck-though, so perhaps Ibanez sees that feature as key to the BTB line. I agree that I hope the Bass Workshop and premium models maintain the deep cutaways.
Click to expand...

Interesting... I hadn't seen the video. My first BTB was a cheapo bolt on, and what Ibanez shows at these events doesn't always appear... you never know.
 
#1,304
@skeeler you are welcome. Also a small clarification - didn't mean to imply that it's a low quality instrument in any way, I am perfectly happy with mine and recommend it strongly for anyone who is already acquainted with BTBs and is comfortable with 35". It was more of a heads-up for things to look for in case you come into a used one and are picky about instrument wear. Then again I use mine for a lot of different situations, from typical bar cover gigs to sweaty metal shows so some wear and tear is to be expected. It gets a lot of looks and someone asks about it at almost every show I play regardless.

@CoarseBass the cheapo BTB was probably BTB200? That's the only one to ever come with a single-piece bridge as far as I know, if it helps narrowing it down.
 
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#1,305
dax21 said:
@skeeler you are welcome. Also a small clarification - didn't mean to imply that it's a low quality instrument in any way, I am perfectly happy with mine and recommend it strongly for anyone who is already acquainted with BTBs and is comfortable with 35". It was more of a heads-up for things to look for in case you come into a used one and are picky about instrument wear. Then again I use mine for a lot of different situations, from typical bar cover gigs to sweaty metal shows so some wear and tear is to be expected. It gets a lot of looks and someone asks about it at almost every show I play regardless.

@CoarseBass the cheapo BTB was probably BTB200? That's the only one to ever come with a single-piece bridge as far as I know, if it helps narrowing it down.
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It was a roughly 2002/3 400QM - monorail bridge, bolt on neck.
 
#1,306
skeeler said:
What are you BTB owners using for hard cases? I've read that the case Ibanez suggests (the ATK100C) is pretty flimsy and doesn't even fit that well. Is there a SKB or other hard case that fits BTBs well? If it matters, the BTB33 is the model of interest to me. Thanks.
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bringing back old discussion...

I used to use hard cases to transport my guitars & basses in my early years of play in the 80s. They were generic made wooden cases that actually wouldn't snug fit any of the guitar/bass that I had owned.

It is not until these last few years that I intensively depend on my gig bags to carry my guitars/basses around. I have Mono Case M80 Dual Electric Bass, Gruv Gear Gigblade 2 and a couple others.

Just recently I have an interest for hard cases again. I did a tour with my band in which we rented a big bus and I was reluctant to put my bass down under the cargo compartment since it was only protected by the gig bag. Then I was thinking if only I had a hard case.

I also had eye for the SKB cases, especially the one that has open cavity since I need it to hold my giant BTB7 or my single cut BTB685SC. The model is 3i-5014-O. Anyone is familiar with this case?

sku_view_image.png



By looking at the picture, it has long neck support that might get in the way for my single cut bass.

@skeeler I know you were aiming for a case that fits a BTB33, which is relatively smaller model than any of my basses, but I'm curious what did you end up with?
 
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#1,307
I ended up going with the Ibanez ATK case that's recommended for the BTBs. I later got an SRSC805 and the open-cavity case that was recommended for it (since it won't fit the molded SR case). That case is a little narrower and actually fits the BTB33 better for width. The central pocket needs to be moved or the bass needs to be shimmed for the instrument to fit well for length. Both cases are fine, I guess, but I'd prefer a more snug fit. I use foam to shim both basses.
 
#1,308
skeeler said:
I ended up going with the Ibanez ATK case that's recommended for the BTBs. I later got an SRSC805 and the open-cavity case that was recommended for it (since it won't fit the molded SR case). That case is a little narrower and actually fits the BTB33 better for width. The central pocket needs to be moved or the bass needs to be shimmed for the instrument to fit well for length. Both cases are fine, I guess, but I'd prefer a more snug fit. I use foam to shim both basses.
Click to expand...

Which ATK case? Are those wooden cases? I'm more interested if they are made from other materials than wood.

any chance you've taken pictures of both, especially the foam you use to shim?
 
#1,310
IMG_2082.jpg
Hi everybody, new here. Had a BTB406qm anout 5 years ago. Sold it because I think 6 strings was too much for me. I was bummed as soon as it shipped out though. Decided to get another BTB, this time I went for a 5 string as I play a lot of rock and metal and several of my guitars are tuned down, so this will be nice as it has the low B. Just picked up a BTB575FM
I found this post as I was looking for information on this bass. I found Ibanez catalog archives, but they don't shot the 575fm :/
Anyway, going off the serial # it's from Indonesia and made 12/08.

What gauge strings did they come with? I want to put a fresh set on. What are good string? I'm primarily a guitar player and am very particular about my set up, strings and gauge. (Example, most of my guitars are tuned to D and I use d'adderio xl 10-52)
 
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#1,311
Gunganish said:
View attachment 1018686 Hi everybody, new here. Had a BTB406qm anout 5 years ago. Sold it because I think 6 strings was too much for me. I was bummed as soon as it shipped out though. Decided to get another BTB, this time I went for a 5 string as I play a lot of rock and metal and several of my guitars are tuned down, so this will be nice as it has the low B. Just picked up a BTB575FM
I found this post as I was looking for information on this bass. I found Ibanez catalog archives, but they don't shot the 575fm :/
Anyway, going off the serial # it's from Indonesia and made 12/08.

What gauge strings did they come with? I want to put a fresh set on. What are good string? I'm primarily a guitar player and am very particular about my set up, strings and gauge. (Example, most of my guitars are tuned to D and I use d'adderio xl 10-52)
Click to expand...
Ibanez mostly uses 45-65-85-105 for 4 stringers, 45-65-85-105-130 for 5 stringers, and 32-45-65-85-105-130 for 6 stringers as standard.
 
#1,313
AFAIK, Ibanez basses either came with Elixir or D'Addario brand strings, mostly nickels (My BTB685SC came with Elixir Nickels and my BTB7 came with D'Addario XL Nickels). Although there are variations... My Ibanez EWB205WNE (acoustic electric bass guitar) came with D'Addario EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze, my SRF705 came with D'Addario Chromes.

But of course you should use what's best to your own preference.

In my case, I kept the Elixir Nickels, swapped the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze with Elixir 80/20 Bronze and D'Addario Chromes with D'Addario Tape Wound (I've already had Chromes on another bass), and I changed the XL Nickels with Ken Smith Compressors.
 
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#1,318
BTB6752.jpg
Got super deal on BTB675 the other day. It was fairly dirty, and very low output. Got it home, cleaned it good, looks great. Quickly found original problem. Bad battery clip. Then found preamp wiring all hacked up. Someone had tried very badly to bypass it. 2 hours with the soldering iron cured that. Now looks great, sounds great, very easy transition to 5 string. May keep it a while.
 
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#1,319
Ibanez 2017 BTB1805-NTL BTB Premium Electric Bass, Natural Low Gloss

New BTBs...

- New body shape is growing on me. I think the horn profile is a step back from the bolder shape they have now; newer models look a little more like the previous generation.
- Horns and body are more contoured...looks like a nice move for play ability on the horns, and deeper contouring is one of the ways Ibanez lightened the latest ATKs, so hopefully these are lighter!
- 24 real frets - the 'swoop' at the end of the fretboard is reduced, letting the 24th fret span the full width of the board while still looking cool. I'll take it.
- 0 Fret - interesting. I've never owned one...
- Aguilar pickups - Interesting...I'd prefer Nordstrand, but we'll see how these sound. Hopefully they're still a normal shape.
- New iteration of the monorail bridge.
 
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