I kind of become enamored with these new BTBs. I was down at a local music store, and the guitar dept manager was telling me he ordered about 70 of various new 2017 Ibanez models about four months ago, and they still have not come in. Apparently they are being help up due to the new CITES restrictions now affecting Indian rosewood. He expects them in by early May, but who knows. Musicians Friend is saying 5/19. Zzounds is saying 5/11.
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I picked up this BTB300 (MIK) last week:
Just ordered A BTB 845 two hours ago, will be here tomorrow morning. So I will report back on what i think of it if you are still curious
I will post some photos of it as well. I got it to replace an sr 805 that I just can't get used to. Spacing is too tight for me I think. So I went for the btb as it has 19mm spacing like the fenders I am used to. Hopefully it will get here in the morning so I can tweak it and play it some before an audition I have tomorrow night
Ok, heres my thoughts on the BTB ....
When I opened the box, it was packed well. as soon as I saw it I was disappointed. The finish on it was horrible. I even called Ibanez to inquire. Seriously, it looked like it was bring your kid to work day and they let the kids do the work. The line between the burl top and the ash is VERY sloppy and doesnt even follow the contour of the top. Looks like one of those chinese replicas on ali express. Second issue. The preamp was extremely weak. Which makes no sense as it is the same pre amp as my SR805 and it's n ot weak. I played it right after a passive jazz bass and the output from the jazz was significantly greater. I had to turn the amp volume up 30% more on my GK 1001 rb II to get the same output I got from my passive jazz.
So, as I stated, I called Ibanez to ask what the deal was, sent them a picture of the finish and the gentleman I spoke with agreed that this was not a good representation of the instrument and was horrible. He offered to do a warranty exchange for me, however, they are out of stock on them and it will be late June before they can get any more in (CITES is the reason he gave). as far as the preamp goes, he said that was not the way it is supposed to be either and that sounded ridiculous. He said the electronics are dialed back a bit in the BTB because of the different pickups as it relates to the SR 805.
So, the end result, I ordered this one from ZZounds, it was their last one. So, I am exchanging it for the BTB 745. The only difference is the top wood....Walnut vs Poplar burl. $100 cheaper.
As far the playability, it plays great. The factory set was decent enough to play, would definitely benefit from a trip to a luthier for a good set up. can't comment on the tone due to the preamp issue, and I would want to be fair with it, and aslo, the strings are not my choice,
Hmm, the preamp in my BTB300 is definitely stronger than the one in my SRX & they appear to have the same pickups.
well they use the same 9v set up as the SR series that has the 3 way mid selector switch. It is not a weak preamp. However, this particular one is a wimp. I guess it's just some crappy QC for this bass. At least that is what I will chalk it up to. The replacement bass will be here tomorrow morning. So we will see.
OK, so the replacement came in. I had to exchange for the BTB745 as the 845 was no longer in stock. This one is much better. The preamp is right and it sounds 100 times better than the previous one. The finish, while not perfect, is worlds better than the previous one as well. I think I can live with the imperfection in the finish.
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Looking at this one vs. the last one, I think they forgot to lacquer the previous one
no its got the same amount of lacquer on it. Its a very thin feeling finish.
I love they general feel, tone and sound of both my BTB1406E (defretted so fretless) and BTB1606E (fretted). These premium models are far better than the standard models available. Finishes, electronics, fretwork etc. are far superior and well worth the extra funds as compared to the standard model basses.
However, there is a design flaw in all BTB basses I have played, and I have owned 7 different ones over time. And the flaw is .... there is no forearm cut ... and the sharp corner where the forearm rests on the top of the bass can be painful during a gig, especially if you wear your bass high, as most jazz players (like myself) do. I like my BTBs so much however, that I have decided to have the forearm areas on both basses cut and rounded with a smooth contoured surface. I am going to see my luthier tomorrow to have them both done. He will need to cut, sand smooth, then stain the finish to make it look decent. Some of you must have noticed this issue out there. I can't be the only one.
However, there is a design flaw in all BTB basses I have played, and I have owned 7 different ones over time. And the flaw is .... there is no forearm cut ... and the sharp corner where the forearm rests on the top of the bass can be painful during a gig, especially if you wear your bass high, as most jazz players (like myself) do. I like my BTBs so much however, that I have decided to have the forearm areas on both basses cut and rounded with a smooth contoured surface. I am going to see my luthier tomorrow to have them both done. He will need to cut, sand smooth, then stain the finish to make it look decent. Some of you must have noticed this issue out there. I can't be the only one.
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I find the bevel that encompasses the edge on my BTB is sufficient.
In the past I had a BC Rich Warbeast, now that one was tough on my forearm
In the past I had a BC Rich Warbeast, now that one was tough on my forearm
