Ibanez BTB Club, Part 2!

[chucho delgado]

I am...had an '02, and am getting an earlier model this or next week sometime. What do you want to know?

thanks for the reply, i was wondering if it’s true that there was a limited edition that they only made 65 of them in world? I believe the model was BTB905 or something similar. And if there is a way to figure out info by the model number? Thanks for the help!

 

[songwriter21]

thanks for the reply, i was wondering if it’s true that there was a limited edition that they only made 65 of them in world? I believe the model was BTB905 or something similar. And if there is a way to figure out info by the model number? Thanks for the help!

Maybe this is what you're talking about?

SOLD - LOTS OF PICS--My beloved and rare Japanese Ibanez Prestige BTB 5CPD-NTF w/ NHSC

 

[ewingt22]

Hey everyone- hope i'm not in the wrong place posting this.
I'm looking for some help deciding between the BTB686SC and BTB846SC. I see one of the main differences is a generational change in pickups (BH1's vs BH2's) and bridge (MR2 vs MR5)- anyone experience significant improvement or dissatisfaction between them?
Additionally, 686 shows a rosewood fretboard with the 846 showing a jatoba- has anyone found a more harsh sound from the rosewood, as the denser wood (I would think) creates a more "brittle" sound? I understand the move was made due to environmental policies changing, but i'd hate to pull the trigger on a used one only to later find myself more satisfied with the tone of the other. On that note- Walnut vs bubinga?
Finally the nut- 846 just shows a "plastic" nut, with the 646 using the Black Tusq XL. Does one sit higher than the other? Carry sustain better? Isolate vibration better?
Thanks in advance!

 

[skeeler]

The 846 has a zero fret, which may matter to you.

 

[ewingt22]

The 846 has a zero fret, which may matter to you.

I guess that explains the difference in nuts between the 2 models-
Anyone have personal experience between the 2?

 

[Scarysharkface]

No experience between the two, but I've got the 846SC and can't identify any shortcomings.

John

 

[Nol Taylor]

846/846V(which I own)/846SC is a solid platform. The neck is fast and the Jatoba fretboard is great. You would have to be a serious nit picker to dislike it

 

[Aidil]

Hey everyone- hope i'm not in the wrong place posting this.
I'm looking for some help deciding between the BTB686SC and BTB846SC. I see one of the main differences is a generational change in pickups (BH1's vs BH2's) and bridge (MR2 vs MR5)- anyone experience significant improvement or dissatisfaction between them?
Additionally, 686 shows a rosewood fretboard with the 846 showing a jatoba- has anyone found a more harsh sound from the rosewood, as the denser wood (I would think) creates a more "brittle" sound? I understand the move was made due to environmental policies changing, but i'd hate to pull the trigger on a used one only to later find myself more satisfied with the tone of the other. On that note- Walnut vs bubinga?
Finally the nut- 846 just shows a "plastic" nut, with the 646 using the Black Tusq XL. Does one sit higher than the other? Carry sustain better? Isolate vibration better?
Thanks in advance!

A couple more differences:

1. the 686SC has two truss rods vs. single truss rod in the 846SC, and which I think really matters,
2. the elbow corner on the 686SC wasn't beveled as wide as on 846SC, which causing some complaints that earlier BTB builds elbow corners felt sharp.

 

[ewingt22]

A couple more differences:

1. the 686SC has two truss rods vs. single truss rod in the 846SC, and which I think really matters,
2. the elbow corner on the 686SC wasn't beveled as wide as on 846SC, which causing some complaints that earlier BTB builds elbow corners felt sharp.

Good call on the truss rods, info I had missed out on until now. I notice you have the 846- I would imagine between the 6 strings and long scale theres a good amount of tension on that neck, ever find yourself wishing for that second support?
I had read that about the corner cut, but I've also seen where luthiers can/have cut that down on the 646.

 

[Nol Taylor]

A couple more differences:

1. the 686SC has two truss rods vs. single truss rod in the 846SC, and which I think really matters,
2. the elbow corner on the 686SC wasn't beveled as wide as on 846SC, which causing some complaints that earlier BTB builds elbow corners felt sharp.

I was under the impression that the 846 line had two reinforcing rods on both sides of the center rod for support. There was a picture floating around of one with the feet board off. As usual, I go to find it and I can’t. Typical.

 

[Npunk42]

The thing about the 846sc that bothers me from time to time is how heavy it is. I expect that after the lockdown it going to take a bit to get used to holding it for an hour, maybe 90 minutes at a a time. I could say I'm a Bartolini fan. On other basses I've had over the years I replaced stock pickups with genuine American Barts. I thought I would do likewise with the BH2s that come on the 846sc, but they sound so good Im keeping them.

 

[thrakkor]

while I don't have a SC model, the 4 BTBs I do have all have solid necks (2 MIK, 2 MIJ). I believe they all have rosewood boards as well and I don't find them brittle whatsoever.

 

[ewingt22]

The thing about the 846sc that bothers me from time to time is how heavy it is. I expect that after the lockdown it going to take a bit to get used to holding it for an hour, maybe 90 minutes at a a time. I could say I'm a Bartolini fan. On other basses I've had over the years I replaced stock pickups with genuine American Barts. I thought I would do likewise with the BH2s that come on the 846sc, but they sound so good Im keeping them.

Just get a friend to hold it while you play

 

[ewingt22]

Anyone have further info re: the truss rods in those models? I'm not finding any info or pictures.

 

[Aidil]

Good call on the truss rods, info I had missed out on until now. I notice you have the 846- I would imagine between the 6 strings and long scale theres a good amount of tension on that neck, ever find yourself wishing for that second support?
I had read that about the corner cut, but I've also seen where luthiers can/have cut that down on the 646.

Nope. I have the 685SC. I also own a BTB7. Both have rather boxy elbow corner (not enough beveled) which felt sharp for player's elbow to lean on. Newer BTB builds (846SC included) have wider bevel which seems to answer this problem.

I wouldn't count on luthier for such body modifications. There was a TB member who posted such modifications upon the same complaint on his sharp elbow corner previous gen BTB. Honestly, the result was far from nice fabricated wider bevel elbow corner of the newer BTB builds.

I was under the impression that the 846 line had two reinforcing rods on both sides of the center rod for support. There was a picture floating around of one with the feet board off. As usual, I go to find it and I can’t. Typical.

Yes, newer BTB builds with single truss rod have a neck with somekind of graphite reinforcement rods implanted. They even can make the newer 7 string BTB747 came with a single truss rod by reinforcing the neck.

The thing about the 846sc that bothers me from time to time is how heavy it is. I expect that after the lockdown it going to take a bit to get used to holding it for an hour, maybe 90 minutes at a a time. I could say I'm a Bartolini fan. On other basses I've had over the years I replaced stock pickups with genuine American Barts. I thought I would do likewise with the BH2s that come on the 846sc, but they sound so good Im keeping them.

All I know, anyone who chooses a BTB shouldn't be complaining about the weight. My 685SC is roughly 4.3 kg. It's the maximum I could take for a 2 hours gig.

Lightweight is the SR series territories. I bring my 3 kg SRH505 whenever the set list allows me to use warmer (darker) tone bass.

Anyone have further info re: the truss rods in those models? I'm not finding any info or pictures.

A sign that 846SC has a single truss rod can be seen from the truss rod access opening at the end of the fretboard where it meets the body. Whereas the 686SC (as well as older gen BTBs) has truss rod(s) access located on the headstock, with a sign of two truss rods usage from its wider shape cover.

 

[Scarysharkface]

Single truss rod doesn't bother me at all, the neck is stiff enough the prevent twist and one rod is plenty for the tension. It's a nice bass.

John

 

[Quadzilla]

Just bought this used BTB570FM used. Will probably swap the electronics out at some point. She comes with an Ibanez HSC, which if I'm not mistaken, was optional. Anyway, will be in my hands in a couple of days. Looking forward to it!

 

[lowfreqman]

Just bought this used BTB570FM used. Will probably swap the electronics out at some point. She comes with an Ibanez HSC, which if I'm not mistaken, was optional. Anyway, will be in my hands in a couple of days. Looking forward to it!

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Nice score! I love the slight burst effect on the finish.

 

[vindibona1]

Just bought this used BTB570FM used. Will probably swap the electronics out at some point. She comes with an Ibanez HSC, which if I'm not mistaken, was optional. Anyway, will be in my hands in a couple of days. Looking forward to it!

View attachment 3809054 View attachment 3809055 View attachment 3809056 View attachment 3809057 View attachment 3809058

Congratulations! The BTB series basses are great for the money. You may find the electronics to be just fine.

 

[Quadzilla]

Nice score! I love the slight burst effect on the finish.

Congratulations! The BTB series basses are great for the money. You may find the electronics to be just fine.

Thanks so much!