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Ibanez BTB owners - show your BTB's

#81
Bassworship1 said:
Here is a pick of the twins. Some of the best looking and feeling basses I've ever played live or recorded with. Both are Identical Ibanez BTB1405 Premiums with stock Nordstrand Big Singles. Here is also a recording o me playing one of the 1405 BTB's. Crisp and punchy. I'm not near the player the guy above is but I enjoyed playing on this beautiful bass.




Thanks Campbems for listening to my tune. I have been thinking of getting another premium line BTB 5 String this time. I like the Deep Ocean ones you can find at Sweetwater. I have posted closer up photos of my two main basses:

Ibanez BTB1606E Fretted 6 String and Ibanez BTB1406E Customized Fretless 6 String - Both of these Basses have some important modifications including Bartolini Dual Coil P4 size pickups. I had the stock Nordstrand Big Singles replaced and added gold metal knobs and did away with the black plastic ones that came stock. The sound has improved to my ears at least, with the Bartolini electronics and I do think the Gold knobs look nicer matching the gold single saddle bridge and gold Gotoh tuners. I also used gold pickup screws.

I have found the Ibanez Premium BTB line to be of great value. They are impeccably built compared to other basses in their price range. I have also owned the BTB776PB which was a beautiful and great sounding Bass, the BTB676F Fretless, the BTB455QM and the BTB675. I found these non-premium line BTB basses to be really great but not excellent like the premium BTBs. The MK/BH/Ibanez electronics, I do not find to be as clear sounding as the stock Nordstrands on the premium models, and most importantly, the necks on the standard models I owned, all had very minimal buzzy or noisy spots that I could not fix by having the basses set up. I was told in two cases that the necks were slightly warped. I have also had similar neck issues with Lakland Skyline model basses that are produced in Indonesia. It became clear to me why the premium BTBs are deemed "Premium."

The bottom line is that if you are a pro, neck issues and electronics are going to bother you. As you grow as a musician, you will become picky and sensitive to the most minute of problems.

You get what you pay for as they say, but only to a point. The BTB premium basses are excellent and a fantastic value for the extra money you pay above the standard BTB models. I have never had problems with the electronics packages, nor problems with the fretwork or buzzy spots on BTB premium models. If you are considering a new or used BTB, go for a new premium or old prestige model. You will not be disappointed. They are boutique quality instruments at less than half the price.
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#85
after strugling with the narrow string spacing on the ibanez sr 5 strings i discovered the nice broad spacing on the ibanez btb 675 so i ordered one. it arrived last week and i have to say that i absolutely love it, it makes slapping so mutch easier and in not hitting other strings as i used to on the narrower spacing on the soundgear 5 strings. ive read a few threads where people are on about swapping out the pickups for something else but the bartolini mk 2 do the job for me. the bass feels so solid and balances really well when sitting and when its strapped. if i had known the benefits of this bass before i would have had one before now. i cant put a picture up yet as i cant work out how but hopefully soon. its good to see a page devoted to such great basses.
 
#87
I picked up this BTB455(?)for $210+a bass I got for $100 on Craigs list bass a year ago.I'm using this BTB for my playing out bass now to avoid wear and tear on my avatar bass.I love the BTB after replacing the stock worn out tuners except the vari-mid pot is scratchy even after contact cleaner,I notice it sticks up higher from the instrument so I'm wondering if it's from pressure against the inside of the case? I don't have the stock case,I wonder if the case made for them has a recess for the varimid knob?....and if anyone's replaced that stacked pot? mine is slightly bent
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#88
Early Christmas (thank the wife.). I've wanted a 1405e Premium for some time now. I've got a couple of basses in my collection but this trumps them all. High quality materials. Plays like a dream. Time to sell my btb 675, but although I've had fond memories with it, I won't miss it thanks to this.
 

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#89
I picked this one up from a guy at work who was going through some hard times-- probably overpaid, don't care if it helps out a pal. No idea what the model number is, active 4-string-- first active bass I've ever owned-- IMG_0364.JPG IMG_0365.JPG
 
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#93
I have the BTB1606E VNF and it's a beauty (See photos and sound samples from my previous posts) but I can't help you really. The new twilight dye looks amazing too. Best value basses out there in their price range!! Preimium BTBs are top quality in every way. Try swapping the pickups to Bartolini classic dual coils and you can get a truly beautiful tone. Nordstrands are great too though. I just prefer Bartolinis.
 
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#94
Yeah I listed to your sound sample. These basses are amazing as I have recorded inthe past with it also. I've played alot of basses in the past in the 1500-2200 price range and the BTB Premiums are as good as any I've played.
 
#98
Bassworship1 said:
Yeah I listed to your sound sample. These basses are amazing as I have recorded inthe past with it also. I've played alot of basses in the past in the 1500-2200 price range and the BTB Premiums are as good as any I've played.
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I may get laughed at for saying this but here goes .... I think the BTB premium basses with modified electronics (as I mentioned) hold up very well even when compared to Foderas, Ken Smiths and other custom instruments that are priced at four or five times the BTB prices. I have made the comparison side by side. BTB premiums are pro basses all the way.
 

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