Ibanez BTB1905SM

[chemical360]

Hey all,
I am new to TB but have been playing bass for 30+ years. I have owned a variety of basses including a Modulus Q5, which I am ashamed to admit I sold about 13 years ago. It was quite possibly the best bass I ever owned and WAY too expensive to replace.

So I have been researching the BTB series from Ibanez. I have to say I have never looked at Ibanez before, ever. They just didn't have any features I liked. However these BTB basses look outstanding with Aguilar DCB's, graphite reinforced neck through etc... But I am not finding a lot of reviews on this model. I have found a ton on the BTB745, which looks nice with the Barts.

Anyway, I know I have to get my backside in the store and pick it up but just curious of anyone's thoughts on this model in particular.

Thanks!

 

[Bassclef46]

I owned a BTB 1825. Which is similar. I only sold it because I am not a 5 string guy. It was awesome. Fantastic quality all the way around. Beautiful looking too. Passive/active controls with tons of versatility. I don’t think you will be disappointed by an Ibanez. They know how to make a quality product even if these come from Indonesia.

 

[chemical360]

I owned a BTB 1825. Which is similar. I only sold it because I am not a 5 string guy. It was awesome. Fantastic quality all the way around. Beautiful looking too. Passive/active controls with tons of versatility. I don’t think you will be disappointed by an Ibanez. They know how to make a quality product even if these come from Indonesia.

Thanks! Yeah I am feeling like I might take the plunge. These BTB's are jumping out at me more and more lately. Decently priced too.

 

[Tom F]

I picked up a 1905 a few months back, shortly after getting an early MIJ BTB 1005E (from 98 or 99 - I have to check the serial).

They're more similar than different (besides the slightly restyled body), regardless of where the basses were made. The neck profile is similar, even though the 1905 is a neck through and the 1005 is bolt on. The Aguilar pickups sound great and the electronics are flexible in both basses. I do like the sweepable mids in the 1005, but the 3 position frequency selector in the 1905 hits the right spots, so it doesn't really feel like anything is missing.

From a review standpoint, most of the Aguilar equipped models should be in the same ballpark. There will be slight differences due to woods, but basses like the 1825 would be reasonable substitutes to get a better idea of what you're in for. I personally really like mine and while I occasionally pine for my old Stingray 5, the BTB does the job for the occasional times I reach for a 5 string.

 

[chemical360]

I picked up a 1905 a few months back, shortly after getting an early MIJ BTB 1005E (from 98 or 99 - I have to check the serial).

They're more similar than different (besides the slightly restyled body), regardless of where the basses were made. The neck profile is similar, even though the 1905 is a neck through and the 1005 is bolt on. The Aguilar pickups sound great and the electronics are flexible in both basses. I do like the sweepable mids in the 1005, but the 3 position frequency selector in the 1905 hits the right spots, so it doesn't really feel like anything is missing.

From a review standpoint, most of the Aguilar equipped models should be in the same ballpark. There will be slight differences due to woods, but basses like the 1825 would be reasonable substitutes to get a better idea of what you're in for. I personally really like mine and while I occasionally pine for my old Stingray 5, the BTB does the job for the occasional times I reach for a 5 string.

Great information and those pics are pretty. I am a little put off with the horns... but the more I research and look at them, the more they are growing on me.

 

[Tom F]

Great information and those pics are pretty. I am a little put off with the horns... but the more I research and look at them, the more they are growing on me.

I thought the same thing. The old style horns seem a little more graceful, but the balance on the new design is on point (not that the old was bad, but the new feels like an incremental improvement). I have historically preferred more traditional styles, the occasional Bongo notwithstanding, but the BTB design has definitely grown on me. They also tend to look a lot less pointy in a more horizontal playing position.

 

[Aidil]

The BTB1905 model has gone thru some changes on the body top woods with @Tom F's being the first of the iterations from 2017-2018, the BTB1905SM (Spalted Maple top) is the third iteration from 2019-2020, and the BTB1905LW (Lace Wood top) is the current model for 2021. Electronics (pickups and preamp) are kept the same.

I'm sure BTB1905SM or any of the BTB Premium series would be a great bass. I own 2 BTB's from the Bass Workshop series and they are keepers for me. I owned a Premium one, the BTB1406, just for a while. It's just not for me cause I don't need a 6er.

 

[chemical360]

The BTB1905 model has gone thru some changes on the body top woods with @Tom F's being the first of the iterations from 2017-2018, the BTB1905SM (Spalted Maple top) is the third iteration from 2019-2020, and the BTB1905LW (Lace Wood top) is the current model for 2021. Electronics (pickups and preamp) are kept the same.

I'm sure BTB1905SM or any of the BTB Premium series would be a great bass. I own 2 BTB's from the Bass Workshop series and they are keepers for me. I owned a Premium one, the BTB1406, just for a while. It's just not for me cause I don't need a 6er.

View attachment 4200077

Dang! That bass in the middle is a gorgeous instrument. Love the color. Is that an older model or did you replace the pickups? Most I have seen are all coming with soapbars.

 

[Aidil]

Dang! That bass in the middle is a gorgeous instrument. Love the color. Is that an older model or did you replace the pickups? Most I have seen are all coming with soapbars.

In middle is the BTB1406-VNF Premium from 2014. It's the one that's no longer with me, cause I don't really play 6er. The Nordstrand Big Single pickups are stocks.