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Ibanez...How's the quality?

#21
I have an Ibanez BTB1305. I am a total newbie, so I can't tell you anything about other basses as the Ibby is the first one I've owned. I bought it because of the way it felt and how it sounded. I plugged several different basses into the same amp at GC. I plucked around on them, played some scales and such (since I'm a total newbie, I don't know any noodling licks). I knew I wanted a 5'er. I narrowed it down to a new Squire Jazz 5 and a used Ibanez BTB. The Ibanez felt MUCH better. I don't know how to quantify it. It felt more solid. It had a better sound (in my opinion). The neck felt better. The string spacing felt better. It has nice things such as a cord lock so you don't yank your cord out if you step on it. It has dual Bart pickups and a Bart pre-amp with a three band EQ with selectable mid range frequency. It came with a case (would have cost me an extra $100 to buy one for the Fender).

Total cost difference by the time you added in the case was about $50. The Ibby was $699 (listed for $1600 new) and the Fender was $549 new.

The action felt better on the BTB (it's almost a little too low, might end up raising it a bit). The bridge on the Ibby is awesome. Little individual bridges for each string.

The only thing I can find wrong with the BTB is that there is some hum in the neck pickup. The bridge pickup is quiet as a church mouse, so I can't figure out why I only get hum out of one pickup. I changed both batteries (it's an 18v pre-amp) and that didn't help. I am going to see if the tech at GC can tell me what's up with it. Maybe it's got a loose ground or something.
 
#22
The only issue I have with Ibby is the bubinga/jatoba necks on the SR's. I can't for the life of me like them. I played one with a maple neck without me realizing it, and loved it! I've also played an SRX590 (I think), and it's one of the nicest tones I've heard so far.
 
#23
I have 2 ATK's...a 750 and a 700. I haven't had to adjust the necks in a year, nor have I had any electrical problems.

I also have an SRX590. No problems with it either, just a couple of battle scars on the headstock.:ninja:
 
#24
I agree that most modern ibanez are kind of a crap shoot. I probably played 20 of the same model before I found the one I liked. This has bad pots, that a bad neck joint, this body just feels like junk, the bridge on that is barely even attached, oh wait this feels nice and the pickups sound good too. Same price as the other crap next to it? I'll take it.

When a friend of mine decided to start playing bass he had no clue what he was getting into so he brought me along on several trips to find something that he might be happy with. Ended up with squire that he never plays, but it is a good idea to bring an experienced bass player with ya as you are likely yo get a good value instrument that won't hold you back as much as you progress into the realm of the deep.
 
#25
melodicly said:
I agree that most modern ibanez are kind of a crap shoot. I probably played 20 of the same model before I found the one I liked. This has bad pots, that a bad neck joint, this body just feels like junk, the bridge on that is barely even attached, oh wait this feels nice and the pickups sound good too. Same price as the other crap next to it? I'll take it.

When a friend of mine decided to start playing bass he had no clue what he was getting into so he brought me along on several trips to find something that he might be happy with. Ended up with squire that he never plays, but it is a good idea to bring an experienced bass player with ya as you are likely yo get a good value instrument that won't hold you back as much as you progress into the realm of the deep.
Click to expand...

Agree fully.
 
#27
the more you pay the better the quality,Ibanez guitars seem to be good on the cheaper end also much more of a chance though I owned a bunch of Ibanez and a few cheapies,I love the Artcores guitars and bass real bargains for the buck
 
#29
THANKS for the info. I don't know what model it is,but if it sounds as good as it looks,it should be a KILLER BASS for what he paid.I think he's using it Friday night...I might pop in and take a listen.
Thanks again,
Kent:bassist:
 
#30
The worst thing I've found about Ibanez basses is that so many of them have major dead spots on the neck. I suppose it's due to the thin neck and tiny headstock. They're even more pronounced than most Fenders I've played, which is saying a lot. I've also noticed that they don't seem to be very consistent string to string and up and down the neck.
 
#34
I played a BTB 675 a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised at how much I actually liked it. The bass I played had no noticable flaws, sounded really good and played very well. I think the price was mid $800s. I'm actually looking into getting one if I can find a little cheaper price. I guess ya just need to check out one ya want and see if it's the quality is up to snuff.
 

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