pros & cons? I know the SR is a 34, and the BTB 35. Also they have different preamps, the SR has the vari mid, and the BTB a Bartolini preamp. I have played a few SR's and I really like them I played a BTB and I liked it too, 
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Ibanez SR1006EFM or Ibanez BTB1206E
- Thread starter bassic_element
- Start date
I wish I could play them both before buying, but no store has them in stock in the area 
I just wanted to know general comments.
I just wanted to know general comments.
BTB has a wider string spacing which I personally hate. I'd go with the SR. I havent A/B'd the sound on them but i cant imagine an Ibanez nicer than the SR.
thats my opinon anyway. If you get the SR and dont want it anymore, let me know
thats my opinon anyway. If you get the SR and dont want it anymore, let me know
IMO, the BTB looks better but the SR sounds better. I A/B them a month ago and the SR had a much clearer sound. I'm a fan of Bartolini preamps but not with those stuuupid MK1 pups! The SR I played had real Bart pups compared to the BTB's MK1...that made all the difference right there!
Both are of great quality so go for comfort. If you prefer wide string spacing/larger body go for the BTB. If not, grab that SR!
Both are of great quality so go for comfort. If you prefer wide string spacing/larger body go for the BTB. If not, grab that SR!
I had a SR506 and a BTB556, which are the same category , so they are comparable. The SR was better sounding and more comfortable. Narrower string spacing and 34" instead of the 35" of the BTB.
I think the ones I mentioned are one level below the SR1006 and BTB1206, and I dont know the comparison still holds for them, but this is my 2 cents.
I think the ones I mentioned are one level below the SR1006 and BTB1206, and I dont know the comparison still holds for them, but this is my 2 cents.
They are both good. The question is do you want small or large?
Go with the one that is most comfortable in this case, or Get Both!
Go with the one that is most comfortable in this case, or Get Both!
IMHO, the sr has a neck that, while conidered thin and fast, has a more classic profile. That is, generally rounded and not too far from a jazz bass. I have never gotten into the feel of the btb necks. They feel so flat under my thumb.
Feel is first for me. If it feels good, my fingers will find a natural way to get the sound I need, as long as it's in the ball park to start with. But that doesn't matter since the sr's sound great to me right off the bat!
Joe
Feel is first for me. If it feels good, my fingers will find a natural way to get the sound I need, as long as it's in the ball park to start with. But that doesn't matter since the sr's sound great to me right off the bat!
Joe
The MK-1's are in the lower end BTB's, which I happen to think sound awesome. I own both BTB's and SR's and in my opinion the BTB is a far better instrument.
The bass the OP is talking about is a 1206 which is the prestige line. These basses are incredible. I have had the opportunity to play the 1205 and had it been a sixer, I would have bought it on the spot (and totally p****d off my wife).
For the record the 1206 has a Bartolini ITMB 18 volt preamp with a mid frequency switch, adjustable to 250Hz, 500Hz, or 1kHz. The pups are Bartolini Customs.
The bass the OP is talking about is a 1206 which is the prestige line. These basses are incredible. I have had the opportunity to play the 1205 and had it been a sixer, I would have bought it on the spot (and totally p****d off my wife).
For the record the 1206 has a Bartolini ITMB 18 volt preamp with a mid frequency switch, adjustable to 250Hz, 500Hz, or 1kHz. The pups are Bartolini Customs.
I still own both of them and I can't understand how you can say the SR is a better sounding bass. The BTB has way more range than the SR... in my opinion of course.
I have owned a handful of BTB's 5 and 6 string. I sold them all and have settledw/ an SR506.Stock.But here's the thing . I would love to upgrade the tone circuit.Problem is going 18 volt,ther is little to no room to put the extra battery w/out routing.Also would like to upgrade pups,only option I am aware of is USA Bart replacement.Not sure I would hear 200 bills worth of difference,and there are no EMG options in the size of the MK1's.Nor any other pups I have seen w/out routing.So getting off base a bit ...the SR506,or what ever no. of strings you desire would be my vote.Plus they are a lot lighter and easier on the shoulder and back.Good luck and happy hunting!!!!
Tommy
Tommy
I have an SR1000EWN and it's a great bass. Although I'm mainly a 4 string player and the string spacing is pretty standard on it. I know the SR 5/6 strings are definitely narrower than the BTB's so if you're not comfortable with tighter string spacing then you may want to consider the BTB. I believe the BTB prestige should have the same pickups as the SR prestige, although the BTB uses bartolini's electronics and the SR uses ibanez vari-mid electronics. Likely not a huge difference. The varimid is good and I can't imagine a bartolini being any worse.
the pickups are NOT mk1 on the sr prestige, they are custom (i think its RT or RU shape, can't remember.) It's not the easiest shape to find a replacement for though, but they are very close in size to other bartolinis, so not a huge deal.
the pickups are NOT mk1 on the sr prestige, they are custom (i think its RT or RU shape, can't remember.) It's not the easiest shape to find a replacement for though, but they are very close in size to other bartolinis, so not a huge deal.
I've got a BTB405 5'er w/18 volt preamp and passive pups, it sounds real close to my 08' MIA Fender Jazz V. It was my workhorse bass from 01' thru 07', I really liked it alot. The string spacing is the same as the Jazz, which is wider than a SR. I've also owned a SR for a short period of time and I really liked it too, real fast neck. They're two totally different basses, so which ever one you pick I'm sure you'll be satisfied.
W
wildcard
Guest
I had the SR a while back, I loved it ,but traded it in on, I think my Gibson Les Paul Standard, it's been a while now , but I remember wishing, I had traded another bass, instead of that bass.{ I got rid of that Ibanez pre-amp, & replaced it with a Bart NTBT 18 volts.} Note : I really like Bartolini stuff & use their pick-ups & pre-amps, in a lot in my upgrades to basses, that I buy to customize , & turn around & sell. Anyway the bass sounded good before the pre-amp upgrade, but after the upgrade it was one of the nicest sounding basses I've ever owned. The BTB is also very nice, but it's also heavier, & has a wider string spacing. I myself preferred the SR, but thats just my preference.
