Sorry man, but Ibanez won't make any 4 stringer of the BTB anymore. The reason of this is because the 5 string versions and 6 string versions were way more popular than the 4 stringers, so they stopped building them 
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NO WAY! Single cut version of the Ibanez BTB!!
- Thread starter Thomas Kievit
- Start date
If it's not a singlecut, the strap button is sure mounted at a strange angle...
While I am not usually a SC fan, this looks like a nice way to eliminate the long upper horn. I know it's there for balance, but it always looked ... odd, somehow, imo.
The ones I have played are indeed very nice, I'd definitely check one of these out if I had the chance.
The ones I have played are indeed very nice, I'd definitely check one of these out if I had the chance.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Don't hold your breath, I am pretty sure they dropped the Prestige BTB line a few years ago. I have not seen one in ages.
As cool as this bass looks, I would imagine it weighs even more than an ordinary BTB 676, and my old one was probably in the 12 pound range. Horrible gigging bass.
I always thought those BTBs would look better if the bodies were 10% smaller and that upper horn was a little shorter but chunkier.
But, though I don't like the look of SC basses, this looks great!
Now where is a mid-priced, downsized modern take of the Musician?
But, though I don't like the look of SC basses, this looks great!
Now where is a mid-priced, downsized modern take of the Musician?
At some point between the 2003 I owned and the current lineup, BTB bodies did shrink/shift a little - they've got a smaller foot print, but larger and I think more aggressive horns. It's pretty subtle, but I think a great improvement.
Personally, I find the 6 and 7 string models look the best because the proportions of the wider fretboard fill out the space between the big horns better - I generally find the opposite is true on more conventional basses. For example, I think a 4 string P is nicer on the eyes than a 5.
The lack of a 4 string in the lineup isn't too surprising...these basses are Ibanez's ultra modern, boutique style offering, not something typically associated with 4 string basses. The Foderas, Roscoes, Beneventes, etc of the world put out way more 5/6 stringers than 4s.
The lack of a Prestige offering in recent years I find confusing though. In keeping with the boutique styling, Prestige workmanship/features/pricing seems like a natural part of the line. I think the only Prestiges currently offered are the SRs, though - I think the decision is some combination of a branding strategy, keeping the SRs are the flagship, and an operational reality - they may not be able to support two lines in the Japanese facility(s) producing the Prestige SRs. They've got guitars coming out of there, too. The reality is Fodera can charge whatever they want for a bass, but Ibanez is tapping out the Lorenz curve of it's brand loyalists by $2K.
Personally, I find the 6 and 7 string models look the best because the proportions of the wider fretboard fill out the space between the big horns better - I generally find the opposite is true on more conventional basses. For example, I think a 4 string P is nicer on the eyes than a 5.
The lack of a 4 string in the lineup isn't too surprising...these basses are Ibanez's ultra modern, boutique style offering, not something typically associated with 4 string basses. The Foderas, Roscoes, Beneventes, etc of the world put out way more 5/6 stringers than 4s.
The lack of a Prestige offering in recent years I find confusing though. In keeping with the boutique styling, Prestige workmanship/features/pricing seems like a natural part of the line. I think the only Prestiges currently offered are the SRs, though - I think the decision is some combination of a branding strategy, keeping the SRs are the flagship, and an operational reality - they may not be able to support two lines in the Japanese facility(s) producing the Prestige SRs. They've got guitars coming out of there, too. The reality is Fodera can charge whatever they want for a bass, but Ibanez is tapping out the Lorenz curve of it's brand loyalists by $2K.
True story about the Prestige models. But they did the same with those SR Prestige basses several times. Think about the SR 3006 for example. The 4006e now is basicly a newer version based on that Prestige 3006.
The BTB 1405e & 1406e are based on the BTB 1305 & 1306, but now a bit more modern with the nordstrand pups and Monorail IV bridge instead of the MR 2+ bridge
The BTB 1405e & 1406e are based on the BTB 1305 & 1306, but now a bit more modern with the nordstrand pups and Monorail IV bridge instead of the MR 2+ bridge
Why the smiley face?Sorry man, but Ibanez won't make any 4 stringer of the BTB anymore. The reason of this is because the 5 string versions and 6 string versions were way more popular than the 4 stringers, so they stopped building them
I love the body shape, but am uninterested in 5-strings and 6-strings.
I always put that smiley to show people I'm willing to share my information I've got. So nothing trolling about it or something like that!!
Thanks for those pics.
Seeing it head on...I'm less in love. It looks a little too bulbous as a SC, I'm not liking the lines as much as the standard version.
It's also swamp ash, not maple, for the wings like I thought from the smaller pictures. I really like the maple in the BTB7.
I'm gonna buy that 7.
Seeing it head on...I'm less in love. It looks a little too bulbous as a SC, I'm not liking the lines as much as the standard version.
It's also swamp ash, not maple, for the wings like I thought from the smaller pictures. I really like the maple in the BTB7.
I'm gonna buy that 7.
I knew we could count on you, Jason!!
Do you have any information about it?
Do you have any information about it?
Yes way:
Been eying it from my booth since Friday...
Yes way:
Been eying it from my booth since Friday...
That front just doesn't look right with the mapleshowing beside the single cut.
Ibanez got so so close, but ended up so so far away from getting it right.
One of these days we will have a slim BTB, and that will be the day I sell my soul to Ibanez.
One of these days we will have a slim BTB, and that will be the day I sell my soul to Ibanez.
pretty cool! ibanez makes a solid bass but they irk me with how many different models they make. when i worked for a music store i dreaded getting in a shipment from ibanez- so many different models and colors.
