Played a BTB today - what a mistake...

Yep. A great bargain, and the best low priced series that Ibanez makes.

 

I've sassed those hoopy froods. Those basses really know where their towels are.

 

Terribly sorry. I hit the worng keys.

I MEANT to say those are well contructed basses with decent electronics, and a rather playable, but wide, neck. They also are rather aesthetically appealing.

There. Good we cleared that up.

 

Be quiet, Zaphod. Go bang your heads together or something.

 

Hmp. If you're going be that way, I'll read some Volgon Poetry for you all....

 

NO! PLEASE! ANYTHING BUT THAT!!!

 

guitar trader in san diego?
hmm...i got my stingray there i love that place

 

Somebody's been reading his Douglas Adams again, hasn't he? You start reading that poetry, and I'm tossing you in an Infinite Improbality Drive-equipped spaceship, and hitting the "Go!" button, you got that Beeblebrox???

On topic: The BTB Ibanez stuff is all pretty darn good, for the money or not. There's better out there, but not much, and not much in it's price range. I'd still say the best deal on a 5 is the MTD Kingston 5 for about $450. If there's a weak spot in the BTB it's the electronics, which I found a bit noisy and didn't care much for the frequency centers they chose. But, hard to get really good active electronics in a bass in that price range. That's actually one of the reasons I prefer the K5, it's passive, but has the room available to put a good active package in (say a Bartolini NTBT or NTMB) to upgrade it.

 

thy micturations are to me like lapturations on a lurgid bee. Froont! I implore theee....

Ok, enough of that. I also was impressed with the BTB series. I also like that new model with the wild body shape, one regular pickup, and piezos in the bridge. Very comfy to play!

 

I too have been intrigued by the BTB's. I dig the monorail bridge system, nice looking, seemingly good features for the money.

Of course, finding a leftie model is another story. Although I have seen a Kingston 5, I believe at Bass NW. Hmm, let me cruise over there...

Kubla Khan

 

I recently played one of those BTB basses at a local music store and did not like it at all.

I'm not sure what model it was but the price was around 600.00. It was a 4 string and it sounded like crap.

I'm sure the higher end models sound better but the dull, muddy sound did not match the appearance.

I did however purchace a used American Jazz bass for a great price.

 

I haven't played a Kingston yet, but, those BTBs are very hard to beat for a modestly priced bass.

Mike J.

 

Agreed, the BTB series are pretty fly. Dig the 35" scale. I was worried it would make things too stiff, but I actually liked the additional tension. The fretboard feels really... spacious. Not at all cramped or cluttered. My next bass is going to be either a BTB (5 or 4, not sure yet), or a Dean Rhapsody 8. I played all three at a local music shop, and man... I've been daydreaming ever since.

 

Oh no!

I'm perhaps mad, but I think I'm going to swap my Yamaha BBG5S for BTB405. People who know, you think it's worth it?

 

Hey Tsal, I have a Yamaha BB5NII. I don't know how different it is than a BBG5S, but assuming they're similar, I'd give you my blessing for the BTB.
In June, I went to my local Sam Ash(why would I go to one that's far away? ) to actually come home with a BTB which I had checked out many times since March. Something told me to check out a few more basses before I asked the salesman to get me a BTB from downstairs, and this I did. When I picked up the Yamaha it just felt and sounded right. Not that the BTB didn't, but, there was something about the Yamaha that I had to have, but, it was still a hard decision to make. I don't regret buying the Yamaha for a moment, but, I do regret not buying the BTB. Without rambling on here, I would honestly say that most people would prefer the BTB because of the active electronics, and the absolute killer B string. It's good on the Yamaha, but, noticeably better on the BTB.

'Nuff said?

Mike J.

 

I agree with Gard. I found the BTB to be put together extremely well, it felt great, played like a dream, but did not sound right. I was thinking maybe if I could bypass the mid control. The most fun I had demoing one was hammering on and sweeping the mid center for a wah-type sound.

Very nice bass, just not right (for me!)!

 

the BTB is like a woman..

You need to try all different settings / positions before you really start to appreciate her power