What bass is this, and is it good?

[WINIT]

BTBs are great basses, so if it feels good in your hands and is a good price, grab it, you could do a lot worse. I have an Ibanez bias as I currently own 8 of them (1 BTB, 6 SR, 1 RB) and have had maybe 40 others and probably 200 basses altogether over the decades.

Also agree with PTL re the combo suggestions, but I'd look secondhand locally and make sure it has an aux in so you can play along to other music and YT and other tutorials and a headphone out for obvious reasons. You'll also need a cable, strap and a tuner, either an inexpensive clip on like a Snark (get the rechargeable) or a Korg GA40 or other similar model. If a Fender Rumble of >100W falls into your hands at a good price grab it as they can be used for small gigs and jams, both of which will help your playing improve.

If you don't think you'll be playing with others for a while, I can heartily recommend the Link Removed as a self practice tool. I have one and it's awesome.

Welcome to TB. There are a metric bleep-ton of resources here for you to learn, how to do set ups etc, but just avoid the GAS as much as possible. As some of us older dogs here know, a more expensive, or just another instrument won't improve your chops over the BTB, especially with good strings (a whole foruum on that) and setup (another forum as well).

Thank you for the reccomendations! After thinking about it, the amp seems like it would be better for me. I didn't realize a proper amp should have an audio jack for headphones... oops lol
I found a pretty decent one from the looks of it it's a Fender Rumble 25 in great condition for $50.
I'll probably stop by Guitar center for a strap and an amp cord.
Luckily since already have a snark tuner from my other instruments.
Thanks for all the advice and recs highly appreciated!

 

[WINIT]

Clean it up, oil the board, slap on some strings and you should be good to go! Make sure to ask about the truss rod functionality and check the neck for any twisting. It looks like it has been played a lot - and that's a very good thing IMHO!

You were right this was in a family of musicians its been played a lot, but the guy had other instruments and decided it was time to pass it on. I'll be sure to clean it up, thanks for the tips!

 

[WINIT]

Looks like a nice bass.

As a first instrument I usually recommend a passive bass as there are less controls to mess up the tone but with your musical experience I'm sure you will be fine with an active like this one.

Of course finding the right bass will also depend on what kind of music you're gonna play. That Ibanez, like every other bass, will have a tone that may work better for some musical genres than others (although Ibanez basses are generally quite versatile).

I had been looking for basses for a while theres a lot out there so I was hesitant to pull the trigger on one, but I'm really happy with the one I found. I was actually looking for an active bass because of its tone controls so pretty happy with this one.
I figure i'll probably be interested in some jazz stuff and rock/alt-rock so I'm happy to hear about the versatility.

 

[WINIT]

What classical instruments? Addressing the 4 vs 5 question, what you are missing is low B, C, C#, D, and Eb and a thumb rest, and as long as what you want to play is above (or including) low E, you'll have no worries. Personally I can't live without that Low D... Most "bass lines" are actually Tenor/alto register, that's where human ears function best. A 4 string has the same notes as a double bass viol, but that acoustic instrument actually sounds lots of the fundamental of the note, so it has Heft in the low register. It takes quite a bit of amplification to sound the fundamental of a bass guitar. On a 4st your lowest B is 2nd fret on the A string, but since your amp sounds that octave up note note pretty well, it sounds Louder than a low B, and is more present or punchy. BTB's 4 strings neck is Nice.

I play Viola and Cello, string instruments are my jam and i've been dreaming of playing bass for a long time now
The 4 strings are pretty normal for me but if the bass becomes really serious for me i'd love to explore a 5str possibly 6str.
Thanks for the explanation!

 

[WINIT]

A bass is only as good as it is to you. Some bassists can make something excellent sound mediocre, and some others can make something terrible sound quite alright.

Totally agree, just don't want to buy something irredeemable classical instruments tend to be like that often, it's either amazing or garbage. But the musician really does make the difference. Thanks!

 

[WINIT]

You can hardly go wrong with an Ibanez bass. My 1st bass was an Ibby and I've owned a few since. As a rule the Ibby necks are usually rather narrow, like a Jazz bass, rather than wider, like a Precision bass. I grew used to narrow necks and preferred them. But then bought a super Japanese P-bass with the fatter neck and fretboard. And found, after a pretty short time, that the wide P-neck is no big deal. Good luck and welcome. Pic, my 2nd Ibanez.View attachment 4807273

I have heard so much about Ibanez, usually good, I'm glad I can try it out now. I'm not sure if i'll like narrow necks or wider, I guess we'll see. I guess I'd be used to wider necks due to the cello but I would imagine it being more narrow would enhance my agility (I hope).
I love the color of your bass btw!

 

[WINIT]

Weight good?
No fret buzz?
No dirty knobs?
Does it make the sounds you like?
Yes to all= Good.

Check, check, check! I'm pretty happy with it, thanks!

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I had been looking for basses for a while theres a lot out there so I was hesitant to pull the trigger on one, but I'm really happy with the one I found. I was actually looking for an active bass because of its tone controls so pretty happy with this one.
I figure i'll probably be interested in some jazz stuff and rock/alt-rock so I'm happy to hear about the versatility.

I'm sure you will be happy with the Ibanez then. They make great basses in every price range and their more expensive stuff is usually VERY good.

Just to avoid any misunderstandings: I was not suggesting that passive basses are only for beginners. I massively prefer passive basses myself. I like the "fattening" of the tone that occurs when rolling off the tone with a passive tone control and I can't get that tone with any active basses I've tried (and I've tried LOTS). This is purely a matter of taste (and I own several active basses too). I was merely suggesting that an active bass has so many tonal options that I often see beginners ruin their tone with it.

 

[WINIT]

I'm sure you will be happy with the Ibanez then. They make great basses in every price range and their more expensive stuff is usually VERY good.

Just to avoid any misunderstandings: I was not suggesting that passive basses are only for beginners. I massively prefer passive basses myself. I like the "fattening" of the tone that occurs when rolling off the tone with a passive tone control and I can't get that tone with any active basses I've tried (and I've tried LOTS). This is purely a matter of taste (and I own several active basses too). I was merely suggesting that an active bass has so many tonal options that I often see beginners ruin their tone with it.

I understand. I'm sure it'll be a learning curve I just thought since I like to jump around genres it would be useful, but I totally understand passive basses have their own beautiful professional tones to them as well.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

A functional Rumble 25 for $50 is perfect.

Sounds like you're on your way to bass heaven man!

 

[GM60466]

I dont care for the bridge

 

[burgerdj]

You were right this was in a family of musicians its been played a lot, but the guy had other instruments and decided it was time to pass it on. I'll be sure to clean it up, thanks for the tips!

Looks like a workhorse - Enjoy it!

 

[LowActionHero]

I don't know anything about that specific model, but my general opinion is you can't go wrong with ANY Ibanez, and that one is extra purty,!!

 

[Clark Westfield]

Bass good, you buy!

Then you play good bass.

 

[Kaplan]

Wow yeah this is exactly it!
Thank you, I can at least see the description for it now

Did you notice that the BTB has a longer scale length of 35"? Maybe that's a bit big to start with. 34" is common.

 

[mrcbass]

I've owned an Ibby and liked it - i was actually my first gigger. I've played several Schecters and would play them as well. Everything being equal, I'd guess both are fairly equal in quality, so +1 for giving them both a couple run throughs and figure out which feels best TO YOU.

Welcome to TB!