Yamaha TRB 1005J VS IBANEZ BTB 745 NTL

[5 tringer]

Hi all,
I am looking to purchase a new bass. My choices are either the Yamaha 1005j or the btb 745. I need advice on which one is much better quality build, playability and tone. Especially for cutting through the mix in live performances and studio.
Your advice will be much appreciated.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I have never owned a Yamaha TRB1005j, but on paper it seems like a very similar instrument to my BTB745. It's a bolt-on neck, but I personally wouldn't hold that against it. The Yamaha has an active/passive switch, but the BTB has a 3-position mid switch. The Ibanez also has a zero fret. Maybe this lets you get lower action in the first position? Not really sure what that's supposed to do for you.

Looks like a horse apiece to me. If I wanted a 35" scale active fiver and I had to choose between them? I might just get the one I got the best deal on used. (Picked up my 2017 BTB745 for $600.)

 

[JakesAy]

If you want a HiFi sound, go for the Yamaha. Buh if you want a dark traditional humbucker sound with alot of low mids, the BTB 745 will do. .. I've got the BTB 745 and it's on the dark end of the spectrum not too good for slap IMO. Had to convert the bartolini BH2 pickups to single coils to get a decent slap tone..

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

If you want a HiFi sound, go for the Yamaha. Buh if you want a dark traditional humbucker sound with alot of low mids, the BTB 745 will do. .. I've got the BTB 745 and it's on the dark end of the spectrum not too good for slap IMO. Had to convert the bartolini BH2 pickups to single coils to get a decent slap tone..

slap sounds pretty amazing to me.

 

[evertalbers]

Over the years, Ibanez has produced BTB's with entirely different woods, neck construction and electronics. I am currently considering a second-hand BTB in another EU country, and I find it's hard to get a good impression of what it sounds like with just online research.

 

[JakesAy]

I installed an active passive switch and a on off on coil split switch to mine that coil splits both pickups ...sounds amazing in single coil mode but a little weak since the resistance is about 10k in humbucker mode.. I connected the input on the preamp to the +6db input to boost the output in single coil modes..and with the help of the 3 band eq, I can nail any tone...