Ibanez BTB(405)

TheBlackAcidChildren · 06-08-2005, 02:31 PM

[URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/pict_big/BTB405QM_HS_1A_02.jpg]The BTB405[/url]

I figured I might review this, especially since the forum has no threads.

I decided I wanted to get a five-string bass early last year, and originally thought about getting a Yamaha. My dad had gone to the USA on a business trip and I thought I could get something fairly cheap there, so I asked him to find one. He couldn't find the Yamaha but found an Ibanez BTB405, tried it himself and bought that instead. Now, having played both the Yam and the Ibanez, I much prefer the Ibanez.

As basses go it's quite chunky. The body is very substantial and has a brilliant thick finish. I've had it a year, used it quite regularly and there are no chips or nicks in the paint anywhere.

The neck is also quite wide - given that mine is a five-string that's understandable, but the four-string equivalent also has a sizeable neck. It's a matter of personal preference, but I find it comfortable because I have long fingers. The neck is very solidly constructed, and the five-piece design looks quite nice.

The bridge is designed well - Ibanez's "mono-rail" design keeps all the strings seperate, so you get as little vibration from the other strings as possible.

The best part about this bass is the [URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/control/images/8.jpg]EQ[/url]. It's 18-volt active circuitry, powered off two nine-volt batteries (installed in the back). There are treble and bass controls, a mid control and a mid sweep control - you can adjust where the mid frequency is boosted or cut. If you adjust it whilst playing you can get a really nice "wah" sound out of it. The batteries last for a very long time and it gives a superb variety of sound.

The last thing to mention - and this is the one feature about the bass I would change - is the [URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/know_more/images/neutrik_jack.jpg]neutrik locking jack[/url]. This is supposed to be designed so that the lead doesn't fall out of the bass if you accidentally step on it whilst playing. A commendable idea in theory, but it is quite a task getting the lead out afterwards - depressing the button on the side and then pulling the lead out can prove quite awkward whilst the instrument is still around your neck. And one too many inexperienced friends have tried pulling out the lead without pushing the button; as a result the whole locking jack unit was nearly pulled out of the body at one point.

Aside from this minor detail, it's an excellent instrument with a great sound that I'd recommend to anyone who wanted a bass in its price range.

-Crawly

freaks_refuge · 06-24-2005, 08:09 AM

What (roughly) is the price range??

TheBlackAcidChildren · 06-24-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freaks_refuge

What (roughly) is the price range??

I got mine for (I think) $550, which is about £330 I believe... but that was in the US. [URL=http://www.gak.co.uk]Guitar, Amp & Keyboard Centre[/url] in Brighton do the same model for £388 on their site.

Chris K · 07-12-2005, 02:39 AM

I have one, it's a very very good bass. however, i have no problems operating the Neutrik, so it's not a problem for me! Yes, it's a very nice bass.

bassist_for_a_band · 07-28-2005, 10:50 PM

who needs it to lock, i just run my cord through my strap...

Zjanarhi · 07-29-2005, 01:11 AM

This bass is magnificent. That's all I gotta say.

~~skove~~ · 07-31-2005, 03:49 PM

what about the GIBSON THUNDERBIRD STUDIO ................ good..bad

bassman9985 · 08-12-2005, 04:48 PM

I owned the six-string model of the BTB series for about eight months. I believed that the 35-inch neck and monorail bridge would be great assets to my playing.

It was a dumb purchase, because my small hands are the reason that Ibanez will always be my top brand for guitars and basses: the necks are thin and the cutaway for high fret access is deep.

Unfortunately for me, personally, the BTB had a lot of problems.
1. The 35 inch scale was always tough to adjust to.
2. It's still light for a sixer, but heavier than expected.
3. The neck wasn't as thin as I'd hoped.
4. The finish is too metal (as in music, not steel-looking).
5. The monorail bridge doesn't help as much as you'd think.
6. String spacing is a bit wide.
These are all personal things, though. It sounds great but if you have small hands, keep looking.

I'm overjoyed with my new Ibanez bass, and might write a review about it soon.

leppy_the bass boy · 08-18-2005, 06:58 AM

i think the ultimate in 5 string ibanez and all basses for that fact is fieldy's K5. It has a beautiful finish and is designed for the more bigger players like Fieldy himself.Having played one myself i can honestly say ive never and will never play a 5 string as good as that...however they dont come cheap...be prepared for a lighter wallet after purchasing

TheBlackAcidChildren · 09-07-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leppy_the bass boy

i think the ultimate in 5 string ibanez and all basses for that fact is fieldy's K5. It has a beautiful finish and is designed for the more bigger players like Fieldy himself.Having played one myself i can honestly say ive never and will never play a 5 string as good as that...however they dont come cheap...be prepared for a lighter wallet after purchasing

Funny thing is Fieldy doesn't play it. He still uses his old Soundgear.

national_chaos_jolliffe · 09-07-2005, 10:19 AM

they are sweet basses

national_chaos_jolliffe · 09-07-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlackAcidChildren

Funny thing is Fieldy doesn't play it. He still uses his old Soundgear.

does he? i knew there was a soundgear version, but i never knew he played that instead of the k5? hmm owel...

leppy_the bass boy · 09-17-2005, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlackAcidChildren

Funny thing is Fieldy doesn't play it. He still uses his old Soundgear.

no im pretty sure he was using the Ibanez when i saw him live at big day out. plus they got they call it an ibanez K5 on the ibanez website

Purple Alien · 09-17-2005, 07:15 AM

I almost got one...i wanted it so much and that little lock thing would serve so usefull to me cause everytime we have a gig i forget to put it through my strap then i end up stepping on it...so ya...anyhoo i got SRX405 instead....good alternative...wow the BTB takes 2 9Volts?

d-1 · 09-23-2005, 06:52 PM

Nice review next time add a picture ;D

MasterBassist · 10-19-2005, 08:59 PM

Hey Guys, I can't post new threads yet - so if someone can either start a thread for me, or just continue on with this thread.....

I am trying to date my ampeg head. Some guy had this amp in his basement, and asked me what it was, and how much it was worth. So I looked at the amp, knew it was a bass amp, and seeing its AMAZING condition, and that it worked when I plugged it in, I told him he had an old piece of junk(hahaha) - but I could use it for some good parts. I asked what he wanted for it - he said $150, and I almost shat my self - regained myself quickly, told him I had $120 cash in my pocket and walked away with the amp.

Holy crap that was a steal. I took it to my local music store, and asked if he could replace any parts that needed it, and clean the amp up. Well, a week later I picked the amp up - he said he wouldn't touch the tubes because they are the original Magnavox tubes, and that every part was original, and in the best condition possible for a 35+yr old amp.

So back to my dilema - dating it. Ampeg.com has a link that helps, which is how I narrowed it down to 68/69. But I'd like to get an exact date on it.

Does anyone have any reliable info on dating old ampeg amps?

06-08-2005, 02:31 PM	#1
TheBlackAcidChildren It's all cool and froody Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ....Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds Posts: 4,509	Ibanez BTB(405) [URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/pict_big/BTB405QM_HS_1A_02.jpg]The BTB405[/url] I figured I might review this, especially since the forum has no threads. I decided I wanted to get a five-string bass early last year, and originally thought about getting a Yamaha. My dad had gone to the USA on a business trip and I thought I could get something fairly cheap there, so I asked him to find one. He couldn't find the Yamaha but found an Ibanez BTB405, tried it himself and bought that instead. Now, having played both the Yam and the Ibanez, I much prefer the Ibanez. As basses go it's quite chunky. The body is very substantial and has a brilliant thick finish. I've had it a year, used it quite regularly and there are no chips or nicks in the paint anywhere. The neck is also quite wide - given that mine is a five-string that's understandable, but the four-string equivalent also has a sizeable neck. It's a matter of personal preference, but I find it comfortable because I have long fingers. The neck is very solidly constructed, and the five-piece design looks quite nice. The bridge is designed well - Ibanez's "mono-rail" design keeps all the strings seperate, so you get as little vibration from the other strings as possible. The best part about this bass is the [URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/control/images/8.jpg]EQ[/url]. It's 18-volt active circuitry, powered off two nine-volt batteries (installed in the back). There are treble and bass controls, a mid control and a mid sweep control - you can adjust where the mid frequency is boosted or cut. If you adjust it whilst playing you can get a really nice "wah" sound out of it. The batteries last for a very long time and it gives a superb variety of sound. The last thing to mention - and this is the one feature about the bass I would change - is the [URL=http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eb/know_more/images/neutrik_jack.jpg]neutrik locking jack[/url]. This is supposed to be designed so that the lead doesn't fall out of the bass if you accidentally step on it whilst playing. A commendable idea in theory, but it is quite a task getting the lead out afterwards - depressing the button on the side and then pulling the lead out can prove quite awkward whilst the instrument is still around your neck. And one too many inexperienced friends have tried pulling out the lead without pushing the button; as a result the whole locking jack unit was nearly pulled out of the body at one point. Aside from this minor detail, it's an excellent instrument with a great sound that I'd recommend to anyone who wanted a bass in its price range. -Crawly

10-19-2005, 08:59 PM	#16
MasterBassist Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3	Ampeg B25B Hey Guys, I can't post new threads yet - so if someone can either start a thread for me, or just continue on with this thread..... I am trying to date my ampeg head. Some guy had this amp in his basement, and asked me what it was, and how much it was worth. So I looked at the amp, knew it was a bass amp, and seeing its AMAZING condition, and that it worked when I plugged it in, I told him he had an old piece of junk(hahaha) - but I could use it for some good parts. I asked what he wanted for it - he said $150, and I almost shat my self - regained myself quickly, told him I had $120 cash in my pocket and walked away with the amp. Holy crap that was a steal. I took it to my local music store, and asked if he could replace any parts that needed it, and clean the amp up. Well, a week later I picked the amp up - he said he wouldn't touch the tubes because they are the original Magnavox tubes, and that every part was original, and in the best condition possible for a 35+yr old amp. So back to my dilema - dating it. Ampeg.com has a link that helps, which is how I narrowed it down to 68/69. But I'd like to get an exact date on it. Does anyone have any reliable info on dating old ampeg amps?

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06-24-2005, 08:09 AM	#2
freaks_refuge Wait for something WILD! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 641	What (roughly) is the price range??

07-12-2005, 02:39 AM	#4
Chris K We Supply Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Adventuring in RadioLand Posts: 9,516	I have one, it's a very very good bass. however, i have no problems operating the Neutrik, so it's not a problem for me! Yes, it's a very nice bass.

07-28-2005, 10:50 PM	#5
bassist_for_a_band Now also a banjo player! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, Ohio Posts: 1,088	who needs it to lock, i just run my cord through my strap...

07-29-2005, 01:11 AM	#6
Zjanarhi Life is Worth Losing Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 769	This bass is magnificent. That's all I gotta say.

07-31-2005, 03:49 PM	#7
~~skove~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: asbury park Posts: 24	what about the GIBSON THUNDERBIRD STUDIO ................ good..bad

08-12-2005, 04:48 PM	#8
bassman9985 6 Strings 4 Life Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 592	I owned the six-string model of the BTB series for about eight months. I believed that the 35-inch neck and monorail bridge would be great assets to my playing. It was a dumb purchase, because my small hands are the reason that Ibanez will always be my top brand for guitars and basses: the necks are thin and the cutaway for high fret access is deep. Unfortunately for me, personally, the BTB had a lot of problems. 1. The 35 inch scale was always tough to adjust to. 2. It's still light for a sixer, but heavier than expected. 3. The neck wasn't as thin as I'd hoped. 4. The finish is too metal (as in music, not steel-looking). 5. The monorail bridge doesn't help as much as you'd think. 6. String spacing is a bit wide. These are all personal things, though. It sounds great but if you have small hands, keep looking. I'm overjoyed with my new Ibanez bass, and might write a review about it soon.

08-18-2005, 06:58 AM	#9
leppy_the bass boy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 10	i think the ultimate in 5 string ibanez and all basses for that fact is fieldy's K5. It has a beautiful finish and is designed for the more bigger players like Fieldy himself.Having played one myself i can honestly say ive never and will never play a 5 string as good as that...however they dont come cheap...be prepared for a lighter wallet after purchasing

09-07-2005, 10:19 AM	#11
national_chaos_jolliffe whooo- pancakes Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: sorry i don't want to say that because of all the pervs out on the world wide web!!! Posts: 241	they are sweet basses

09-17-2005, 07:15 AM	#14
Purple Alien I [heart] Ashdown Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 751	I almost got one...i wanted it so much and that little lock thing would serve so usefull to me cause everytime we have a gig i forget to put it through my strap then i end up stepping on it...so ya...anyhoo i got SRX405 instead....good alternative...wow the BTB takes 2 9Volts?

09-23-2005, 06:52 PM	#15
d-1 4-String Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 173	Nice review next time add a picture ;D