Cornwall Steve

Yes he still doesn't put truss rods in. This, and a few other odd omissions are among the reasons I backed out. Was all just a wee bit too eccentric for me

Frankly this is the case with so many of the BTB basses. Nearly 140 different BTB models across the BTB range yet they're really not that common (with the exception of the older 40 series and the much newer 74 series). If your after a particular model importing it from somewhere like Japan or the USA has to be a serious option. And with that comes the long delay, higher risk of damage, not to mention import duty 😕😳 Never felt happy going down that route personally !

Nice looking bass. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts with me and for posting the photos. Much appreciated 🤗

Thanks for your reply Love your comments 👍 I did in fact touch base with Steve Wishnevsky a year or so ago when I enquired about him putting together a five string fretless for me. In the end I concluded that his basses were just a bit to quirky and bohemian for me, though I do still have one of the Chyla's on my wish list ☺️

Thank you very much for your reply. You've raised some interesting points all of which I'll take on board (especially the advice on buying a strap. I like too your observation about 'feeling' the vibe through the uncut upper horn - that appeals to me too!). Oddly enough it is the BTB865SC (and the BTB845SC) I have in mind !😍

Thank you. Very entertaining analogy and a great read !😂

Firstly I apologise if this topic has been repeatedly covered over the years. i'm contemplating buying an Ibanez BTB single cut and I just happened to find myself reading several BC posts stretching back to 15 years ago when various members - including Kiwi - gave their candid opinions for and against the single cut design (I wouldn't mind betting the whole Headless bass thing was debated similaly decades ago 😂). I wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who owns or has played one, what they think of it, and especially whether they feel the dynamics of the bass actually add anything of value when it comes down to tone and playability. Your input would help me tremendously With regard aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so not wanting to get into a debate as to whether members feel they look ugly or attractive. Thanks in anticipation 🙏👍 P.S. For the sake of clarity I just want to state that I meant Single Cut basses in general - not just Ibanez BTB Single Cut - sorry if I didn't make that clear ☺️

Hi Terry Thank you once again for your much appreciated views and thoughts. Oddly enough I'd just been watching an on line video of the 945 and I'm very impressed with its Nordstrands. IMO these top the other BTB models equipped with the T1's, which in themselves I think are impressive and personally I'd be quite happy with ☺️. All very well me sharing my likes and personal choice of which model my heart desires but actually finding most of these BTB models is a different ball game. They so seem to come and go from the Ibanez range so quickly (some versions only available for a year) that tracking down the model I want is a bit of a challenge to say the least. However Andertons and Thoman do at least appear to offer a half decent hope of getting hold of a 945. Thinking of which, I don't suppose any members out there have a BTB fitted with T1's/Nordstrands/Aguilers that they're bored with ?😂

Hi Terry Many thanks for sharing that. I'm actually giving a bit of serious thought to the 805 whereas originally it was all about the 705. I've heard nothing but good things about the T1's which is a refreshing relief (for me anyway) over Ibanez's obsession with dropping Barts into so many of their basses. There are actually quite a few versions of the discontinued BTB's I like the look of especially the 845 however most are based on look alone together with specification 'on paper'. It's odd really that Ibby have brought out so many versions of the BTB yet they're not that common a sight when looking to buy a 5 (aside from the 745 which seems to pop up everywhere !🙄) secondhand

Terry, I should have asked you yesterday when you (very kindly) flagged up the BTB805 in florid natural, have you ever played a BTB ideally one of the later models. If so, what did you think?

I'm a sucker for any type of mottled/burl/burst type of finish (or however these finishes are best described !) but I'm weak, and shallow too. I confess I too have bought pretty, sparkly, even dare I say garish looking basses of which some were half decent most were not. But I've learnt my lesson and slightly less impressionable these days. Or at least I'd like to think so 😂

Yes, I have to agree Terry. I'm certain the dull flat brown finishes hasn't done their sales many favours. Having said that they've also cobbled together a handful of exciting finishes - the 805 being just one of them IMO Thank you for the link. Sadly I have no £1300 spare at present. Having just splashed out yesterday for a week in Egypt and this morning the Wife's SUV packed up only to be towed off to the local garage (when I say local I mean a 40 mile round trip which in Cornwall is considered as 'local') which sounds expensive 😥. Hence the £500 budget for now 😳Oh, and thank you for giving me the heads up on the Ibby together with the link 👍

Yes, I do. I like it very much. Not sure which MS model it is though. An 805 in natural florid gloss perhaps ?

Just want to have a whinge to get something off my chest. As previously posted on this thread, I have the Ibby BTB 5 string on my radar. however something about the finish of the (very) many models of this bass are in - IMO- the dull, drab, boring, natural flat brown finish. I'm talking here about the later models not the earlier ones. I mean why would you produce so many variations of the same bass and finish them all off in just the one colour which amounts to a dull insipid brown. Especially one that looks like a veneer belonging to a throw back from the 1970's, reminiscent of the old Sapele internal doors (remember them ! 😂). Little wonder the BTB sales were no where near what Ibanez predicted. Thank goodness they introduced some colour to a handful of their models There. I feel much better now ☺️ Thank you

I was very nearly tempted by a Stiletto Session fretless 5 being advertised months ago (of all places up for sale with Cash Converters) What made me decide against it was the narrow string spacing, plus a Diamond fretless I'd bought a couple of years ago. That one was heavy and I just couldn't get on with it. Nice Cherry red colour though. I like Schecter. They're fine basses. Well made with a good reputation. They always seem to me to be a bit of an 'also ran' a bit of an outsider.

Has it gone ? I thought I saw it still for sale last night 🤔

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who replied to my Post, for giving input by sharing experiences, knowledge and advice. Very much appreciated 😍 And from all of this I think I know now what to look out for and most importantly what my 500 quid will by buying next. (and even what I'll be looking out for after that !) Cheers Steve

Yes, my conclusion was pretty much the same Terry. When I visited the Store I'd hoped to have tried several different models including the (what was then) new model Broad Bass plus the TRBX. Typically they had next to nothing available. The TRBX604 EQ wasn't bad but, like you, it felt quite toy-like and didn't over inspire me. On the train back to Cornwall I kept telling myself I'd get to love it when I plug it in. But I didn't 🙁 The TRB5 looks a different animal ? I think I'll short list it. Thanks again, Terry 🤗

The closest I've got to any TRB is a TRBX604 which I made a special trip to Yamaha's HQ in Soho to buy/collect. Sadly I couldn't get on with it and sold it on about 9 months later, which is a pity because I'm a big fan of Yamaha gear (not just basses, though I have several of these), have loads, and don't like parting with them. To be honest I wouldn't mind trying one of the older 90/2000's models if I can find one (no chance in Devon or Cornwall) 😂

As a retired pilot I'd never recommended playing on any aircraft runways 😳, but Yep there's something for everyone. Just a shame we have to kiss (or ought I say 'play') a few frogs along the way 😂

Yep, she's a bit of a legend isn't she. Mind you she's had her pick of smaller scale basses with quite a few manufacturers falling over themselves trying to get in on the scene. And despite the obvious parental and sponsorship grooming, the young lass certainly has the talent and charisma to charm. Wonder what she'll be up to 10 years from now. Still playing I hope....

I'll do me best. Failing that, for the right bass, I'll stick in some EMG or Aguilars or whatever else takes me fancy come the time.

Great read ☺️ 👍 Apart from my old age issues affecting my ability to play, I feel I've smallish hands too - far from ideal for a bass player. And weight doesn't bother me either - I can only play sitting down - I've more problems, if its got a short lower horn - with the bl**dy thing siding off my leg! Being old is no fun 😠

Crazy though isn't it. In the overall scheme of things people would ask you 'what difference does it make whether it's 18-19mm verses 16-17mm' ? Difficult one to answer that especially to someone who doesn't play bass 😂. That is until I hold up my 70 year old gnarly arthritic hands with a finger missing on my fretted hand. And why anything less than 18mm is a bit of a ball ache for me 😖

Thanks for pointing that out Pete. From what L-2500 Tribute owners past and present have posted on line, string spacing for the 5's appears to be 17-17.5mm (except for post 2021 750 series which were widened to 19mm) I might have to have a re-think and just go with a BTB (with 19 spacing - some versions are narrower) or the Lakland 55