Ibanez BTB uncomfortable to play?

[Cornwall Steve]

I've had my eyes on getting myself a 5 string BTB (but not one of the older, standard models) however I've seen and heard several comments from various reviews (notably Low End Lobster) about the edge of the body 'digging in' to the forearm rendering the bass uncomfortable to play.

Does anyone who plays/has played one of these suffered this experience ?

I'd appreciate your thoughts please

Thanks

[Terry M.]

I don't think that it applies to the entire BTB range. Which particularly model are you considering? I played one of the current multi scale models and there was no sharp edge that I remember. If it was there I certainly didn't notice it.

Edited yesterday at 09:26 by Terry M.

[Ed_S]

I had a couple of BTBs back in the day - a black 405QM was my main bass for a long time and I also had a blue 406QM. I never considered them to be uncomfortable in that way, and I've had various guitars over the years which I certainly did (an absolutely lovely-sounding PRS CE was the very worst offender and had to go back) so it's not that I just don't notice it as 'a thing'. It's possible that they've changed the shape of the BTB since I owned mine, but the photos of newer ones look very familiar.

[Cornwall Steve]

4 hours ago, Terry M. said:

I don't think that it applies to the entire BTB range. Which particularly model are you considering? I played one of the current multi scale models and there was no sharp edge that I remember. If it was there I certainly didn't notice it.

So far as I know there are 137 different BTB models that have been produced the very vast majority have come and gone over the years however despite this there aren't that many up for sale in the secondhand market (unless you opt to import one) and only a handful available brand new.

I'm after a secondhand 5 string Post 2010 era ideally with 19mm string spacing

[Cornwall Steve]

2 hours ago, Ed_S said:

I had a couple of BTBs back in the day - a black 405QM was my main bass for a long time and I also had a blue 406QM. I never considered them to be uncomfortable in that way, and I've had various guitars over the years which I certainly did (an absolutely lovely-sounding PRS CE was the very worst offender and had to go back) so it's not that I just don't notice it as 'a thing'. It's possible that they've changed the shape of the BTB since I owned mine, but the photos of newer ones look very familiar.

Thanks for your reply. I'm wondering if the 'culprits' (so to speak) are the more recent models of the last decade

Personally I can't say I've ever studied the body edges when watching reviews or looking at photos. It's just hearing what reviewers like Low End have commented and others have echoed on line

[PaulThePlug]

BTB may of had a mid life crisis-revamp?

Same as the SR range. Earlier being more slab bodied, more like the current Gio GSR. Latter have the super comfy worn pebble body.

Check the Ibby Wiki, 'prolly a certain year of change over.

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:BTB_series

The digging in edge is there on most more slab bodies, but some of these look to have more of a ridge...

Edited yesterday at 14:15 by PaulThePlug

[Cornwall Steve]

1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said:

BTB may of had a mid life crisis-revamp?

Same as the SR range. Earlier being more slab bodied, more like the current Gio GSR. Latter have the super comfy worn pebble body.

Check the Ibby Wiki, 'prolly a certain year of change over.

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:BTB_series

The digging in edge is there on most more slab bodies, but some of these look to have more of a ridge...

Thanks for that and the link, something I'd researched long ago. It has a lot of useful info on it. I learned quite a bit about the BTB  after I stumbled upon it earlier this year. 

I'd still like to hear from any owners of BTB models - in particular if you have one made after 2010

And if so do you get a sore forearm from playing it  ?🤕 

[Russ]

The newer BTBs are more sculpted around the horns and edges than the old ones were.  I've never found them uncomfortable, but I've always found them to hang off the strap a little strangely - whenever I've played one, it feels like the neck is being pushed away from me. Maybe it's the contouring on the rear of the body or something that's doing it. 

 

The nicest modern Ibby I've ever played was the singlecut SR, the SRSC805. Felt more substantial than a regular SR, had no neck dive (unlike some other SRs), fit the body nicely, and was actually very lightweight.

Edited 23 hours ago by Russ

[Cornwall Steve]

4 hours ago, Russ said:

The newer BTBs are more sculpted around the horns and edges than the old ones were.  I've never found them uncomfortable, but I've always found them to hang off the strap a little strangely - whenever I've played one, it feels like the neck is being pushed away from me. Maybe it's the contouring on the rear of the body or something that's doing it. 

 

The nicest modern Ibby I've ever played was the singlecut SR, the SRSC805. Felt more substantial than a regular SR, had no neck dive (unlike some other SRs), fit the body nicely, and was actually very lightweight.

Many thanks for your views, Russ. Some food for thought. I have thought about one of the more premium SR's however I bought a 4 string one a few years back. I couldn't get on with it so moved it on. That's why I thought I might try a BTB

[crazycloud]

7 hours ago, Cornwall Steve said:

I'd still like to hear from any owners of BTB models - in particular if you have one made after 2010

I have an 846v (2020) and it's a great bass in all regards. I'm much more of an SR fan as I have several (note avatar) incl a new S/H one yesterday, but there are 3 BTBs I'd happily buy if one was local at a reasonable price even though I need another bass like a hole in the head.

7 hours ago, Cornwall Steve said:

And if so do you get a sore forearm from playing it  ?

No, but I don't rest my forearm on the upper bout either.

Edited 16 hours ago by crazycloud

[Cornwall Steve]

4 hours ago, crazycloud said:

I have an 846v (2020) and it's a great bass in all regards. I'm much more of an SR fan as I have several (note avatar) incl a new S/H one yesterday, but there are 3 BTBs I'd happily buy if one was local at a reasonable price even though I need another bass like a hole in the head.

No, but I don't rest my forearm on the upper bout either.

Thank you Crazy Cloud for responding and sharing your experience with the BTB. 

Frankly, I'm starting to wonder why Low End Lobster (plus a couple of other not so well known 'Reviewers') had a moan about how uncomfortable the BTB he was reviewing (the BTB745 - one of the BTB's on my hit list). Is it really as bad as he says it is. I'm beginning to think maybe he's making something out of nothing?

My problem is when there is no BTB for sale in any store within a couple of hundred miles I could just go visit and try out I don't want to fork out hundreds of £ ordering a white elephant !😂

Thank goodness for basschat ☺️

 

[crazycloud]

19 minutes ago, Cornwall Steve said:

Frankly, I'm starting to wonder why Low End Lobster (plus a couple of other not so well known 'Reviewers') had a moan about how uncomfortable the BTB he was reviewing (the BTB745 - one of the BTB's on my hit list). Is it really as bad as he says it is. I'm beginning to think maybe he's making something out of nothing?

I'm not a fan of LEL's reviews for a number of reasons, so I don't give them much credence. The edge on the BTB isn't all that sharp, certainly not as bad as most slab sided basses and guitars.

 

1 hour ago, Cornwall Steve said:

My problem is when there is no BTB for sale in any store within a couple of hundred miles I could just go visit and try out I don't want to fork out hundreds of £ ordering a white elephant !

I ordered mine blind, new from a store about 1500km away with no return possible. Sometimes you just have to jump, and adapt.

 

I can only offer the hope that you like them, especially how it feels ergonomically on you as I can't possibly know this far away if you will.

 

I prefer the SRs over the BTB, but not by much and could happily play either exclusively. Don't listen to the squawkers online that deride the tone and tell you that you will need to change the electronics, as they sound fine and are just a bit bland, not having a specific character. It's a bit like someone telling you that this cake tastes horrible when it's coffee cake, and they don't like coffee. 

 

Not sure what else to say, but ask and I'll help if I can.

 

PS: The 846v is 33" and 16.5mm spacing so it's an odd duck, but I'm not really fussy about all that as my fave 5 is 34" and 18mm and my newest 6 is 35.5 - 33.6 and 16.5mm (SRMS806) and I'm enjoying it a lot after getting it yesterday.

[Cornwall Steve]

6 hours ago, crazycloud said:

I'm not a fan of LEL's reviews for a number of reasons, so I don't give them much credence. The edge on the BTB isn't all that sharp, certainly not as bad as most slab sided basses and guitars.

 

I ordered mine blind, new from a store about 1500km away with no return possible. Sometimes you just have to jump, and adapt.

 

I can only offer the hope that you like them, especially how it feels ergonomically on you as I can't possibly know this far away if you will.

 

I prefer the SRs over the BTB, but not by much and could happily play either exclusively. Don't listen to the squawkers online that deride the tone and tell you that you will need to change the electronics, as they sound fine and are just a bit bland, not having a specific character. It's a bit like someone telling you that this cake tastes horrible when it's coffee cake, and they don't like coffee. 

 

Not sure what else to say, but ask and I'll help if I can.

 

PS: The 846v is 33" and 16.5mm spacing so it's an odd duck, but I'm not really fussy about all that as my fave 5 is 34" and 18mm and my newest 6 is 35.5 - 33.6 and 16.5mm (SRMS806) and I'm enjoying it a lot after getting it yesterday.

Thank you once again for your much appreciated help and guidance. I'm very pleased you've now received your SRMS806 it's a very fine looking instrument 😍👍

[Rich]

On 04/11/2025 at 11:16, Ed_S said:

I also had a blue 406QM. I never considered them to be uncomfortable in that way

Ditto and ditto. Still got my 406QM and it's not uncomfortable at all. 

[Supernaut]

On 04/11/2025 at 04:53, Cornwall Steve said:

I've had my eyes on getting myself a 5 string BTB (but not one of the older, standard models) however I've seen and heard several comments from various reviews (notably Low End Lobster) about the edge of the body 'digging in' to the forearm rendering the bass uncomfortable to play.

Does anyone who plays/has played one of these suffered this experience ?

I'd appreciate your thoughts please

Thanks

Play one in a store? Assuming your nearest music outlet has not closed.