Ibanez BTB405

2001 Korean made, 23 full frets and 1 extended (1/2) fret for the G and D strings. Photoflame style maple top (laminated). Volume, blend, low, high and "Varimid" stacked, concentric pot. Two humbucking soap bar style pickups, similar to Bartolini's (which are what comes in the high end model) made by Ibanez(?) Transparent black finish, individual (per string), adjustable bridge sections, Gotoh(?) tuners, deep U shaped, SUBSTANTIAL, 5 piece neck with rosewood fingerboard. No accessories included.

This bass suits every style I've played, from Blues to Metal. I play through a Hartke 3500 with an Ampeg SVT-410HE cabinet. The amp hisses a little but the bass is quiet. I've used it in the studio and didn't notice any noise at all. The sound of the bass is very flexible due to the onboard tone circuit. I LOVE the classic P-bass tone that you can get by leaning on the mid/neck pickup. The rating of 8 is in comparison to much higher end models. In this basses price range, it's a 10!

The bass was set up well from the factory with relatively low action, but I thought that the string slots in the nut were a bit high so I filed the grooves to my liking (if you don't know what you're doing, DON'T DO THIS!!) and this improved playability, lower on the neck. Everything else was set up pretty well.

I've used this bass for nearly three years and have never had a problem with it. This bass has taken a beating and taken it well! It has survived two falls (one that I was sure had destroyed it) and is still playing and sounding great. The second fall broke the shaft off of the mid control pot and chipped the finish on the lower horn. Lets talk about the truus rod(s): There are TWO which adds to the weight of this bass a little, but (honestly) this is the first bass I've owned that I didn't have to adjust, at least, twice a year. As a matter of fact, I've never touched the truss rods at all, and haven't had a noticeable change in playabilty (can't say that for my Stingray 5 or my Fender Jazz)! I have great confidence that this bass wouldn't let me down.

Had to order a new VariMid potentiometer. I ordered this through Guitar Center and it took more than a month to get here. I don't know if that was Ibanez or Retard Centers fault (I know it's rude, but you've probably never dealt with my local GC's). The instrument was out of warranty when I ordered the pot and the shipping was as much as the part.

I've been playing for more than 20 years and have used too many basses to list. I currently own a Music Man Stingray 5, a Fender Deluxe Jazz, and this wonderful, inexpensive Ibanez. If it were stolen I might buy another, although I'd rather purchase another Music Man (sorry, but I absolutely LOVE that Stingray). If you're on a budget, BUY THIS BASS! You will not be disappointed with this instrument.

Not sure of the year; Made in Korea I think. Beautiful wine colored figured top. Two passive humbuckers, active EQ: volume, pickup blend, stacked mid w mid frequency control, bass and treble control; 5 string -5 piece 35 inch scale neck, 22 usable frets, monorail bridges, satin tuners and control nobs.

I play contempory Christain and jazz, thru a Hartke 3500 w/ Peavey 410TX cab, ART 4x4 power supply and a Korg DTR-1 rackmount tuner. This bass is quiet, not nearly as much string noise and hiss as my former Yamaha RBX765a. This is a full sounding bass that gives you a warm sound and just enough highs to make popping a string cut thru nicely. I have not had this bass in a studio considering the fact that I just picked it up (traded my Yamaha for it!) but I used it at church the other day and it was fantastic. I had been spoiled by using a friend's Warwick neck thru Thumb bass during one service so it made it tought when looking at basses for under $800. The bass looks heavier than it is.

The bas had the original strings so I assume the setup was factory. Played very easily, and I see no need to change the set up. Just need new strings. Ibanez recommends a .135 for the low B string. I didn't recognize any flaws with the bass. The previous owner obviously took great care with this axe. The finish is excellent. When I took it out of the case on Sunday morning, our drummer just said "wow".

I haven't had enough time with this bass to comment here. It seems build very well. Just make sure you keep 2 nine volt batteries on hand as it requires two of them. The strap buttons seem solid. I have a new strap that stays on this bass very securely. I don't have a backup bass, but it seems like a good idea. Frankly, I'd invest in a backup amp first.

Haven't had to deal with them yet. The dealer gave me a 60 day warranty,though..which is nice

I played back in the late 60's and early 70's, then stopped when my axe was stolen. Never purchased another. Got back into playing music (sax) in 1990, and started filling for the church's bassist on Wednesday nights in 1994. Been playing ever since. Since I started playing again, I've played Carvin, Peavey, Sqiure, and Yamaha. I was throrouly impressed with the Warwick Thumb, but with a kid in college, that wasn't gonna happen. While my most recent bass (the Yamaha) was fine, I yearned for a quieter bass with a better sounding B string. Daddy's let me try several in my price range, and I was about to give up when I found the Ibanez on their website. I never was a big fan of Ibanez....until now. I would by one again if this was stolen or severely damaged. The B is very tight without floppiness, and the Vari Mid EQ gives me more tonal options than I will ever need. I would definetly recommend this bass. Thank Ibanez for supplying great tone and feel at an affordable price point.

So i just picked up my 5-string Ibanez BTB 405. It's got 22 frets, 24 on the D & G strings. It's got a GORGEOUS transparent-black quilted maple top laminated on a basswood body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. The controls include a volume knob, a pickup selector rotating knob, for that perfect blend :), and a three band active EQ, plus a bad-ass mid-sweep knob. it has two passive pickups, and the new Ibanez monorail II bridge.

This bass already has a tone to die for, and all i've played it through is a power amp driving a 4x10 cab. i still can't decide between a Sans Amp Bass DI or a Bass POD. i love my guitar POD, but it's kinda pricey for a bass POD ($500CAN). The thing that struck me the most about this bass was the Mid-Sweep knob. the damn thing is so strong that when you turn it from one end to the other, it actually sounds like a Wah. Pretty darn sweet tonal possibilities there. i play pretty heavy music, and the 35" scale neck on this baby keeps those strings nice and tight, giving me a much punchier sound than most basses i've played.

The action was ridiculously low, yet there wasn't a hint of fret buzz. wonderful set up. Everything seemed to be in place. the weight is very well balanced. the finish just looks gorgeous. i can't get over it.

i never trust strap buttons, so there are already Strap-loks on it. i've never had problems with ibanez basses. i've seen them fall flush face down, and come out unscathed. i'm sure this bass will stand up to that test too. but i won't try just yet :)

never had to deal with the company.

I've been playing about five years now, and i've consistently owned Ibanez gear. i find that on a price versus quality ratio, Ibanez always wins. sure, a music man sounds a bit better, but it costs 2x as much. no thanks. and with this bass, im suddenly not so sure that the Music Man does stand up. the only complaint i had with this bass, as usual, was the lack of color variety. luckily i liked the black quilt immensely, but there was only that or Purple trans-quilt. and why are their basses always Basswood. again, i could have gotten it in Mahogany, but it was an extra $600, ouch! im not world famous yet dude!

Made in 2001 22 frets w/23rd -24th on top strings, black finsh quilted, controls are bass, treb, and variable mid EQ, passive pickups but active EQ. 35" scale 5 string bass.

Suits my style well, I play R&B, Funk, and some Rock with a SWR Working man 15 with 2 X 10" extension cabinet. I run it through a SansAmp Bass Driver. The bass has lots of tonal possibilities in part to the active variable EQ (a stacked mid and high EQ control). I like the Hi Mids turned all the way up and the Lo Mids off for that truly funky sound. The neck is tapered and the string spacing is ideal for thumb style playing. The pick ups are passive so a DI really adds more punch to the input signal.

Set up from the factory was ideal, the strings were low (I like it that way). The finish had a little polish on one fret, I rubbed it off with no problem. Nothing was loose, the frets were not overly sharp or unfinished.The paint is really nice, quilted black with swirl high lights. Looks really refined.

Don't know, just got it, but it seems sturdy and well made. The strap buttons are larger than most and in general the axe looks well made.

No experience with having to contac them yet.

Playing long enough (thank you very much). I've owned Carvin, Yamaha (s), Fender (s), Washburn and now an Ibanez. This is a very unique bass, it is priced to be affordable and yet does not compromise on sound quality. The passive pickups and active EQ's make for a variety of interesting tones. For example, its both warm sounding and yet you can crank the hi mids and bass for some FAT funk tones. I like that you can set your amp EQ flat and make all your on the fly EQ adjustments from the guitar itself. If you buy one, you should run it through either a powerful amp or have preamp to boost its passive signal. Dont get me wrong, its got a great tonal selection but if you like the punch you better boost the signal. The 35 scale gives the B a nice elastic rebound to the thumb punch. For the money you get a really versitile and quality instrument.