Anyone own an Ibanez SR and BTB? Differences in feel/playability?

P

Phlipper

Feb 5, 2013
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Fayetteville, NC
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Endorsing Artist: Used Fender Lead Sleds and Hartke cabs with bent grills
#1
I've owned nothing but four-banger SRs since I started switching off on bass. As a guitar player the SRs just felt easier to play. But I'm looking at a BTB 746 six stringer and I'm wondering if I'll regret it. I'll already be dealing with all the issues related to my first sixer.

Considering the differences in weight and neck profile etc, would it make more sense to wait till the new SR 6ers are released at GC in March and April? Or is it likely not gonna be that big uva deal?

There's no way to try one out so I'd be ordering blind.
 
#2
I own an Ibanez BTB1605e
bass-guitars-ibanez-premium-btb1605e-bass-1_large.jpg

The BTB has a wide (not overly huge) but very flat neck
I prefer a small but round neck but this still feels very slick and fast
The bass is my lightest bass actually, not sure of the weight but it is very very light
Sound if the pickups and electronics are the same will almost be identical

BTB: Wide flat neck, light, different body to impress and neck through
SR: Small neck, light and bolt on
Can't go wrong with ethier
 
#3
I have one of each but they're decades old so not sure my opinions apply. The BTB is noticeably wider neck and bridge string spacing and I really notice the 35" scale, much more solid feel to the B and E than the SR. Then again, haven't played the BTB in months and the SR in years, need to get them out to refresh.
 
#4
I've owned several 5 string Ibanez BTB Premiums and the necks are very wide. The sixes are even more wider but they play fast. But the shock of going from a SR Ibanez to the BTB 6 string might be a bit much. There would definitely be a adjustment period. I would recommend playing one first as that is a huge difference.
 
#6
Very different profiles. I would recommend getting your feet wet with an SR 6 string. I imagine trying to adjust to 6 string with even wider spacing than you're accustomed to would be a hassel. Just my 2 cents.

Edit: Misread. Thought you were going from SR 5 basses.
 
#7
Both excellent designs but yeah very different.
SR have small bodies, thin fast necks with narrow string spacing.
BTBs are often 35" so longer than SRs with a comfy thick round profile. They have quite large bodies too.
Consequently BTBs tend to sound and feel fuller than SRs that are more agile.
 
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