Ibanez BTB33 Volo discontinued... alternatives?

mrdisco01

mrdisco01

Guest
Nov 15, 2016
13
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4,551
Montréal, Canada
#1
Hi everyone! I just had a bad luck...

I had been saving up to buy the BTB33 Volo by Ibanez and it was the bass I had settled on. I was getting really close to my goals and excited. Finally this weekend I was ready but the bass has disappeared from Long & McQuade's online store. I asked and the answer is the model was discontinued so there's no way to order it anymore...

So I'm back looking for an affordable alternative... 5 string, a shorter scale, tight string spacing, strung E to C, humbuckers, etc that seems to make a hard to find combination. The more likely option now is to give up on some of these specs and save up for a custom build. Options I'm already thinking about for the wait are the brice 5 string on rondo with 3/4 scale or an Ibanez sr505. Both of these would need to be setup for the high C, and I think that makes string choices almost impossible on the Brice. It also is super expensive to ship to Canada for an extremely affordable bass. The ibanez is 34".

For a reference the kind of stuff I('m trying to) play is inspired by Janek Gwizdala and Thundercat, with chords and solo bass. That might explain why I'm looking for such specs. My hands are also small and I prefer an easier reach.

Anything? Thanks a ton.
 
#2
The BTB33 is a niche bass, and you may not find something else quite like it. Continue to be patient and keep an eye on the used market.

Ibanez rotates models regularly, so when you find something you want, you have to get in a position to buy it pretty quickly.
 
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#5
Ronbeast said:
If you go on the L&M website, check the deal centre and click into "Local store specials". Pretty sure I saw an Ibanez btb33 listed there earlier today; you'd just have to contact the store it's listed at and have to cover the shipping cost.
Click to expand...

OMG Ronbeast thaaanks! you might have just made my week and more. I reached out to the local store in Manitoba that seems to have it and I hope I will be able to get it and I also hope the shipping from Winnipeg to Montreal won't be too brutal.
 
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#8
If the BTB 33 does not work out there are other Ibanez options to consider. A few weeks ago I played an Ibanez 5 string sr 705 I believe and it was actually lighter than my sr 700 which is the same model 4 string. Amazing that a 5 string could be lighter than a 4 string of the same model but the wood must have been much less dense. Also the srh505 model is the lightest 5 string I have ever played and both of these basses I mention have 24 frets and plenty of higher end tonalty for chords. I have heard that all you need to do is replace the strings to accomodate the high C and many times a nut change is not needed. I am considering going this route myself as I primarily play solo bass with two hand tapping but for me weight is a big deal and I heard the btb 33 is heavier than the sr 500 and 700 models, but not that much heavier. Good luck and I commend you on wanting to make music instead of being a compartmentalized stereo typical bass player.
 
#10
For anyone finding this thread now, the BTB33 is being replaced with a new model, the BTB845V, I think.
It appears to have the same scale length and tuning, but with a poplar burl top and ramp. It has the new/old body shape and zero frets of the new BTBs. Given the model number, the price should be about the same. Ibanez showed it at Bass Player Live. Here's a photo:

dsc_4446-jpg.jpg
 
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#11
skeeler said:
For anyone finding this thread now, the BTB33 is being replaced with a new model, the BTB845V, I think.
It appears to have the same scale length and tuning, but with a poplar burl top and ramp. It has the new/old body shape and zero frets of the new BTBs. Given the model number, the price should be about the same. Ibanez showed it at Bass Player Live. Here's a photo:

View attachment 2830469
Click to expand...

The one 4th from left? Looks gorgeous! My Volo may have competition shortly!
 
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