NBD: Ibanez BTB7 7-string bass

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! Apologies, but it seems semi-allowable for the sake of a discontinued bass.

I scored today a gently used 2013 BTB7 Limited Ed, glossy finish, gold hardware, walnut top, pics/new thread coming soon. For $799, even. And I have cats, and want to keep them away from this beauty, so the wall hanger info is very useful.

Also, I thought it worth noting that while in passive mode, my treble knob does NOT double as a tone control (nor any other knob). It's locked in on 10, and I'm calling that a firm con since my Cerro 5 has that function, which I find very useful. However, that's the only con (aside from the toyish knobs they use). The bass is pretty incredible. Good weight for the size, surprisingly accessible neck, highly usable blend, just fantastic sounding pickups. Ibanez is challenging bass makers everywhere in the quality for price department.




Tangent:

I got it at MusicGoRound (buying policies are wanting, yes, but....), where they also had a heavily customized BTB7 standard ed that appeared to have 2-band EQ controls for each pickup added, custom stack knobs, and this super ornate blend knob. And...a custom nut, and tuned with the lowest string at F#, high string at C.

I'll actually link it here just for info's sake; maybe someone knows who owned & sold it? I popped the cover but couldn't tell what sort of preamp was in there, but saw the cavity was fully shielded.

Shield cavity? strung at low F#? That's all I need to know!

Actually...why does the low F# have a detuner on it? how much lower did they want to go? sheesh!

 

[Real Soon]

Regarding the other one with the aftermarket pre - did you come up with your 2 preamp hypothesis by playing it? Or is it possible it’s filter based, or has a 4 band EQ?

You know, it's possible they're filters. That could account for their odd behavior, wherein they seemed to pretty much only cut frequencies. I was already sort of intimidated by all the knobs and switches when I realized the custom blend knob was wired in reverse to the stock setup, and at that point, I just put it down and moved on. Haha

Shield cavity? strung at low F#? That's all I need to know!

Actually...why does the low F# have a detuner on it? how much lower did they want to go? sheesh!

The low F# had some play in it just from being so low, but it somehow produced clear pitches! And yeah, the Hipshot is RIDICULOUS. Idunno what music this thing was played in, but I want to hear it; the string drops another step to E when the switch is engaged.

I'll be honest...the thought crossed my mind to go with the modded one, but I was so enamored with the harmony possibilities of the high F that the stock BTB made its case. Maybe the next one!

 

[bassbenj]

So far, so good! No hum, which is very important to me. It's got a 3-band EQ, master volume, pickup balancer, and EQ on/off switch. I need more time to experiment but so far, the variety of available tones is excellent. B-string sounds great, very clear and is not "flabby". Even volume on all strings and frets.

The bridge seems to isolate the strings, I can pluck one string as hard as I want and the others stay quiet.

I presume the "EQ On-Off" is actually active/passive switch. (EQ won't work in passive modes)
String damping = floating thumb.

That is ONE gorgeous bass! drool I own a Conklin and a Bass Mods 7 string and I STILL want one that looks like yours! And absolutely NOTHING makes my day like scoring a really killer bass at a killer price! I just love it when all the variable of the universe come together in my life like that.

PS. I've always used an Ultimate stand on my 7s.