Essential Information About the Ibanez BTB866MS Bass
- Multi-scale 37"?34.5" for optimized tension: clarity on the low B and comfort on the highs.
- 5-piece maple/walnut neck-through with graphite reinforcement rods, panga panga fingerboard, and stainless steel frets for stability, sustain, and precision.
- Versatile electronics: two T1 humbuckers, 3-band EQ, 3-position mid selector, and bypass for passive mode.
- MR5S bridge with 17 mm spacing adjustable (+/? 1.5 mm) and hard case included to protect the instrument.
BTB Bass Workshop: the ?boutique? spirit made accessible
Originating from the Bass Workshop project, the BTB866MS embodies Ibanez?s ?modern luthiery? approach: premium materials, neck-through construction, and high-end components designed for stage and studio. In the BTB lineage, it combines ergonomic comfort, meticulous finishes, and reliability without the entry price of handcrafted models.
Who is it for and what styles?
This 6-string multi-scale bass, the BTB866MS, targets intermediate to expert bassists seeking range and precision. Its clear low register and singing highs make it an ally for modern music styles: metal and prog, fusion, jazz, gospel, RnB, or sessions demanding articulation, low tunings, and clear chords.
The sound
The T1 humbuckers deliver tight lows, punchy mids, and defined highs. The Ibanez Custom 3-band preamp, combined with the 3-position mid selector, covers everything from ?vintage punch? to modern hi-fi tones. The bypass turns the treble knob into a passive tone control for a more organic grain. On the luthiery side, the ash/okoumé top and wings provide attack and projection, while the maple/walnut neck-through and panga panga fingerboard promote sustain and clarity. The 37"?34.5" multi-scale balances string tensions: a clear, tight B, a comfortable C, and impeccable intonation.
Recommended compatible accessories
D?Addario NYXL multi-scale string set matching the supplied gauges (NYXLB032 to NYXLB130MS) to respect the 37" length and tension. Quality 9V alkaline battery for the preamp. Wide and comfortable strap (4 to 8 cm) to distribute weight over long sessions. Stable bass stand with neck/body support to protect the instrument between takes.
Technical Specifications
Body
- Top: ash
- Wings: ash/okoumé
- Construction: neck-through
- Finish: satin polyurethane
- Total length: 47.4" / 1203 mm
Neck
- Type: BTB6 multi-scale
- Assembly: neck-through
- Wood: 5-piece maple/walnut with graphite reinforcement rods
- Finish: satin polyurethane
- Thickness at 1st fret: 0.79" / 20 mm
- Thickness at 12th fret: 0.87" / 22 mm
- Scale length: 37"?34.5" / 939.8?876.3 mm
- Nut width: 2.1" / 54 mm
- Width at fingerboard end: 3.46" / 88 mm
- Fingerboard: panga panga with binding
- Radius: 37.4" / 950 mm
- Frets: 24 (+ zero fret), medium stainless steel
- Inlays: abalone dots
Hardware
- Bridge: MR5S, 0.67" / 17 mm spacing (adjustable saddles +/? 1.5 mm)
- Nut: plastic
- Tuners: Ibanez
- Hardware color: black
Electronics
- Configuration: active with bypass (passive mode via treble knob)
- Pickups: T1 neck, T1 bridge
- Equalizer: Ibanez Custom 3-band
- Controls: 1 volume, 1 balance, bass, mids, treble
- Switches: EQ bypass, 3-position mid selector
- Power supply: 1 x 9V battery
Miscellaneous
- String gauges (high to low): .032/.045/.055/.080/.100MS/.130MS
- Strings: D?Addario NYXL (ref. NYXLB032 to NYXLB130MS)
- Tuning: 1C, 2G, 3D, 4A, 5E, 6B
- Included case: hard case
- Accessories: Allen wrench