For the most part I've been a guitarist as oppose to a bassist. Since I record my own music at home on my DAW I knew using a real bass guitar over synth/keyboard bass was necessary for my style of music. I was looking for a nice budget bass since I committed to buying other equipment for the home studio. The price and style of this bass caught my eye. As you can tell by this positive review I was more than impressed with the purchase of this bass. The BTB 570FM Bass is going to be in my stable for a long time. However I will be looking to get either a 5 or 6 string bass in the near future, and it may as well be another BTB bass too. Again, this bass is another rare steal at this price. I can only imagine they won't stay in stock long once the word gets out. Last - GET IT or one of it's 5, 6 string brothers. Great bass.

Sound
The sound for this price range is amazing! Since having it I've only ran it through my Line6 PodX3 Pro. I've been able to dial in some inspiring tones on this bass. It has the Bartolini active 3 band EQ to help dial in, and shape your tone. I cannot compare the Bartolini MK-2 pickups (made overseas) to the American made ones since I haven't played or heard the the U.S. ones. However internet chatters says they MK-2 are done very well in comparison to the U.S. Bartolini's. I'm pleased with the tones and sound I can get, but the real test will be the amp/cabinets set up I choose to use for this bass. I plan… read more to take the bass with me to a few music stores in the area to determine the right bass amp for it. Overall great sounding bass!

Features
I bought the Natural Fade model...the photo doesn't do it justice here! B-E-A-U-T-F-U-L! I didn't find one freakin' flaw on it. The bass is made in Indonesia, if this is what they are putting out for the money I'm sold. This is my first "active" bass. Having the active three band EQ on the bass is great. It's very responsive with just a minor tweak. The knobs and pots feel well made and durable and not cheap-like. I'm very please with this feature. The bass stay very well in tune after a few hours of plucking, slapping, thumbing, and fingering it. I'm a guitarist as well and have enjoyed neck-through built guitars for amazing sustain. I'm not disappointed with the neck-through built on this bass either, it makes the bass resonate vibrantly with sustain and tone! Don't really remember the last time I owned a bolt-on neck but haven't gone back since. The neck plays wonderfully like a U.S. made Fender Precision. Excellent rosewood fret board with no gaping pores, well even polished frets...smooth. The bass is playable from the first fret to the last. Some basses give out on you past the 15th fret. Top notch job in setting this bass up mine came perfect for my taste. Deep cutaway lets you get to the upper range on the fretboard with ease, nice! The monorail bridge looks awesome and is independent per string, haven't messed with it (don't need to the set up is on the money). The bass is very solid and sturdy but not bulky or heavy like a Fender Precision. I grew up playing Precisions love the tone hated the weight. Elixir bass strings was the manufacturer choice the bass came with. This is the first time I've used them. Nice, very nice I thought I was going to have to turn around and buy a set of Rotosound (my choice of bass strings since 1978). However the Elixir has pleased my ears as well as my fingers. I started to give this a 9 instead of the 10 because of the 9 volt battery compartment. You have to use a small screw driver to get the back off cover off as opposed to a battery compartment with a built in latch. (I have an Ibanez Montage MSC650 electric/acoustic guitar that has a battery compartment with built in latch, don't see why they couldn't do it for an active bass). Not a deal breaker, just don't leave the instrument cable jacked into the bass when you are not playing for extended periods of time. Otherwise the 9 volt will have a very short life.

Ease of Use
This is a very playable bass even for my small hands. It comes with this plastic template under the knobs letting you know what is what. After you play with the knobs for awhile you'll know where everything is and won't need it, still it was a nice touch by Ibanez. The neck feels great and very solid to play on. The bass is comfortable not cumbersome. It comes with a manual, good explanation of topics from truss rod to setting intonation, as well as good tips on keeping it tip-top. Very playable bass, didn't have to fight it to get what I want out of it or play my style.

Quality
I was looking literally with a magnifying glass, no poor workmanship to report whatsoever! Nothing was loose, cracked, dented, over-sprayed, bleed through, tarnished on this bass at all! I still don't know how they could sell this bass this cheap! Because nothing on it screams or hints at cheap. I honestly believe this bass can take some abuse everything is solid. On the road it should hold up well as long as you keep fresh 9 volt batteries and maybe invest in the Batt-O-Meter by Keith McMillen Instruments to measure the life of the battery by simply plugging the device into the 1/4 inch jack of the bass.

Value
This bass is a steal at this price! It has a pro quality build and feel comparable to basses priced hundreds more. I know I would have to save up to afford this bass if it was American made. I'm confident that I should get decades of use with proper care and maintenance. Do yourself a favor and do a search for photos of this bass because the on here doesn't do it justice. Last, as long as it looks good, plays even better, holds up to time, with money left over for a date, then who cares where it was made? A pro bass at a pocket friendly prices! NUFF SAID

Manufacturer Support
Have never dealt with them.

The Wow Factor
In my opinion the BTB basses are some sexy beasts from Ibanez. The contour and cut of the horn sections of the body is an eye catcher for sure. The color and finish is amazing at this price. After seeing higher res photos of this bass I knew I wanted it. Aesthetically I thought the Mono Rail II bridge was an excellent choice, it adds to the unique look of BTB basses. As always I'm pleased when I get metal knobs than plastic ones. (None of my guitars have plastic knobs, they are among the first things I replace. It's just a personal preference of mine.) As far as weight goes this one is great. I always compare the weight of all other basses against the Fender P. If it's heavy like the Fender P then it's not for me, because I'm through strapping on trees. (Sorry for the rhyming.) If this bass couldn't perform and produce great tones , at least it would look great hanging on your wall. Fortunately this bass delivers on both.

Musical Background:
Semi-Pro

Musical Style:
Rock, Funk, Alternative, Jazz, Techno, Gospel, Neo Soul, Blues read less