Terry M.

Hi Steve. I tried an 845 once when it was still in production but it had the BH2 Barts which really wasn’t my thing but,what's interesting is the replacement 945 has Nordstrand Big Single pickups which IS my thing. I'm wondering if the sheer body size along with the longer scale length and possible marketing towards the metal genre has made them somewhat niche 🤔 Don't rule out the 705 however as in my experience it almost played itself and sounded good doing it. I've noticed Ibanez have removed the 705 from their website now.

Hi Steve so for current production/more recent stuff I've tried the same bass (805MS) in the original transparent gray flat colour,the 705LM and the 605LM. All fanned fret and all using the T1 pickups. Long story short I've been very impressed with ALL of them. Those T1 pickups to me sound REALLY good. I think like you the far eastern licenced Barts do very little for me if anything. The T1s I would describe as a game changer. All 3 basses were ultra playable and the fanned frets took me all of 10 seconds to get used to. The 805 had the longest B string at 37" if that's important.

Yes it's a NAMM 2026 release. Andertons have one as per below link: https://www.andertons.co.uk/ibanez-btb805ms-fnl-5-string-multi-scale-bass-guitar-florid-natural-low-gloss/ Ibanez definitely could do with more exciting finishes like this in my opinion.

Steve do you like the Florid Natural Low Gloss Finish? The colour specifically not necessarily the bass

I'm not talking about Yamaha basses in general. I'm a fan of the brand but specifically the TRBX605FM wasn't the one for me from a feel point-of-view. If that model works for you that's great.

It felt poorly assembled and didn't give me any confidence it would last too long. Really lacked "substance" in my hands. As you may have read previously my reference points are two German made Warwicks.

Being London-based I was in Yamaha Music on Wardour Street two Sundays back and tried...a TRBX605FM. It did nothing for me,felt ever so flimsily built. I would pick either of the Japanese TRB5 (MK1 vs MK2) models however. They look and feel different but I like them equally. In fact visually the slap-cut contour on the MK1 isn't to my taste so maybe not so equal after all...

Sometimes these creep into your £500 price criteria Steve,the Indonesian-built Yamaha TRB1005/J series. The original Japanese TRB/TRB mk2 from the 90s early 2000s really do it for me also. You have any experience with any of these?

Be great if you get to try one sometime.Or not but at least you'll know either way ☺️ Flat feeling fretboards which may or not matter to you.

Can I assume you're avoiding any BTB's with the far eastern Barts?

My Warwick Broadneck 5s with 20mm spacing I would say has spoilt me. Space and comfort for days (for me) while for some it's too much like playing on an aircraft runway. Great there's something for everyone out there 😀

I spotted that too and nearly pointed it out until you said that the mystery £500 purchase had other leanings 👍

Steve what basses do you like regardless of cost?

That's fair Steve. So if it was me I've had very good luck with Squiers so would look at another one. I know you don't like them however 🙂

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/bass-collection-sb315-5-string-bass-guitar-made-in-japan-lovely-bass-/1499771017 Oh all right then 😆