Willis Bass Owners (GWB 1, 105, 1005, 35) - check in here! - Page 3

gruuv · #41 11-11-2010, 09:35 AM

More confused than ever. There is a nice looking GWB105 in the classifieds for sale. The owner confirmed a 34 in scale and 16.5mm spacing, which this link appears to as well:

http://www.gakki.com/catalog54/ibanez_gwb105.jpg

As for the 1005, this Sam Ash link has the body listed as agathis, and the scale length at 35in.

http://www.samash.com/p/GWB1005-Gary...-Ash_-49961229

The Ibanez website lists it as a 34 in scale:

http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-GWB1005

And, Gary himself told me a while back that the spacing had been increased to 19mm at the bridge, but all of these appear to be the 16.5mm.

MoireBass · #42 11-11-2010, 01:42 PM

Sam Ash is in error. Ibanez is much more likely to get the specs to their own instrument listed correctly than a mass retailer like Sam Ash. Further, Sam Ash lists the body material as ash twice on the first page. It's only on the specs page where it mentions agathis and 35".

Narrow string spacing was one of the things Mr. Willis designed into this bass, to suit his style of playing. Maybe he meant Ibanez could add an option for 19 mm spacing for people who wanted it?

MoireBass · #43 11-12-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Never 35" scale. 34", 16.5 mm spacing, proprietary Bart pickup based on Gary's specs (he's a very sharp guy and and some very specific innovations in mind). Bart 2 band (NBTB) preamp with bypass. Swamp ash body, ramp.
To my knowledge, all of these specs stayed the same. These basses have incredible ergonomics - some of the nicest playing instruments I've encountered.

GWB1 - The original, had an Ebony fingerboard. For a while they also made a fretted version, called the GWB2. The GWB1 was replaced by:
GWB105 - Switched to Ebonol fingerboard. It in turn was replaced by the:
GWB1005 - same components as the GWB105, but made in Japan by a single luthier - sort of a "custom shop production bass" as I understand it. Significant upcharge compared to the GWB105.

Whether or not the 1005 is worth the price to you is an open question.
Used GWB1's and 105's are definitely a great deal in the world of premium fretless basses IMO.

What about colors/finishes over the different models? kesslari, you've got a other-color one, don't you? How common were finishes different than the normal raw white ash and what was available?

Opinion question: Wouldn't a semi-transparent teal look nice on a GWB-1?

kesslari · #44 11-12-2010, 04:56 PM

To my knowledge, Ibanez made the natural, and a transparent black (that actually is more a trans dark green - I've got one). And I *think* that the trans dark was only made on the GWB1 and GWB2 - never seen a GWB 105 or 1005 in that color.

Someone posted here about the comparative rarity of the dark ones - it's in another thread and a search on GWB1 might find it, but I don't see it offhand. I recall it being fewer than 10% of the GWB1's.

I think trans teal would be pretty... Ibby custom shop? But I'm guessing there's something Gary likes about the simplicity of natural ash.

MoireBass · #45 11-13-2010, 09:36 AM

Thanks for the info.

Pretty sure I want the ebony now, so <10% of production of an already-rare, discontinued bass suggests not holding breath waiting on one to turn up. Custom Shop and/or GWB1005 is just not in my budget unless really unexpected things happen. Actually, have never seen the white ash GWB1*s in person, and perhaps my opinion would change then, but in pictures it just looks too white and undistinguished to me. Ash is a pretty wood anyway, with a strong grain - and a tinted finish should bring that out more. Let me know if you ever think about selling your transblack one, but unless that happens, I may just try to find a natural GWB1 and have it refinished. There's a guy in town named Mark Erlewine who does gorgeous work. May take awhile to save up $ though.

Well, just between you and me, I don't really care much about Mr. Willis' vision. I just accidentally tried out a GWB35 and loved the ergonomics of the instrument. Gary Willis is a great player, and he designed the perfect fretless five-string for himself, mine may be a little different.

**NateMan** · #46 11-20-2010, 08:29 PM

Saw this thread a few days ago and wanted to bring to light that I have a GWB collection of sorts...

I have a GWB1, 105, 1005 and a 35. Just bought the 105 and it's on it's way to me from a fellow TB'er... As soon I have that in my corral I will post pics and a small review of each one of them... maybe some clips..

All I need now is a GWB2...

cheers!

maguire · #47 12-02-2010, 07:32 PM

Here's a detailed Q for you GWB guys. What's the history with the GWB1 having either centered or offset inlay dots? Was that some sort of preference/option or a design change mid-production?

Keslari? Nateman? You seem to be the experts.

**NateMan** · #48 12-02-2010, 09:58 PM

From the best I understand was that the years 2002 and prior were center dot inlays. The year 2003 production began the offset inlays. That's why you see a mix of them out there. I can only think that Gary Willis made the change during that year as he was very involved with the design and changes to his signature basses even to this day with Ibanez...

JOEP054 · #49 12-03-2010, 11:16 AM

Does anybody know if the GWB2 was ever made in a natural finish as well as the trans-black finish?

I just purchased a GWB fretted model on talkbass and the color being natural leads me to believe that the bass is indeed a GWB1 that has been fretted and not a factory fretted GWB2.

The seller didn't know if it was factory fretted and since I plan on keeping it and am not really worried about resale factoring in to it I made the purchase anyway as he said it was a great player.

But I am curious to find out if it is stock fretted or an after-market fret job. It was made in 2003, has off center dots and I have not been able to find any info on the GWB2 being made in any color other than trans-black.

Thanks. JP

cdaniel · #50 12-18-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdaniel

I got a GWB35 as my 1st fretless for a birthday present in June. The truss rod broke a month later.

I haven't seen it since. Last I heard the replacement neck was no good and I may end up with a replacement bass..... someday. It seems there are not many in the US at any one time.

I liked it the few times I got to play it

Got a whole new GWB35 replacement this week.

Now to return to learning fretless

kesslari · #51 12-18-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdaniel

Got a whole new GWB35 replacement this week.

Now to return to learning fretless

Nice!

Jeff Scott · #52 12-19-2010, 01:22 PM

I don't own one but I did play Gary's at a Tribal Tech gig, once. Does that count for anything?

ixlramp · #53 12-19-2010, 02:08 PM

Hi, just a quick post to say I bought a GWB35 here in the UK this last summer. I was very impressed with the instrument, but there was a fault with the fretlines. Each line sat at the bottom of a shallow valley in the Ebonol, the valley being 3-4mm wide. Sliding up and over the line caused the contact point to jump from one side of the valley to the other, causing a noticeable jump in frequency and a lot of really nasty buzzing (however If you were to only ever play on the lines and not slide it's something you might not notice). This was not acceptable and Ibanez agreed. Just something to check if you buy one.

I decided to exchange it for a 4 string Cort Curbow with an unlined Ebonol board, but I do miss that 5th string. The unlined board suits me more since I am a microtonal player and don't want 12ET in my face

bluesbasshound · #54 02-22-2011, 06:22 PM

I just put money down on a used GW1 on consignment! Played it yesterday for an hour and decided the weight, balance, ergonomics, sound, and playability were right for me!
It is natural ash, in good condition, and will be mine in a few weeks!
I needed a good low B to use in a country gig and this bass will be perfect!

C5DEMON · #55 07-16-2012, 11:55 PM

I just got a GWB1 from JoshB and might i say that it plays and sounds fantastic! The construction is great and the feel, sound, and overall quality are very well done. How do you guys affix your ramps to your basses? mine keeps falling off because the double sided tape underneath is old, i guess. Also, the tape is kind of thick and the ramp does not sit flush against the body, any suggestions?

PaPaVB20 · #56 07-17-2012, 12:18 AM

Hi there, why isn't your ramp attached with screws? Mine is a GWB 35 and gas screws for the ramp, which makes it very easy to adjust, and feels very stable... You can change the tape for a new one, or take it to a guitar tech and put some screws on the ramp.... And I want to take advantage of this post to check in, got my used GW from a TB'er and after a full setup (by myself) the bass plays like a dream... The new flatwounds have a great sound, and the light weight and balance of the bass is like an oasys.... Being used to play only ERB this makes a huge difference, and I am really loving it...

kesslari · #57 07-17-2012, 08:48 AM

Excellent news, C5DEMON.
Pick up some new doublestick tape at the hardware store and you'll be set!

Avezzano · #58 07-17-2012, 12:40 PM

I have my beloved GWB35 but I have two major complaints:

1) the bass stopped playing once in a pub (some 7 or 8 years ago) for NO appearent reason: tweaked the contacts, the out jack, checked battery, changed the battery! Shaked the pre: nothing, zero! The gig was saved by a 100 euro bass that the pub owner had brought in to show it to me for a setup etc. On the next day the bastard was perfect (I did nothing to it, during the few hours of sleep!). I had Bass NW sending me a replacement board and swapped it. I thought that the problem was solved until a couple of months ago: the thing repeated! after all those years! Radical decision time: swapped pickup and pre for good with a beautiful "Magnetics" kit and the bass now is a real monster as both tone and reliability. (Ok, I know exactly what you are thinking, but please don't ask: I tried to figure the sucker out in all the possible ways but no results!!!)

2) for the Willis style maybe the bridge is placed ok, but for one like me that plays exactly on the fret line, I find the lower saddles (in particular the B one) maxed out: I would have liked the bridge recessed 10 mm more. And I cannot fix this because there are the two front screw holes!!!!

**NateMan** · #59 07-21-2012, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C5DEMON

I just got a GWB1 from JoshB and might i say that it plays and sounds fantastic! The construction is great and the feel, sound, and overall quality are very well done. How do you guys affix your ramps to your basses? mine keeps falling off because the double sided tape underneath is old, i guess. Also, the tape is kind of thick and the ramp does not sit flush against the body, any suggestions?

The early GWB's had tape versus screws then Gary later went to screws for precise adjustments.... Gary Willis is very forthcoming with info regarding how to setup your GWB bass like he does on his website ( garywillis.com ). And by the way.... He does not have Ibanez make him a special custom bass.... He buys the production bass and adjusts it to his liking...

Here is a link to set up the taped version ramp:

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...rampsetup.html

Cheers!

jl1212 · #60 12-06-2012, 06:40 PM

Just scored a gwb 1 in dark after two gwb 35 with neck issues. This thing is nice and either it did not come with a ramp or someone took it off. Pretty sure Ibanez does notmakes ramps for these and I want to put one on. Does anyone have the dimensions or any thoughts on getting one made?