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anyone got a Carvin/Kiesel vader headless?
- Thread starter thehangingmist
- Start date
Headless for me...Its hard to go back to a headed bass. Between the balance, lack of dead spots, consistency of tuning. I've never wanted to compromise on any of those things. I've owned, played, gigged or toured with about every headless model ever made. Some great, some good, and some down right terrible. I have high hopes for the Kiesel.
That's actually not that bad a bass to look at. I know Carvin/Kiesel makes really nice instruments, but I really dislike the appearance of them.. especially the headstocks they have. I'd like to see one of these in person.
Looking forward to more reviews on these. I'm about to jump on one but really want more input on them. Really seems like a win/win to me.
I received my Kiesel VB5 a few weeks ago. It is a five string, neck through design with 19MM spacing at the bridge. It plays like a dream. I have done some setup work to make the bass handle to my liking. The factory set up is super low action. I play too hard for that low of a set up. The single coils are pretty cool. The front pickup gets a nice growly tone. The bridge PU is bright. I ordered the active/passive, so I find I need to roll of some highs, and it's still very bright. Honestly, I'm not that into neck through basses. And 24 frets is nice, but often times the highest few frets are in the way for the thumb to hit the sweet spot at around the 20 or 21 fret. It's a light bass and very well balanced. The small body means the neck seems much more positioned to the right, so it takes some getting orientated. It's a really good bass, definitely a departure from traditional style basses. I am glad I bought it, but I'm still much more at home with my Carvin PB5 with the added jazz bridge pickup. I installed a John East preamp on that bass....kills! I might do the same with the vader, but its $325, trying not to.
yeah i dunno I love the tone of my Vader but I don't use it too much. I mostly play my Vanquish 69 because its much better for me to slap with plus it just sounds more funky. The vader i have is great for reggae or other music.
I feel the same way.. I have a very nice custom maurizio uber bass and I love the advantages this headless offers me that I want to stick to it
Did you get your Vader bass in mid or early Jan? How do you like it now?
Vader Headless Short scale has been in my hands now for 2+ weeks.
I can say I'm more then happy with the results. I've wanted a headless 30"scale for sometime, that was of a quality build and this hit it on the nose.
Playability is exceptional, fit and finish is exceptional. Sound from the passive electronics is excellent, also excellent soft/hard case.
Only thing I may do is order a set of the radius single coil p/u's and compare to the humbuckers, just for my curiosity. Humbuckers sound great.
I'll get a picture up toot sweet.
I can say I'm more then happy with the results. I've wanted a headless 30"scale for sometime, that was of a quality build and this hit it on the nose.
Playability is exceptional, fit and finish is exceptional. Sound from the passive electronics is excellent, also excellent soft/hard case.
Only thing I may do is order a set of the radius single coil p/u's and compare to the humbuckers, just for my curiosity. Humbuckers sound great.
I'll get a picture up toot sweet.
I got my short-scale VB6 last week as well. It is very nice. The only issue out of the box was the intonation wasn't very good above the 12th fret, and it is right on the edge of being able to intonate on the G and C strings - the bridge saddle is at the end (long end - towards the neck) of its available travel. But those are OK, and I just had to pull the A and D string saddles back a bit to even things out, at least now 5ths played up there don't sound horrible.
Otherwise, it's very, very nice - fit and finish exceptional as DrDAV14 mentioned.
It's super light and compact compared to what I'm used to (10-12 pound 6ers). I think it's about the same size/weight as my DC800.
It's my first short-scale bass - other than an OLP 30" baritone I had that was crap. From the E string up, sounds quite good and is not flubby at all. The B is OK, but obviously suffers at this scale length. Played gently it sounds just fine.
I wanted to re-string it EADGCF, but didn't realize there was a nut (thought it was just a zero fret), so now I'm not sure if the thinner strings will work well.
Otherwise, it's very, very nice - fit and finish exceptional as DrDAV14 mentioned.
It's super light and compact compared to what I'm used to (10-12 pound 6ers). I think it's about the same size/weight as my DC800.
It's my first short-scale bass - other than an OLP 30" baritone I had that was crap. From the E string up, sounds quite good and is not flubby at all. The B is OK, but obviously suffers at this scale length. Played gently it sounds just fine.
I wanted to re-string it EADGCF, but didn't realize there was a nut (thought it was just a zero fret), so now I'm not sure if the thinner strings will work well.
I got the same problem with mine..I had to add much thicker strings to get the high c to intonate.. which is wack..I just been too busy and dont play it enough to do anything about it at the moment..
They offer to send out the instruments strung with jim dunlop superbright 40-120's which are the lowest tension round wound strings I have liked and these do change things around on an instrument.. Setup wise. But I may do 45-125 on the 30"
It just seems that either they should of moved the bridge just a hair more towards the neck or the bass plate of the bridge should of been longer...jeez hipshot...
I had this happen on a cort bass with a hipshot bridge (licenced maybe)
Anyways I hated it so much. Have you you tried contacting kesiel guys and described the issue to them?
Sounds like a design flaw and that sucks and it's something they should fix . my headless has a etc bridge and tuning system which is awesome
Not yet...I know I'm a douche..cause its number 3. Third made in production..right now its intonating... but I think I have a 45 gauge string on the 6 string and it feels kinda tight for my ass..lol
My second Vader short scale (this one has single coils) has arrived.
