I'm surprised so many are going short scale, even on the 5's and 6's. Not dogging it, just surprised!
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anyone got a Carvin/Kiesel vader headless?
- Thread starter thehangingmist
- Start date
So am I. I'm also happy to see so many short-scale Vaders ordered, since I'm interested in the short-scale myself and would like to hear more feedback. DrDAV14 gave a positive review and has just received a second bass, but I'd also like to hear from others, particularly about the reach to the low frets.
Hi, all
I'm writing this a little bit late, but I've just got my Kiesel Vader 4-string 30 inch scale 4 weeks ago. It is transparent teal/black burst, swamp ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, passive with two humbuckers.
I decided for the short scale since this is my "travel" bass. For that purpose is perfect, smaller than a Fender Strat guitar, so easy to accommodate in an overhead compartment. The gig bag is very nice, kind of a gig bag/hard case with hard sides and lots of padding. I liked it so much that now I'm buying two more for my other basses.
The bass is super comfortable, nice low action, perfect set up from the factory. It requires a light touch to avoid fretting, but other than that it is really easy to adapt coming from a regular scale (my main bass is a Musicman Stingray).
It is light and balances perfectly in a strap, no neck dive at all! It is amazing how the lack of neck dive makes such a big difference in terms of comfort. I can play it for much longer than my "regular" basses without feeling any discomfort.
The bass feels solid and the construction is flawless, it feels like a much more expensive instrument.
The aesthetics of the bass is probably the most polemic issue. I've got mixed responses, most people think that the design is kinda dated, like an 80's kind of thing. It grows on you in time. I bought it mainly for practical reason, but it sounds and feels so good that I can see myself playing it exclusively.
I'm writing this a little bit late, but I've just got my Kiesel Vader 4-string 30 inch scale 4 weeks ago. It is transparent teal/black burst, swamp ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, passive with two humbuckers.
I decided for the short scale since this is my "travel" bass. For that purpose is perfect, smaller than a Fender Strat guitar, so easy to accommodate in an overhead compartment. The gig bag is very nice, kind of a gig bag/hard case with hard sides and lots of padding. I liked it so much that now I'm buying two more for my other basses.
The bass is super comfortable, nice low action, perfect set up from the factory. It requires a light touch to avoid fretting, but other than that it is really easy to adapt coming from a regular scale (my main bass is a Musicman Stingray).
It is light and balances perfectly in a strap, no neck dive at all! It is amazing how the lack of neck dive makes such a big difference in terms of comfort. I can play it for much longer than my "regular" basses without feeling any discomfort.
The bass feels solid and the construction is flawless, it feels like a much more expensive instrument.
The aesthetics of the bass is probably the most polemic issue. I've got mixed responses, most people think that the design is kinda dated, like an 80's kind of thing. It grows on you in time. I bought it mainly for practical reason, but it sounds and feels so good that I can see myself playing it exclusively.
I've never liked the look of headless basses before but this one has me very intrigued. I'm interested in smaller basses and the 30" 5-string Vader is very appealing. Anyone else want to chime in with their experience with the short scale 5 or 6 string?
Edit: How wide is the body? It looks wide. Does it feel compact?
Edit: How wide is the body? It looks wide. Does it feel compact?
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I find it balances better. I modified my Smiths to add a second straplock lower. I find it to give me a better angle on the neck/fretboard. I don't like being able to see the fretboard, if anything I want it angled away from me a bit.
I put in an order for a 6 string fretless short scale about a month ago. So i guess i've got about another month to 6 weeks to go on mine.
It's going to be translucent teal satin finish on black limba neck and body. Single coil pickups.
have any of ya'll installed a finger ramp on these basses?
It's going to be translucent teal satin finish on black limba neck and body. Single coil pickups.
have any of ya'll installed a finger ramp on these basses?
Yes and no.
It will be looser in tension but the sound of the notes on the low B bloom a bit more than a long scale. The tension can be overcome with technique and somewhat with heavy strings, but heavy strings will effect the tone.
30" B's have a cool subsonic (more fundamental, less overtones) sort of sound, not as clear or defined as a full scale.
If you live on the B string you could easily argue that the 30" will make the B suffer. If you just use the low B occasionally and desire the ergonomics and tone of a short scale than a 30" B becomes a viable option.
I do use the B as much as I can, love the deep heavy earth shaking lows, so if I were to go with the Kiesel Combustion 5, I guess I should get the 34" scale !!!???
Probably so.
The 30" B has massive low end. The problem is that the clarity of the the first five frets on the B is just not as good compared to a 34". The notes are there and usable but they can get muddy during busy passages on the B.
The rest of the bass will benefit from the shorter scale, imho. If I were to get a Vader I would get a short scale 5 and use a heavy guage string with a 135 B.
The 30" B has massive low end. The problem is that the clarity of the the first five frets on the B is just not as good compared to a 34". The notes are there and usable but they can get muddy during busy passages on the B.
The rest of the bass will benefit from the shorter scale, imho. If I were to get a Vader I would get a short scale 5 and use a heavy guage string with a 135 B.
If you use Kalium strings they could probably get you a set that will correct the tension issue. but big strings will yes, change your sound.
I have a 34" scale VB4 that's due for completion at the end of the month. Went for the longer scale because I'm getting them to set it up in 5ths tuning (C G D A) so that the low C is nice. I promise to report back with my findings 
I ordered a VB5, which is due in April, BUT, I just bought a used VB5 which should be here on Monday! I've always liked the look of headless instruments, but my last foray into headless basses wasn't a rousing success(I had a couple of Ned Steinberger's newest creations, CR5 Radius basses). I think my issue was the body shape and the electronics. I'd LOVE to have a Status, but the exchange rate just makes it too hard to justify. The body shape of the Vader has just completely captured my attention. If this goes as well as I hope, I may end up with a few Vaders...
Can I ask which Vader you purchased from the in-stock? Was very tempted to do what you did and get one from in-stock while I wait for my build..
I found a used one here in the classifieds. I was going to buy one of the in-stock Vaders, but the one I liked sold before I could buy it. It's just as well, the one they had in stock was passive, I ordered active electronics in my build, and the used one I found was active AND it was less expensive...
So, FedEx actually delivered something EARLY! Like, it was supposed to be here Monday, but it showed up Saturday! When does that ever happen? LOL! I got it, made sure it had the right amount of strings, and headed to my gig last night. The Vader is LEGIT! I was totally blown away with how great this bass sounded and looks. I didn't have time to set it up, so I'll do that this week. I'm very pleased and I'm really looking forward to my ordered VB5!
It's not all perfect, I can't stand the painted neck, and since the setup was a bit off, the B-string wasn't as thunderous as it could be, but those are both easy fixes. I'm gonna start planning out Vader #3...
Nice job, Kiesel. Well played.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
I just ordered one this morning, and stuck with the 34" scale...been playing this and 35" for so long, that 30" would not be right for me at all. Anyway, check this out:
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I'd love to play one of these. They look great! I find that a headless bass really does ballance better than a standard one. Much more comfortable for me and my F'd up back and neck. I've grown to love the looks of a nice headless bass as well.
