Ibanez axstar

[Max Lawrence]

Hey, I saw this bass come up the other day and it intrigued me. Can anyone tell me anything about this bass as well as headless basses in general as I've never had one.
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[Killed_by_Death]

not bass-specific, but here is some info:

Axstar series

 

[TolerancEJ]

The Axstar has intrigued me before. The $350CAD seems good. The description says "No tone pot", so maybe you can ask for a better price. Are you handy working with an instrument?

 

[christpncher]

I had a black 4-string Axstar. It was pretty cool and unique. I sold it a few yrs ago for $350

 

[Max Lawrence]

not bass-specific, but here is some info:

Axstar series

Thanks, that was helpful

 

[Max Lawrence]

The Axstar has intrigued me before. The $350CAD seems good. The description says "No tone pot", so maybe you can ask for a better price. Are you handy working with an instrument?

Yeah, I already thought of that. I'm pretty good, I could probably install one

 

[Max Lawrence]

I had a black 4-string Axstar. It was pretty cool and unique. I sold it a few yrs ago for $350

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Were you happy with it? Did you ever have any problems?

 

[Axstar]

You rang?

I owned a black Axstar for a year or so. I bought it for £200 GBP and sold it for the same. The original knobs were missing and the output jack had been drilled out and replaced with a Neutrik locking jack.

What I liked about it was that you could use normal strings on the bass, as you could clamp ball-ends into the bridge block.

What I didn't like was the pickups. On my bass they were Gotoh-branded guitar humbuckers under the 'Axstar' covers. They had 12 poles under those covers. They were the stock pickups as the wiring was untouched beyond the Neutrik jack. The pickups were high output but very blah. Very vanilla.

The bass was nice and light and the neck was pretty comfortable. I would get another if I can find a clean example in white (for around £200 again!).

 

[TolerancEJ]

To put the price into perspective, $350CAD is about $269US/215GBP. So yes, go get that bass if you have the money. If possible, I hope you can try it before you buy.

 

[Viggo51]

They are really cool basses! First one I played was in 1990. Didn’t see another until about 7 years ago, black frettless. I bought that one

 

[christpncher]

Were you happy with it? Did you ever have any problems?

I just never clicked with it, mainly the ergonomics/feel of it. also setup was more complicated

 

[Axstar]

I just never clicked with it, mainly the ergonomics/feel of it. also setup was more complicated

Lots of set screws! The whole business of slackening off the saddles on the bridge, moving them by hand, then locking them back into place seemed bold but crude.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Yeah, that's PITA, but to be fair, it's pretty must the same as the Steinberger and Spector bridges from that period.

Lots of set screws! The whole business of slackening off the saddles on the bridge, moving them by hand, then locking them back into place seemed bold but crude.

 

[mikewalker]

Yeah, that's PITA, but to be fair, it's pretty must the same as the Steinberger and Spector bridges from that period.

... and a large number of recent 'modern' bridges, too

 

[wraub]

I have always wanted to play one of these, but have never seen one in a store.

 

[JW56789]

This is 80's MTV. After the initial success of the Steinberger XL's, the rest of the industry (as always) gets the 'ME TOO' reflex, so you saw these, the Yamaha BX, the Washburn Bantams (dig Rudy Sarzo blasting away on a double-neck headless !), and a few more that time has erased for me. On the other hand, they did inspire Status in the UK who have taken composite and headless development farther than Ned Steinberger over the intervening years (of course, they weren't bought and sold and wrecked . . . . . ).

I'd be interested IF the seller would give a little money back on the restoration of the electronics and IF the pickups are standard humbucker dimensions, which would give you a few choices if you decide it's a keeper.

 

[Jamie_Funk]

One thing to consider - VERY tight string spacing. Almost like 5 strings on a 4 string neck, but I'm going from memory here and the 80s were some time ago

 

[Max Lawrence]

To put the price into perspective, $350CAD is about $269US/215GBP. So yes, go get that bass if you have the money. If possible, I hope you can try it before you buy.

One thing to consider - VERY tight string spacing. Almost like 5 strings on a 4 string neck, but I'm going from memory here and the 80s were some time ago

That might be a good thing, I'm used to a 4 string jazz bass so it might be nice not to have a super huge neck on it

 

[Frank77]

I think a "conventionnal" body shape paired with a headless design is the optimal in terms of ergonomy (mine below). It just sits in place perfectly and stays at the right angle without any effort from your left arm.

Even if you think your bass with a traditionnal headstock is perfectly balanced, it does neck dive at least a little : I feel the difference right away when I pick up my other basses.

Bonus: It fits in a guitar case.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Funny....
I think (KNOW) that I have one in storage. 5 string. I recall loving playing it with a pick, as the string spacing was tight. MONSTER '80's tone, through My GK-800 RB, and Hartke 2x10, + 1x15. STILL My main rig. Give Me a while to get motivated enough to go DIGGING. Yes... I'm old, and... the struggle (to remember stuff) is REAL.