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Most unique bass I've seen yet

Into it?

  • Into it!

    Votes: 96 44.2%

  • Definitely not into it.

    Votes: 121 55.8%
  • Total voters
    217
#41
I actually own one of the original Ashulas as in the pics already in this thread, and while I don't use it all the time, it is great fun to play, and the first time you play with a new guitar player, they definitely double take when you 'mwah mwah' into something. Feel, fit, finish are all very good, and as I do really love it. I prefer the way mine is built over the new one (conventional EADG, and then fretless DG), but I guess i would have to try it out to make an actual judgement.

Regards,
 
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#43
Bryan R. Tyler said:
Ibanez actually had a production line of similar basses a few years back called the Ashula. The fretless portion was the higher strings though.
Link Removed
There have been numerous fretted/fretless bass variations from many companies over the years, splitting the fingerboard vertically, horizontally, or even using retractable frets.
Click to expand...
I'm not too "into" the bass in the OP. BUT if I were, I'd rather have the fretless portion of the neck under the upper range strings (A-D-G) because I think there is a lot of expression up there ...more mwah.
 
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#44
bwong said:
View attachment 1028034 Just saw this on the Ibanez website. The Bass Workshop is spitting out some really cool stuff. I'm sure this solves a lot of people's problems!
Click to expand...

Uh, there's no cure for herpes... nor taxes... did I mention death? Friday evening grocery shopping... The Worst! Ever take your dog for a walk, remembering you shared fish tacos with Fido, but yet... you forgot the 'Baby Ruth' bag...

... that bass isn't gonna solve these real world problems...
 
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Reactions: Kubicki Fan
#47
I think it's cool, but have zero interest in owning, let alone, trying one. It seems like a really bizarre design from a marketing and sales perspective. I just don't see these things sticking around on Ibanez's product listing for very long due to lack of sales. I can see these being a custom order from a boutique company, but a company that puts out production line instruments and sells on volume like Ibanez...it just doesn't make sense.
 
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#49
Fascinating.
Definitely a specialty item.
I doubt my fingers would reach the lowest strings without some major contortions going on.
I have trouble enough with a 5 string.
But it sure is a beautiful instrument.
 
#50
I think it would *look* a lot better without that mishmash of woods. One fingerboard wood and a simple burl top would go a long way toward cleaning up the visual chaos. I wouldn't need one though...I can just barely handle 5 strings.
 
#53
Bryan R. Tyler said:
Ibanez actually had a production line of similar basses a few years back called the Ashula. The fretless portion was the higher strings though.
Link Removed
There have been numerous fretted/fretless bass variations from many companies over the years, splitting the fingerboard vertically, horizontally, or even using retractable frets.
Click to expand...
This makes so much more sense to me.
 
#57
Of the hybrids that have come out, this one makes the most sense to me.
The ones that defretted above the 12th fret seemed like a stopgap, The Ashulas were really nice, but limited.
The Idea that you can get a full bottom range out of the fretless, seems to be a lot more practical.
Were this an instrument which was practical for my needs, yeah, I'd go for it.

The only gripe for me is that long thumb rest, I hate thumb rests of any description.
 
#59
I'll give Ibanez points for throwing stuff out there to see what sticks, but I don't see this instrument, personally, as being any major innovation nor being the solution to any particular problem.

On the other hand, it's something a little different on a very homogeneous market, so if it catches someone's attention and inspires them to do something creative with it, that's great and so I voted "into it" even though It wouldn't suit my needs.
 

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