NBD - Ibanez EHB1500, most comfortable bass ever

[Killed_by_Death]

EHB1500 | EHB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

This is my first new-new bass, fresh out of the box.
My other 'new' bass was a demo-model.

I do not believe SweetWater really do that 55-point inspection, because no one had turned the machine-heads on this bass in a long-long time!
Are they called machine-heads when they're on the bridge?


My scales read 1/4 lb. heavier than SW's as well, but that might be my scales.
Anyone else encounter that?
Less than 100 Grams heavier than our Mikro-bass & under 7 lbs., but balances really well!

BTW, this gig-bag will fit the EHB, but not a 34"-scale bass with a headstock:

gig-bag

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

as you can see, the finger-ramp is real wood:

manual & wrenches

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

finger-ramp, manual, & allen-wrenches

Poplar burl top

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

African Mahogany body

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

9-pc neck Panga-Panga/Walnut neck

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

graphite reinforcement

Panga-Panga fretboard

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

I'm not sure how exactly, but it's super-comfortable to play, which doesn't make sense, because the 'reach' to the 1st fret is at least a centimeter farther than my SR1800E.

I played it quite a bit today w/o any cramping or leftover tennis-elbow, & I didn't even stretch or massage my arm in advance.

The Big-Splits in there are exactly the same size as the Big-Singles in my SR1800E, so at some point I may swap them.
A year ago I tried a Schecter Apocalypse & sent it back in a day, because the pickups just weren't as aggressive as the Big-Singles, but in this case I can fix that if I really wanted.

There is some ring-back, like you might get with a Rickenbacker, what others might call over-tones.
The reason fret-wraps are a thing. I enjoy that part & TBH when I read others were having that issue, it made me want one. (it's the opposite of a resonant neck)

The sustain is 50% longer than my SR1800E, the neck is mucho-STIFF!

The EQ can actually make up for the hi-mid chime of the Big-Singles, but not the high-highs.
I'll see about getting a good shot of the whole bass in the morning sun soon.

I normally wouldn't post an NBD this quickly, but I decided quite quickly that if there's an issue with this particular one, I want another one, unless of course it's a design issue.

One of the first things I checked was that it will function w/o the battery.
I was concerned when Ibanez changed their labeling from Active/Passive switch to EQ bypass:

but it does remain a true active/passive switch

This is my new 'The One'!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Those are great basses, congratulations.

 

[Qlanq]

Stunning-looking bass. Enjoy.

 

[kobass]

Very cool!

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[JRA]

wow! a beautiful piece! thanks for the details --- it's super that you are already enjoying the features/advantages of your new/new ax. congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[59Bassman]

I like that a lot. I’m still in a traditionalist phase right now, but I certainly wouldn’t mind having one of those around for a more modern option!

 

[Jigmay]

I'm a traditionalist too, but this bass does something for me. When I was looking into headless 5-strings, this was the one that I would have bought.

This demo video from Ibanez is really good--great playing, and so tasteful!

Good for you Snaggletooth!

 

[Moving Pictures]

Congratulations! I think you’ll really enjoy this bass. I know I love my EHB1005 and for most of the reasons you already stated.

 

[cdef]

Looks great. If these take normal strings rather than the increasingly scarce double ball-ends I suspect I'll be in for one.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Normal strings, I can clearly see the D'Addario ball-ends in there.

I forgot to mention the new Schaller strap-locks are included, I put those on finger-tight, which TBH I think will be enough. The threaded bushing is a centimeter long!
Tonight we did a few songs, me playing & someone else singing. It was eye-opening, because it wasn't much like my noodling alone yesterday.

The clang is welcome here, but I think that might be what others have been calling over-tones or 'resonance'.
If I'm correct, it's commonly called *ring-back, & IMHO it's a product of the stainless frets & the super-stiff, graphite-reinforced neck.

Others would probably be upset, but I love it even more now & those Big-Splits sound great, so maybe I will not swap for the Big-Singles.

I like the new Schaller strap-locks, the pin that holds them on is now beveled, so it slides on a little easier than the old style.

Here's something I've never been able to say about any instrument, I'm able to play it w/o a strap.
I've tried playing our Mikro-bass w/o a strap & it's tough work, because I have to keep using the inside of my forearm to pull the bass back in so it won't fall off my leg.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to put the same model of strings on my SR1800E, set up the EHB & do a more in-depth comparison. No sense comparing them w/o them being on equal footing.
My trusty GSR100EX will be stashed under the bed once the String-Swing hanger is mounted.

Anyone else have any suggestions for hanging a headless vertically?
wall-mounting a headless instrument


*I've read reports from stringed-instrument repair-folks & luthiers that Rickenbackers sometimes have ring-back tones.

 

[InternetAlias]

These are all incredible instruments! Headless instruments are becoming more commercially viable, and it makes me super happy!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

EHB1500 | EHB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

This is my first new-new bass, fresh out of the box.
My other 'new' bass was a demo-model.

I do not believe SweetWater really do that 55-point inspection, because no one had turned the machine-heads on this bass in a long-long time!
Are they called machine-heads when they're on the bridge?


My scales read 1/4 lb. heavier than SW's as well, but that might be my scales.
Anyone else encounter that?
Less than 100 Grams heavier than our Mikro-bass & under 7 lbs., but balances really well!

BTW, this gig-bag will fit the EHB, but not a 34"-scale bass with a headstock:

gig-bag

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

as you can see, the finger-ramp is real wood:

manual & wrenches

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

finger-ramp, manual, & allen-wrenches

Poplar burl top

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

African Mahogany body

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

9-pc neck Panga-Panga/Walnut neck

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

graphite reinforcement

Panga-Panga fretboard

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

I'm not sure how exactly, but it's super-comfortable to play, which doesn't make sense, because the 'reach' to the 1st fret is at least a centimeter farther than my SR1800E.

I played it quite a bit today w/o any cramping or leftover tennis-elbow, & I didn't even stretch or massage my arm in advance.

The Big-Splits in there are exactly the same size as the Big-Singles in my SR1800E, so at some point I may swap them.
A year ago I tried a Schecter Apocalypse & sent it back in a day, because the pickups just weren't as aggressive as the Big-Singles, but in this case I can fix that if I really wanted.

There is some ring-back, like you might get with a Rickenbacker, what others might call over-tones.
The reason fret-wraps are a thing. I enjoy that part & TBH when I read others were having that issue, it made me want one. (it's the opposite of a resonant neck)

The sustain is 50% longer than my SR1800E, the neck is mucho-STIFF!

The EQ can actually make up for the hi-mid chime of the Big-Singles, but not the high-highs.
I'll see about getting a good shot of the whole bass in the morning sun soon.

I normally wouldn't post an NBD this quickly, but I decided quite quickly that if there's an issue with this particular one, I want another one, unless of course it's a design issue.

One of the first things I checked was that it will function w/o the battery.
I was concerned when Ibanez changed their labeling from Active/Passive switch to EQ bypass:

View attachment 4043237
but it does remain a true active/passive switch

This is my new 'The One'!

Pretty cool man.

I'm putting 3 big singles in my new bass. Itll be here on Wednesday. I'm making a Tele

 

[Peteyboy]

Beautiful bass KBD!

 

[Davbassdude]

EHB1500 | EHB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

This is my first new-new bass, fresh out of the box.
My other 'new' bass was a demo-model.

I do not believe SweetWater really do that 55-point inspection, because no one had turned the machine-heads on this bass in a long-long time!
Are they called machine-heads when they're on the bridge?


My scales read 1/4 lb. heavier than SW's as well, but that might be my scales.
Anyone else encounter that?
Less than 100 Grams heavier than our Mikro-bass & under 7 lbs., but balances really well!

BTW, this gig-bag will fit the EHB, but not a 34"-scale bass with a headstock:

gig-bag

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

as you can see, the finger-ramp is real wood:

manual & wrenches

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

finger-ramp, manual, & allen-wrenches

Poplar burl top

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

African Mahogany body

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

9-pc neck Panga-Panga/Walnut neck

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

graphite reinforcement

Panga-Panga fretboard

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 5, 2020
• ehb;

I'm not sure how exactly, but it's super-comfortable to play, which doesn't make sense, because the 'reach' to the 1st fret is at least a centimeter farther than my SR1800E.

I played it quite a bit today w/o any cramping or leftover tennis-elbow, & I didn't even stretch or massage my arm in advance.

The Big-Splits in there are exactly the same size as the Big-Singles in my SR1800E, so at some point I may swap them.
A year ago I tried a Schecter Apocalypse & sent it back in a day, because the pickups just weren't as aggressive as the Big-Singles, but in this case I can fix that if I really wanted.

There is some ring-back, like you might get with a Rickenbacker, what others might call over-tones.
The reason fret-wraps are a thing. I enjoy that part & TBH when I read others were having that issue, it made me want one. (it's the opposite of a resonant neck)

The sustain is 50% longer than my SR1800E, the neck is mucho-STIFF!

The EQ can actually make up for the hi-mid chime of the Big-Singles, but not the high-highs.
I'll see about getting a good shot of the whole bass in the morning sun soon.

I normally wouldn't post an NBD this quickly, but I decided quite quickly that if there's an issue with this particular one, I want another one, unless of course it's a design issue.

One of the first things I checked was that it will function w/o the battery.
I was concerned when Ibanez changed their labeling from Active/Passive switch to EQ bypass:

View attachment 4043237
but it does remain a true active/passive switch

This is my new 'The One'![/QUOTE
I LOVE the bridge and the pickups. Looking at the specs, it appears Ibanez was really focusing on ergonomics and comfortability with this bass. I'd love to hear how it sounds. Glad you have an instrument that checks the boxes for you!

 

[Zoffy]

I like it...a lot! It looks classy and edgy at the same time.

BTW, I also don't think that Sweetwater does a 55-point inspection, but I'm suspicious like that. I don't even believe that my Honda dealership actually changes my oil half the time when I take the car in.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

took some photos in the morning sun today:

entire bass

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 7, 2020
• ehb;

back of bass

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 7, 2020
• ehb;

bending on those stainless frets, it's like sliding on glass

my scales are off by 4 ounces (so I can't blame SW for the difference)
I checked them with a gallon (3.78 Liters/3.78 kg) of distilled water.

been futzing around with it a lot today & I'm still very happy: lowered the action, made sure the truss-rod functions, raised the pickups
New D'Addario EXL165 on my SR1800E are just a tad brighter, but that might partially be because they're right out of the package & haven't been on the bass for months & months like the same set on the EHB.

That could also be remedied by just using stainless next time on the EHB, or Cobalt.
TBH my SR1800E is harshly bright with new Cobalt rounds, I mean like nails on a chalkboard, but just for a couple of days. (good for that Pinnick sound)

For a hot-minute I thought the neck wasn't as stiff as I first surmised, but then I did some diddling around with the truss-rod & action on both basses & realize the graphite-reinforced neck is probably stiffer than the Ti-reinforced neck, but I'm flummoxed as to how, because I looked up their Young's Modulus & Ti is heaps stiffer (25x?).

Next week I'll take it by the local luthier for his take on the levelness of the frets, if he will, because he's not a fan of stainless frets.
I certainly am!

Oh wait, there's one thing I'm not happy about, the wiring:

wiring

• Killed_by_Death
• Nov 7, 2020
• ehb

I dislike it when PCBs are attached to the pots, because it means I will likely never do my own work on the wiring in there.
However, this one would be easier to convert to all-passive, having only 5 holes. The 7 holes on my SR1800E would be tougher to fill with a passive arrangement.

I like the locking Neutrik jack, it seems like they borrowed some design ideas from the BTB line.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

After playing the instrument for days, I finally plugged in after dark & couldn't see the side-dots, At ALL!

Turns out you need to charge them up-close with a strong light. I finally realized my mobile phone's flash LED will charge them, but I'm not too happy that it won't charge in normal, bright light.
I left it on the kitchen table under our brightest light for an hour, nothing!

 

[Cut the middle]

After playing the instrument for days, I finally plugged in after dark & couldn't see the side-dots, At ALL!

Turns out you need to charge them up-close with a strong light. I finally realized my mobile phone's flash LED will charge them, but I'm not too happy that it won't charge in normal, bright light.
I left it on the kitchen table under our brightest light for an hour, nothing!

Bummer.

 

[Nuage420]

Congrats! I love mine so much I'm getting a second one! If you're going to travel with it he gator GT transit case for guitars is a much better case than the one from ibanez. My current EHB is going to retain the dark sounding barts as I have installed a John East Uni-Pre and the tone is amazing. The second one is going to be rowdy and loaded up with big singles and maybe a darkglass preamp! This bass is so comfy sitting, standing, both positions easy to play for hours on end.

 

[Nuage420]

After playing the instrument for days, I finally plugged in after dark & couldn't see the side-dots, At ALL!

Turns out you need to charge them up-close with a strong light. I finally realized my mobile phone's flash LED will charge them, but I'm not too happy that it won't charge in normal, bright light.
I left it on the kitchen table under our brightest light for an hour, nothing!

I used some paint from Amazon and dabbed the dots. WAY MORE BRIGHT.