NBD: Ibanez headless multiscale (EHB1505MS)

[rohi]

Lately? As opposed to .... when?

Ha, you got me! Ibanez never really "spoke" to me, I had a 6 string BTB for a little bit until I let it go. That was a few years back, but lately I've been seeing some of their stuff that really appeals to me for whatever reason. All arbitrary, of course

 

[dkelley]

Ha, you got me! Ibanez never really "spoke" to me, I had a 6 string BTB for a little bit until I let it go. That was a few years back, but lately I've been seeing some of their stuff that really appeals to me for whatever reason. All arbitrary, of course

Cool. I too had a 6 string btb that never spoke to me. Odd! I had a cheaper 5 string BTB that was outstanding though, although it was bolt on and needed a shim, which once I added it made it into a quite a player. But it was 35" inch and I didn't want it unless it offered something awesome that was worth my playing a 35" (I only like 34").

So yea, I know they have their different models/lines/styles... btb isn't my thing, but I LOVE the looked, features, quality of btb... just not the sound. SR turns out to be my current ibanez line that I like, for the past couple decades at least. Who knew? I avoided SR like the plague forever, cuz my old japanese ibanez bass was so outstanding, I thought SR was missing everything I loved about that bass.

Turns out SR are completely different from BTB in tone/responsiveness, weight, scale length, .... at least that's my personal experience.

Anyhow - I me-ander....

Yea, good answer, good point. Fair enough!

 

[Folmeister]

I wish they did a four just like that. The four only seems to be currently offered with standard fretting.

 

[lucas303]

I wish they did a four just like that. The four only seems to be currently offered with standard fretting.

That would definitely be nice. I guess they think the only people who want multiscale are the 5 and 6 string players.

 

[HardNHeavy]

very nice axe!

 

[Lunatique]

Nice!! Those basses are chambered, hence why they are so light. I'm not into chambered basses. It has been the ONLY thing stopping me from trying one!

What is it about chambered bodies you don't like? The lighter weight? I don't think the tone changes much because the chambering isn't as dramatic as some options where the walls are very thin. Those types of chambering are for creating a more acoustic resonance type of tone, where as the less dramatic chambering in the EHB and Strandberg Boden series seem to be for decreasing the weight only and doesn't have much effect on tone.

Cool. I too had a 6 string btb that never spoke to me. Odd! I had a cheaper 5 string BTB that was outstanding though, although it was bolt on and needed a shim, which once I added it made it into a quite a player. But it was 35" inch and I didn't want it unless it offered something awesome that was worth my playing a 35" (I only like 34").

So yea, I know they have their different models/lines/styles... btb isn't my thing, but I LOVE the looked, features, quality of btb... just not the sound. SR turns out to be my current ibanez line that I like, for the past couple decades at least. Who knew? I avoided SR like the plague forever, cuz my old japanese ibanez bass was so outstanding, I thought SR was missing everything I loved about that bass.

Turns out SR are completely different from BTB in tone/responsiveness, weight, scale length, .... at least that's my personal experience.

Anyhow - I me-ander....

Yea, good answer, good point. Fair enough!

I have stayed away from BTB mainly because of the scale lengths. 34" is just the most practical because it's comfortable enough that I have no complaints, and I can use any type of strings available on the market (this is a huge factor).

I love the SR neck profiles as they are think and narrow and very fast/easy to play. They also tend to be lighter in weight (another important factor for me). And in recent years, the mid-frequency switch is also much more flexible than other typical 3-band EQ preamps. Visually, Ibanez is also the most adventurous and aesthetically interesting compared to the other big companies. I think this is due to the fact that Ibanez came later so was always seen as the modern upstart brand, while Fender, Music Man, Gibson, Hofner etc., are old classics and have a more vintage image.

I started out with just one Ibanez bass among various other brands like Music Man, Fender, NS Design, Dingwall, Samick, and now five out of six of my basses are Ibanez, and one NS Design. I guess I'm an Ibanez fanboy.

 

[Matty Koff]

If I had $1700+ to throw down on a bass right now I'd totally order one in Pacific Blue, but I have to say, just based on the picture that "Tropical Sea Floor" is pretty nice, looks better than the stock photos I've been looking at imo.

I think if I could, I'd go for the PBB. All a pipe dream right now though.

Spread me on some bread, I'm jelly. Congrats on the new bass.

 

[lucas303]

And in recent years, the mid-frequency switch is also much more flexible than other typical 3-band EQ preamps.

This reminds me of something else that stands out for me on the EHB1505MS. The mid boost/cut has a sweepable frequency range, and the ability to fine-tune the mids is really nice. My SRMS805 has a three-way switch for the mid frequency range, which is definitely nice but the sweepable mids on the EHB1505MS is even better.

 

[Lunatique]

This reminds me of something else that stands out for me on the EHB1505MS. The mid boost/cut has a sweepable frequency range, and the ability to fine-tune the mids is really nice. My SRMS805 has a three-way switch for the mid frequency range, which is definitely nice but the sweepable mids on the EHB1505MS is even better.

Absolutely. As soon as saw it in the specs before the basses even shipped, I wished all Ibanez basses would have it (or at least the higher-end ones with the mid-frequency switch). Now that I have used it on my EHB1505, I think it's the greatest preamp EQ ever, next to the Bongo's 4-band EQ.

 

[Frank77]

Very nice! Congrats OP, and enjoy! And yes, once you've gone headless it's hard to back. The trolls don't dare to give them a try because they're afraid they'll end up wanting one!

 

[deadline_]

I'd love to try one, unfortunately they don't make a 4-string version with fanned frets afaik.

 

[Williethump]

Seafloor, Sea Foam, mottled teal? I love it. Looks like polished labradorite. Pixels are cheap these days, burn up some of TB's bandwidth and go large for us.
I play a P-bass a lot these days but I started (3 years ago) on Ibbys and still really prefer the narrow necks.
The compact form factor is so useful. Small is cute too. What a beauty, and uses standard strings.

 

[lucas303]

Seafloor, Sea Foam, mottled teal? I love it. Looks like polished labradorite. Pixels are cheap these days, burn up some of TB's bandwidth and go large for us.
I play a P-bass a lot these days but I started (3 years ago) on Ibbys and still really prefer the narrow necks.
The compact form factor is so useful. Small is cute too. What a beauty, and uses standard strings.

I'll try to take some better pictures tonight.

 

[lucas303]

I'm just dropping back in to say that this bass is still working flawlessly and I can't get enough of it. It's fun and easy to play, and sounds great.

Also I obviously forgot about taking more pictures.

 

[Berger912]

how is the neck thickness? i heard they are fatter than the SR models
and what is string spacing width?

 

[lucas303]

how is the neck thickness? i heard they are fatter than the SR models

All the specs are on the Ibanez web site. Here are the specs for the 1505MS neck:

• Scale: 889mm/35" - 838mm/33"

• a : Width
• 45mm at NUT

• b : Width
• 74mm at 24F

• c : Thickness
• 19.5mm at 1F

• d : Thickness
• 21.5mm at 12F

• Radius :
• 500mmR

 

[ChuckMann]

I love mine!
I hear they have been discontinued already?!?!?!

 

[Turk3110]

Bought one of these two days ago.

I love it already!

 

[Seratone1]

I got the EHB 1505 MS - the Tropical Seafloor Flat version (not available in Canada - I had to do some creative shipping by bouncing it off a relative in the US). I was sort of obsessed with the 'idea' of headless after going through a Korean Steinberger and a Washburn Status.

For me it's too light. I had gone through a period where I was building ridiculously lightweight P basses that didn't sound or feel very good. There is this indecipherable feeling these just isn't enough 'mass' ratio between the strings and body/neck. I was OK with the multi scale frets after a day or two, but not the tension. I found it difficult to find a place to rest my thumb and even more difficult to use a pick. Muting is strange as the strings disappear into a tunnel - rather than laying across the top of a saddle. It feels like the strings really needed to extend beyond the nut. This is my new theory on headless basses - they, at least the neck, needs to be made of material more dense than wood - Graphite?

I didn't have the QC issues like others did. Other than the tone knob being loose. I did notice after a very short while the Tropical Seafloor finish wore off where I placed my thumb next to the bridge p/u. It makes sense that people are putting custom clear pickguards on these. Also the G string 'whines' at the 7th fret - it could be the string is too small for the nut - or the truss rod is vibrating.

I don't think I'll sell it though - it's just too beautiful - and such a unique feeling in every way from my Warwick Thumb - I haven't had the chance to play it on a stage yet - If I get some power behind it with an amp - these concerns might be lessened somewhat.